Margaret Budd
Back in September we published a letter from Margaret Budd (nee Hitchcock) who with her mother and aunt, was evacuated to Kibworth in the Second World War. They stayed with Mrs Partidge at The Warren.
That was in 1943and Margaret never forgot that time and the stories her mother and aunt told her about it. She asked you, our readers, if you had any information of those times that you could share.
She and her husband, Alan, visited in October and Ann Hearth (formerly of The Warren) and I were very happy to meet them both. Ann was able to bring a lovely painting of the house by Joan Roobottom, a well-known local artist who many of our readers will remember. Below is Margaret’s letter re that visit.
Dear Editor, many thanks to Ann, Roslyn and the people of Kibworth who were so warm and friendly. We did enjoy my time amongst you.
We rang the doorbell at The Warren and a very kind lady invited us in and over coffee told us about the changes to the house. We went into the garden and Alan took a photo of me by some steps. The original ones were not there. I told her that Mrs Partridge had had a maid and we were shown the Bell Board bearing all the names of the rooms in the house. This was of course for calling the servants and it included the nursery. Many thanks to her and the Kibworth & District Chronicle. More good memories.
We must visit again.
Margaret Budd
Below are the two photos of Margarett. The left in 2024 and the right way back in 1943 at The Warren (now renamed as Copper Beech House).
Jazz at the Kings Head, Smeeton Westerby
