I wonder if, like me, you find the life-style of your grandchildren - if you are lucky enough to have any - astoundingly different from that of your predecessors! It never fails to amaze me. My grandmother was very proud of the fact that she went to school. Her father was a rich mill-owner, and so he could afford to pay for this! She fell in love with a poor farmer who often came to grind his corn at the mill. Marriage was refused, so, dressed in her best velvets, she climbed out of a window, and they married in the ‘leaning’ Church in the Centre of Bristol.
My mother left school at the age of twelve! There was no salary for her, just pocket-money. She worked alongside my grandmother in their Inn, which was called ‘The Darrell Arms’ and was at Framilode on the banks of the River Severn. The family had the rights to fish salmon from the river, and my mother cooked salmon teas, with paid help, and served them in their tea-gardens alongside the Inn. They also had the rights to ferry people backwards and forwards across the Severn, so the mealtimes were always busy.
At the age of 18, my mother was engaged to be married to a young farmer called Mortimer. Sadly, my grandfather died and the family moved back to Bristol. My mother joined Kingswood Tennis Club and loved it. However her mother gave her the choice: either leave the Club, or give up her fiancé. She chose the Tennis Club!
My life was pretty strict, but not as bad as that. And what freedom my daughter had! At 17, she was away from home at Exeter University. My grandchildren too are widely travelled and totally independent. My little great-granddaughter, at 5 months old, travelled to the South of France.
Life has endless possibilities, even in these difficult times. I hope that you enjoy yours!
Esmé
My mother left school at the age of twelve! There was no salary for her, just pocket-money. She worked alongside my grandmother in their Inn, which was called ‘The Darrell Arms’ and was at Framilode on the banks of the River Severn. The family had the rights to fish salmon from the river, and my mother cooked salmon teas, with paid help, and served them in their tea-gardens alongside the Inn. They also had the rights to ferry people backwards and forwards across the Severn, so the mealtimes were always busy.
At the age of 18, my mother was engaged to be married to a young farmer called Mortimer. Sadly, my grandfather died and the family moved back to Bristol. My mother joined Kingswood Tennis Club and loved it. However her mother gave her the choice: either leave the Club, or give up her fiancé. She chose the Tennis Club!
My life was pretty strict, but not as bad as that. And what freedom my daughter had! At 17, she was away from home at Exeter University. My grandchildren too are widely travelled and totally independent. My little great-granddaughter, at 5 months old, travelled to the South of France.
Life has endless possibilities, even in these difficult times. I hope that you enjoy yours!
Esmé
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