Читать книгу Little Ann's Field of Buttercups - Ann Jacques - Страница 6

It all started in the late 1800s, before I was born. My mother told me about these events. I cannot truly say how accurate they are as this part of my story happened before I was born…

My great-grandfather Charles Askew was born in 1868 at Ryton on Dunsmore, Warwickshire. Great-grandmother Fanny was born in 1879 in the small village of Atherstone. They met each other on a family social occasion and eventually married. In 1891, their first daughter Millicent was born followed by two brothers, Arthur and Charles, and sisters, Ellen and Gladys. Charles and Fanny had a small painting and decorating business, which enabled the family to live in a modest house in a middle-class area of Coventry.

Millicent grew into a lovely young lady with thick black hair and brown eyes, was introduced to a handsome young man, blonde with blue eyes. His name was Percival Warner. They had previously seen each other at dances, glancing at each other from afar, and saw each other frequently during summer when both families attended Sunday afternoon boating regattas. There was always a good turnout of spectators at these events, enjoying refreshments of tea and cream cakes served on the patio of the little café, watching the yachts on the river and the young men in their rowing boats impressing the young ladies who accompanied them, showing off their skills. Most young middle-class couples met at these social gatherings. Percival and Millicent became besotted with each other and thankfully, Charles gave them permission to ‘step out’, as they called it.

After a two year romance, they married in the spring of 1909. Percival, who was to become my grandad, was born in Coventry in 1887. He also came from a decent family background, with his father also having his own painting and decorating business. Percival worked with his father learning the skills of the decorating trade but soon tired of it and turned to selling, which he loved.

Grandad Warner became a piano sales representative. He enjoyed the job though he did not enjoy working for someone else as he only earned commission for the pianos he sold. It seemed to Grandad that his boss was the only one profiting for all his hard work so he began to think about working for himself. At that particular time, it seemed that everyone was buying a piano. With Millicent expecting a baby, the time was right to build up his clientele and move into the realm of self-employment.

In 1910, exactly one year since starting along the road of private enterprise, Grandad Warner had his own thriving business. After opening his first factory in Yorkshire, he never looked back. Money was in abundance so they were able to have a custom-designed house built in the elite area of Leicester. It cost four thousand pounds (a lot of money in those days).

The house was detached, standing in its own grounds. A wide hall led from an impressive entrance off into a large kitchen, scullery, dining room and lounge room. A grand staircase led upstairs to four spacious bedrooms and two bathrooms. Downstairs, the dining room featured a huge table with matching hide studded dining chairs. The lounge room was massive, with picturesque Georgian glassed patio doors that led to an entertainment room, similar to a dancing studio, with mirrors covering the walls. The patio door leading from this room opened onto a paved area, from which one could look out onto the beautifully landscaped grounds complete with an idyllically designed patio terrace. Steps led down onto the lawn, which was adorned, with shrubs, hedges and an abundance of trees, providing beautiful blossoms and a delightful aroma in the spring. A small pond served as a stage as lilies danced about as water cascaded from a small fountain. An elegant willow tree, its branches hanging and swaying in the summer breeze, added the perfect finishing touch.

A landscape gardener had been engaged to create this relaxed atmosphere and absolute privacy for the patio and home. This provided the perfect spot to entertain friends and business acquaintances during the summer months. My grandparents held regular Saturday evening dinners and dancing for their friends. As they were proficient musicians, they became the musical entertainment. Even the children joined in.

Grandad Warner became very successful, acquiring more shops and factories all over the Midlands, and one in London. My grandparents’ firstborn was my Auntie Irene. They employed a housekeeper, a cook and a nanny to help with their daughter. As Irene got a little older, she accompanied her daddy on business trips to the factories and shops, enjoying herself and taking in a little knowledge of how things were run. In 1915, another daughter, Joan, was born. Both girls looked like their mother with dark hair and brown eyes. Joan would grow up to pass these features on to her own little girl—me.

Life at this time was a constant stream of successes for the Warners. Profits were high and the parties and entertaining continued. My grandparents spoiled their little girls with love and attention. Eventually, a third daughter joined the Warner household— beautiful and angelic, but unlike her sisters. Betty looked just like her father with blonde hair and big blue eyes. Family and friends all felt the need to protect her. She did not have the strong and independent personality of her sisters. Each of the Warner girls had a private education and took up a hobby of their choice. Joan loved ballet so she was enrolled in a class.

I remember the excitement in my mother’s eyes when she told me those vivid stories of her childhood. I imagined her practising her dancing in the ballroom in front of the mirrored glass on the walls. The scene was so vivid I almost believed I was there with her.

Irene wanted to learn to play the piano and she eventually became very accomplished. Charlie Kunz, a great pianist of the day was her influence and inspiration, and of course she was encouraged by her parents who were also accomplished musicians Betty was a little too young for a hobby yet.

As the girls grew older, thoughts of their future careers became my grandparents’ focus. Irene tended to my grandfather’s business as she had been learning the business from an early age. Grandad taught her to drive the Rolls Bentley. She was keen and quick to learn. Eventually she took over the sales side of the business, which allowed her the privilege of driving all over the country. This was a role she enjoyed immensely, mainly because it provided opportunities for her to meet eligible young men.

My grandmother decided that Joan should develop her natural flair for mathematics and guided her towards bookkeeping and accounts. Mathematics was always her favourite subject at school even from an early age. Betty went to secretarial training college for two years where she became proficient in shorthand and touchtyping. All three sisters grew up in a fortunate family environment with plenty of opportunities. Life was good for the Warners, until war was declared…