Weeks 9 to 10: 26th February – 11th March 1961

Here’s what was going on in the world in February and March 1961.

• Professor Henry Kissinger of Harvard University was appointed by President Kennedy as a consultant to the National Security Agency. The 37-year-old Kissinger, who would later serve as U.S. Secretary of State for two Republican Presidents, Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, had been the author of the 1958 book Nuclear Weapons and Foreign Policy.
• Uganda became self-governing by holding its first general elections a year in advance of full independence. With 90% of the 1.3 million eligible voters participating, the Democratic Party, led by Benedicto Kiwanuka, won 43 of the 81 seats in the National Assembly. The Uganda People’s Congress received more votes overall, but won only 35 seats.
• At the age of 79, artist Pablo Picasso married 35-year-old Jacqueline Roque. The two remained together until his death in 1973.
• Elsie May Batten, a 59-year-old shop assistant and wife of famed sculptor Mark Batten, was found stabbed to death with an antique dagger at the London curiosity shop where she worked. Her killer, Edwin Bush, was the first British murderer to be caught by use of the Identikit facial composite system.
• The first U.S. Polaris submarines arrived at the new submarine base at Scotland’s Holy Loch, as the nuclear missile bearing USS Patrick Henry sailed past protesters and in alongside its tending ship, USS Proteus, to begin a two-year mission.
• Sir Thomas Beecham, the English conductor who founded the London Philharmonic and the Royal Philharmonic orchestras died aged 81.
• Plans for an invasion of Cuba were presented by CIA official Richard M. Bissell, Jr. for the approval of President Kennedy. In a meeting attended by the President, Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Defense Secretary Robert McNamara, CIA Director Allen Dulles, and General Lyman Lemnitzer, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staffs, Bissell outlined the proposed “Operation Trinidad”, with an invasion force storming the beaches of Trinidad, Cuba by sea and by air. Kennedy rejected the plan as “too spectacular”, and directed Bissell to come up with a less obvious placement of troops. Only four days later, Bissell had drawn up a new plan, with the force to strike at the Bay of Pigs within a month. “The Kennedy team was impressed,” one historian would say later, “when they should have been incredulous.”

 

And here’s what was keeping Peggy busy:

Sunday 26th February 1961
A fine morning. I was up early enough but I didn’t seem to get on very well! Cyril had a couple of hours in the garden & after lunch we set out to take the children in the woods, but it rained very hard so we only had a short ride round.

Monday 27th February 1961
Dry morning so I put out the washing – unfortunately it started pouring with rain and has been  doing so all afternoon. We haven’t been out. Gillian has been complaining of tummy ache again this afternoon. No letters. Am just going to do a bit of ironing.

Tuesday 28th February 1961
Fine morning – and I was able to get cracking with the work. Mrs. C. took Gillian out for 1 1/2 hrs. This afternoon too she took over G. while I took Phil to Esher. Bought him a pair of shoes! I was worn out by the time we got back!

Wednesday 1st March 1961
Cyril to Helston.
All on my own tonight – its been fine & warm this afternoon. We went to the clinic & made arrangements to have the children innoculated (Booster Dips) on Saturday. Have put a fruit cake in the oven.

Thursday 2nd March 1961
Lovely spring like day today. Children out in the garden early then Phil slept for about 2 1/2 hrs! We’ve been up to the village this afternoon. Have been able to dry all the washing outside. Haven’t had any news from Mur yet.

Friday 3rd March 1961
Beautiful again – unfortunately the children have both woken up with colds. Have been for a nice walk in the woods. Had hoped Mur would pay us a visit but a letter from her today says she is going to Malvern next week.

Saturday 4th March 1961
Booster Dips 2.15 Dr Lyttle
Had to cancel the innoculations owing to heavy head colds. We’ve all been into L’head & Cyril insisted I bought a dress – did very well – dress & jacket in sage green with white ?dogs! Very nice too. We have have crowded a lot into today. Gardening, shopping, walk in the woods & baking. I was at it until 9.20 – getting ready for tomorrow. Beautiful weather.

Sunday 5th March 1961
Family gathering. Grace.
Another glorious day – we were up early – not from choice!!! I took the children part way down to the village to meet the visitors. Have had a very pleasant afternoon – Lottie’s Dodger & Greenie & Mr & Mrs Devonal & Susan. They all left soon after eight.

Monday 6th March 1961
Beautiful day – and the spinner is repaired! Had a small parcel of old clothes from Mur for Gillian also letter from Dad. Cyril will be late tonight as her going to Welling to lay some lino for his Mum. Have had a nice walk in the woods.

Tuesday 7th March 1961
Good news today in Joan’s letter Rob & Margaret have a daughter born yesterday. No detail yet but we’ll probably hear in a day or two from Mag. Not such a nice day. No sun but quite mild. Have been to the village –

Wednesday 8th March 1961
Went to the clinic this morning & Miss P advised me to take Philip to the Doctor because he has an abcess on his gum. Lovely day, we’ve been out in the woods all afternoon. Cyril came home early & we’ve been to see the Doctor: he has prescribed penicillin. Am going to write to Dad. Joan now.

Thursday 9th March 1961
Cyril (birthday)
Lots of birthday cards for Cyril this morning, much to the nippers delight! We had a nice surprise too this afternoon – off out for a walk & met Cyril coming home – so we all went into Esher & bought him a tie & suspenders for his birthday!!

Friday 10th March 1961
Andrew (birthday)
Not a very good day to begin with but it has cleared up this afternoon. We’ve been out for a short walk. Nothing much happened. Just had a letter from Mur – Dave goes on Tuesday & think Mur is staying in Ripon.

Saturday 11th March 1961
Marion (birthday)
We’ve had an exciting morning – going into Esher & looking at plans of new houses going up for sale on this estate. We’ve put our mark on one – & now we’re hoping we shall be able to economize a bit & have some money saved by the time they are ready – 1962! It will be something to save for & I feel very enthusiastic about it. From there we went on to Hasham & bought a Nigelia for Cyril’s birthday. Am going to start a jersey in 3 ply for Philip!!!

 

 

 

Weeks 7 to 8: 12th February – 25th February 1961

Here’s what was going on in the world in February 1961.

• Eight days after launching the seven ton Sputnik 5, the U.S.S.R. used the orbiting satellite as a launch platform from which to fire a rocket carrying the interplanetary space probe, Venera 1, towards the planet Venus. Contact with the satellite was lost after it traveled 4,650,000 miles, but the probe came within 62,000 miles of the second planet, and is believed to still be in orbit around the Sun.
• Sabena Flight 548 crashed as it was approaching Brussels on a flight from New York City, killing all 72 people on board, including all of the United States figure skating team and its coaches. It was the first fatal crash of a Boeing 707 passenger jet.
• Led by British author and activist Bertrand Russell, the Committee of 100 and a crowd of 5,000 people staged a sit-down protest at the Ministry of Defence in Whitehall, London, demanding that the U.K. call off its agreement to bring nuclear missiles to the British Isles.
• Duncan Carse was dropped off alone at the British Antarctic island of South Georgia, for an eighteen-month attempt to become a latter-day Robinson Crusoe. HMS Owen brought him to the uninhabited south side of the island with 12 tons of supplies and a prefabricated hut, at Ducloz Head. The hut and much of the supplies would be swept away by a wave on May 20, forcing Carse to survive on what he had been able to save. He would finally be able to signal a ship, the Petrel, on September 13.
• The last public trams in Sydney, Australia, ceased operation, bringing to an end the Southern Hemisphere’s largest tramway network.
• A total solar eclipse was visible in parts of the Northern Hemisphere from France to the Soviet Union, with the Black Sea port of Rostov-on-Donbeing the midpoint of greatest eclipse.

And here’s what was keeping Peggy busy:

Sunday 12th February 1961
Gave the car a good clean & polish this morning. Then went for a ride to Bushey Park this afternoon. Gillian played up though as she didn’t want to leave the amusements.

Monday 13th February 1961
Renee (birthday).
Cyril at Farnborough this week. Travelling daily. Quite a nice day – we were out from 2 – 3.45 – had a walk in the woods & saw several squirrels. Then to Jill’s delight we had 1/4hr in the recreation ground, on the swings! Cyril home early, about quarter to six. Another very good night.

Tuesday 14th February 1961
A lovely day – no wind & quite warm in the sun. Temperature has reached 65 in London. We’ve been out for a couple of hours – Philip enjoys a walk now. Letter from Joan.

Wednesday 15th February 1961
We saw an excellent picture of the eclipse of the sun on T.V. this morning – the best picture came from France. Its been a very damp dull day – such a come down after yesterday. Have to make arrangements for Gillian’s Diptheria Booster.

Thursday 16th February 1961
Hilary Lemon.
Letter from Olive today asking us over tomorrow so have given her a ring confirming it – we shall be early arrivals as Cyril leaves at 8am. Wonder what he will say about it. Damp & dull today. Letters also from Mur & Geoff.

Friday 17th February 1961
Eileens 11 + ??am
Have had a very nice day out at Frimley. We went with Cyril & arrived at Olive’s at 9am. I’ve really enjoyed myself & the childern were very good. Home at 5.10pm – I’ve baked & ironed since then & knitted.

Saturday 18th February 1961
Welling?
Had a good night’s sleep last night. Cyril has been to L’head & Esher this morning while I’ve been attending to the chores. This afternoon we set off for Welling – & have had a very pleasant afternoon. Found them all well & Mum determined to go home in a few weeks time. I can’t think how she will manage. I had an hour in Welling – round the shops. Home at 8pm.

Sunday 19th February 1961
Lotts to tea
Bruce Andrews B’day
A lovely spring like day – Cyril has been gardening this morning while I’ve been preparing for our visitors. The Lotts arrived about 3.30pm & have just left – 8.40pm. We’ve all had a very pleasant day – G & P been good too.

Monday 20th February 1961
Another beautiful day. The washing isn’t all dry yet though – I’m still without a spinner! We’ve been wandering in the woods this afternoon. I should think Gillian & Philip are very tired – they were both in the garden this morning. The ?rose prints have come from Dad. Very nice.

Tuesday 21st February 1961
Very dull & cold today – we’ve been up to the village but I was glad to get in – its so cold. Philip has been very miserable today. Nothing much happened – letter from Dad. All well at home.

Wednesday 22nd February 1961
to Lotts for the day. Car for C. Service today.
Left with Cyril at quarter to eight this morning so arrived at Lotts for 8.05!! Have had a very nice day. We went into Hounslow & had a good shop fuddle! Have at last bought a dress to send to Edna for Valerie! Children have been so good. Geoff brought us home – arrived here 4.40pm.

Thursday 23rd February 1961
Almost looks like snow today – we’ve had very little sunshine. Went for a long walk in the woods this afternoon. Phil is a monkey when he has to go back in the pram.
Very Bad Night With Both.

Friday 24th February 1961
Wet today – the first rainy day for some time. I’ve done some washing & dried it between showers – we haven’t been out this afternoon so I did some ironing Have had a shocking headache all day.

Saturday 25th February 1961
Pouring with rain when we got up Cyril took Philip down with him to light the fire – & I had a lay in until quarter to eight!!! Lovely it was. This afternoon went out for an hour to the jumble sale – lot of junk there!
It cleared up about 3.30 so the children had 1/2hr in the garden and Cyril moved the raspberries.