The Agatha d'Ascoyne Papers

 It was Nora’s birthday. She had tried not to be too expectant, but Harold always bought her a little surprise. He was in good spirits lately too, as he had finally got that promotion at the office. They had more money coming in than they had ever had before – things were looking up. Nora battled with a wish for a delightful little package to open. A new chain necklace to replace the one that she had snapped, perhaps. Or a hairdryer would be nice. She went downstairs to fetch the morning tea. When she returned with the tray, there was a neat, square package resting on her pillow, along with her card. She opened the card first and leaned over to kiss Harold on the cheek. “I wonder what this could be?” She handled the package carefully and could glean no clues as to what was beneath the paper. It was quite thrilling. She peeled off the wrapping and the inner box was revealed. She read out the writing on the label. “Clem Travel Iron.” “It plugs into the light socket.” Haro...

  The Girl on the Witches Hat Lone spinner on the flaking Witches Hat A flashing display of skin flayed from knees On the girl with the dun hair, long and flat That barely flinches in the turning breeze She spies knitted tank tops and patched wide jeans  Proving the skill of women that know how Who look at her and know the way life leans The seeds she emerged with are splitting now Her pleated kilt is stitched tight to her vest By the nerve centre of her unfurling  Bouncing the ball of high fevered unrest Some invade the hat, it begins whirling She emerges unmoved, ready to walk The line of the hedge, bones porous on chalk Download my novella 'Pollywasher' here

The film Child in the House’ (1956) has a fine cast. The child star of the title is Mandy Miller, who so memorably played a deaf child in the film that shared her name. Meanwhile, she is supported by Stanley Baker, Eric Portman, Dora Bryan and Phyllis Calvert. There are also tiny roles for Alfie Bass and Joan Hickson. This roll call alone is enough to send me running to see this film. Young Elizabeth (Mandy) is sent to live with her aunt and uncle (Phyllis and Eric) when her mother is taken into hospital. Meanwhile, her father (Stanley) is on the run from the law for being a wrong ‘un where money is concerned. It’s all heart-wrenching stuff, only lightened by the presence of the huge-hearted maid (Dora). What I found most interesting about this film was Phyllis’ role as the aunt. The story opens with her going to collect Elizabeth from Victoria station and we are treated to an excruciating first meeting between the pair. It is obvious from the outset that the aunt has no experience of ...

A problem and answer from Mrs Jim's page, Home Chat Magazine, July 1939. Husband is playing away. Wife finds out. Many barriers are in the way of wife leaving. She is advised to keep quiet, make herself pretty and be kind to him. Good lord. Unhappy Discovery When tidying my husband's desk the other day I came across a letter in his handwriting starting with the words "my darling". Thinking it was one of his old letters to me, I quite innocently read on, only to discover it was to another woman. This has been a terrible shock. I have never suspected my husband, though he has seemed strange recently and I put it down to business worries and ill health. Should I tell him what I know or shall I await developments? I gather from the letter that they meet in business and often in the evenings. I feel as if the bottom had dropped from my world.  Mrs Jim's answer: My dear, I'm terribly sorry. I gather from your letter that you have been happy together until now, so pl...

Throughout time, both men and women have participated in the art of sewing. But, as usual, when a man sews it's a professional job, something worth paying for. He is a Tailor. The sewing that women carry out has never had the same status. Making clothes for the family came under the heading of domestic duties. A woman who sewed things for others was a jobbing seamstress, earning a bit of pin money. Tapestries, samplers and embroideries dating back centuries were never recognised as an art, despite arguably requiring more skill and talent than some internationally renowned artworks produced by men. Intricate quilts were just blankets, made to use up fabric scraps. Things have changed a little...but not enough and maybe that's because we can just buy anything we want cheap as we like, instead of having to make it - not because of any great strides in feminism. More women are reclaiming the traditional activities that we like to keep alive as a form of witchcraft. Making kitchen r...

Powell & Pressburger's film Black Narcissus is set in a convent in India, and was filmed almost exclusively at Pinewood Studios. Not a great deal of scope there for commentary on the social history of everyday people. It is almost a Film Noir (except for the lavish colouring so typical of P & P) and is quite removed from ordinary life. However, chief nun Sister Clodagh (Deborah Kerr), does have flashbacks to a life before her vows, where we learn the reason for her dedicating herself to the Order. Sister Clodagh, it turns out, lived in a small village and had a childhood sweetheart that everyone believed she would marry. The man in question however made no promises and decided to emigrate to the US - without her. The shame was so great that she went and took holy orders. This is a totally unfeasible story to a modern woman, but the fact that it was used as a presumably credible storyline then makes me realise that the freedoms that I take for granted are only recently ...