Sylvester, 1948

Dear Reader,

Francis loved going to see Sylvester when he was a little boy. I have written today's poem about this adventure and hope you like the idea of his jaunt to the cinema, by himself, as much as I do.


 Sylvester, 1948

The young boy, eight or thereabouts,
trots down the street
leaves Marble Arch behind him,
and heads for Victoria Station
two miles away.

He has a sixpenny piece
in his pocket to pay
for his weekly visit
to the Regal Picture House.

Sylvester, the cartoon cat
would be playing
and the boy loved Sylvester.

He stretches his thin arm up
to reach the counter
"Sylvester, please mister"
he would say and put
down his sixpenny piece.

Two hours later
promising himself he
would return next Sunday,
he trots home, happy.


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This is a page in Francis Kilvert's diary, January 12th, l873

'When I came out the night was superb. the sky was cloudless, the moon rode high and full in the deep blue vault and the evening star blazed in the west.  The air was filled with the tolling and chiming of bells from St.Paul's and Chippenham old Church....I walked up and down the drive several times before I could make up my mind to leave the wonderful beauty of the night and go indoors.'

From Gilbert White, January 14th, 1776 in Hampshire

'Rugged, Siberian weather.  the narrow lanes are full of snow in some places.... The road-waggons are obliged to stop, and the stage-coaches are much embarassed.  I was obliged to be much abroad on this day, and scarce ever saw its fellow.'

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 With very best wishes, Patricia