Edition Bobbett1. Texts by Elizabeth F. Bobbett: 1.1.1. Correspondence, Private letters

1968 Elizabeth Bobbett: Letter to May Beveridge, 15.12.1968

Source: Archives of Rural History (ARH), Elizabeth McLoughlin Papers

My dear May. I send you and all the family my very best wishes for a very happy Christmas and many bright New Years. I hope you are all keeping well. It is a good while since I had a letter from you. How are you getting on at your French Classes, and the Bowling games? Expect you have your cold weather by now. The weather here has been very mild up to last night, it is wintery to-day but no rain or snow here yet. There was bad flooding down south past few days and some snow in Sligo.

There has been much disturbance up North of late. I shall send you some bits of newspapers about it. All the churches had special prayers to-day up north for peace and Justice. Do you ever get papers sent you from Belfast?

I am not sending Christmas cards this year, as I have a bit of good news to tell my friends so am writing letters instead. I went to Parkie to Donabate for my 70th birthday 4th October brother Willie came over from London to be with me. We had three days together so happy. When I arrived at Donabate there was a lovely surprise for me from the East Wicklow Milk Producers’ Association, a beautiful big Bouquet of Flowers and nice birthday card. My brothers were as thrilled about it as I was. Such a nice thought from them.

The County Wicklow Executive of the National Farmer’s Association held their Annual Dinner in the International Hotel Bray on 27th November there were 400 at it and the service was wonderful, we had seven courses.

I am County President so had to say Grace and propose the Toast to Ireland. We had the National President Mr T.J. Maher and several important Guests. I was made two presentations, being now 70. One from the NFA, a lovely Silver Tea Set four pieces nicely engraved. The other from the East Wicklow Milk Producers’ Association a nice Wooden Wall Plaque nicely inscribed “To Miss Bobbett in appreciation of her devoted service” and a Handsome Cheque “To Miss Bobbett with sentiments of profound esteem” from the Members and some Ex-Members of East Wicklow Milk Producers’ Association. I am their County Secretary for past 20 years. Both Associations spoke very highly of me could not have paid me higher tributes. I got so bewildered when I saw the Silver Tea Set on the table, I don’t know what I said when I got up to speak, but anyway I got great applause and had them all laughing.

I did not dance much, the band was too modern for my liking, mostly quick steps and as we say “lepping around”. I was amused at the Mini Skirts, one was more like a bathing Togs.

I have had a bad cold for past three weeks but it is now on the mend. The pain in my head from the Shingles is still bad at times. But I have given up taking tablets for it. I have slowed up a lot in my work and have cut down on my farm work.

I don’t milk a cow now, so need not go to the yard so early.

We have to keep British Summer time all this winter and it is a curse. The children have to go out to school in the dark morning and there are many complaints, but the people did not complain soon enough. We are 1½ ahead of God’s time, the natural time. I feel it very much when I get up, I have no energy till it comes to God’s time.

There was a nice photo of me in the paper recently and I have ordered some, so will send you one by ordinary mail when I get them. I am staying at home for Christmas and having a friend as Paying Guest. I could not afford to go away for four nights, as it is difficult to get neighbours to feed animals at such times.

Now May dear, I hope that you will be able to take a holiday home here in 1969, as only the Lord knows how long I will be here, and I would not mind how soon He took me, if I could get some things straighten out first. As I get older life will get more difficult for me.

Now good night and God bless you and many happy Christmases to you and all the family from

Lillie Bobbett.