Grandma’s tale
Aylsham, 1970:
Rain pattered against the cobwebbed windows as Grandma Anne and Kate snuggled together on the dishevelled arm chair, browsing through an album of Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee.
“Grandma?” Kate asked
“Yes dear,” Grandma replied
“Please can you tell me about the Jubilee, what was it like to be there?”
A tear crept into the cracks of her wise wrinkles; Grandmas tears were reflected in the patters on the window pane. Kate hugged her Grandma,
“Would it help to talk about it?”
…
Aylsham, 1887:
I was just a young girl when I went to the Golden Jubilee .Me and my older sister Mary were with our mother when we received an invitation to Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. We were so excited, immediately we all went to Ward and George to buy gorgeous dresses and hats. This was the first real party we were going too; our mother had been saving up for years: we were very lucky. As we thanked our mother and left the shop, she collapsed to the floor. We were petrified I ran back into Ward and George and begged the lady behind the counter to help our mother to get up and bring her home.
Once we thanked the kind lady and she left, we helped our mother into bed and I kissed her on the head. Hoping she would live another day. After a nerve- racking night me and Mary woke up to find our mother alive: we were so thrilled. We made ourselves breakfast and ate it near mother I placed some bread near her mouth but she would not eat, I told her in a hushed voice that she needed to, but she refused. Then I realised that the Jubilee was in two days time, I panicked .Mother wouldn’t be able to go…
Another two days passed without mother eating, and it was now the morning of the Jubilee. I was so worried if mother could not go we could not go either. Then, I heard a knock at the door, with our mother to unwell to get up. Mary answered it, and it was our next door neighbour Jim, Mary wondered why he was there but then he said” This is just an offer but me’s ‘eard ya saying your mum aint’ gonna go to that Jubilee thingy so me’s could take you’s and your sister.”
“Thank you very much we really appreciate your kindness, I will just ask mother first.” Mary said overjoyed
“Of course,” said Jim happily.
Mary ran to mother and told her about Jim, mother was so thankful; she said yes. Me and Mary were so excited we ran into our room put on our dresses, kissed mother goodbye then we left, hoping she would be alright. On the way to Aylsham market place with Jim we were all rushing with excitement; the beautiful beams of sun light burst through the clouds and highlighted the tables covered in calico, festooned with flowers and neatly arranged in rows. Everything looked amazing. Queen Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom, Ireland and empress of India celebrated her Golden Jubilee – 50 jubilant years on the throne. As many families arrived, I wished mother was there with us too .Once the formal speeches and toasts were complete everyone could relax and enjoy the beautiful day .A general melee of noise; laughter, shouting and children’s play echoed around the town square as the 1785 guests got ready to celebrate the queens 50 year reign. Then a few hours later I looked at Jim’s cracked watch and it read 9pm, we thought we ought to go home in case it got too late.
Once we arrived at our home we thanked and said goodbye to Jim. Then we opened our front door and ran into mother’s room to find her lying dead under my favourite blanket. We were too late. She was gone. Me and Mary stood there with our eyes flooding with tears. We were speechless. Another few hours past, with us sobbing and mourning. Realising it had been ages since we last ate, me and Mary went to get some bread. On the way to the bakery we accidently bumped into a frail old man, we apologised many times but he shouted impolitely “Where’s your parents.”
“We do not have any sir, “Mary groaned.
“You’re coming with me to the workhouse then,” he snickered. Grabbing us by the scruff of our necks he dragged us away screaming …
Aylsham 1970:
Whilst slumping back in her dishevelled arm chair Grandma Anne mopped her tears with her hanker chief. “Thank you Kate, that really helped to talk about it. It’s nice to have someone to share it with. I’m glad I have you.”
“Anytime, I’ll always be here for you.” Kate beamed.
Rain pattered against the cobwebbed windows as Grandma Anne and Kate snuggled together on the dishevelled arm chair, browsing through an album of Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee.
“Grandma?” Kate asked
“Yes dear,” Grandma replied
“Please can you tell me about the Jubilee, what was it like to be there?”
A tear crept into the cracks of her wise wrinkles; Grandmas tears were reflected in the patters on the window pane. Kate hugged her Grandma,
“Would it help to talk about it?”
…
Aylsham, 1887:
I was just a young girl when I went to the Golden Jubilee .Me and my older sister Mary were with our mother when we received an invitation to Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. We were so excited, immediately we all went to Ward and George to buy gorgeous dresses and hats. This was the first real party we were going too; our mother had been saving up for years: we were very lucky. As we thanked our mother and left the shop, she collapsed to the floor. We were petrified I ran back into Ward and George and begged the lady behind the counter to help our mother to get up and bring her home.
Once we thanked the kind lady and she left, we helped our mother into bed and I kissed her on the head. Hoping she would live another day. After a nerve- racking night me and Mary woke up to find our mother alive: we were so thrilled. We made ourselves breakfast and ate it near mother I placed some bread near her mouth but she would not eat, I told her in a hushed voice that she needed to, but she refused. Then I realised that the Jubilee was in two days time, I panicked .Mother wouldn’t be able to go…
Another two days passed without mother eating, and it was now the morning of the Jubilee. I was so worried if mother could not go we could not go either. Then, I heard a knock at the door, with our mother to unwell to get up. Mary answered it, and it was our next door neighbour Jim, Mary wondered why he was there but then he said” This is just an offer but me’s ‘eard ya saying your mum aint’ gonna go to that Jubilee thingy so me’s could take you’s and your sister.”
“Thank you very much we really appreciate your kindness, I will just ask mother first.” Mary said overjoyed
“Of course,” said Jim happily.
Mary ran to mother and told her about Jim, mother was so thankful; she said yes. Me and Mary were so excited we ran into our room put on our dresses, kissed mother goodbye then we left, hoping she would be alright. On the way to Aylsham market place with Jim we were all rushing with excitement; the beautiful beams of sun light burst through the clouds and highlighted the tables covered in calico, festooned with flowers and neatly arranged in rows. Everything looked amazing. Queen Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom, Ireland and empress of India celebrated her Golden Jubilee – 50 jubilant years on the throne. As many families arrived, I wished mother was there with us too .Once the formal speeches and toasts were complete everyone could relax and enjoy the beautiful day .A general melee of noise; laughter, shouting and children’s play echoed around the town square as the 1785 guests got ready to celebrate the queens 50 year reign. Then a few hours later I looked at Jim’s cracked watch and it read 9pm, we thought we ought to go home in case it got too late.
Once we arrived at our home we thanked and said goodbye to Jim. Then we opened our front door and ran into mother’s room to find her lying dead under my favourite blanket. We were too late. She was gone. Me and Mary stood there with our eyes flooding with tears. We were speechless. Another few hours past, with us sobbing and mourning. Realising it had been ages since we last ate, me and Mary went to get some bread. On the way to the bakery we accidently bumped into a frail old man, we apologised many times but he shouted impolitely “Where’s your parents.”
“We do not have any sir, “Mary groaned.
“You’re coming with me to the workhouse then,” he snickered. Grabbing us by the scruff of our necks he dragged us away screaming …
Aylsham 1970:
Whilst slumping back in her dishevelled arm chair Grandma Anne mopped her tears with her hanker chief. “Thank you Kate, that really helped to talk about it. It’s nice to have someone to share it with. I’m glad I have you.”
“Anytime, I’ll always be here for you.” Kate beamed.