The Diary of Montague Hardwick Knott, 1957 (33)

Wednesday 11.9.57

Sunday continued a happy day. There was a good number out in the evening – 40-50. Felt my recent sermons have been too much on the side of human failure & that I should now present more of the love & power of God.  Have tried faithfully to expound the appointed lessons & that has been the emphasis but shall try to make some change next week.  Popped into Shoreys for half an hour for an exchange of news.  H felt too tired to come.

Called on Ted Clack on way to the office on Monday. Ted gave me some photos of B’m taken from the air. We hope we may make up some calendars for Xmas using the photos. Business is rather slow.

[…]

Yesterday, I was busy with correspondence in am & in pm went to B’m. […]

I called on the Hartleys. Mrs H not at all well. The house is progressing but I guess it will be a month before we are in. Had tea w the Newsons & after, took my first banns parties in B’m. Then spoke at the Baptist C.E. Harvest Th’giving.

Had a nasty skid on way back in heavy rain. Skidded out of side land into main road. Luckily nothing was near or it could have been serious. Am grateful to God for my preservation. Was glad to get home.  This long drive is proving trying.

This am I went to St M E17 & took H.C. assisted by Andrew Bowman. It was like going home. Went on to coffee at Ch Hse. Saw the High twins, Derek Wood, John Robinson, Mrs Kemp, Mrs Dowling & a host of others. H & I are due there on Tuesday evening next for a little presentation. Called on Mrs Dru whom I promised to visit whilst still at St M’s was glad I did so. Felt I was able to help.

More work at my desk in the pm.

[Diary ends]

The Diary of Montague Hardwick Knott, 1957 (32)

Sunday 8.9.57

[…]

We followed our usual pattern this am. Left home for B’m at 8.20. Called at Ongar Hospital & found Mrs Jopson making excellent progress. Yesterday she walked a little.

Enjoyed the H.C. services at B’m & Paslow Common & the preaching. Found several letters awaiting me. One from Miss Mahoney’s half-sister. She wants to come & see me when we have moved in. Came back a different way between Paslow C & Chipping Ongar & found its countryside very pleasing. There was noticeably less traffic going to B’m this has been usual though the summer but there was more about as we returned.

[…]

The Diary of Montague Hardwick Knott, 1957 (31)

Friday 6.9.57

Had  busy afternoon yesterday & spent most of the eve at 4 The Charter Rd., w Ada. She H & M were busy w wool-winding. I sat & did cheques for G H Co divs & int.

[…]

The Diary of Montague Hardwick Knott, 1957 (30)

Shield of the De Vere family
taken from the book
now in the church safe

Thursday 5.9.57

H brought my b’fast up yesterday am. Got up at 9.45 feeling better. […]

Was up at 6.40 this am feeling much more my old self.

H went to Town to change a blouse which proved too small & I to B’m. We were all together for lunch. Was interested to learn, when making my first call on the Brynes at the “Bull”, that Mr B has a book on the old church giving illustrations in colour of the 16 shields which are on the roof bosses. Mr B is a sick man & I fear losing ground. Both he & his wife seemed to appreciate my call. 

The Diary of Montague Hardwick Knott, 1957 (29)

Tuesday 3.9.57

I find it easy to let the days slip by & omit entries in this diary. […]

Saturday am A & I had a short business session & in the pm I went to B’m & worked in the Parish.  H was taken up with various jobs.

Sunday was a very happy day. The services were spiritually uplifting. We learned with regret that Mrs Marriage’s mother, Mrs Greenwood, had had a stroke on Thursday. She is at her son’s farm. We had Mr Legg, lay reader at St Stephen’s E17 to tea & took him to Paslow Common where he took the service. At the Parish Church we had our best congregation & the singing was good.

Yesterday I worked at my desk all am & H did washing. After an early lunch we took Ada & Miss Furness to B’m where we made calls and saw the builder. In the evening we called on the Vicar (KD) & Mrs Ayres & her sister Mrs Edmuns. Two choice Xians. […]

This am my old enemy was knocking at my door. […]

Am off to bed. Best place for me. […]

The Diary of Montague Hardwick Knott, 1957 (28)

Thursday 29.8.57

We slept until 8o’c this am. H & I went to B’m & called at Ongar Hospital on the way. Mrs Jopson was pleased to see us but was in no great shape.

Things are still progressing at the house but it seems unlikely they’ll be ready by Sept 18^th.  We called on May Jopson & George, the Simmons & Roy Horsnell. Then home to lunch.

[…]

The Diary of Montague Hardwick Knott, 1957 (27)

Tuesday 27.8.57

Am gradually mastering my enemy. It has just chimed 9pm & I propose going to bed when I written this diary up.

Yesterday I felt rough. Weather was much improved. The violent winds had dropped & at times it was most pleasant.

Took my car to Stewart & Arden for service & spent an hour in Ilford waiting for it. Walked round to Harrison & Gibson’s Furniture Store, a fine display.

After lunch & a rest I went to B’m & met the Archt’t & builder. Things are going forward spent a couple of hours there. Called on Mr Hartley on way home. He is most helpful – gave me names of lay-readers for Paslow C Services. They feel better for their holiday.

[…]

Wednesday 28.8.57

[…]

The Diary of Montague Hardwick Knott, 1957 (26)

Sunday 25.8.57

Feel much better but not back to normal. […]

Was off to B’m before 8.30. Called at Ongar Hosp & altho’ Matron thought Mrs Jopson was getting more use of her limbs, to me she seemed much worse.

We had a good morning service. Eighteen to H.C. After service called on Miss Huddleston, the Jopson’s, the Searle’s & Miss Thomas. Met Ruby Argent at the latter’s home.  Then home for lunch where I am awaiting it & feeling hungry.

It was a wild night & galey today. Twigs & boughs on all the country roads & I hear the rather poor fruit harvest is suffering badly. The ground is covered with windfalls. Mins has just come in so off we go for lunch. 

The Diary of Montague Hardwick Knott, 1957 (25)

Saturday 24.8.57

Am not feeling very bright. Since Wednesday have been troubled with a bout of my old complaint. […]

The Diary of Montague Hardwick Knott, 1957 (24)

Tuesday 20.8.57

[…] Worked at home until 10o’c & then went to the bank in Wdfd. The purchase money for 3 Firs Walk has come through so we have put £2000 on deposit. £1200 odd in the Abbey National & are leaving the rest on current a/c.

[…] Went to Branch the printers for some prints of St Laurence’s interior. Hope to have them by the week-end. Went to Mother’s & found Roy busy reconstructing the scullery. Looks as though he’ll make a good job of it.

Next to B’m where I found good progress at the house. Called on Sylvia Searle – a cripple of delightful character, on Mrs Jopson & the Hartleys. Nobody at home of the last named. Home for late tea after which a couple of letters before washing the car. 

The Diary of Montague Hardwick Knott, 1957 (22)

Friday 16.8.57

Another day has sped its way. H feels an emotional strain living opposite her old home & seeing people go in & out. However she has been very courageous & I have admired her spirit in what must be trying circumstances for any house-wife let alone one of H’s age.

Whilst H stayed at home this am I went to B’m.  Called at Ongar Hosp to see Mrs Jopson. She is making good progress tho’ still seriously ill. She appreciated my call & the flowers I took were, she said, her favourites.

Found nobody working at the house.  Called on Miss Thomas re Paslow services, on the Simmons & the Woods. Anne S showed me her engagement ring. Roy Horsnell is her fiancé. Was home for 1o’c lunch.

Had a good sleep this pm & then to work in my temporary study. After tea to work again & at 8o’c H & I walked round to Joyce Stunt’s where we stayed for an hour.

Tonight’s radio told of a man being charged at Woodford with the criminal assault & murder of a boy of seven on Saturday last. Poor child & poor murderer. What processes of filthy lust led him to such degradation & what remorse gnaws at his conscience now. 

The Diary of Montague Hardwick Knott, 1957 (21)

Wednesday 14.8.57

These have been two very trying days for my little wife & they have been busy enough for me too.

Since Monday, we have been turning out, sorting, keeping & rejecting a hundred & one things.

I was on the go from 7am – 10.30pm yesterday with H almost as long. We moved over to Minnie’s & slept there. It rained on & off all day.

This am H & I were both over & No 3 by 7o’c. We hardly stopped for b’fast as the removal van turned up before 9am. It proved too small & so part of our f’ture had to be left behind. They were away by noon. It has been very wet today. Brightened up at tea-time.

I went to Brentwood. Was surprised to find that it is nearer here than is Blackmore by 2 – 3 miles. Arranged for the transfer of my Barclays A/c from W’fd. Called on the removal people & complained of its mismanagement of our removal & then went on to B’m.

Attended the W.I. Exhibition. Some very creditable entries. Found good progress in the house & picked up a letter in the church. Delivered some jumble to Church Hse, W’stow.

[…] Phoned KD & learned Sam Radley passed away this am. Learned at B’m that Mrs Jopson has been moved to hospital & has made some progress.

Thursday 15.8.57

[…]

The Diary of Montague Hardwick Knott, 1957 (20)

Monday 12.8.57

We both slept soundly. I turned out at 8o’c & went into H who couldn’t believe it was so late.

Took car into Stewart & Arden Ilford for service & returned home to take up upstairs & landing carpet. This pm collected car & went to B’m where I met Mr Insall, the architect. His assistant, Mr Scarff had been at the church all day & Mr I arrived at about 5o’c & I half an hour later.

Found good progress in the house.  Went along to the Jopson’s & found Mrs J is just the same.

Mr Scarff found the church most interesting & is making a report through Mr Insall. It will cost several thousands of pounds but one can see it could be made very lovely.

Got home at about 9.30 after bringing Mr Insall as far as Woodford Station. […]

The Diary of Montague Hardwick Knott, 1957 (19)

Sunday 11.8.57

H is v tired. Has stayed at home all day. I have missed her company. It will be a good thing when we are away from this house, with our furniture stored. I must try to get her away for a few days.

The day has been a joy to me. Took services at B’m & Paslow Common this am. Went into a Miss Tindall’s house for coffee after H.C. at Paslow C. Home for lunch at 1o’c.  This eve took Ev Pr at B’m. A nice number out. Felt free & had an attentive congregation.

[…] Found Mrs Jopson had had a stroke in Church at the close of the service. Tk her home & waited for the Dr a lady. She said there might be another. Will call tomorrow.

Was home about 9.30pm. H had gone to bed. Had supper & started reading Marcel’s book on infant baptism. 

The Diary of Montague Hardwick Knott, 1957 (18)

Saturday 10.8.57

It hasn’t been such a happy day in some respects especially for my darling. I had been to B’m, taking Annette with me where I found continued progress w the Vicarage. Minnie & H were in the kitchen when I returned & when I spoke of the progress H was scornful & sceptical. […] I do not sufficiently remember that my dear one is twenty years older than I & that all the change & stress of present events are far more trying to one past seventy than to one past fifty.

[…]

Was busy in my study after 2hrs sleep this pm. Finished preparing sermons for tomorrow & planned services for tomorrow week. Called on Mother & Roy for half an hour this eve. Roy is rebuilding the scullery to make a kitchenette & seems to be doing well.

It was a year ago tomorrow that I had a slight stroke. Thinking back on that experience & the sense of impotence, the slurred speech & useless left arm & leg, I rejoice in God’s goodness & my wonderful recovery. I shall never forget the courage of dear H & all she did for me then. 

The Diary of Montague Hardwick Knott, 1957 (17)

Friday 9.8.57

[…] Was home for tea & spent the evening at our preparations for the move. […]

The Diary of Montague Hardwick Knott, 1957 (16)

Thursday 8.8.57

Was astir by 7o’c.  We were sitting to b’fast by 8o’c. Hope to recommence my exercise tomorrow. As the Dr told me to keep from them for a week I have done so but have missed them.

It has been another day of sorting, clearing & packing. In destroying some old receipts I could not help noticing how some things are two or three times as costly now as they were when the war finished in 1945.

We had lunch at the Pantry & enjoyed it. This eve we drove to B’m & found more progress at the house. Also went with Miss Thomas to see the Mission Church at Paslow. Quite a nice little place. I have to get speakers booked for Sept.

We went on to the Marriage’s where a presculation was made to Canon Gallop. The worthy man was visibly touched by the affectionate regard of the parishioners. The Marriage’s are charming people with three lovely children, two boys and a girl. The boys have the looks that should be the girls.

I shared with Mr M some ideas for the Parish & promoting the work. He was interested & sounded co-operative. We came away feeling cheered. 

The Diary of Montague Hardwick Knott, 1957 (15)

Wednesday 7.8.57

[…] We both have been sorting & packing in readiness for our removal. […]

The Diary of Montague Hardwick Knott, 1957 (14)

Tuesday 6.8.57

[…] Went to B’m after my rest & left H at home. Saw Smith the builder & went to his brother’s pig farm & slaughter house in the village. Visited Miss Huddleston, the Emmetts, one of the pubs & the Rumbold’s.

[…]

The Diary of Montague Hardwick Knott, 1957 (13)

Monday 5.8.57 Bank Holiday

This has been rather a lazy day. […] Drove out into the Essex countryside & relaxed & took our tea in a little by-lane. […] on our way home stopped to watch the planes at the airfield near Passingford Bridge.