8th July 1944

Saturday
Brilliant sunshine, warm.  Had another curious dream about Wales this morning, but can't remember any details.

The Chairman came in this morning, apparently some row about Nott, as he was sent for and closeted with the old man for nearly an hour.  Maybe Frank Warren has been making a complaint about him.

At lunch time saw O’Neill, (His Majesty's Office of Works) and Sisson.  Took O’Neill round to the Britannia Works extension, on the Priory church site, and showed him what had been done there.  He agreed that it was a terrible shame, but said that the Office of Works were only notified quite by chance, long after the work had been started.

Suggested the possibility of excavations on the site of Blomfield’s shop, and he fully agreed that this would be well worth doing.

He told me that the alarm at lunch time yesterday was for a diver which went straight over Harwich and crashed somewhere in the Chelmondiston area.  We had no alarms at all today.

Went to Ralling’s this afternoon, to see the two girls, who had just cycled over from Southend.  They say that any number of “divers” can be seen from Southend going over Kent.  With very few breaks the bombardment keeps up night and day, the noise of guns and explosions is continuous.  Yet neither of them showed the slightest sign of all this.

Went home to tea, and spent an hour with Father.  He seems very well.

Back to Boxted for supper at 8.30.  Lovely evening, the small-holders working in their orchards, children playing in the roads.  Have no duty tonight, so hope for a quiet time. 

Was thinking about the mediaeval stone buildings tonight, when I suddenly remembered the fine cellars under Bunston’s and the adjoining premises in High Street.  Have not been in there for more than 10 years now, but I distinctly remember that there is a stout stone wall, pierced by a large arch, set back about four feet from the building front, and I was very puzzled to think why this should be.  It now suddenly occurs to me that perhaps the intervening space was a stairwell, with steps leading down from the street level to an underground shop, such as was common in Mediaeval times.  This would explain the fine archway, now seemingly underground and invisible.  Must make further investigations there at a later date, and perhaps prepare another note for the “Essex Review”.  Trouble is to get any decent illustrations for these things, especially as I no longer seem to be able to draw as I did when a boy.