Tue. Mar. 16. 7.30. pm. [1943]
# BOMBING AT GRIMSBY
# CHIMNEY SWEPT AND SPRING CLEANING
# PIG STY REFURBISHED
# UNHARMONIOUS BBC MUSIC CRITICISED

No further disturbances last night. Out of about 20 enemy aircraft 4 were brought down. They were over N.E. coast. Some bombs dropped at G[rims]by. No fatal casualties were reported but some damage was done. Mr F[aulkner] came about 8.45 and swept chimney 2/0. Afterwards Rene white-washed ceiling and frieze. Looks very nice. Then we washed floor, paint? etc. Have a little polishing left for tomorrow. Ralph F[aulkner]  is at Colchester. Is doing staff training. Mr F thinks he will be going abroad shortly.

Father went to clear out pig-sty to-day and fasten stack so that pig could not turn it over or take it for side of sty. Went on watch at 2 p.m. so will have all night in bed.

In an open letter of protest to BBC Governors in D. Mail Friday Seton Margrave quotes the Lord Chancellor as calling some of the “music” “excruciating disturbances” which I think is very apt. I had sought in vain for words to describe what I thought of it. The nearest I got was “not music, just a row, without harmony”.

Father brought half pig’s head and hock today. Tomorrow he hopes to bring the rest of bacon and get it hung up to dry. We cut hocks off hams this year as one of Eff’s went wrong. Hams don’t look as nice but so long as they keep well, it doesn’t matter. Shall have to iron tomorrow. Have not been to Rene’s yet as I had bronchitis when I planned to go. Rene going to wash tomorrow.

‘Stack’ here was probably a small heap of straw or hay used for bedding for the pigs – which were kept in the grounds of ‘Hill View’, Will’s mother’s home.

Seton Margrave was film critic and later editor of the Daily Mail.

Have you read an introduction to May Hill & family (includes photographs) and explored ‘The Casualties Were Small’?

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