Letter, Eric Hodgkinson to Mrs. Conole

335, Whalley New Road,
Blackburn,
Lancs.
31st Aug. 1960
Dear Mrs Conole,

I was sorry to read about Mr Conole
but I am sure it must have given him great
relief to enter into the peace of Heavenly
rest, and I hope, and know, that He will give
you strength and comfort.
To me, the thought of losing a loved
one after so many years seems more than
one could bear, and I am sure than you must
think about the past and feel lonely, but I
hope your friends keep around you.
It is strange that in this modern world
of science that they have been unable to
find a cure for cancer. There seems to be a lot
of cases of it.
Well now for news from this end –
mm-mm-mm! I don’t seem to have much

[page 2]
I haven’t been any where special and it
has been horrible weather for a long time now
with thunderstorms and hail and floods –the
lot! Sure would like to go on a nice long
cruise somewhere where the sun is shining.
Been busy at work and at home. I’m
sure my mother thinks I’m lazy but after
working then having this damned pain – which
I haven’t told her about – I just don’t feel like
working hard at night. We have had a new
fireplace put in one of the rooms last week
(I don’t suppose you have fireplaces – I wish that
we had it but this country hasn’t got around
to central heating yet – although it doesnt seem
to be popular) and I have been putting new
skirting board round the walls and I have
been all in, and also had some new lino to
fit.
I’m glad that the flowers were nice. I
like flowers but I don’t like these artifical
ones that seem to be popular these days.

[page 3]
Now Mrs Conole. I know that is early to
be thinking about Christmas but please
don’t send me anything. I am very grateful
for the presents that you have sent me in
the past and I appreciate your kindness
but – please – you musn’t.
With the hope that you will keep well
I will close.

Yours sincerely,
Eric