This is such a lovely account of someone who seems through no fault of her own to have ended up in a life to which she's not suited and didn't want but nevertheless finds a way through. It's such an unglamorous period too, but that also has a kind of charm. I feel intrigued by Harold Wilson too and in a way sorry for him in this account: he may have imposed his political career but teaching at weekends to keep up and Oxford flat his wife loved while a minister is impressive!
Will you mention Private Eye's Mrs Wilson's Diary in later installments? I've never read them but remember Denis Thatcher's later on, and the Mrs Wilson columns were meant to be the inspiration.
This was a fascinating piece to read. She was a fine poet and is rather a hero here, in Diss, Norfolk, where she was born. She was instrumental in saving the 17th century weaver's cottages that are a few yards down the road from me in Fair Green, along with John Betjeman. He made a film of Diss ( he walked past my house which is thrilling!) and wrote a wonderful poem to her, which begins:
Dear Mary,
Yes, it will be bliss
To go with you by train to Diss,
Your walking shoes upon your feet;
We'll meet, my sweet, at Liverpool Street.
Her comment about her poems is indeed intriguing and I look forward to reading more!
My final part will be all about her friendship with Betjeman!! But do you really live in Diss? I've spent ages on Google maps trying to find her house!
Yes, I do! If I can help, let me know. I don't know the address but it would be fun to find it for you and try to get a photo. Do you know his film? It is enchanting.
Although people's personal lives are their own affair, it is intriguing that a person as seemingly reserved as Mary should have written poems that seem to hint at passionate friendships, at least. Brief Encounter, indeed.
The war poems are such a vivid snapshot of the time, and as descriptive of the reality of life then as any contemporary reportage.
I'm very much looking forward to the next instalment. Thanks, Sarah. It was a lovely read.
Beautiful poems! Forgive my obtuseness and perhaps misreading—you are suggesting these poems are indeed about Wilson and the passion that he had left behind and she recalled and missed so poignantly? 🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️
Ok! I need to reread. Sounds like the women I have written about. So much painful denial. But perhaps the writing and dreaming helped. I look forward to the next installment. Keep up the good work!
This is such a lovely account of someone who seems through no fault of her own to have ended up in a life to which she's not suited and didn't want but nevertheless finds a way through. It's such an unglamorous period too, but that also has a kind of charm. I feel intrigued by Harold Wilson too and in a way sorry for him in this account: he may have imposed his political career but teaching at weekends to keep up and Oxford flat his wife loved while a minister is impressive!
Will you mention Private Eye's Mrs Wilson's Diary in later installments? I've never read them but remember Denis Thatcher's later on, and the Mrs Wilson columns were meant to be the inspiration.
I will! I'm looking at them now.
Fascinating read
This was a fascinating piece to read. She was a fine poet and is rather a hero here, in Diss, Norfolk, where she was born. She was instrumental in saving the 17th century weaver's cottages that are a few yards down the road from me in Fair Green, along with John Betjeman. He made a film of Diss ( he walked past my house which is thrilling!) and wrote a wonderful poem to her, which begins:
Dear Mary,
Yes, it will be bliss
To go with you by train to Diss,
Your walking shoes upon your feet;
We'll meet, my sweet, at Liverpool Street.
Her comment about her poems is indeed intriguing and I look forward to reading more!
My final part will be all about her friendship with Betjeman!! But do you really live in Diss? I've spent ages on Google maps trying to find her house!
Yes, I do! If I can help, let me know. I don't know the address but it would be fun to find it for you and try to get a photo. Do you know his film? It is enchanting.
I knew Mary was a poet but have never read much about her life, so this is fascinating, Sarah, thank you.
Although people's personal lives are their own affair, it is intriguing that a person as seemingly reserved as Mary should have written poems that seem to hint at passionate friendships, at least. Brief Encounter, indeed.
The war poems are such a vivid snapshot of the time, and as descriptive of the reality of life then as any contemporary reportage.
I'm very much looking forward to the next instalment. Thanks, Sarah. It was a lovely read.
The ending of that poem about wartime Oxford is terrific. It has stayed with me ever since I read it in an anthology.
Beautiful poems! Forgive my obtuseness and perhaps misreading—you are suggesting these poems are indeed about Wilson and the passion that he had left behind and she recalled and missed so poignantly? 🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️
Now that's an interesting interpretation, but no, I think she fell for another man.. but nothing happened!
Ok! I need to reread. Sounds like the women I have written about. So much painful denial. But perhaps the writing and dreaming helped. I look forward to the next installment. Keep up the good work!