Of Christmas Past

 

Left to right:  Philip Scott TRENDALL,  1961-,  Helen ('Nellie') Kirk McBeth SCOTT (formerly McGAVIN, nee DUNCAN = Nanny SCOTT), 1896-1971, Frederick Alfred TRENDALL, 1914-1983, Frederick Henry TRENDALL (‘Freddie’), 1947-2013, Paul Duncan TRENDALL, 1957-.

Christmas dinner circa 1967/68 in the upstairs front room at the Marquis of Lansdowne, 32 Cremer Street, London, E2.  The picture was probably taken by Jean Duncan TRENDALL, (formerly TRENDALL, formerly PALMER, nee McGAVIN), 1924-1982.  Missing from this photo is George SCOTT, (‘Pop’) 1906-1971.  It looks like a place is set at the far left of the picture so he was probably just out of shot.

I don’t know where my sister Christine PAGE (nee TRENDALL), 1942 -  ) was on this day?

I have a possible memory of this being taken to 'send to my sister  Maureen’ (Maureen HEPBURN, nee TRENDALL 1942-   ) in the USA.

The drinks include Dubonnet and lemonade – not often seen in the hands of the under 11s, if at all, these days.  A fondness for this tipple is probably the only thing I had in common with the late Queen Mother.  Note the mash potato served with the use of an ice cream scoop, this practice always reminded me of the horrors of school dinners.   I remember the curtains well.  They are yet to come back into fashion.

Corrections welcome……..

 

Philip Scott TRENDALL (1961-

A Small World........................

 

A little while ago I was buying a cup of coffee at a local station.  It must have been around Remembrance Sunday as I bought a poppy, the first time I have done this with a card rather than cash.  The transaction was not a smooth one with the machine failing to read the card.  The very helpful chap behind the counter took my card and wiped it to clean the chip.  As he did so he noticed my name on the card and said he had served in the Grenadier Guards in the 1960s with a great chap called Fred Trendall, I don’t suppose you are related”?  It turns out he knew my brother Fred and had served with him in Cyprus and other locations overseas, as well as in the UK.  He described him as very funny and always cheerful.  He said that he was the sort of chap who would always help out others who were struggling.  I recognised the description.  We had a good chat and he was very sorry to hear that Fred had died.  I missed my train but it was worth it and I was left thinking about the impression we make on the people we meet and how that impression can last a very long time…………………………………

December 2020