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St John the Baptist Church The spring of 1951 saw the first part of installation of electricity to the church in the form of an electric motor to drive the bellows supplying air to the organ pipes. It was quite an event because it meant that the organist had complete control for the first time over the air supply and didn't need to tap on the pedals to tell the person who was pumping (which happened to be me at the time) that she wanted to play the organ. The motor was concealed behind the paneling at the rear of the organ. Lighting was not included at this time and as far as I am aware wasn't installed until sometime in 1952.
Television During the spring of 1951 "Modern" media finally came to the village. As far as I can recall the Saddingtons at the Star and Garter were the first to install a television set. The first television sets that were available only showed black and white images and quite often the picture would scroll either up or down. During the day they would set it up in the window of the pub so that the adults and children of the village could view it if they wanted to. Naturally the kids of the village would gather around to see what this square box was, and to hear sound of voices and music. The window had been opened a little from the top so that you could hear the sound quite clearly.
The School Although I do not have first hand knowledge of the following events because we had already left the village, I can say that the condition of the school had been deteriorating for some years, in fact I don't recall the school building or the yard ever having any maintenance whilst we lived in the village. The building and grounds had got to such a dangerous state that the villagers were required to take action. Monday 8th October 1951 witnessed the largest gathering of villagers Chelveston had ever seen, to express their concern. The attached articles were published on Tuesday 9th in the local newspaper.
Departure I left the village at the end of June 1951 to board with my employer until such time as dad informed me we had a birth on a ship bound for Australia. He said I would have plenty of notice to allow me to return to the village and say goodbye to my friends, alas it was not to be.
On the day that dad, mum and my brother left Chelveston never to return; the villagers gave them a rousing send off. Mum spoke often of that day which left a not to be forgotten impression on her mind, all the villagers gathered in what she described as being like an avenue of honour through which Baxter's taxi drove them. Apparently they clapped and sang "For they are Jolly Good Fellows", she found it very moving!
The family caught the train to London where they stayed with dad’s parents in Willesden for two days before going to Bournemouth for a holiday, they didn't like it there and moved on to Eastbourne, returning to Willesden on Friday 24th August.
The next day mum and dad went to Australia house to advise them of the change of address and to inform them we were ready to go. The official thought they were joking, but couldn't give any indication of a sailing date. Over the next three weeks dad went to Australia house just about every other day and pestered the life out of them. The officials eventually asked if he would be prepared to accept a moments notice if they received any cancellations? Not being one for letting grass grow under his feet he said yes.
Late on the afternoon of the 17th September dad received a telegram to say we had passage on the SS.Ranchi leaving Tilbury Dock at 4.00 pm. on Wednesday 19th. At six o'clock that evening when I got home from a days work there was a telegram waiting for me to say I had to be at St. Pancras by 4.00 pm. the next day. It all happened so quickly I never had time to say goodbye to anybody except my boss and his wife. Mum and dad never had a chance to say goodbye to their brothers and sisters, consequently nobody saw us board the train for Tilbury Dock or to see the ship depart. |
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Departure 1951 |
