Christmas Cards on nature theme, drawn by Lord Bolingbroke, 1960s

A lovely selection of hand drawn Christmas Cards of scenes from nature sent by Vernon St.John, 6th Viscount Bolingbroke to Elizabeth Mullins (ne Harman). The first shown here is entitled 'All on a Christmas Morning - or the bird who started a Xmas Diary:

'All on a Christmas Morning - or the bird who started a Xmas diary

At dawn, Dec 25.1960 disturbing tapping sounds where heard on the outside wall of the house. Investigations revealed the bill of a blue tit as being the cause of the noise. Then began the following nature diary:-

8.10am: a chorus of thrush song flooded the garden - even the robin was silent

8.20am: cock blackbird feasting on berries on shrubs around windows of house. Mistle thrust joining chorus.

8.30: Ring dove coo'd away in the valley and a cock pheasants' "cock up" from the same direction

8.45 Six starlings sped over going N.E, and a party of "felts" heading S. Blue tit still lurking among the sparrows.

Then indoors to breakfast A Happy Xmas to You

Vernon had known Lizzie as a young girl when he lived at Lydiard Park. Later she became a nurse, looking after his mother, Lady Bolingbroke, until the old lady's death in 1940. Elizabeth Mullins was a longstanding member of the Friends, contributing articles about her early memories of Lydiard to the historical Reports. See Items of Interest