THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates,
Dorking, Surrey.

28th November, 1951.

Dear Gerald

My plans about Bristol have slightly changed and I have decided to go by train for the day after all, so I fear I cannot come to your concert, as I should have liked to do very much.¹
I heard the “When I Survey” Prelude² quite well at Gloucester but I got bothered because I thought it was going to turn into “Rockingham” all the time and it never did!
My love to Joyce

(R. Vaughan Williams).

Gerald Finzi, Esq.,
Ashmansworth, Newbury.

1. On Friday 14 December 1951, in the Great Hall of Bristol University, Winston Churchill conferred nine honorary degrees. VW was given the first Doctorate in Music ever to be conferred by the university. He was 38 minutes late, due to fog on the line, so was presented last instead of first. Afterwards they all had lunch in the Reception Room. See also VWL2332.
2. See VWL2103 footnote 2.