ALBERT HOUSE. COLNE. LANCS. TEL.NO.282
20th March 1940
Belovedest ‘own, (nearly!),
How are you rolling along? Avec the barréll or just on your own? Kay may be telling you I had a Sing-song last night for the troops. About 100 “Pioneers” are stationed in this burg and yours truly felt she’d like to do something by way of giving the lads a change so staged a sing-song in the Exchange St School. I sent out invitations to the 7 billets. Only two let me know how many to expect and instead of 51 as expected – about 90 arrived! It was great to have so many. They sang and one played the mandolin while another accompanied (!) him on the spoons. Quite a scientific art I find “the spoons” to be! There were several Scotties – one an awfully nice wee chap who acted as orderly and M.C. of the talent. Another sang jolly well and he came from Motherwell which is very near to Bothwell the village in which I spent my childhood – d.y.k. Some of “the Mothers” helped with the refreshments and Mrs Ingram and her daughter Ethel and a Miss Cronshaw who played the accordion also helped very materially to make a success of the evening. I very nearly sang a wee song myself but my courage failed at the last minute. (The Rector came in!). Anyway I felt thoroughly happy that I had managed to get so many of the men to come. They are a “tough” lot but a great lot and I felt very fond of them. – Funny person I suppose I am! Anyway I am very fond of you so maybe I am a bit queer!!! Excuse this mad note please. I shall be very dignified in my next maybe. Lots of Love. M.J.S.E