Dear Mike - 28th July 1969

Dorothy was looking through one of your art books yesterday and came across the enclosed £5 note; you may have left it there and know about it but I thought you could have left it there some time ago and forgotten about it, anyway right or wrong you have it now. Your watch is OK again but I am wearing it until mine is repaired. I'll send it on if you need it. Did you get your spec's O.K. ? Dick (?) came after I sent it, hope your bag of "jumble" was intact. Barbaba is at Butlins Bognor this week, you'll be getting your cheeky postcard soon. I hope she and her friend aren't too occupied in fighting off the "wolves" although she knows what life is all about by now. Weather has been grand this last week but cloudy today. Don't work too hard. Love from Mum and the twin fighters. Dad/

Dear Michael - 15th August 1969

As usual not knowing what to do with the enclosed cheque I have forwarded it to you; it's rumoured you're coming home again soon but I thought you might be getting in the red.. I have just come back from Uncles, been down there jawing and fishing, he's still waiting on a move, houses empty all around him, weeds knee high along all the back gardens. Ref your watch, I dropped it just after I told you it was O.K. so now it's "up the creek" again until I go back to work again on the 19th ( been off since the 4th ) mine is still with the repairier, soon be able to tell the time by the sun when I go fishing. Didn't go away this year as I am still paying off moped etc. and couldn't afford it. All send their love from home. Barbara has been home from work for three days, tummy trouble; can't get over her holiday I reckon. Pleased to know you are getting out a bit and it's not all work, but kite flying "uuugh". Will close now. All the best from Dad /

Dear Mike - 21nd March 1970

Have sent your specs off today, you should receive them about Tuesday, let me know if you get them O.K. I signed the form when it came back as that was the order according to the queer fellow at the ops. Have you heard anything that effects your next move college wise, or is it "try somewhere else", hope you get fixed up as I know how you must feel. All at home are well and full of the usual arguements. Dee starts working for the Governemnt after Easter. She will be at the H.M. Sationary Office near the Town Centre training to be a duplicator operator. The job sounds alright, hope she likes it. How's the veg & veg dinners progressing? Hope you are able to satisfy your long frame on such meals. I guess it is the cash mainly that puts you on such a diet, as you always liked meat in the past. How was your journey home or should I say back to Manchester? Dee had a long trip last Friday, she went on a day coach trip to Longleat near Bath with her class, ten or eleven hours travelling she said it would have been O.K. but it rained a lot of the time and the views en route were spoilt. Will close now Mike but will write again soon. Love from all. Dad/

Dear Mike - May 1970

The letter arrived this a.m. and being from the cashier I knew you would want a quick turn round. Many thanks for the book, it was just my type, sorry it originated from a place called Ramsbottom. I came back from Uncle yesterday afternoon, had a rest from decorating the hall and staircase. He finished up on Sunday with no voice whispering away, he had a cold and it had affected his throat or perhaps it was all the jawing he did. Tonbridge and area looked nice , all the orchards in full bloom; our two trees are full of blossom this year so hope to have plenty of apples for the Summer holidays. Had any luck yet with your application to the R.A. or any alternative college? All are well here, hope you got Mum's letter O.K. Cheerio fior now. Love from all. Dad /

Dear Mike - 21st November 1973

Received your last letter O.K. it took the usual four days, sorry you get a spell without receiving any letters. I can only ask them to write; you have been getting the music papers though, I have sent several. I trust the stamp I put on them covers their trip, don't want you to pay any excess charge. Just finishing off a week of nights so if the pen wanders forgive me. All well at 48, all three of us. John is going to the Pontins dance on Saturday at the Albert Hall or some joint like that, I expect he'll crawl in during the early hours Sunday morning having had a rave up with his holiday friends. Steve started on his own as a fully fledged plasterer this week, he was looking for a labourer and tried to get John interested but to no avail. Haven't heard anything from Bill yet. I haven't seen any record players as yet, I was hoping to hear from Bill first just incase he has aquired one, no sense in getting one as well. You seem to be busy doing "Do It Yourself" it all sounds crude to me, furniture made from boxes but that's how you want to carry on and have done for some time, you seem to be enjoying it, that's all that matters. I suppose your weather must have changed by now, there is thick fog here at the moment, also frost. I'm not looking forward to the ride home, it must be quite a few degrees warmer where you are, seeing the place on that map you sent you are not far from the Pyrenees Mountains are you? By the way, thanks for picking it up out the road and sending it home, most hygienic. I hope a French horse hadn't performed on it. Sorry about the income tax form I enclosed in one of the papers, it has to be filled in it seems but that won't take too long. Once you start work here you can't get away from the "bumf"! Mum came last Wed 14th and made a Christmas cake and is going to ice it today, knowing the Leighs I expect I'll be taking it to work after the holiday as I was last year. Will have to close now as I am getting drowsy so will have to do soemthing energetic 1.e. mop out the office; so cheers Mike, keep well and write when you can. Best wishes from all x Dad

Dear Michael - Sat. 6th December 1973

Haven't had a lot to write about for a while but know I am getting in arrears keeping in touch. Mum has been sending mags and papers I understand, as there appears to be a newsprint shortage still lots of weekly books are short and music papers are at a premium. Know doubt you are pleased with anything except Danny La Rue stories etc. Hope the two Evening Echoes pass half hour away. Your friend Bill rang up the other day and John answered as I was at work. I had no record players I'm afraid, haven't seen any advertised as all the local papers have and still are on strike, the Echo has only started again this week. Have no idea what you were able to receive via the post for Xmas, not too flush with cash either after Barb's wedding, It'll be tame here this year as Dee is going to Butlins again. Have you sawn all the trees down yet in your area? It sounds as if your bed needed burning, it looks like one of my P.O.W. beds after using some of the boards for brewing up. Will close now as I am on late shift and have my chores to do. John and Dee are still upstairs getting over Friday night activities. Cheerio for now. Dad.

Dear Mike - 10th April 1974

Received your last letter and a couple of cards. So sorry about the cat, you nearly had us in tears, it wasn't one of your cheeriest letters. You never mentioned anything about the wedding photo I sent, did you ever receive it? As for the two rolls of film, did you get them both? Pleased to say Mum has been home a week or more and putting the place into shape, she wants to be around when Barbara has her baby. You must be missing Bill's wife now, or is the cooks job taken in turns? As regards winning the pools that is several million to one. How can you possibly stay there if money is running out; you are not replacing what you spend and I just don't know how you are managing to stay as long as you have. Barbara is disappointed in not hearing from you for some time, she has stayed a couple of nights as John is working away at Felixstowe. The weather has been good here for the last week, know doubt better where you are, the best is surely to come. Dee, John and Steve are doing there usual thing. Steve had is car stolen a week or so ago, it was found in Edmonton a week later in good order, documents as well. Will close now Mike, sorry I don't write more often. Love from all, Dad./

Dear Mike - Tues 15th January 1974

Received your letter dated the 8th today, the card and the letters written on the 3rd received on John and Dee's birthday, you couldn't have judged it better. Pleased to know the money arrived O.K. I thought it best to send it in two lots just in case, you are certainly wise to get the right rate of exchange, way back in my period in France it was 177 Francs to the £1, a French soldier got 75 cent: a day and we were getting a £1 a week so we were able to live like gents for about 8 months, used to go along all the bottles in the cafes and soon found out the water and the wine. I would like to see you going along those country roads on your moped, wild thing! How about driving licenses and road tax etc? Are their laws anything like ours re; this? As you say, the Europeans have different ideas about animals and are a hard hearted lot, the Germans were worse than the French, the poor hares used to get a good chasing in the Winter and the hunts were like the fox hunts over here except everyone was on foot, dressed up in a kind of green outfit with feathers in their hats, mad b------. John went out on Saturday 12th and got boozed up; his mates brought him home at 10.30pm. Dee and Steve were here. I was at work. Dee said he was in a state, like death warmed up, his trousers looked like he had crawled from Southend, he slept on the settee until 5.30am when he wasn't being sick. Barbara is sleeping at home for a couple of nights as her John is working away, you can see the ofspring quite a bit now, sideways on. Irene T. was married last saturday, same complaint so we are informed. With ref to John and Dee's card, you posted one on the 3rd as I have already said but your letter of the 8th you said you had just posted it; whose confused? me or you. Just about to do the usual evening cook up, it won't be pig's trotter soup though, can you imagine them facing that; sounds good to me, hope you didn't bend your utensils seeing it off. Will close now, thanks for your letters, we all like to know how you are. Mum comes on her usual days and reads your letters and has a laugh. Cheerio Mike, love from Dad and the rest of the Leighs.

Dear Mike - 6th November 1973

Received your letter dated 26th October. Pleased your finding plenty to keep you busy, the place sounds as if it's falling apart. I expect that's a bit strong. Yes, the wedding went off alright. I expect Barbara wrote and told you all about it. I was on my own at 6.45pm my usual Saturday thing but I never got under the weather. Pleased to send the music papers, hope you don't get them duplicated. How about Christmas? Will you still be away? You sound as if you might be over there longer than I imagined, No word yet of Dee & Steve engagement, a bit premature I should think. Hope the weather is holding out O.K. getting wild here now with usual fog. Will close now hoping you are well and that you hear from the others from time to time. Love, Dad.

Dear Mike - 29th December 1973

I have just sent you off £68 in two registered envelopes hoping you will recieve same safely and hope you can change it at a reasonable rate somewhere. £58 of this money was tax rebate and other £10 was from your job money, it seems you can't just send money out of the country as you please and I hope for your sake it gets through. I see from the Telegraph your area had some shocking weather over the Christmas period, the river Tarn as mentioned so I new you must have copped it, we all hope you are O.K. and not flooded out or have been in any danger from this violent weather. Christmas passed quietly here, weather mild and calm, I managed to get a couple of days off. Poor John has been ill with flu though and is just getting better, he fainted on me Christmas Eve about 10.30 pm, he got off the settee and went down like a felled tree going through the hall doorway, he hadn't had a drink either, he should have gone to see Rod Stewart that evening but couldn't make it of course. Will close now, as I want to catch the post. Cheerio and let me know soon when money arrives. Dad.

Dear Mike - Sunday 2nd March 1974

Pleased to hear you are well and that you are getting papers etc. from various sources. Mum wrote from here last Wednesday, hope you received her letter O.K. Spring will soon be with us and you will no doubt notice it before us, have you made any plans for returning yet? or have you changed your mind? Sorry your trip to see the group ( Gong ) wasn't too pleasing , at least it was an experience. Hope the films are the right ones, you never stated the number but they are the same as you took from Brentwood so must assume you have the camera to suit. All well here, John's just having a bath and has his cassette recorder going full blast. Mum just phoned and it was a job to hear what she was saying. I have just had a week off from work, one of my Winter rests. I thought there would be a foot of snow about now, so pleased I was wrong. Well son will close now, keep well and keep in touch. Cheerio, Dad.

Dear Mike - Friday 8th February 1974

Dee received your letter dated 5th, that's not bad considering the train strikes, go slows etc. Sorry to hear about your "acciment" , sounds painful, hope your blemish has cleared up by now. Have you a beard again? a bit nasty having a sore place amongst all that fungus. Dee is at home today and having a session on the record player at the time of writing. She is on a three day week because of the power restrictions, you don't know what you are missing, T.V. goes off at 10.20pm and at 10.30p.m alternate nights now. The election is on the 28th Feb, this restriction has been lifted for three weeks. Mum's birthday is on the 23rd. , perhaps you could send her one of your funny cards. Barbara's middle age spread is on the move, just right for cutting the bread on; did you get the rate of exchange you wanted for your money? John is doing his usual things, he had a hair cut last week, I should say "shaped", looks human again now. Will close now, nice to hear the weather is improving. Love from all. Dad.

Dear Mike - 8th October 1973

Received your letter this morning, we were beginning to wonder wether you were O.K. or not and thought you might have finished up in North Africa. Sorry your journey was so vile, you must have been in a state after all that delay and messing about, I bet your hair was real wild. Have enclosed your mail less the cheque from Brentwood, this I have changed and will send the money on if you so desire. I kept one of the photos of you as they were all dulplicated , this you won't mind I'm sure. The grape picking sounds like hop picking used to be in Kent, O.K. when it is fine but the worst job out when wet. I would have done the same as you. Hope you don't end up living off nuts and berries plentiful as they are. The meals sounded fine, no doubt washed down by the local red wine. The stove takes me back when I was billeted in farms in 1939-40, if I remember there are usually lots of rings which one removes for the different size cooking post. Sorry to hear all those foreigners don't speak English the ignorant lot; but I am sure they are friendly and do their best. I still can't place where you are not having a map of France, no doubt you will explain more next time. The usual routine going on here; Mum keeps asking if I have heard, she'll be pleased today when she phones. Will close now Mike, love from us all, Mandy as well. I miss you coming at weekends. Write as often as possible. Love, Dad.

Dear Michael - 17th November 1969

I hope you received the Chelmsford letter forwarded last week as it appeared to be a money order. I got your watch back yesterday, the repairer has been away from work ill, also he had to wait for a new balance system hence all the delay, as I paid 25/- for the repairs I won't send it through the post as Mr. Plod the Postman might get his beetle crushers going and it may arrive like the Jaffa cakes. Pleased to know you had a lovely do 5th November time, the lads around here bult a large fire in the vacant lot known as the "old bungalow" site, some crab set it alright on the evening of the 4th and the fire brigade had to attend as there was a a high wind and it was spreading fire all around. All are well at home and hope to see you next month. We are hoping Uncle will be with us at Christmas, he is still waiting for a move and is the only one left in that row of houses. the thieves have been in some of the empty ones ripping out lead piping etc. He leaves a light on all night to let vandals know his place is occupied. The weather has changed now for the worst and you are getting your share I know; your trips out have helped the year pass more pleasantly and it was such a good Summer and Autumn for getting out. Will close now Mike and hope you are free from your sniffles. Love from all. Dad.

Dear Michael - November 1969

Many thanks for your letter, book and P.O. recieved safely. I wasn't expecting you to send me the money for the watch repairs, the cost wasn't mentioned for that reason with a £58 gas bill you had certainly better forget me at Christmas, the 25/- will do fine. I went out and bought a bottle of Martini with it to help dilute some gin at Christmas as the usual slurping will be done I'm sure. The girls keep pestering me with regards what I am getting them for presents ( usual Leigh routine ) I haven't told them but I have bought a new record player, auto type joint present for them, you will be giving it a go too knowing you. Please don't say anything about this in any future letters home, believe it or not it's still a secret. Yes Mike my fishing is over until next June, where I go you only catch Summer fish, carp etc. It's too b**** cold now and I'm not that keen not having a car to travel further field to river fish, Chelmer or the Medway in Kent. I'm pleased with the book, it covers most things about the sport and was thoughtful of you. Mum bought a light fitting for the porch last week and I have rigged it up, it sure lights up the front of the house and is very good these dark night, you know how black it is at the end of the path. Pleased to know you have a client for your painting. It's a pity it wasn't £100 as I'm sure you'd know what to do with it. Does that old tape recorder still exist? I haven't heard you mention it at all; if it does I was wondering if it was worth doing up as John is pestering for one and I can't afford a new one at the present time. He'll have to wait until next year I'm afraid as they cost too much, if you still have it and it's not required perhaps the chap with the car could transport it on the Christmas trip home. John is still Man. Utd. nuts, is very pleased they bucked their ideas up. He went and saw West Ham last Sat and was impressed with the game, he earns a few bob now doing an early morning paper round but is usually spent out by Monday. Mum and the girsl are well and looking forward to seeing you soon. Dee is a dab hand with the paint brush now , it's mostly on the eyes though; she's leaving school next Easter now she says, I guess it's the money she wants for clothes etc. as Barbara can get spending when she requires something new. My income tax will get a jump next year now but I have got away with it for a few years; how about you? What are your plans for 1970 or haven't you any idea until you know the result of this course. Will close now Mike, I hope I haven't bored you too much. Excuse the paper, writing this at work ( Night shift ). Love from all. Dad.

Dear Michael - 15th May 1968

The enclosed form came the other day, will you please fill your page in and then return it to me as I have to get a proof of earnings form from my job. I had one in April but have lost it, don't send it to Chelmsford without this form. Hope you are well and not working too hard. I saw Marty Feldman last night for the first time, had a good laugh, better than Spike's show, I like the sketch where he kept saying " I wonder why he never married" ! Mum roared with laughter, you can imagine I'm sure. John is waiting for Manchester United's match tonight, on t.v. tonight 10.50. Hope they win or he'll go nuts, so will I but I know you won't. John liked the sports paper you sent, better than a birthday present by the expression on his face. The garden is looking o.k. just painted the swing and garden seat, not red , white and blue but just plain green. The putting green is getting a bashing now the grass is cut regularly. Plenty of blossom on the apple tree this year, it's not a spinster after all, hope there isn't any late frost or you won't be able to sample them when you come home. Did you get your expenses from Chelmsford O.K.? or did they question your total? Mum and the girls are well, you hear from time to time I know but the letter writing seems to have eased off. Will close now as fish and chips have been plonked in front of me. All the best of luck. Dad.

Dear Michael - December 1967

Many thanks for the good effort; i.e. the letters received by us all this week, quite a late night for you doing the artistic work. I liked the cartoon on one of them. I always did enjoy your comic strips more than your ornamental pagodas and monstrosities but as you say they mean something to you so I guess that's all that counts. Pleased to hear you will be home for Christmas, it will soon be here; the dogs will be fixing you when you come in as if they could, they are as silly as ever, Mandy standing about with her head in Mum's shopping bag, they have been barred from the new suite and are doing very well at the new routine; one of the old easy chairs is behind the door where the piano was, they take it in turns to sleep in that. The piano took me about a week to break up, how they do it in four minutes is a mystery to me. The iron frame is at the bottom of the garden, it weighs about two cwt. and is shaped like a big harp, if you had have been here it would probably been hanging on your bedroom wall. Have you seen anything of Margaret from Leeds or are women missing from your projects. Everybody appears to be round the twist at the art school lets hope your working away in the corner is worth your while at the end of your time, if I were you I would make someone pay for all the years you have been having a lean time. Hope you got your gloves etc. O.K. and that Jaffa Cakes were't too crushed up. Mum likes to hear from you and know that you are alright. I am sure someone will be writing to you once a week because you are in our thoughts. Funny lot we may be but we are all Leighs and soft at heart. I am still cycling away, not looking forward to the coming months though but it gives me an appetite and I can't travel in car and buses so it's a necassary evil, too many years in a P.O.W. camp, it effects us all someway but you don't get the army pension for it. Give my regards to your fellow "sufferers" and not too many late nights and "GET YOUR HAIR CUT!" Cheerio for now. Dad Please excuse 'orrible pen.

Dear Michael - 30th November 1967

Nice to see your flash envelopes drop in the letter box. I am generally last on the list for reading your news, being an old square, some of it doesn't sink inbut it is good to knowyou find time to write to all, busy as you must be. Mum and I have been passing on the stairs the last couple of weeks, she has been working at Fords, office cleaning on night shift, the job pays well so Mum took it to help out for Christmas. Her last shift tomorrow night and then it's part time day job starting next Monday, probably up the grocer shop in Long Riding. Uncle doesn't seem as if he is coming for Chrismas, he isn't too well and doesn't like to get too far from 78 Vale; he had flood water up to his back door a couple of weeks ago, he says he stayed up all night as it was the worst flooding Tonbridge have had for fifty years. I hope the previous couple of pages haven't bored you too much, news is news I suppose, swinging or otherwise. Your photographs were very good, I should like to look in your dark room on bath night, do you use the slab as a table when you are having a bath. Do you enlarge the film from the negatives or do you have the expense of sending the films to the chemist and then blowing up the finished product or do you do the complete process? From the posters of the films you sent Barbara I gather you are getting your share of the "weirdy music" that must go with the films or can't you afford such luxuries as film shows? Will be looking forward to seeing you 15th or 16th Dec; let us know what day you are coming as we will get in a few "Jaffa Cakes". Hope you still have your door key we could do with a spare. Cheerio for now. Love from all. Dad.