We put a stone base down and in no time at all Ted was installed in the orchard at Hey Farm, tucked right into the corner, sheltered by the house and the hedge and hooked up to the electricity in the house by an overhead cable. He was totally satisfied and very happy. On our part he was no trouble at all, being a perfect gent he kept himself to himself apart from when we invited him in or there was some business to transact. He paid nothing for the site or the electricity, it was a given that in return he'd be useful round the farm when needed. Ted was always in work and I suspect that financially he was quite well off.
Around that time my life changed a lot. I was driving for Harrison Brothers from Elslack working for West Marton Dairies picking up farm milk and carrying bottled milk to the depots. It was hard work but regular (seven days a week) and I was always home at night. We lost the contracts at the dairy when the Milk Marketing Board took over farm milk pick up and the dairy went over from bottling to cheese production. Billy Harrison got rid of all his drivers and wagons except me and the new Bedford and work became thin on the ground. We had some occasional local work especially from Kelbrook Metal Products at Sough Bridge mill and I was delivering flashings and sheet metal products all over the country. Rather than coming back empty I looked for return loads from the transport clearing houses and soon became a 'tramp driver' looking for a load at my destination and going wherever that took me. I found the work but was often away from home all week and Vera never knew when I'd be back. We hadn't got a telephone and of course there was no such thing as cell phones then.
Ted came into his own. He and Vera ran the farm and I had the reassurance that no matter how long I was away and how hard things got I knew that what I was doing was worth it, supporting a growing family and I also knew that Vera had Ted for a constant support. I can't tell you how good that felt for me as I did what was usual in those days, bent my log book and did as many hours and miles as I could. I know it's hard to believe now but 100 hour weeks weren't uncommon.
I must have been at home occasionally because in 1960 daughter Margaret was born and Susan and Janet followed at two year intervals! They grew up with the benefit of a fully equipped Wendy House in the orchard and the added advantage of Ted who taught them swear words, very dubious songs and I have no doubt slipped them the occasional tanner to spend at Mrs Brown's shop on Crow Row. It was this that triggered the conversation yesterday in my kitchen....
Stanley and Ted at Hey farm in 1965.