THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates
Dorking

June 7 [1949]

Dear Mr Sheppard,
Another parcel has come from you – as usual so cunningly chosen – we couldn’t wish for anything nicer – it is an incentive to make cake when the dried fruits are unpacked.
Where is your wife now? I hope she is not being anxious about her father – You did not say how long she expected to be away. There is a great bottling of gooseberries going on – the only fruit that is safe from the birds – our main news.
Have you a gramophone and is it possible to send records to S.A.¹ & if so would you like to have some? – we would love to send you what you like in that way.
We have just bought a new record player w^h looks after its records – we hated having to wind up & change as we had to on our old one –
All wishes to you both
Adeline VW

1. South Africa. The Sheppards sent food parcels to the VWs for some years during post-war rationing.