Alice, letter from Grove Farm

Alice Hall wrote this letter to Horace Nevard in October of 1909 describing the wedding of her sister, Annie, to Herbert Button.

Grove Farm
Saxmundham
Oct. 15th, 1909
My dearest Horrie
I hope this will find you quite well as it leaves me. It is nearly a month since I heard from you so I'm beginning to
long for one to come as it seem such a long time. I thought I would write to you so it should not be quite so long
before you got my letter. I should have written to you before but we have been so busy lately that there has not
been much time to spare and I expect you have been busy too Dear as Arthur said in his letter that you were gone
away threshing. So I expect that is the reason why I have not heard from you but I hope I shall hear soon (all the same).
It was four years ago yesterday since you came with Willie in the van. I expect you have finished the harvest long
before this time and I hope the crops are good this year.
We are feeling very dull as Annie and Herbert went to London this morning. I expect you will like to hear about the
wedding so I will try and tell you all I can remember.
They were married at Carlton Church at quarter to twelve. We were going to walk across the fields but it was a wet
morning so Father went and ordered two carriages as it would have been too muddy to walk after the rain. It was nice
and fine when we went to the Church and the sun shined a little while. There was eight of us went to Church.
Herbert and his brother, Philip, and Louie and I went in the first carriage. The Church was trimmed up for the harvest
festival so it was rather nice.Herbert's brother, Philip, was the best man and father gave Annie away and I was
bridesmaid. There was 14 of us to dinner and tea. My Aunt and Uncle from Leiston came and Dick and Maude and the
children.
I wish you could have been there Dear, it would have been lovely. Herbert's father brought his gramaphone and melodian
so we had some music and we didn't go to bed much before the morning. On Tuesday morning Annie and Herbert
went to Leiston to Haylings to dinner and then to Theberton and came back here on Wednesday. Annie asked at the
Post Office about sending wedding cake to Canada so I expect that Mother will send some in a box when she write
to Mary.
Annie went to London for a week to get the house ready and furnish it and then she came home with Herbert on the
Sunday October 10th. I forget if I told you that Annie and I went to Rushmere one Sunday. We went by train in the
morning and came home at night. Emily came here for the week end a fortnight ago, just from Saturday to Monday
so it was a very short stay. Annie says I must go and see her at Christmas but I don't know whether I shall yet. We
miss her very much. When you come home Annie say we can both go and see them. And now my dearest I will
close my letter with my very best and truest love to you hoping all are well, with love to all I remain
Your everloving Alice
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Annie's Letter

My grandmother's older sister, Annie Hall would have been 24 years old when she wrote this letter in October of 1906.
Annie had gone out to work in the town of Ipswich for the Turners. Not too many miles from her parents farm at Saxmundham.
The Herbert referred to in the letter is her fiancee and they would eventually marry in 1909 but that is another story for another
day.
9 St. Edmunds Road
Ipswich, Essex
Oct. 1st, 1906
My Dear Alice
As I have a little spare time I thought you might like to hear I have reached here in saftey. The young person in the train
conversed with me all the way so we had the carriage to ourselves all the way. She had been after a situation as cook
at Mrs. Frank Garret's. Her home was at Bury. She seemed rather lost at Ipswich station so I saw her right and then
went on my way rejoicing. It was half past one when I reached Ipswich as we stopped at every station with the exception
of Westerfield. You did not stop to see me out of sight. I hope you got home alright and did not feel lonely going back
because as Horrie says, " I will be back again one day".
Ethel had got a beef pudding to welcome me back. Then this afternoon she has been baking so I have been having tidbits.
The Turnerites have returned with rather ruffled tempers so we very thankfully saw them take their departure out to bridge.
I am by myself as usual as Ethel and Annie have gone out (to see if it is a nice evening I expect).
I found my letter awaiting me. Herbert's brother, Fred, is getting married at Christmas and I do not think there was any more
news in it that would interest you . When you think of coming to Ipswich again beware of the Aldeburgh train. I wish I could
have had a little longer stay with you. I hope Mother's lip is better, also her cold. I expect you will be going to the Harvest
Thanksgiving service at Saxmundham Church on Thursday. You must tell me all about it when you write.
I daresay you are gone to bed as it is just on ten so I shall have to post this in the morning. Now I do not think I have any
more to tell you this time, (only to be sure and not forget which corner the bicycles come around and that Annie has had
her photo taken, I hope she did not crack the glass). So will close with love to all and to yourself.
I remain your loving sister,
Annie
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