Sarahs Legacy

By Fran Hinson

Henry Bellamy, his wife Emma and brother George are the founding members of a dynasty that spans five generations. ‘Sarah's Legacy’ is the second book in the Bellamy Dynasty Saga, following on from ‘A Land of Chance’ and set against a backdrop of Australian history from 1855 to 1951.
At the age of five, Sarah Louise Bellamy emigrates from the English county of Essex with her parents and four sisters to become part of the fabric of early Melbourne. The growth of a dynasty and the rise in its fortunes is seen through her eyes. From early beginnings in merchandising and shipping, the family company expands to keep abreast of changing times with the advent of steam power for their ships, motor vehicles and early aviation. Ultimately, the company’s interests also include mining, agriculture and real estate.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fran Hinson
• Release date: Jul 31, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476256955

Fran Hinson

Born in Sydney, Australia. Currently live in East Gippsland,rural Victoria. Published a non-fiction text book in 1985. Married to Martin.

Book preview

SARAH’S LEGACY

PART TWO OF THE BELLAMY DYNASTY SAGA

by

Fran Hinson

***

PUBLISHED BY CHARGAN AT SMASHWORDS

Sarah’s Legacy

The second volume in the Bellamy Dynasty Saga

Copyright © 2012 Fran Hinson

ISBN: 978-1-4762569-5-5

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

Fran Hinson has asserted her right under the Copyright Act 1976 to be identified as the author of this work.

This is a work of fiction based on real people and events, brought to life by the author.

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

***

Contents

Précis of A Land Of Chance

Chapter Nine Melbourne 1894

Chapter Ten Melbourne 1901

Chapter Eleven Melbourne 1910

Chapter Twelve Melbourne 1914

Chapter Thirteen Melbourne 1919

Chapter Fourteen Melbourne 1929

Chapter Fifteen Melbourne 1939

Chapter Sixteen Melbourne 1945

***

Précis of A Land Of Chance

Henry Bellamy, his wife Emma and brother George are the founding members of a dynasty that spans five generations. ‘A Land of Chance’ is a family saga set against a backdrop of Australian history from 1855 to 1951.

At the age of five, Sarah Louise Bellamy emigrates from the English county of Essex with her parents and four sisters to become part of the fabric of early Melbourne. The growth of a dynasty and the rise in its fortunes is seen through her eyes. From early beginnings in merchandising and shipping, the family company expands to keep abreast of changing times with the advent of steam power for their ships, motor vehicles and early aviation. Ultimately, the company’s interests also include mining, agriculture and real estate.

Yet the story is not a corporate one; rather a family’s development, shaped in part by the events of the nation, from the Victorian era to Federation, through the great Depression and two world wars.

The story moves between the early settlements of Melbourne, Essendon and the harsh atmosphere of rural Queensland.

The Bellamy women are strong in a period when it is neither common nor popular for the gentle sex to be involved in business matters. Through happiness and tragedy, Sarah remains central to the family’s growth and strength yet she epitomises a gentler era in time. As the wealth of the family grows, the dynasty diminishes until thirty-two year old Toby stands to inherit it all.

Chapters 1 to 8 are contained in the first book in this series, A Land Of Chance.

Chapter Nine

Melbourne 1894

Melbourne in the 1880s was an amazing place with a population of half a million people. As a city, it was larger than most European capitals and boasted more decorative cast iron on its buildings than any other city in the world. Ornate office buildings of up to twelve storeys rivalled those of London and New York.

Banks, hotels and offices were embellished with spires, towers, domes and turrets, all of which looked down on bustling streets packed with people, carriages and trams.

Although the first cable tram ran along Flinders Street to Richmond as early as 1885, by 1890 trams were moving commuters between the city and inner suburbs.

Australia’s first telephone exchange opened in 1880 and within seven years most banks, solicitors, insurance companies and other large businesses were using telephones on a regular basis.

This was the Melbourne that Angus McLean came to know during the 1880s.

In 1838, James Forbes established the Scots School and it quickly gained a reputation as the most efficient school in the colony. He was a vocal advocator for reform, particularly the cause of public education, the plight of low-income families with regard to education and the poor salaries paid to teachers. The determined Scotsman dreamt of opening a higher Presbyterian School for Victoria and he made a request to the Free Church of Scotland to provide a rector. The school began its life in 1851 and was originally known as the Melbourne Academy but later changed its name to Scotch College.

The campus was originally located in Spring Street but by the time Angus attended, the school had moved to East Melbourne, making it convenient to ‘Wendouree’, the home of his grandparents.

Sarah was delighted to think that her son had the opportunity to form a close relationship with her own beloved parents. The first four years of his life spent in Queensland, followed by another four at Essendon, meant that he did not grow up with Henry and Emma in close proximity. Therefore their role in his development had been minimal.

Although Hannah Page had filled the role of grandmother admirably, in Sarah’s mind it was not the same as getting to know his true grandparents.

On the occasions that his father was also in town, ‘Wendouree’ in Vale Street was home to both Tom and Angus. He also had an opportunity to get to know his Aunt Margaret who still lived at home with Henry and Emma.

Sarah had intended for Angus to become a boarder at school but when the suggestion was made for him to live at Vale Street, she had been delighted. She had heard that life as a boarder for boys as young as eight could be austere, harsh and it was rumoured, almost cruel.

As it turned out, Angus really enjoyed school. He had a quick mind and found the process of learning not only interesting but also fairly easy. Tom and Sarah had both fostered a love of books in the young child, and he was encouraged to read from the very first day he could fully understand the words.

As both grandparents had a teaching background, they not only encouraged his progress but also displayed an inordinate amount of patience with homework and assignments. Henry’s library proved a wonderful source of reference material and during long winter evenings, Angus would sit reading while his grandmother sewed or read and Henry scanned his business journals and magazines. On other nights, Henry would talk to the young lad about life in the early days of Melbourne and the start of their then fledgling shipping business.

Numerous stories about his great uncle George digging in the goldfields and then building his much loved house – ‘Dedham’, kept the young teenager enthralled. He came to understand the family dynamics and the names of people he only dimly remembered fitted into the picture like pieces in a jigsaw puzzle.

His home at Essendon had been a constant fascination for Angus as he grew up exploring every room and cupboard in the great house. More than once, Lydia had caught him sliding down the awesome timber railings of the grand central staircase and on one occasion she had caught him returning from the forbidden outside lookout. The new locked gate at the base of the winding stairs had given him only a brief period of frustration until he learnt how to wriggle his small fingers through the pickets. The scolding he had received only made him more careful about not getting caught and he learnt to wait until she was deeply involved in cooking, with her hands deep in flour. Then he would sneak up to the very top of the house and take command of his imaginary ship. An old circle of wood with broken spokes served as a steering wheel and as the breeze moved the canvas ‘sails’ his father had built, Angus was transported into an exciting make-believe world of battles and pirates.

During one of the evening discussions at ‘Wendouree’, Angus confessed to his secret playroom.

I’m sure your mother didn’t know about any of this, Emma said, smiling indulgently.

Angus laughed; eyes alight with a wicked gleam.

Definitely not. She was always afraid I would fall over the edge. I think I would have liked my great uncle. A man that can design such a house must have been an interesting person, he added.

Henry had put his journal down and removed his reading glasses. He enjoyed these evenings with the young boy, especially when he was able to relive the past.

I’m sure of it. Do you remember him at all? he asked.

Not really. I believe I was only two years old when I met him in Queensland, Angus replied. I remember his funeral though, he added after a pause.

Do you? That surprises me, Henry said, adding with a sigh, I wish he had lived longer. You two would have been great friends – he always enjoyed young people.

At other times during the year, Tom and Angus would travel back to Essendon together at weekends.

On these occasions, Angus would saddle a horse as soon as possible and ride over to see Michael and Isobel Braithwaite. The three of them were all close in age and had become firm friends during the years that they shared lessons given by Sarah. When Angus began school at Scotch College, Michael and Isobel attended school in Essendon and they understandably saw less of each other during the school term.

However, during school holidays Angus would pack food and water and disappear for the whole day with Michael who taught him to fish in the Maribyrnong River.

As Angus matured he spent more weekends in Melbourne to pursue the sports of football in the winter and cricket in the summer and by the time of his seventeenth birthday, he was taller than his father. His gregarious nature made him popular at school and university and he was constantly surrounded by a large group of friends.

During his university days, he was frequently asked to make up numbers to escort young ladies to the theatre, picnics and dances. Angus courted a large number of girls but when the young women showed signs of becoming too interested, he would back away and use the excuse of study or sport to avoid further involvement.

Apart from being a socially desirable young man, his compelling appearance made him a much sort after escort.

The blond curls had only darkened slightly with age and the hazel eyes shone with humour or glowed with inner fire and enthusiasm. The neatly trimmed beard did not hide the strength in his face and he was an extremely handsome young man by the time he reached twenty-three years of age in 1893.

Angus had studied accountancy at university. He disliked the subject intensely, finding it dull and tedious and the day of his graduation couldn’t come soon enough. After much discussion with his father, he had reluctantly agreed that he needed knowledge of accounting to successfully run the family business. It was during the early days with the company that he learnt a very valuable lesson, which stood him in good stead for the rest of his life.

By 1891, thirty years of gold inspired prosperity came to an end. The building boom suffered a devastating collapse. Many banks and building societies failed, caused by a mixture of over-enthusiastic expansion, industrial strife and a fall in the international wool prices. What followed was a catastrophic depression. When the banks closed their doors, stockbrokers panicked and thousands lost jobs, homes and savings.

The Bellamy and McLean families escaped relatively unscathed, largely due to the company’s diverse interests. The Reynolds family in Warrnambool was not so lucky and they certainly felt the effects of the collapse in the wool industry. Luckily the expanding horse stud and Eva’s inheritance in George’s business saw them through the difficult times.

‘The House of Herbs’ suffered a downturn in trading and Margaret reluctantly reduced the hours worked by her staff. However, she was able to survive the depression by working longer hours herself and cutting all overheads to an absolute minimum. As long as she could continue to pay the rent and keep the doors open, she was philosophical about reduced profits.

Angus was appalled at the suffering of some of his close friends. He witnessed the effect of tragedy on one friend whose father committed suicide when it became apparent that the family was ruined.

Never would Angus McLean forget the bitter lessons of others.

It was early in 1893 that Angus shocked his family by announcing his intentions to marry.

His father was taken completely by surprise and he sat looking at Angus with a stunned expression.

Tom looked at his wife, searching for some sign that she was aware of these developments but she shook her head imperceptibly.

Good heavens Angus! I didn’t know you had formed any serious attachment? Sarah said with a baffled expression.

Tom continued to study his son and was suddenly irritated by the smile on Angus’s face.

I presume you plan to introduce us to the young lady? he asked sarcastically.

Angus was enjoying the scene that was taking place in the lounge room at ‘Dedham’ and chose to ignore his father’s caustic tone.

You both know her already so no introductions are necessary, he teased.

Sarah was losing her patience and her exasperation showed.

For heaven’s sake Angus, tell us who she is?

Isobel Braithwaite, he eventually announced with a flourish.

A stunned silence followed and Angus began to worry that they might not approve of his choice. He pulled a chair over and sat between his parents, suddenly less flippant.

You do see it as a suitable match? he asked anxiously.

It’s just that you have never said anything about it and we had no idea you had formed any sort of understanding. Why didn’t you say something before? Sarah asked.

I have been in love with Isobel for years but I had to wait until I could support a family. That’s very hard to do at university and I wasn’t sure she would be prepared to wait for me, he replied.

Sarah saw the logic in his answer but was still surprised he had never mentioned his feelings.

I suppose I have always known you were very close to the Braithwaites. You always seemed to be visiting but I thought that was just a continuation of your childhood friendship.

Tom had been sure that Angus would one day bring one of his many female acquaintances home to meet the family.

With the number of young ladies you have been escorting around Melbourne, I assumed that you would have selected one of those.

Those women in Melbourne were nice enough but shallow by comparison and not one came even close to Isobel, Angus said with feeling.

During this speech, his hazel eyes softened and Sarah recognised the same look she had seen in Tom’s eyes when he gave her the poem, ‘My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose.’

Sarah stood up and walked towards Angus. She smiled at her son and a flood of love coursed through her body.

I am delighted for you dear and upon reflection, I think it is a perfect match.

Angus stood as his mother approached and kissed her cheek.

Thank you Mamma, he said softly before looking at his father with a questioning expression.

What about you father? Are you also happy about the marriage?

Of course, he said shaking his son’s hand. If what you say is true and you have been in love with her all this time, then you have shown remarkable restraint and patience. More than I had at your age, he laughed and winked at Sarah.

I presume you have spoken to her father? Sarah asked.

Of course and the wedding is to take place at the end of the year. I don’t know the details yet but it will be at a church in Essendon or at the Braithwaite home. Isobel will let me know tomorrow - I have asked her parents to bring her for afternoon tea, if that’s alright? he asked belatedly.

I’m very pleased you did. There are certain formalities that should be observed, she replied dryly.

"I’m sorry I sprang it upon you a little suddenly. I really didn’t mean to and you have to remember that it hasn’t been sudden for me. I’ve been sure of my feelings – and Isobel’s, for years. I think I would like to go for a ride now unless you have any more questions? He asked the question with a mischievous grin.

No, no more questions, Sarah replied. That will do until tomorrow when we see the Braithwaites.

Angus excused himself when he was confident that he had repaired the damage caused by his somewhat abrupt announcement. He had not expected them to be so put out about his failure to take them into his confidence. The truth was, he felt the subject was private until an announcement had to be made.

Old Joshua seemed to have aged even more as he came shuffling towards Angus at the entrance to the stables. A wide grin of welcome creased the weather-beaten face.

He had always had a soft spot for Angus and missed his company when he went off to live in the city.

Good to see you lad, he wheezed. Going for a ride?

I think I might give Nellie a run, he said carrying a saddle over towards the large mare.

It had been necessary for Joshua to find increasingly large horses as Angus continued to grow at an astonishing rate. The old man was dwarfed beside the horse and rider.

I hope you’ve stopped growing. I’m running out of horses strong enough to carry you, he chuckled.

Yes, I think I’ve reached maximum size now, he said with a grin. I’ve just left my parents in a state of shock by announcing my betrothal to Miss Isobel Braithwaite. I think I’ll go for a ride and give them time to get over it," he added.

Well now, that’s no surprise to me, Joshua said with a knowing smile.

It was Angus who showed surprise now.

Really?

I’ve watched you go haring off towards that property often enough. I always say there must be a woman at the end of such a well-worn path. He chuckled so hard he started to cough.

You old fox, Angus laughed. How are you feeling? he asked concerned with the coughing spasm.

Never felt better, the old man said emphatically.

Angus looked doubtful but Joshua had no intention of adding any more so the younger man let the subject rest.

Angus rode across the home paddock towards a large red river gum. Although rare in this part of the country, several of these majestic trees graced the area surrounding Essendon. He dismounted at the base of the tree and stood looking down at the small mound of rocks that circled a wooden plaque. The words ‘Magnus – 14 years’ had been burnt into the timber.

It had been a terrible shock to arrive home for the summer holidays and find his beloved dog had died. He hadn’t been able to say goodbye and worse, he had not been forewarned. He had thought that very cruel and his grief had been overwhelming.

As the years went by he had come to accept that his parents probably had no choice but to bury the dog and say nothing until his return home. To receive the news at school would have been no less distressing.

Angus sighed and patted Nellie’s long, thick neck before re-mounting and riding hard across the open paddocks.

As a child he had explored the hundred-acre property, both on foot and horseback and knew every feature of the landscape.

Tom had purchased a second parcel of adjoining land in recent years and the property now encompassed several thickly wooded areas as well as open pastured grazing land. Angus slowed the horse to a walk as he neared the trail that led through the trees.

The path began a gentle climb as it ascended towards the top of a hill from where it was possible to stand in a clearing, looking down over the distant undulating countryside.

It was a peaceful scene and Angus tried to make the journey at least once each time he was home.

Eventually he gathered the reins and remounted the horse before riding slowly back down the hill towards the dark grey stone homestead.

Sarah stood at the foot of the steps to welcome the Braithwaites as the carriage came to a halt the next day.

Theo Braithwaite helped his wife and daughter down from the carriage. The two families had met on several occasions and they greeted each other warmly.

Sarah went forward to meet them.

Welcome, she said, smiling broadly. I take it you were not as surprised as we were by this betrothal?

As a matter of fact I was but Alice tells me she had her suspicions, Theo said returning the smile.

You have our very best wishes my dear, Sarah said taking Isobel’s hand and walking with her towards the house as the parents followed.

Isobel was a strikingly attractive young woman and Sarah realised it had been some time since she had seen her. It was hard to equate this tall, sophisticated girl with the youngster who had struggled to keep pace with the two boys during lessons so long ago. The long brown hair was fashionably coiffed and the flashing dark eyes were the same but she had not guessed that the chubby child would become such a tall, elegant woman.

Sarah raised the girl’s hand to admire the long slim fingers.

When are you buying the ring? she asked

Mamma and I are meeting Angus in the city next week. He wants me to be there to help chose it, Isobel replied with a radiant smile.

Tom and Angus stood as the visitors entered the sitting room and the formal greetings took place. Hannah wheeled a tea trolley into the room a short time later while Lydia served the sandwiches and cakes. They had both been delighted when they were told the news the night before.

Tom had a bottle of champagne and glasses ready for a toast and he called the two women back, as they were about to leave the room.

I’d like you both to stay and drink a toast with us, he said and handed each a champagne flute.

Charge your glasses and let’s wish the young couple the best of health and happiness, he said to the gathering.

Sarah raised her glass and smiled but her gaze was directed at Tom. He was standing with his back to the fireplace, unconsciously imitating Henry, her dearest Papa who always made important announcements this way.

He even sounds like him, she thought.

The engagement announcement had happened so unexpectedly, there had been no chance to ask Henry and Emma to be present and Sarah felt a slight twinge of regret that they could not be there to share in the happiness of the moment.

Henry and Emma were now seventy-six and seventy-three respectively and although Henry still went into work several days each week, they did not make long journeys more than necessary. The annual Christmas get together was as much as they could manage when it was held away from Vale Street at either Warrnambool or Essendon. Sarah was looking forward to spending some time with her parents this Christmas when it was her turn to host the event.

Hannah and Lydia left the room after the toast and there was a period of general conversation about the continuing depression. Angus and Isobel sat together on a chaise lounge, a short distance away from the two sets of parents.

When Tom finished speaking and there was a lull in the conversation, Sarah asked Alice Braithwaite about the arrangements for the wedding.

Have you finalised any details yet? she asked, anxious to hear about the plans.

The initial reply came from Theo.

In view of the depression, we feel it would be more appropriate to have a fairly small wedding at home rather than a big church wedding. It’s not so much the expense but we wouldn’t want to appear to be ostentatious when people are finding it hard to make ends meet. By the way, you’ll need to let us have a list of people you would like to invite.

I would love Peter and Mary to come down with your parents, Sarah said looking at Tom.

That’s my brother in Queensland, Tom said as an explanation to the Braithwaites.

"We have fifteen immediate family members plus Angus’s cousins and friends.

How many do you plan to ask?" Sarah raised the question before calculating numbers.

We estimated about a hundred altogether, or a little less. Michael is to be the best man and Isobel is asking her best friend, Cordelia from school to be bridesmaid, Alice answered.

The remainder of the afternoon was taken up discussing details and the date for the wedding was set for late in December, between Christmas and New Year.

***

Christmas Day 1893 was the most enjoyable day that Sarah McLean could remember.

The weather was perfect in spite of the few late thunderstorms that rolled through from the west. Far from being a nuisance, they served to settle the dust and clear the air, leaving a sweet smell of damp bush and grass.

Sarah lay in bed at daybreak on Christmas morning listening to the sounds of deep breathing as Tom lay sleeping beside her. The chorus of birds had woken her as usual and she loved the luxury of lying under the covers, watching through the French doors as the sky lightened. She usually rose before the brilliant shafts of sunlight hit the ornate lacework of the veranda railing and this morning was no different.

Her first thoughts were for the early chores. Sarah had decided to get as many as possible completed before the house, crowded with visitors, came to life. The masses of hydrangeas she had picked the previous day were steeped in water in the laundry troughs in an endeavour to gain the maximum vase life during the hot summer days.

Help from the family during the previous week meant there was only a minimum of work required on this special day of the year. After early morning tea and a light breakfast, the family would gather around the Christmas tree for the ceremonial opening of presents. It would be strange not having a lot of young children present as in the past. Henrietta, at ten would be the youngest. The other nieces and nephews were either young adults or fast approaching that age.

Sarah rose and washed quietly, careful not to wake Tom as she dressed carefully in a new dress she had ordered from Melbourne. The length of time she took to arrange her still blond hair was longer than usual and at forty-three years of age, she remained a beautiful woman.

It’s wonderful to have the whole family together for once, not only for Christmas but for the wedding to follow in three days’ time. I am a very lucky woman, she thought as a light dusting of powder followed a final application of colour to her cheeks and lips.

The greatest joy was having Mary with her again for three months. The whole Queensland McLean family had arrived by steamer a week before and were not due to return until the first week of April. The reunion had been so boisterous and noisy; the older generation of

James, Christine, Henry and Emma had frequently been forced to search for peace and quiet in another section of the house.

Peter and Tom had been equally thrilled to see each other and cherished the opportunity to be together again. Peter’s life was made complete when his parents had arrived from England to take up permanent residence with them at ‘Henley Creek’. His joy knew no bounds when Mary produced a daughter some eight years after the birth of their second son, Ben. It had come as a surprise to both Peter and Mary but Henrietta was now a dark haired, ten year old beauty. She not only looked like her mother, she was a tomboy – just as Mary had been. Always climbing trees and forgetting to wear her sunhat.

The pastoral company had continued to thrive and although there had been some losses during several periods of drought, frequent land acquisitions and a prosperous breeding herd had given the family a quality of life Peter had only dreamt about during the early struggling years when he had carved out a life for himself in the lonely outback.

Peter often thought about the lonely years when Tom had returned to university in Edinburgh and it only made his present success sweeter. He adored his wife and children and having his parents nearby made life a lot less lonely and hard for Mary.

She had adapted to life as the wife of a pioneer with an ease that had astounded Peter and he blessed the day he had found her.

Sarah descended the stairs and made her way to the laundry to arrange the flowers early so that the blooms would have time to dry and not drip water on the furniture.

Much to her surprise Margaret was already there and she gave her sister a delighted hug.

I shouldn’t be surprised, she laughed. Arranging the flowers has always been your special task hasn’t it?

I love doing it, Margaret replied smiling. Besides, you have enough to do. I’ll do the arranging and you put them where you want them around the house, she suggested.

Isn’t Henrietta a delightful child? Sarah said, cutting the long agapanthus stalks to suit the height of the large cut-glass vase.

She certainly is, Margaret replied. I can imagine how much Mary must love having a daughter after two sons, especially way out there alone in the bush.

Sarah stood back to admire the deep purple blooms but her thoughts were on the early days of her marriage when she had been thrust into the harsh and lonely environment at ‘Henley Creek’.

Yes, Sarah agreed, It is certainly an isolated life and I think it must have been a wrench when the boys went away to college in Brisbane. Henrietta must have been a blessing. Do you think that vase is too full?

No, but I think that’s enough. There are six vases and we still have one of roses to do. That’s plenty."

It was nearly eight o’clock before Sarah removed her pinafore and smoothed her hair, ready to join the family for breakfast in the dining room.

The rest of the day was spent very much in a traditional manner. Following the opening of presents, the whole family attended the 11am Christmas service at the church in Essendon; the extra members of the clan swelling the congregation to such an extent, those parishioners who didn’t arrive early were forced to stand outside.

Upon returning to ‘Dedham’, morning tea was served and those who chose not to go for a walk sat and talked, catching up on the progress of each family member.

A late lunch followed and this took up most of the afternoon. Extra leaves were added to the already large dining table yet it still required a separate table for the younger members of the family. Henry Bellamy had always acted as host and this year he continued the tradition. A thanksgiving prayer preceded the solemn task of carving the poultry while Hannah and Lydia were kept busy serving vegetables from the numerous covered dishes laid out on the dressers that lined one complete wall of the room.

When the first course was completed and the dishes removed to the kitchen, Emma Bellamy appeared at the dining room door carrying a tray of flaming Christmas pudding. There was always much excitement and speculation as to who would be lucky enough to find the silver threepenny pieces hidden in the rich pudding.

The hottest part of the day was usually between four and six o’clock and most took the opportunity to relax after the large meal. The older folk retired for a sleep while others sat and chatted in rooms darkened against the heat.

Four of the