My Mother’s Diaries – The Hiltonbury Farming Family Story 1948-1976

Life at Hiltonbury Farm moves from the final warmth of summer into autumn.

The family collects a new car, affectionately named Tilly, before setting off for a lively holiday in Bournemouth filled with beach huts, illuminations, shows and a visit to Corfe Castle.

Back at the farm, the combine brings in the harvest while everyday family life continues with school journeys, football, gardening and John’s new teeth. Bebe also spends many hours creating Heather’s fairy costume, complete with hundreds of sequins.

But amid the laughter and activity comes sad news with the death of Mrs St John.

Join Andy Vining for another warm and revealing chapter from his mother diaries, covering September and October 1953.

Coming up on My Mother’s Diaries…

It is September and October 1953, and there is plenty happening at Hiltonbury Farm.

The combine arrives to bring in the harvest, John wins another cup—and the family collects a new car, soon affectionately known as Tilly.

There is a holiday in Bournemouth, with a beach hut, the Guinness Clock, Corfe Castle, an aqua show and evenings beneath the illuminations.

Back at home, autumn brings school journeys, football, potato picking and work on the garden.

John gets new teeth, while Mother spends hours making Heather’s fairy costume and sticking on hundreds of sequins for her dancing display.

But alongside the happy family moments comes the sad news of Andrews old head mistress  Mrs St John’s death the lady that changed my life as it was her suggestion that I went to Boarding school; 

I’m Andy Vining, and these are my mother's diaries.

Listen to the full story of September and October 1953, coming soon to My Mother’s Diaries.

This time, we return to Hiltonbury Farm for July and August 1953.

It is a very mixed English summer, with haymaking and harvesting repeatedly interrupted by the rain. There are horses, cricket matches, Pony Club Camp and family outings—and England celebrates a famous Ashes victory.

There is also excitement at the farmhouse when somebody arrives to measure up for electric light, although the family will still have quite a wait before electricity finally arrives.

But as August draws to a close, there is worrying news of polio nearby, and Janet suffers a nasty fall from her horse.

So, let us return to Hiltonbury Farm and discover what life brought the family during July and August 1953.

I’m Andy Vining, and these are my mother Bebe’s diaries.

Hi Its Any Andy Vining with news of whats Coming up on MyMother’s Diaries on Sunday

It is July and August 1953, and the English summer isproving as unpredictable as ever at Hiltonbury Farm.

There is haymaking, harvesting and plenty of rain. The balerwires need threading, the binder breaks—and someone finally arrives to measure the farmhouse for electric light.

The children enjoy cricket, swimming sports and Pony ClubCamp, while Jennifer gets a black gelding from Browns.

England wins the Ashes, the family takes a boat to Ventnor,and Bebe records the excitement of seeing two great ships sail.

But the summer ends on a worrying note, with news of polionearby—and Janet falling from her horse and spraining her ankle.

I’m Andy Vining, and these are my mother Bebe’s diaries.

Listen to the full story of July and August 1953, comingsoon to My Mother’s Diaries.

Britain celebrates the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II,while everyday life continues at Hiltonbury Farm.

Mother watches the historic ceremony on television, sees theRoyal Family in London and enjoys a wonderful view of the Fleet Review at Spithead. Back at home, there are cricket matches, family outings, troublesomeweather and a broken milking machine to contend with.

Young Andrew narrowly avoids a court appearance, 125 chicks arrive—and Lassie produces seven puppies.

Join Andy Vining for another warm and revealing chapter of MyMother’s Diaries, covering May and June 1953.

Hi This is Andy – Andy Vining with a short trailer for Mayand June 1953 Britain is preparing for a Coronation—and at Hiltonbury Farm,family life is busier than ever.

Mother sees her first 3D film, watches Hampshire beat Kentat cricket and queues to see The Cruel Sea.

Young Andrew narrowly avoids a court appearance, while thechildren prepare dances, fancy hats and parties for the Coronationcelebrations.

Then, on 2 June, the family gathers around a television towatch Queen Elizabeth the Second being crowned. Bebe later travels to London,where she sees the Royal Family, and enjoys a wonderful view of the FleetReview at Spithead.

But farm life never stops. The hay is spoiling, the corn isflattened, the milking machine breaks down—and Lassie produces seven puppies.

Join me for a summer of royal pageantry, farming troublesand wonderfully ordinary family life.

Listen to the full episode of My Mother’s Diariesthis Sunday at seven.

Spring is arriving at Hiltonbury Farm, bringing warmer days, work in the fields and new life in the cowsheds.

In March and April 1953, Bebe records the birth of pedigree calves, the arrival of 150 day-old chicks and the endless round of washing, ironing, darning and family visitors.

There are birthdays to celebrate, Point-to-Point meetings, evenings at the theatre and the children’s visit to Vickers to see the Duke of Edinburgh. National events also reach the farmhouse, including the death of Queen Mary.

Meanwhile, young Andy finds himself in serious trouble over the railway lines—and the police arrive to investigate.

Join Andy Vining for another warm and revealing chapter of My Mother’s Diaries.

Hi This is Andy – Andy Vining with a short trailer for Marchand April 1953 when Spring arrives at Hiltonbury farm—but family life remainsas busy and unpredictable as ever.

There are oats to drill, potatoes to plant and newbornpedigree calves to welcome.

Mother celebrates her birthday on March 26th withroast chicken, raspberries and ice cream, while It seems that I enjoyed my 10th birthday party on April the 6th it is recorded. I find it lucky now looking back over the years I was always at home for my Birthday as it was always the school holidays from Boarding school.

Jennifer begins her new job working at Vickers in Hursley theday after my Birthday.

Some 150 day-old chicks arrive at the farm—and the youngAndy (That was me) got himself into serious trouble over the railway lines, bringing the police to our door!

Against the everyday rhythm of washing, ironing, darning andcups of tea, comes the solemn national news of the death of Queen Mary.

There are Point-to-Points, football matches, family visitorsand evenings listening to plays on the wireless—all recorded in my mother’s wonderfully matter-of-fact style.

Join me Andy Vining for another warm, revealing glimpse intoour family life in 1953.

Listen to the full episode of My Mother’s Diariesthis Sunday at seven.

The opening months of 1953 bring bitter weather, childhoodillness and the familiar bustle of life at Hiltonbury Farm.

Heather’s birthday celebrations are followed by a worryingbout of measles, while clothes freeze on the washing line and thick snow blankets the farm. Beyond Hiltonbury, Mother records the terrible East Coast floods and packs clothing to help the victims.

Amid it all, everyday life continues. There are schoolconcerts, birthday cakes, football matches, threshing, falling egg prices and cosy evenings beside the dining-room fire. The children visit the Queen Elizabeth in dry dock, Sooty the cat produces her kittens in the kitchen, andfriends regularly call in for tea—or stay until two in the morning.

Then, after more than a year without one, Mother finallyattends another Young Farmers’ dance.

Join me Andy Vining for January and February 1953 in MyMother’s Diaries – The Hiltonbury Farming Family Story 1948–1976.

Find the Hiltonbury story at www.mymothersdiaries.co.uk

January and February 1953 bring illness, bitter weather and the ordinary rhythm of family life at Hiltonbury Farm.

Heather is struck down with measles. Clothes freeze on the washing line, thick snow covers the farm, and Mother packs a sack of clothing for the victims of the terrible East Coast floods.

But life carries on.

There are birthdays, school concerts and evenings gathered around the dining-room fire. The children see the Queen Elizabeth in dry dock, Sooty the cat chooses the kitchen in which to have her kittens, and Mother watches the price of eggs fall once again.

Then, after more than a year without one, she finally gets dressed up and goes dancing—and declares it “jolly good.”

Join me for January and February 1953 in My Mothers Diaries