THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

From R. Vaughan Williams,
The White Gates,
Westcott Road,
Dorking.

[1938?]

Dear Bobby¹

What’s all this about?
You weren’t rude to me – though I can quite imagine that you ought to have been with a damned conductor ramping about upsetting everyones well laid plans – I always feel happy when you are in charge & not Beautiful Bernard² and I feel that both Dorothy & you want things to go well & are pleased when they do and that is a great resource.
I was amused at your making friends with my Ursula – she is a dear & I think a very good poet.
Love from

Ralph

1. R.G. Longman and his wife Dorothy were amongst VW’s oldest friends, having been neighbours at Leith Hill Place. This letter, which must have been written around the time he first knew Ursula Wood in 1938, seems to refer to a rehearsal of the Bach Choir, when VW arrived at a late stage and completely changed the carefully planned seating arrangements.
2. According to a note by the recipient VW is referring to Mr Belton, at the time Secretary of the Bach Choir.