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06 November 2008 14:09
Social history and abiding memories
I'm a little late writing today's entry as I came down to a huge postbag full of letters from owners of old Agas. After making a cup of tea, with water boiled on my own rather elderly Aga, I set about opening the first 50 items of correspondence.
By the time my husband wandered into the kitchen he found me laughing uproariously. When he came back 20 minutes later he found me with tears streaming down my face.
The letters are a world away from dry accounts of Aga purchases - they're so much more than that. In a time when the only mail one seems to receive are bills or junk, I feel hugely privileged to be sent letters documenting decades of social and personal history.
I put aside for later the one about a man who routinely lost his false teeth while pouring coke into his Aga as I know my boys will find it hysterical funny.
I was hugely moved by a letter from a couple who, because they'd been in the army and RAF during the war and had a small child, accrued enough points to be allowed to build their own house. Their one extravagance was an Aga, which cost £110. Their memories of stepping over the threshold into their new house more than 56 years ago is still fresh today.
I've read tales of an Aga that 'sulks' when guests arrive, an Aga on the port side of a boat whose weight is balanced by a 100-gallon water tank on the other. I've read of Agas in grand historic houses and tiny terraced cottages, of pheasant chicks, lambs, kittens and puppies being brought back to life in warming ovens around the country, and a 100-year-old housekeeper who - like the ancient Aga she re-lights with huge skill - is still going strong.
Many people have written to tell me about the enduring and warm relationships they have with their Aga engineers - indeed one lady told me of an engineer who came out on Christmas morning.
I've opened less than half of this morning's batch of letters and after lunch I intend to hit the rest. Please, please keep them coming.
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