Flowers are my favourite sign of Spring! Have you seen the beautiful snowdrops in Painswick? Have you noticed the tiny violets in our Churchyard? We called Ashton Court our Country estate because in ten minutes we could lock our Post office and be there, walking through the carpets of blue bells. My son and daughter-in-law have given me white hyacinths. I long for the bulbs to bloom and fill my flat with their “heady” scent. I have several very expensive perfumes, and not one of these can match that natural aroma!

I love all white, blue and purple flowers, but not all of you share my preference. My father loved wallflowers, my granddad liked pansies (penseés in French, which means “thoughts”) and Madi, my granddaughter adores daffodils. Hils, my fellow alto in the Choir chooses poinsettias because their brilliant red lightens the gloom of winter! Jean who heads our talented team of flower arrangers, loves sweet peas and pink roses. I wonder which is your favourite? This morning someone told me that he really likes red roses. Many of you know this gentleman as he writes the gardening column in our magazine!

Ray Cripps born in Cheltenham, came to live in Frenchay because Hilda, his Bristolian wife, wanted to return. On December 18th 1974, whilst moving into their house in Park Crescent they were serenaded by some carol singers from our Church! Their large garden descends to the River Frome. Growing mainly flowers, Ray also produces enough vegetables for his own consumption.

By 1975 Ray was already involved in village activities, principally the Frenchay and Hambrook Horticultural society of which he is now President and Life Honorary Member. This Society ran the Frenchay Flower Show for many decades and still acts as a Support Group. Ray shows geraniums and fuchsias, usually getting 1sts or 2nds.

Ray enjoys coach holidays especially to Portugal and Italy. I was glad to hear that he shares my admiration for Monet’s garden in France! Weather permitting, he often sits in his own beautiful garden. It’s only right that hard work should bring pleasure, so I wish him many years of just that!

Have a superb Springtime!

Esmé

Friends, I really hope that, like myself, you have many loyal friends. I could write a book about the fascinating lives that many of my friends have led and are still living. However, as my article is limited to one page, I must condense what I wanted to tell you about Victoria.

Born in Brittany, she moved to Paris when very young. Coincidentally, another of my friends who also lived in Dranc, a suburb of Paris, told me of the shocking day when the Nazis marched into their school and dragged out all the Jews. Victoria was one of them. The family left Paris on foot pushing the baby in its pram which contained their few possessions. Auschwitz came next where only the three children escaped the gas chambers. I thought that this would have been the worst time of my friend’s life. I was wrong!. Victoria told me that the most frightening time came after their release. She was all alone in a 5-star Parisian Hotel and felt totally abandoned until weeks later when an uncle came to claim her. She keeps her Auschwitz tattoo covered and never talked about these ordeals except to me.

Her sister Reneé gave many lectures and was honoured for her work in retrieving many valuable paintings which the Germans had stolen. We were invited to the Elyseé Palace for the ceremony.

Victoria was our tenant on the Port of Bormes but returned to Paris. She didn’t want to leave the south but if she lived in Paris, her pension would be doubled. In France, ex-concentration camp victims get many ‘perks’. One of them is a card stating that they never have to queue anywhere!

After my husband died I lived with Victoria for a while. Do you know Paris? I find it colourfully exciting. We had many adventures together.That’s another story, perhaps for another post!?
                 

                                Value them  —  your friends are precious

                                                      Esmé