Diary written as war breaks out

Mum has a small diary of a holiday she took with her family in 1939 .What is fascinating about the diary is that it is written at a time when war seemd to be looming .At the top of most pages is a phrase like "war more likely" or" war seems less likely today"

The diary also records a trip the family took to a TB sanatorium near Talgarth where John Watson was the chief medic.Mum recalls sharing a room with her sister Gladys and they were there when the war actually broke out on Septemeber 3rd
Mum recalls seeing so many people in uniform and finding it impossible to get a hotel room on their travels in Shrewsbury and having to get one on the outskirts of Chester instead
The diary cover just a few short but very significant weeks in mums and her familes lives

wedding day photo

I spent the afternoon with mum yesterday.
After lunch we spent an hour or two chatting through the past and looking through old photos of her family and even writing down the names of the people while they are still remembered.Mum is holding a photo of Robert Nicoll and Edith Watson's wedding. Apologies for the quality of the photo I just snapped it with my phone camera. The wedding took place at St Fillans church Newport on Tay, Scotland.

Dot and Dieter

Aunt Dot has died
I had seen her only very rarely in recent years but I have very happy memories of Aunt Dot and Uncle Dieter from my childhood
I remember spending New Year with them in London and remember their visits to Beech House,Wem at Christmas time .
I can remember being up very early one Christmas Day (probably about 5 am!) looking longingly at the presents round the Christmas tree and being caught by Dieter and ordered back to bed!
They were both generous people with a great sense of humour and generally fun to be with, which is I guess what Aunts and Uncles are for!
I will miss them


the opicture above was taken ,I think at Victoria and Guy's wedding

Nicoll family photo

Mum discovered a picture of her dad Robert (Jnr) as a 4 year old  with his mum and dad  Robert & Bella and sisters Meg & May. Mum dates the picture at about 1894

The writing on the back is written by our Granny I think and says look at this when you want a laugh!

Dads funeral

It is nearly 5 years since dad died within minutes of arriving at the hospice in Shrewsbury.

 On 26th July he was cremated and his ashes scattered on the River Wye .The order of service featured a self portrait of dad in his studio

wedding photos

Photos of the wedding of mum and dad