Routine pieces of paper like bills and receipts usually undergo a predictable life-cycle. When first produced, they have immediate importance, giving proof that a bill is no longer owing or when and where an article was purchased. With the passage of time, they lose their significance and the vast majority migrate or refuse heaps or go up in smoke. However, if they are not discarded, they become more interesting as time goes on, until they become a social history record and, in extremis and if they survive, like the Roman tablets from Vindolanda, they achieve the status of archaeological records of the first importance. Roger Keyse discovered some old bills and receipts impaled on a metal spike that had retained them for up to seventy-four years. he recognised that they were of considerable family interest and thought they might also strike a chord with older Yeovillians, and even trigger some debate. They are shown in Plates 8 – 11 and described, briefly, below in chronological order.

Each of the receipts below have different aspects of interest, including mention of the former Red Cross garage in Salthouse Lane (see Chronicle, 9.1, (December 2005) Pl.4a) and the exhortation by Yeovil Corporation Gas Department to ‘Help to Smash Hitler’. It is not intended to swamp Chronicle with members’ old bills and receipts but especially interesting examples of old family documents would always be welcome, particularly with some supporting commentary

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1 A receipt, dated 8th July 1937, issued by the Borough of Yeovil Treasurer’s Department, for the sum of 10/-; received from Mr J.E. Keyse for the supply and fixing of a grate at 34 Preston Grove. (Plate 8a)
2 Two receipts, dated 29th September 1938, issued by W. Redwood Ltd for 10/11, received for a pair of ‘Youth’s shoes’ and 18/9 for a ‘Boy’s suit’, from Mrs Keyse at 34 Preston Grove. NB. This retailer had separate shops for clothing and footwear. (Plate 8b & c)

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3 Yeovil Corporation gas bill for the quarter ended 31st March 1943; for £1..16..6 owed by Mr A.J. Keyse of 127 Westfield Rd. The effect of the war is very apparent, with a note requesting prompt payment to avoid the need for a reminder because ‘so many staff have been called up for military service’. On the reverse, there is advice on ‘how to save gas on cooking’ and the slogan ‘Use less gas and help smash Hitler’. (Plate 9a & b)
4 Receipt from the War Damage Contributions Collector, dated 8th March 1946 for £2..11s; received from Mr H.J. Keyse of 23 Chilton Grove. (Plate 9c)

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5 Three receipts relating to medical treatment for a sporting injury. The first, dated 24th April 1946, is for a Red Cross ambulance taking Mr D.M. Keyse from Westland’s Sports Field to Yeovil Hospital, at a cost of 5/0. The second covers another trip in a Red Cross ambulance on 15th May, again at a cost of 5/0. The third is from Yeovil District Hospital for maintenance while in hospital, from 26th April to 28th May, at a cost of £4..11..6. If only he could have waited a couple of years, the National Health Service would have paid for it! (Plate 10 a, b & c)

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6 Receipt from Jesty’s of Yeovil, dated 26th June 1948, for three items of furniture at a total cost of £68..8..3, for Mr Keyse of 23 Chilton Grove, comprising a wardrobe, a ‘Dressing Chest’ and ‘Gent’s Robe’. (Plate 11a)
7 Receipt from S.W. Freke and Sons, dated 6th October 1950, for £2..2..6, being the cost of ‘Mourzouk Matting Rug’. (Plate 11b)
8 Receipt issued on 13th July 1968 by W.C. Hicks, Opthalmic Opticians, of 52 Middle Street for ‘Professional services’ in the supply of two pairs of glasses (distance and close) to Mrs Keyse at a total cost of £5..7..6. (Plate 11c)

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