Michael D.Heath-Caldwell M.Arch.

1954

Child in Care - CIC No. 2050.
Family  - SLACK
Father (Putative) - R.S.Jones.
Address - 66 Tudor Road, Leicester.
Mother - Ethel Grace Slack (as per 9/1958 - Mrs Jones).
Address - 66 Tudor Road, Leicester.

Ref. Children - 
William
Date of birth - 1.6.1944. 
Place of Care - 
Wing Lodge - 14.05.54 - 30.06 --
- - -Lodge. - 25.05.57 - 21.06. - -
R. Alexandra & Albert School, Reigate. 21.06.57 - 31.07 ---
Wallingford Farm Training School.        10.08.59 - 20.1 - -
c/0 Mrs  - - ,Sycamore Farm,  - -  - - 20.12.60 - 13.01.61
Mrs  - - , 45 Churchill Lane, Ay - 13.01.61 - 29.01.61 & 29.01.61 - 0,10.--
Cottage, Kingswood House, 
 - - Williams, 5 Council House, Boxford,  - - 10.61

Susan - 1946

 15 February 1954
County of Leicester

Miss K. Ruddock B.Sc. Childrens' Officer

Childrens's Department, St. Christopher House, Talbot Lane, Leicester

To-
Miss E.R.S. Duncan, Children's Officer, Children's Department, 22. Silver Street, Aylesbury.Dear Miss Duncan,
 Re:- William Slack (1.6.1944).

c/o Mrs G. Slack, Bencombe Farm, Marlow, Bucks.

The above-mentioned child was referred to this department during the Christmas period by the local Medical Officer of Health who had seen the boy at school, Countesthorpe C.of E. Primary School.

The child's father, Mr R. S. Jones (Richard Stanley Jones), 66 Tudor Road, Leicester had, on the 22nd March 1953, placed the child with a Mrs D. Harrison Barker, The Old Cottage, Willoughby.

The foster-mother had never registered, although Mr Jones was paying ְ£6 per month for the child's maintenance. The Medical Officer gave adverse reports of the Foster Mother, who openly admitted thrashing the boy regularly at Mr Jones's instruction. 

Before calling at the foster home, my Visitor warned Mr Jones that should the the home be found unsuitable, he would be requested to make other arrangements.

The Foster Mother was found to be completely lacking in affection and her main purpose seemed to be that of "licking William into shape and using all methods of a 'hard disciplinarian,' In addition she repeatedly sent requests to WIlliam's schoolmaster that he should cane the lad.

When my Visitor saw William he told her about his recent holiday with his mother and expressed the wish that he could go to live with her. I subsequently wrote to Mr Jones requesting him to come to this office on a Saturday morning. He declined on account of his work, and before he could be seen at his home, the school informed us that the child was going to be transferred to his Mother's care.

My Visitor was given to understand that Mrs Slack, who already had a daughter, left her husband to co-habit with Mr Jones and William was the result of this association. When it ceased in March last year, William was left in the care of his father, but spent school holidays with his mother.

In view of the unsatisfactory arrangements made for the lad whilst in the father's care, I should be grateful if you would keep a watchful eye on the boy to make certain that he remains with his mother and does not return to Mr Jones' custody.

May I assure you that I shall be pleased to reciprocate at any time.

Yours sincerely,
K.L. Ruddock, Childrens' Officer, 

Buckinghamshire County Council
Children's Committee

Application for Reception into Care.
1. Children for whom application is made.

Surname - Slack
Christian Names - William

Sex - M.

Date of Birth - 1.6.44
Place of Birth - Nottingham
Religion - C/E

2. Address of children named above.
Wing Lodge, Wing.

3. Other children in family for whom accommodation is NOT required.
Surname - Slack

Other names - Susan Mary
Date of Birth - 7.3.46

School or Occupation - Marlow Junior4. Parents Surname - Mother - Slack, Grace Noreen. Age - 43 (23?). Occupation or Employer - Domestic - Mrs Stapleton.

Address - Bancomb Farm, Marlow.

5. Date and place of marriage & mother's maiden name - 29 August 1931, Little Eaton, Derby, - G.N.Pass.

6. I hereby make application for reception into the care of the Bucks County Council of my children named in section 1 above and I consent to their being immunized against diptheria and whooping cough and vaccinated against smallpox if recommended by the Medical Officer. I also give consent to any treatment recommended by the Medical Officer and to the administration of an anaesthetic and emergency operation if advised after admission to hospital.

I fully understand that I shall be required under section 23 of the Children Act 1948 to contribute towards the cost of his/her/their maintenance and accordingly to pay the Bucks County Council the amounts at which I may be assessed. I acknowledge that it is my duty under section 10 of the Children Act, 1948 to give notice to the Children's Officer of any change of my address during the period that my children are in the care of the Council.
Signature of Parent - G.N. Slack.

Buckinghamshire County Council.

Children's Department.
Surname - Slack

Other Names - William
Address - Bencombe Farm, Marlow, Bucks.Date of Birth - 1.6.44
Place of Birth - Nottingham
Defective or Handicapped - 
Ch. Act. 1. 

Date Vaccinated - 6 months & 7 years. - Measles at 6 months - Chicken Pox - 1949 - Whooping cough - 1949 - Mumps at 8 years. Had and still has cough - seen Leicester Chest Clinic, short time at Open Air School, Diagnosis inconclusive. 

Reason for Application - Breakdown of private foster home. Mother unable to make other arrangements. 
Father - Full Name - Richard Stanley Jones, 66 Tudor Road, Leicester. 
Occupation - Civil Servant, (Electronic Engineer).

Mother - Full Name - Ethel Grace Noreen Slack - Bencombe Farm, Marlow, Bucks. Resident Domestic Worker. Employer, Mrs Stapleton. 

Children - William 1.6.44. Susan - 8 years (April 54). (with mother).
Other Relatives - Grandmother. Mrs Swannell, 38 Aspley Lane, Bobbers Mill, Nottingham.
Referred by - Children's Officer, Leicester County. - 15.5.54Admitted - Wing Lodge - 15.5.54

Undertaking of Parent

(To be retained by central office)

I, the undersigned, hereby make application for my child(ren) to be received into the care of the Bucks County Council and certify that the information I have given is true and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

I fully understand that if the child(ren) is/are admitted, I shall be required to contribute towards the cost of his/her/their maintenance in the Nursery or Home, and I accordingly undertake to pay to the Bucks County Council the amounts which may be assessed and to notify any change of address.
(1) William Slack. - signed E.G.N. Slack Parent. Bencombe Farm, Marlow. 15/5/1954

In Reply please quote 6/JL. 14 April 1954

To

Mrs G. Slack - Bencombe Farm, Marlow, Bucks. 

Dear Mrs Slack,
I forgot to remind you that when I was speaking to you on the telephone that when you do manage to get William settled in a foster home it will be necessary for the foster mother who is looking after him to notify us of the fact that she is undertaking his care, and then either Mr Harding or myself will call occasionally and see how WIlliam is getting on. 

I am enclosing a form for whoever undertakes the care of William to fill in and send to this department. 
I do hope you are able to find a family for him where he will be happy and be able to settle down.
Yours sincerely,

Children's Visitor -

Record of Visits.

Name - William Slack. 

2.4.1954 -

Visited Mrs Slack. She is working as a (house?) keeper at Bencombe Farm, Marlow, and it is not possible (for her?) to have William with her. She has a younger daughter who she is able to have. 
When William was in the care of his father he came to her for holiday periods and it was then that she became aware that he was not being properly treated in the foster home where father had place him. 

Mrs Slack therefore brought him to these parts and placed him with foster parents in Marlow Bottom, almost two miles away: Mr and Mrs Smidt, "Canberra," Marlow Bottom. Is paying for this but Mrs Smidt has never notified us as she does not wish to be regarded as a permanent foster mother.

The Smidts had William only temporarily and Mrs Slack has been unable to find other foster parents. Was referred to Miss Turner at the Marlow Nurses Home, who said she would consult Miss Robinson.
Told Mrs Slack something of the way in which William was treated with the foster parent in Leicester and advised that he should not be permitted to return there. 

 Record of Visits.

Name - William Slack. 

12.04.54 -

Mrs Slack definitely does not want William to be admitted to a children's home. She now has him at the farm with her temporarily and has hopes of a foster home after the Easter Holidays.

Record of Visits.

Name - William Slack. 
12.05.54 - Mrs Slack at office. Foster parent who has William wishes him to be moved by the end of this week. I enquired as to the reasons and Mrs Slack did not tell me as much as Mrs Stapleton had said when she phoned recently (possibly Mrs Stapleton knows more than Mrs Slack). 
From what she says it seems that William does not fit into the foster home but that there have been very few specific complaints. The foster mother has spoken of William's attitude to the world at large as a diffculty.
Mrs Slack says WIlliam has been difficult since early childhood and it seems that now she is the only person who has any control over him. He will defy others and deliberately disobey them and Mrs Slack says he gets pleasure from doing this. 
At the same time he always owns up regarding his misdemeanors - never lying his way out - seemingly enjoying any punishment that comes. He has developed temper tantrums and these are becoming worse.
Discussed the possibility of boarding school and suggested the Alexandra and Albert. Mrs Slack would like to look into this and as a temporary measure agreed William should go to Wing Lodge, but this every reluctantly. 
Did not want the boy to go to a Children's Home and did not want to divest herself of responsibility. 
In view of this I suggested she should make application herself to the Alexandra and Albert School, but that Miss Robinson should first discuss the boy with the Head of the School.

Record of Visits.

Name - William Slack. 
15.04.54
Took William to Wing Lodge. Left his mother quite happily. She did not tell him that he was going to a Children's Home but left him with the impression he was going away to school. She told me of this. 
Also, William's conversation en route gave the impression that he had been led to believe that he would see his mother tomorrow. He chatted fairly freely on the journey and gave the impression of a normal, intelligent boy who was very capable of standing up for himself. 

14 May 1954

Bucks County Council Children's Committee.
Admission to WIng Lodge Home.
Name of Child - William Slack.
Date and place of birth - 1.6.1944 - Nottingham
Religion - C/E
Ordinary Residence - Bencombe Farm, Marlow
Admitted from  - private foster home in Marlow. 
Family - 
Mother - Ethel Grace - Mrs Noreen Slack - Age 41 - Bencombe Farm
Father - Leonard Slack - age 47 - 66 Tudor Rd, Bucks. (was R.S.J. instead)
Brothers and SIsters - Susan Mary - aged 8 - Bencombe Farm, Marlow.
Reasons for Admission - Breakdown of foster home - Mother unable to make other arrangements.

18 May 1954
Buckinghamshire Education Committee
Movement of Buckinghamshire Children of School Age in Care in of Children's Committee.
Slack, William - D.of B. 1.6.1944
Address of Parents - Mother, Bencombe Farm, Marlow, 
To -  WIng Lodge

18 May 1954
Buckinghamshire County Council - Chldren's Department. 
To the County Assistance Officer. 
The following details of children taken into care, and I should be glad is you would arrange for the assessment and collection of contributions towards the cost of mainenance from the parents concerned. Will you please let me know the amount of the parental contributions if this is not already covered by a Contribution Order.
Surname - Slack
Christian Names - William
Date of Birth - 1.6.44
Date admitted into Care - 14.5.1954.
Present Place of Care - Wing Lodge
Reason - Child illegitimate. Breakdown of private foster home - mother unable to make other arrangements. 
Mother - Mrs Ethel Grace Slack, Bencombe Farm, Marlow, Bucks.
Father (Putative) Mr R.S. Jones, 66 Tudor Road, Leicester.
Other information - Leicester C.C. are being asked to accept responsibility for collection of contributions from father.

21 May 1954

In reply please quote CC/EB
The Children's Officer
County of Leicester, St. Christopher's House, Talbot Land, Leicester.
Dear Madam, - Wiliam Slack (1.6.44)
With reference to your letter of 15.2.54 (ref: HRW/CG), the above named boy was admitted to the care of this authority on 15.4.54 when he entered one of our Homes. Mrs Slack, who is in residential employment in Marlow, was not able to keep William with her any longer and could not make alternative arrangements for the child.
As it would appear the putative father, Mr R.S. Jones, is still resident in your area at 66 Tudor Road, Leicester, I should be glad to know if your Authority would be willing to accept responsibility for the assesment and collection of contributions from Mr Jones in respect of William's maintenance. 
Perhaps you would let me know in due course whether or not you are willing to accept responsibility for the collection of contributions in this case.
Yours faithfully,
Children's Officer.

Confidential (no date)

Name of Pupil - William Slack.
Record of Previous Illnesses.
Whooping Cough - 1949
Measles - 1945
Mumps - 1952
Chicken Pox - 1949
Please refer here to any matter affecting the health of your child to which you wish to draw the School Doctor's attention:-
He has suffered in the past from coughs and was seen at Leicester Chest Clinic and as far as is known diagnosis was inconclusive. Has been prove to coughs and colds while at Wing Lodge - stays home. - Stubbs, Warden
Dear Mr Stubbs, His chest is quite clear today. I am not inclined to make a grand issue of his glasses for outdoor purposes if he dislikes them. He should wear them for close work. 

Buckinghamshire County Council - Children's Committee.

No date
Medical Consent Form
(1) I am willing for my child(ren) to be immunised against diptheria and whooping cough and to be vaccinated against smallpox if recommended by the Medical Officer.
(2)  I hereby give my consent to an emergency operation or to treatment requiring an anaesthetic if my cfhild(ren) should be found (my - by?) a Medical Officer to be in need of such treatment whilst in the care of the Bucks County Council.
Full names of child(ren) concerned - William Slack, 
Signed E.Slack. Bencomb Farm, Marlow

Bucks County Council

Children's Committee
Medical Record - WIng Lodge Home.
Name of Child - William Slack.
Date and place of birth - 1.6.44
Ordinary residence - Bencomb Farm, Marlow.
Admitted from Bencomb Farm, Marlow Bottom. Date 14.5.54
School (if any) Marlow Boys School
N.H.S. Doctor's name - Not known to any Doctor over last 2 years.
Health Record as given by - Mother. - to - K.R.H. 
Development 
Birth Weight - 9lbs.
Age of Walking - 15 months
Feeding in infancy - Cows milk - great difficulty in feeding, tried everything.
Age of talking - 3 years.
Immunisation (with dates)
diphtheria - Yes at 6 months and 7 years.
Smallpox - Yes at 1 year
Whooping cough - No. 
Previous illnesses or operations (with dates)
Measles at 8 months. Chicken pox 1949. Whooping cough 1949. Numps at 8 years. Seen at Leicester Chest Clinic re coughs. Spent time at Open Air School, diagnosis inconclusive.
Condition on Admission. (noted by Matron). eg General appearance; demeanour; cleanliness; any marks of injury or violence -No marks of injury, clean. Well nourished.

County of Leicester
to 
Miss E.R.S. Duncan M.A., Children's Officer, Children's Department, 22 Silver Street, Aylesbury., Bucks.
from
Mrs K.L. Ruddock B.Sc. - Children's Officer. Children's Department, St Christopher House, Talbot Lane. Leicester.
Dear Madam.  - William Slack (1.6.44).
Thank you for youir letter of the 21st May containing the information that the above named child has been received into the care of your Authority under Section 1. of the Childrens Act, 1948.
It is not possible for me to accept responsibility for the assessment and collection of parental contributions from Mr R.S. Jones, the putative father of this child, as the address given as his place of residence is not within my administrative area, but within that of the City of Leicester Children's Committee. 
Your request for acceptance of this responsibility should, therefore, be addressed to the Children's Officer for the City of Leicester, Miss M. Stuart.
Yours faithfully, K.L. Ruddock.

25 May 1954
Children's Officer, City of Leicester. 
Dear Madam,
Children Act 1948 - William Slack - 1.6.44
The above named boy was admitted to care under the Section 1. 14.5.54, and is accommodated in our Wing Lodge Children's Home.
The mother, Mrs Ethel Grace Slack, is in residential employment and was unable to keep the boy with her.
The father, Mr R.S.Jones is said to be resident at 66 Tudor Road, Leicester, and I should accordingly be glad to know if you would undertake assessment and collection of parental contributions from him.
To give you some knowledge of the  bacckground of this case I attach a copy of a letter dated 15 February 1954 from Miss Ruddock, Children's Officer for Leicestershire.
Yours faithfully - Childen's Officer.

Record of Visits.

Name - William Slack. 
2.06.54
Visited Mrs Slack and confirmed that William's father is Mr Jones. Also left brochure of Alexandra and Albert School 

2 June 1954

Memorandum
Area Office, 1 Castle Street, High Wycombe. 
Mr Byiars,
William Slack - (1.6.44)
Further to our recent telephone conversation I have ascertained that William's father is Mr Richard Stanley Jones, of 66 Tudor Road, Leicester.
Children's Officer.

Medical Report and Notes

10 June 1954
Vision R 6/12. L 6/6. No symptoms
History of repeat chest infections in front - dischargef from Leicester Chest Clinic over 1year ago. O/E chest now clear in all areas. Normal discharge. - observe 3/12

15 June 1954 - Childrens Visitor.

In Reply please quote 8/BS
Mr E. Jenkins.
Headmaster, Linslade Secondary Modern School, Linslade, Bucks.
Dear Mr Jenkins. 
William Slack (b.1.6.44)
I regret that I have yet another form to be completed. This time in respect of William Slack.
You may like to know that the arrangements for William to go to the Royal Alexandra and Albert School is a private one between the boy's mother and the school. If the boy is to be admitted, he will be discharged from the care of the Bucks County Council on the day he goes there.
Yours sincerely.
Childrens Visitor (no sig.)

18 June 1954

1. County Assistance Officer. 
2. County Treasurer (for information) 
22 Silver St, Aylesbury. 
William Slack (1.6.44)
Adm. No. 1339
I enclose for your information a copy of a letter dated 15 June 1954 from the City of Leicester from which you will note that responsibility for collection from the putative father is accepted from 1st June 1954.
You will note that the putative father alleges that he has been paying Mrs Slack £6 per month for the boy's maintenance and no doubt you will action to recover a proportionate amount for May 1954 from Mrs Slack in addition to any contributions she may be required to pay.
Children's Officer.

22 June 1954
22 Silver Street,
Aylesbury,
K.R. Harding Esq. Children's Visitor.
re: WIlliam Slack - 1.6.44. 
George Saunder - 15.10. 39
WIng Lodge, WIng, Nr. Leighton Buzzard.

Mr Stubbs tells me that he still has no medical records relating to these boys.I shall be glad if you will send him as full particulars as are available as soon as possible, in order that he may have the necessary information when he receives a visit from the Medical Officer.
signature.
Deputy Children's Officer.

2 July 1955 - Children's Visitor
Visited Mrs Slack: she had not applied to the Alexandra and Albert School as Mr Nicholson had told her the financial cost to her would be the same. I explained that Nicholson ought not properly to discuss arrangements for the boy and that he did not know that the boy's admission to the school was to be a private arrangement made by her. 
She paid Mr Nicholson 30/- (?) per week and says she is left with only 25/- for herself. There is also the payment made by his father. She agreed to go forward with the application to the school and I suggested, if she is finding things tight financially, she should offer them, say, a £1 per week.
Says that when she visited William she found him cowed and without spirit. She is worried at the change and would much like to remove him from WIng. (sign. K.-H) 

7 July 1954 - Children's Visitor
Visited: Mr Stubbs finds Bill high spirited but says he is no real trouble. There has been no sign of stealing not or the temper. He is good humoured and responsive and not difficult to handle.
Bill approached me very openly smiling and talking freely. Told him of my recent visit to mother and it turned out Bill did not now of the move to get him to boarding school.
Discussed this at some lengthand he seemed dejected at the prospect of leaving Wing. I was with Bill for some time but saw no signs of his being cowed as reported by mother.(sign KRH ?)

8 July 1954
Memorandum - 1 Castle St, High Wycombe. 
Mr Aldous,
William Slack (1.6.44)
As I think you know, WIlliam's mother is applying for him to be admitted to the Royal Alexandra and Albert School, Reigate, and I should be grateful if you could have the enclosed form completed at his school.
You may just like to know that this is a private arrangement between herself and the school, and if the child is admitted he will be discharged from our care on the day that he goes.
Children's Officer (signature K-H?)

July 1954
Notes made by Superintendant.
School Report: Inclined to be rather lazy and has spoiled much good work by untidyness. Most subjects Fair to poor.

20 July 1954

To Miss R.Duncan, Children's Officer.
Childrens Act 1948 - William Slack - 1.6.44
With reference to your notification of admission of the 18.5.1954 I have to inform you that the mother of hte above named has been assessed to contribute the sum of 30/- per week per child towards the cost of maintenance.
R.A. Hogarth, County Assisstance Officer. 18 Welton Street, Aylesbury.

28 July 1954. 
To Mrs Slack, Bencomb Farm, Marlow, Bucks.
Dear Mrs Slack,
I am sorry for the delay in completing the enclosed form. You will now no doubt apply to the Royal Alexandra and Albert Schoo, and I am wondering whether they might be willing to take him from the beginning of next term in September.
Yours sincerely, Children's Vistor.

Our Ref. WJM/DA/802
Your Ref. 1339
 30 September 1954 - Childrens Visitor
Visited Mrs Slack. She sent an application form to the Alexandra and Albert School and has had no reply. Suggested it might have been delivered when the school was on holiday and that if she did not hear something within about a week she should write making an enquiry.
Mrs Slack had read the news papers of trouble at the school but had not remembered the details very clearly and thought that everything there must be in order as the Queen is a parton. (signed KRH?)

28 October 1954 - Childrens Visitor
Visited: Stubbs reports Bill lives happily at Wing and presents no difficulties. Says mother has visited only once. 
Saw Bill: appears happy and well adjusted; talks freely of his going to boarding school and Bill seems mildly indifferent.
(signed KRH?)

9 November 1954 (filed b/f 17.10.54 ?)
to Mrs Slack, Bencomb Farm, Marlow, Bucks.
3/JL. 
Dear Mrs Slack.
I saw BIll at Wing a few days ago and am glad to say he appears to be quite well.
I am wondering if you have yet heard from the Royal Alexandra and Albert School, and I should be pleased if you would kindly let me know the position.
Yours sincerely, 
Children's Officer.

Medical Report and Notes
15 November 1954
Examined at Eye Clinic - glasses proscribed to be worn in evening with left eye covered. 

18 November 1954 (K.R.H.)
Message from WIng Lodge.
William Slack's grandmother - Mrs Swallow - rang up and spoke to William on the telephone. She invited him to go to stay with her for a few days at Christmas in Nottingham. Would you please look into this for William

26 November 1954 (3/JL)
to Mrs Slack, Bencomb Farm, Marlow, Bucks.
Dear Mrs Slack,
I wrote to you on the 9th November asking you to be kind enough to let me know the position with regard to your application for Bill to be admitted to the Royal Alexandra and Albert School, and I should be grateful if you would kindly let me have a reply as quickly as possible.
Yours sincerely,
Children's Visitor.

6 December 1954

from - Miss E.R.S. Ducnan M.A., Buckingham County Council, 
to - Mr K.R. Harding Esq., Bucks County Council, 1 Castle Street, High Wycombe.
Re - William Slack
Dear Mr Harding,
Bill's mother visited him on Saturday last, came along without letting us have any word beforehand.
She would like Bill to stay with his Grandmother for a fortnight at Christmas time, from 18th December to 1st January. Her brother could collect and return him by car.
The address is 38 Aspley Lane, Nottingham. If you think this is all right, will you give me the wink, and I will arrange with the Headmaster for him to be excused school from the 17th onwards.
Bill is keen on the idea, so I hope it will be possible.
Yours sincerely, F. Stubbs, - Warden

11 December 1954
to - R.B. Woodings Esq., Children's Officer, 3-5 Shakespeare Villas, Nottingham.
Dear Mr Woodings,
Re - William Slack (1.6.44)
William is in care under section 1. of the Children Act and is accommodated in our Boys Home at Wing. I have just received a message from his mother that his grandmother, Mrs Swallow of 36 Aspley Lane, Nottingham, would like to have the boy for about a fortnight over Christmas from the 23rd November, and I should be grateful if you would arrange for the home to be visited, and if you would let me know whether you consider it advisable to allow William to spend a holiday with this relative.
Wiliam's parents are separated and before coming into care in May of this year he had been in a number of foster homes. These proved not lasting owing to William's behaviour, which was said to be difficult. 

He was said to be disobedient, defiant and generally difficult to manage but since he has been in our Boys Home we have had no special difficulty with him although he is recognised as being a high spirited youth.
The mother is not altogether reliable and for this reason I feel I would like to know something of the conditions in his grandmother's home. I am sorry to make this request at such short notice. 
Yours sincerely, Children's Officer. 

11 December 1954
To - Mrs Slack, Bencombe Farm, Marlow, Bucks.
Dear Mrs Slack.
I have just received your message that Bill's grandmother in Nottingham is willing to have him for the Christmas holidays, and I have today written to the Children's Officer in Nottingham asking him to visit Mrs Swallow, and provided I receive a satisfactory report I shall be willing to allow Bill to spend the Christmas with his grandmother.
You mention to Mr Stubbs that Mrs Swallow would like the boy to go to her on the 18th and that your brother would be willing to convey Bill on the outward and return journeys by car. 
I regret that the school term does not end until the 23rd. and I would not be prepared to ask the Education Authority to releave Bill from school before that day. 
Perhaps you would let me know whether your brother will be able to take Bill on the 23rd.
I understand Mr Harding wrote to you on the 9th November and again on the 26th of that month asking you to let him know the position with regard to your application for Bill's admission to the Royal Alexandra and Albert Schoo, but that he has yet received no reply. 
I must point out that we took Bill into care on the understanding that you would go ahead with arrangements to get Bill into a boarding school and I should therefore be grateful if you would kindly let me know the position by return.
Yours sincerely, Children's Officer.

30 December 1954
to Mrs Swallow,   38 Aspley Lane, Nottingham.        (write Stubbs)
Dear Mrs Swallow,
Re - William Slack (1.6.44)
I am pleased you were able to have Bill to stay with you for Christmas and I hope he has had a happy time. I would like him to return to WIng Lodge on Saturday the 8th, or Sunday the 9th January, in time to start school the following week. 
I am assuming the relative who brought him to you will be able to to bring him back to Wing, but if there is any difficulty about this please write to me straight away.
If Bill returns to Wing on Saturday January 8th, I ought to mention that the boys there are having a party which is due to begin at 5pm. It would therefore be as well if Bill arrived sometime before five o'clock.
Yours sincerely, Children's Visitor.