Walcott 1948
This film shows the house where we stayed near the top of the cliff, with steps down to the beach. Uncle Joe participates in swimming, kite flying, making immense sandcastles, getting clothes wet in the sea and swimming inside a sandbank. It ends with the picnic on the way home.
Winter 1948 & Spring 1949
This film starts in the Maybury garden with autumnal tasks including digging up potatoes and making a bonfire. Uncle Joe appears in the winter, then as spring comes there are more garden scenes including chickens. The film ends with a visit from Doris’ sister Pat with her husband Dick and little daughter Janet.
Southwold 1949
This film starts with beach scenes like Jean and Sheila jumping Peter and Christine up and down in the waves. It provides a quick look at the house at 12 Field Stile Road where we stayed (opposite the church) with the Lanchester outside. There’s a nice scene where Peter and Christine jump off concrete blocks and the film ends with a glimpse of Southwold Market Place.
Southwold 1949 continued
This film shows races on the beach, swimming and diving off the groynes and the the picnic on the way home, followed by apple picking in the garden at Maybury.
Southwold 1950
This film introduces the new Tennis Court at Maybury, showing Sheila returning all the balls and Jean missing most of them. Southwold Beach appears. Then to the boating lake where Sheila and Jean are sailing small dinghies. Visit of John’s sister Florence with Susan, Sandy and Lockwood. A ‘professional’ photographer, Mr Calvert, takes photos of Sheila with her hair loose. Toward the end, the film shows swimming, stone-throwing and visiting the pier.
The main actors
Uncle Joe: Joe was John’s best friend and an honorary uncle to his children. He went to sea at 14 and worked his way up to Captain in the Merchant Navy, sailing on City Line ships. His ship was torpedoed during the war but he survived. Sadly, he died while still young in 1955.
Summer Term 1950, Peter started at Aldwickbury School.
