THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

Thursday [7.11.46]

Belov Boo
R came home at 1.am – very gay. First of all his pages behaved à merveille & the orchestra backed him up well. The Times says they gave a “noble” performance & R says that is true.¹
Before the concert began the different conductors & “Big Wigs” of the “Evening News” were lined up against the wall (as if to be shot) of the artists room by a charming Lady in Waiting – Lady Errington – who did the presentations to Queen Mary & Margaret Rose – the latter was a “pet” R says.
The Evening News did all in fine style – refreshments in the interval & at the Dorchester an exquisite light sup of soup & chicken à la Jeanne and all the puds – every kind of drink from champagne to brandy. R sat next to pretty Lady Errington & Ursula had a young Naval man with R on the other side – Her Swiss dress of black & white was very becoming.
R had a cigar & dropt it on the floor – was afraid it might set Lady E’s dress alight – She wanted to pick it up for him but he managed!
If you have the D M² you will find her standing behind Margaret Rose. Now he can go back to Joanna³ – he has been digging ‘to blow away the cobwebs’.
[…]

1. VW had conducted a performance of his London Symphony at the Royal Albert Hall. See R.V.W.: a biography, p.270.
2. Daily Mail newspaper.
3. The Loves of Joanna Godden, film music.