Letters to the Editors
Peter Allix
Dear Editors,
In Frank Readhead's report of the P.C. meeting in June he mentioned the death of a young officer in 1940, by the name of Allix, and commented that close relations living locally must remember this awful event, which would have had a profound effect on the family and village.
The officer concerned was my uncle, Peter Allix, and the only close relative still living who knew him is my mother who will be 89 this month.
My grandfather, Charles Allix, had four children, three daughters and then the long awaited son who would inherit the estate - sadly it was not to be. Peter left Eton at 18, then joined the Coldstream Guards and was with a small rearguard group protecting the Dunkirk evacuation when he was killed at the age of 2l. His father never really recovered from that tragedy and its consequences.
It brought to an end the 200 years or so that the Allix's had lived in Swaffham Prior, with the estate passing, on his death in 1960, to his eldest daughter, Mrs. Hurrell, and subsequently to her son, Henry Hurrell. Because she died a mere eight years after her father, the estate suffered two lots of death duties in quick succession. The result of this was that many of the estate houses in the village had to be sold, so that the misfortune of the Allix family resulted in the good fortune of other families who were able to buy some of the lovely houses in our village. Among these are our house, Swaffham Prior House, Baldwin Manor, Goodwin Manor, Anglesey House and Rose Cottage. I wonder how different the village might be if Peter Allix, who could still be alive today, had not been killed.
My grandfather continued the tradition of having portraits painted of family members by having a posthumous portrait of Peter painted by the noted artist of the time, Oswald Birley. This now hangs in my mother's house with instructions that it is eventually to come back here to Swaffham Prior.
Street Lights and other Controversial Matters
Dear Editors,
I was delighted to read that 'special' street lights in the 'key part' of our Conservation Area are to be shielded for the benefit of nearby residents. It would be nice to know if this service could be extended to include distinctly shabby street lights in the more lowly part of the CA.
Did I detect a slight sniff of disapproval in the comment about 'too thin' curtains? The real problem is the inch-perfect precision of the offending lamp which is exactly at eye height and in a direct line from the pillow through any one-micron gap between the curtains. I suppose we could rearrange the room and put the bed at the other end.. .. There was a wonderful period of nearly nine months during which the lamp failed, and we switched on our (otherwise redundant) door light for the benefit of passing pedestrians. Then someone shopped us. Never mind, the post is so rusted through at the top that the lamp will probably fall off soon (remind me to write to the PC about it).
While waiting for that to happen, I enjoy comparing the chimes of the village clock with those of my long-case, lovingly rebuilt by me a few years ago. I think mine keeps slightly steadier time, but it doesn't matter. Neither clock is really supposed to be looked at - just heard. The chimes are there to provide a gentle reminder of the passing day, and should be accurate enough to enable people to catch the afternoon stage, but not the Number 10 at 0657. The only time they are a problem is when they inform you that it is indeed 3 in the morning (more or less) and you can't get back to sleep.
They certainly don't merit any bickering, or oily rags at 50 paces. Or was it a joke?? ( I had intended to write to you some time ago to complain about elliptical references by regular correspondents that relied on things we were supposed too have noticed and remembered from previous issues - and now realised that I have just done the same thing. Oh dear).
Unused Foreign Coins
Dear Editors,
Many of you will have read that the Arthur Rank Hospice in Cambridge needs to raise £175,000 in order to save the vital 'Hospice at Home' service. They have had much of their funding removed as a result of the NHS cutbacks. The charity is determined to save the service which enables people with cancer to be nursed at home if that is their wish.
One way that we can help is by sorting out old foreign currency notes and coins. It does not matter how old they are, they can still help to raise more money for this appeal. I am very happy to take any donations into the hospice as I work there as a volunteer flower arranger. So, if you have returned from holiday with coins that are too small for the bank to accept, just pop them in an envelope and put them through my letterbox. (Our letterbox is in the front door which is at the back of the house!) The address is The Oaks, Manor Farm Court, Lower End, Swaffham Prior.
I look forward to receiving your donations!
The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal
Dear Editors,
I have recently taken over as Poppy Appeal Organiser for Swaffham Prior and urgently need Collectors for this vital work. Please help by giving up some of your time by acting as a House-to-House Collector any time during the twelve days preceding Poppy Day in early November.
Thank You!