History research day, visiting the Samual Jones manager, Mrs Connie Morris of West Lodge and then the Mrs Bunnage and her sister where I inspected her old monument and ‘Parliament Clock’. Desie O’Hare, ‘The Border Fox’, Ireland’s most wanted terrorist, was shot, wounded and captured by Irish police; 16 Christians were killed in Zimbabwe and Station Officer Colin Townsley, a casualty of the Kings Cross Fire, had his funeral today
A clearer night, with a slight touch of frost in places in the garden, reminding me that I have to resolve the question of getting The Lady into the marina for repair. Still, it was a bright and sunny day, with a blue sky, which made a welcome change from the damp and dull weather of late. I read this morning’s paper after breakfast and then got ready for my visit to Mr Ken Gambier of Samuel Jones & Co. As an afterthought, I also took my pocket instamatic camera, the weather being so good. I met him in his office, returned the loan page of photographs and then borrowed six files relating to the enlargement of the site in c1971. He then took me around the Riversfield House, where I took a range of photographs, both inside and out. It is surprisingly original, as they have not made any wide ranging internal changes. In particular I noted how the domestic and principal accommodation and staircases were split and also how the top (3rd) floor was as it was originally built.
There is also a good cellar that I have yet to see. Home earlier than expected, I then visited Mrs Connie Morris of North Lodge to take outside photographs and then went over to Mrs Bunnage’s house to investigate the stone column. I had phoned first and when I arrived she was there with her sister (both in their 80s) clearing the grass from around it. It had tilted over with the ground so wet lately and so we rolled it over and took it out so that I could take some photographs and measurements. I then also sketched it in my book. The stone was of a sort of coarse limestone, originally of a sawn square section 9 ½” x 11” at the bottom and 9 ½” x 10 ¼” at the top. For the bottom 8”, a square tapered base had been shaped to go into some sort of socket. Then, on each upright edge, a series of carvings were made – diamond and ‘V’ shaped pyramids, plus gauges at the top and bottom, all with triangular indents in between, as a rather clever design. We put it back in an upright position and replaced the pestle on top (that had been used recently in place of the crown) and then sat and had a drink together in the lounge. I took a photo of the old parliament clock that had been in The Anchor at the turn of the century and heard that it had been bought from the Parson at Southoe Vicarage (a Mr Moorson?) way back. They had found me some more Little Paxton photographs to borrow and a copy of Archdeacon Knowles’s huntsman poem/song. Home quite late and so took the film into St Neots to get developed and then had a bite to eat at Tooks and a drink as well. Bought a couple more films as well. Once home, I put the ducks and doves away. The baby dove had fluttered down today to the ground and I had to put it back up. Debbie brought home her friend Sarah for tea and then got us to agree to let her stay the night. Daniel broke a picture glass, but I can get it mended. The news today is of Desie O’Hare, ‘The Border Fox’, Ireland’s most wanted terrorist, was shot, wounded and captured by Irish police. He was wounded in the arm, chest and leg. 16 people were killed in a murderous attack on a Christian mission in Zimbabwe. Two French hostages were released in Beirut, but still many other western hostages are still held. The funeral took place of the station Fire Officer, Colin Townsley, who had lost his life in the Kings Cross fire.