File RT5/9 - Letters: Mildred Elsie Eldridge to Penny Condry

Personal letters and greetings cards mainly to Penny Condry and occasionally to William Condry from Mildred Elsie Eldridge (Elsi), wife of R.S. Thomas, written at Manafon rectory, Argaliers in France, Aberdaron vicarage and Sarn y Plas, Y Rhiw, Pwllheli, They are mostly dated 1953-1988, with a gap from 1954 to 1967 when R.S. Thomas was vicar of Eglwys-fach, living near to the Condrys. The letters discuss mostly the correspondents’ mutual interest in gardening, ornithology and other wildlife, and are sometimes illustrated with delightful sketches of mice and plants. In addition they reveal aspects of Elsi’s life with R.S. Thomas, their son, Gwydion, Elsi’s own art work, William Condry’s work at Ynyshir, conservation and heritage issues in North Wales, particularly the future of Bardsey Island and the garden at Plas yn Rhiw. Several letters mention mutual friends such as Mary and Bow Behrend, Monica Rawlins and Germaine Hunter. The file also contains a piece of creative writing by Elsi called ‘A Night Garden’, July 1950, occasional letters from R.S. Thomas, 1978-1979, and letters from Monica Rawlins of Ystrad Meurig, 196[?]-1982, and Germaine [widow of Norman Charles Hunter] of Pantlludw, Machynlleth, 1972.