Journal. David Letter.

26 Dudley Ave
or PO Box 80
Huntly
New Zealand

22 June 2004

Dear David and Moira,

Thought I would drop you a line to fill you in what is happening to us in this neck of the woods… not that there is much to tell. I have finished work completely now after the last few years of semi part-time albeit shortened hours.

The closing down of the business took much longer than expected. The accountant said to allow about 3 months with all the paper work involved and he was right, but everything is cleaned up now. I’m now busy with all the things I have wanted to do and couldn’t because of work or too tired in later years to do them.

I had a phone call from my eldest son Ian a few weeks back to say you had phoned him and were intending to send the draft copy of the second part of “ Thanks for a Life” for writing up. Send it anytime that is convenient to you, I will be more than delighted to do it for you. It will make a pleasant interlude between poking around in genealogy and writing my memoirs and gardening.

John and Edith Irving have just returned from visiting here NZ last week and were talking of visiting you at some stage on their return. They made their base at their son’s place and came and stayed with us for a time.

On their return after a few days they were going house and cat sitting for a month in Harrogate at Edith’s brothers place whilst he is Australia visiting his daughter.

It is our winter now; the shortest day is now past and I’m trying out growing winter tomatoes in the new greenhouse. Others do it but we have to be careful of early morning air-frosts next month, which can knock them back. Lettuce and other vegetables grow well. Oh, and not forgetting flowers. It is rainy squalls at present with wind and sunshine following but mild.

I do hope your daughter is bearing up after her sad loss and the children too. It is difficult to say in writing what you want to say but you will know what I mean.

By the way David I’m about to drop a line to Harry Douglas to thank him for his help in Bromfield when we were there and I will mention you to him. I’ve just finished writing up that part in my journal that I kept of our trip.

Over the page I’ve placed a poem I came across some time ago on the Internet. I immediately thought that you would like to see it David, I remembered you used to like Cumbrian dialect. The web site also had the copy of the 1954 Directory of Aspatria and District. Under Mealsgate and Bromfield were entries for Joe and Tommy Brough, East House including the Bungalow and also my Irving entries. I had a look under Aspatria and would guess that you would know a lot of the names listed. I can take them off on the printer if you like.

Well I’m over the page so you will see the poem.

I will say cheerio for the present and keep well. Say hello to Diane and Slinky

Regards… Eric

P.S. The spell checker didn’t like the poem!!




A Poem
This poem, attributed to Gordon Nicholl, describes the demise of Bulgill Colliery in about 1910.
Original West-Cumbrian Version Translation
Bulgill's buggert marraWukken out cum's fastIf thou gits t'backshift inThat cud be thee last Bulgill's buggered friend,Working-out comes fast,If you get the backshift in,That could be your last
T'Powney's gone till RiserT'Ingins gone till t'sealsThompson's up afoort t'bossFer pinchun six inch neals The pony's gone to RisehowThe Engine's gone to the salesTompson's up before the bossFor stealing six inch nails
Tyson's gone till ButhyCass till OutersideUncle Joe's at Number FowerAn Tom's at Number Five Tyson's gone to BothelCass to OughtersideUncle Joe's at Number fourAnd Tom's at Number Five
Bulgill's buggert marraJust a wa' o steanDivent ga 'till ButhyThoo's better off at yam. Bulgill's buggered friendJust a wall of stoneDon't go to BothelYou're better off at home
Ere we ga up t'clog trodIn till t'Railway PubGet thee wissel wet me ladSee-un thou'll be on't club. Here we go up the pathInto the Railway PubGet your whistle wet my ladSeeing as you'll be on the club