48

Adolf Sparr describes his family and being the proprietor of the A.C.Müller Firm. First recorded in 1962, and what led up to it.

Adolf and Hilde Meet and Marry

The supplier of the business [G.f.L] for which I was working,  the firm Grosseinkauf für Lebensmittel e.G.m.b.H.[Wholesaler for Groceries Co. Ltd], organised a mystery trip for 13 Aug 1950 for its customers and fellow workmen. A traveling salesman of that firm, Gustav Strobel, got Hilde Müller with the Wilhelm Fehling family from Westeresch to travel to Harburg to participate in this outing. The trip to the Schwinger symphony on the steamer was silly for Hilde and damp for me. After the mid-day meal we got to know each other. “Miss Müller, may I introduce our 13th representative,” said Gustav. The manchester trousers he still has today. This introduction with God’s will, will last a great number of years.

From the time we were introduced, until we arrived in Harburg we discussed many subjects. We stood at the railing getting wet. Business problems were not mentioned. By the time we reached Harburg,  I had made my decision. The following Sundays we met in Hamburg, Scharmbeck or Scheessel.  At the beginning of October, Hilde made her decision as well.  So the engagement was announced in Müller’s house on 10 Oct 1950. On 15 Oct 1950, I gave notice to the firm G.f.L., after I had discussed the takeover of the lease of the firm A.C.Müller with my future parents-in-law. On 23 Dec 1950, I finally came to Scheessel, as I still had some leave due from G.f.L., so extra time could be taken for stock taking. The value of stock on hand was DM 2,626.81. On 1 Jan 1951, I took over the lease of the  A.C. Müller firm from my future parents-in-law. The lease contract is in the document folder. On 10 Feb 1951, we were married.

• WHAT: Hilde Müller and Adolf Sparr marriage portrait
• WHEN: 10 Feb 1951
• WHERE: Scheeßel, Germany
• SOURCE: Jochen Homann shared on 20 May 2020

The festivities took place in a rented furniture store. For reasons of economy, they were kept small. Only my parents, brothers and sisters were present, as well as the Scheessel relatives, Margot Rose and Günther Albers.

Taking Over the A.C. Müller House

At the time, we were very constrained for rooms in the house. The Werner family lived in the present store. The Schult family lived in the present bedroom, bathroom and children’s room. The Musche family slept in the area where the wooden shoes and papers were stored earlier. In the chamber next to the big room, the Musche’s had their kitchen and an area to store their potatoes. This became Musche’s parlour.

• WHAT: Left: Head office A.C. Müller; Right: Gottlieb Ferdinand Müller’s bakery
• WHEN:
• WHERE: Scheeßel, Germany (Große Str. 13)
• SOURCE: Jochen Homann shared on 20 May 2020

Grandfather’s sister, Aunt Ma[Anna Marie Müller] , lived here in the house also. She lived in the room next to our bedroom, facing the garden, where grandmother lived later.

I, myself, as lessee of the business, could find no accommodation in the house. The municipality had sequestered the commercial rooms again, so I had to lodge a complaint in court. Shortly thereafter I managed for all 3 families to move out.

Grandfather and Grandmother were given the two rooms  downstairs on the right of the entrance hall near the garden. Hilde and I used the room next to the “big one” as our bedroom. Here on 11 Jan 1952, our son Adolf Borchard was born.

The year 1951 was filled with work. We doubled the turnover. I also was a bricklayer. I renewed the foundations in the cellar, put in iron windows and plastered a part of the wall to the passage. After this work up to today we have had no vermin (rats) in the cellar. I have disposed of the petrol tank and the petrol pump installation in the shop. We have endeavoured to take up and extend the delicatessen lines.

Dealing With Finances

During the course of the year, we received more and more bills and reminders and even demands for payment, all for Adolf Müller. It became necessary to redo the whole bookkeeping from the day of the currency reform up to the time of the takeover. I did this work at night until 4 o’clock in the morning. But it paid off. There were no more difficulties with the revenue office. Adolf Müller’s liabilities were so great that I seriously considered going back to G.f.L. as a travelling salesman and living in my house in Scharmbeck. Fortunately, in 1951, I managed to persuade the other heirs to the property who lived here to execute contracts so that Hilde and I became owners of the property. The first of these contracts was finalised on 2 Jan 1952 with the local notary, Dr. Schrieber. Liabilities for which I had become responsible I was able to cover partially by the sale of my house in Scharmbeck to my father. The remaining finance I sought from the local Savings Bank, but it was not granted at that time. So we had to find another solution and were even prepared to sell the house at Bahnhofstraße 5. The two buyers did not pay promptly, either. Although I already had a deposit, I could still terminate the sale. I received from Müller the saddler the same price for the area between our houses as I would have got for the whole house plus the boundary area between the houses. So unfortunately on 25 July 1952 we had to sell this part of our property.

Mr. Born, Manager of the Savings Bank, refused my loan application with the following words, “Mr. Sparr, first you have to prove your worth”. Today, 10 years later, the Savings Bank would advance any amount of credit, but I don’t need the Savings Bank any more!

From the business year 1951, the records also show the following: For ringing the bells on the occasion of our wedding, we had to pay DM 5.00 to the church! For the length of the ringing this was not enough! The gardener Sohnrey received more money for the wedding than the butcher. 1 bunch of flowers DM 42.00, 1 veil DM 4.00, 2 bouquets for the bridesmaids DM 10.00, 29m of garlands DM 14.50, Total DM 70.50. Butcher Lohmann: 3.5 kg roast beef DM 15.00, 4 kg pork DM 17.60, 1 kg soup meat DM 3.40, 3 kg bones DM 1.80, 1.5
kg minced meat DM 6.00, sausages DM 2.60, 1 kg cold cuts DM 4.80, Total DM 51.20.

For the shop we acquired the following: 1 rack for 9 tins of Bahlsen biscuits, 1 cheese cutting machine 52.60 and the 2nd fast scale to replace the balance scale. Then we got the 263 cm glass display case.

Above the counter wooden panels along the ceiling were decorated with acorns. Along the shelves there were wooden mouldings also. I removed these “decorations” one Saturday and Sunday to get more light into the store. The shop window was boarded up from floor to ceiling. So, in the summer of 1952, a new shop window was built and “the castes” went into the fire. The shelf full of coloured drawers and the medicine cupboard on top were thrown out of the shop. New shelves were made by Hinrich Schröder. A few thousand Marks were spent on the modernisation of the store. A new electric coffee mill was obtained.

But the greatest achievement was the successful eviction notice against the families Musche and Schulte. The bailiff ordered both families to leave. The process was handled by Dr. Schrieber. The process against the Scheessel council concerning the eviction of the Hornig family was conducted successfully by myself.

With the hand over of the rooms, we were able to relocate our stores and they are still the same today.

On 1 Apr 1962, I took on the first apprentice, Beate Wermter from Hetzwege. She was an energetic apprentice and a dear person. In this year, we took part in a trade exhibition. The firm A.C Müller and I became known. Aunt Magda also received her full repayment. We had already doubled our sales following the take over! It was a busy year.

In 1953, we had someone working on the roof of the main house again. Then there was the new toilet! What progress! The toilet seat we had was decorated with an iron ring. In winter no one stayed any longer than necessary otherwise one’s bottom would freeze to it. This year the open chimney over the house floor was removed and put straight through the roof. The house in Großestraße received new gutters and the timber above the door leading to the yard was replaced. That cost us no less than DM 2,000. In August, I paid the balance of the revalued mortgage. This was still a carry over from Julius Müller!

Our housemaid, Cristel Walendziek, who had been in our service for a year, will leave. On 1 October, Irma Rathje will come from Hetzwege and will stay with us until she gets married in March 1959.

In September 1953 , we took out a mortgage of DM 10,000.- from the Savings Bank and obtained a loan of DM 2,200.- for repairs. The essential changes were the demolition of the stables at No. 1, the opening up with No. 2, and the restoration of the panelling of No. 2 facing the garden. It was in very bad condition. This new building became our laundry and bathroom for the children, also the toilet.

For the shop, I bought a cash register for DM 1,325.-. A new counter had to be built also. Only the house plaque with the numbers “1835” was reused. A great amount of money was put into the business and property. I cut down the elm tree in the garden as it was damaging the verandah. I planted 8 new apple trees (dwarf variety) and a walnut tree.

The payments concerning the succession settlement were made on time. We were always short of money. We increased the turnover to DM 136,942.-. The only money for private use was for a radio. No. 2 got a new floor, joists and floor boards had to be replaced. The entire roof woodwork was taken down, new beams and rafters were installed and new tiles were laid. The carpentry was done by Wilhelm A. Rathjen and the tiler was A.F.W.Wiese.

1954

In 1954, the footpath in front of our house at No. 63 was paved, it had been a sand path until then. In April, Siegfried Dohmeier from Dorfmark started his apprenticeship. In June, with the remains of postmaster Premke’s legacy I bought a complete bedroom suite, 1 table and a good suit for grandfather, total price DM 300.-.

During the summer, I removed the last open chimney. All the debris was taken down using a hoist. It was a dirty job. The new chimney was built by Johann Behrens, who still lived with us in Bahnhofstraße. Irma Rathje and I were the helpers. It was hard work.

In late summer, our tenant Vereinigten Heimgestalter[United Homefashioners] moved out, so we could restore the shop to its old size. The shop window was built like the other one. The passage in the shop was removed and so was the dividing wall. The old shop fittings which were stored on the floor in No. 2 were put back again by the Vereinigten at their cost. Then a display case and some new scales were added. The display case, used for pralines, was 3.50 m long. Porcelain and household goods were stored in the shelves. The massive shop door was replaced also and, finally, the stairs leading to the cellar.

On 1 Feb 1954. our daughter Astrid was born here in the house in the big room. It was minus 18°C and the windows were frosted over. Through a narrow slit one could see only the ice covered tower of the church. Astrid was very small and delicate, there was not much of her. Now she is tall.

During the frosty period in January 1955, we started with renovations and extensions to the house at Bahnhofstraße 5. Dr. Hermann Dreyer wanted to open a dental surgery there. The practice would be in the rooms occupied by Johann Behrens, so lodgings for Johann Behrens in the vacant parts and then the practice rooms had to be built. Dr. Ehlermann gave a loan of DM 8,000.- for the alterations, the balance we did not have yet. On 15 February. Dr. Dreyer opened his practice and Behrens was in his new place. Johann Behrens was hard working.

This day I could still show my father what we had done. He was proud! On 18 February my father died. I did not see my father alive again, in spite of a fast trip by car to Scharmbeck with Rissmann.

In March 1955, the water works company connected our house to the water main! The well in the yard had only 50 cm of water. I was down on the bottom. It is 15 m deep. The roots of the linden tree were hanging like Rübezahl’s beard in the well. The pressure vessel and the pipes were bad as well. It was high time that the water works company connected us.

On 1 April, Renate Rauchfuss started her training with us and Anita Brüni from Nartum as a salesperson.

Health Issues

At the beginning of May, I had to go to the sanatorium in Clausthal-Zellerfeld. I stayed there for 4 months and then I left. During that time Hilde looked after the business with Grandma’s help. Every 4 weeks I came back for respite. The illness forced me to give up the position on the board as treasurer of the business federation and the position as secretary of the road traffic association. From then on, I remained only the secretary of the rifle club and chairman of the Kyffhäuser fellowship.

From 1 Oct 1955 to 31 May 1957, I received a pension because I was not fit to work. The moths did not come again.

Continuation of the records in 1976 during my treatment from 25 Feb. to 23 March in Bad Neustadt/Saale.

On 1 Jan 1976, our son Adolf Borchard should have become the proprietor of the business. The contract to transfer the business was prepared by the solicitor Hirsch, EDEKA Union, with Mr Unkrig, manager of the book place, my son Adolf Borchard and myself. I will explain later why the take over did not take place. As I do not have the time to continue the records based on available cash vouchers, I will have to rely on my memory.

During 1967, the shop counters were changed and the walking and loading areas were covered with paving tiles. The shop now covered an area of 120 m². Substantial new changes were the sale of loose milk from the vending machine and the purchase of a 4 m cooler.

The kitchen, which until now was in the cellar, was raised to the same level as the floor. The open chimney in the kitchen was removed by the firm of Heinrich Behrens, architect. The dirty work was done by Mürkers Jann, Johann Behrens, from Friedrichstraße and Mr Schiebe from Berliner Straße. The latter hanged himself in his house while he was working for us. He had shot[killed?] himself with a rope.

The old “kitchen in the cellar” was to house the heating equipment. Therefore a large chimney was built containing 4 flues.

A few years later when I was going to install the heating I was not permitted to do so, even though two architects, my brother-in-law Bodo Homann and Heinrich Behrens, had worked on the plans at the time. So we installed the heating equipment in the laundry later. The lowering of the old kitchen floor in the cellar and the strengthening of the foundations would have cost more than the erection of a new chimney for the heating system in the laundry. Mürkers Jann was the builder here as well. I always supplied the workers with beer and cigarettes, this way I managed to have hard working people that were still cheaper than the “lazy ones” whose hours would have cost me much more.

Before these important building alterations in 1967, the following happened. As a member of the governing board of Grosseinkauf für Lebensmittel e.G.m.b.H.[Grocery Wholesale Co. Ltd] in Rönneburger Straße, HamburgHarburg, I had several discussions regarding a superstore with a highly respected and friendly business manager, Mr Kurt Gade. Mr Gade convinced me it was not advisable to take on such a huge financial burden, even though my plans were good, the profits were appropriate, and there was a continuous repayment of the debt. So we selected a smaller solution with an 120 m² area. In 1975, we cleared ½ million for the first time. This continuous growth was only possible because my dear Hilde was not only my dear wife but also my best saleslady and helper. For the last decisive growth, we have to thank our son Adolf Borchard, who will resign on 30 March. He will go to EHG Celle-Soltau for further training and then he will take over the Globus market in Scheessel as co-operative merchant. After the 1964/65 decision had been made, to adopt the cheaper solution for the business, I bought some land in Varel. I sold my stamp collection, in mint condition from 1948, and my coin collection also. With the proceeds I could not cover all expenses, but they helped greatly. This was Kurt Gade’s advice, also, house and land will always keep their value. The boys showed interest in the stamps and coins. Varel has become a much loved place for us, as holidays as such we were not able to have until now. We can sunbake without neighbours watching. The firs have grown well. The whole plantation was cared for by forester Weber. We did the planting ourselves, at first with sufficiently large spaces, but later they got smaller. For a long time, I had to fight with the provincial authorities over the erection of a small wood shed.

First Apiary

We came up with the idea of keeping bees and then the district magistrate Helmut Tietje started the granting of permission by the authorities. The first apiary was on the Wümme meadow. Uncle Konrad Stelloh from Sulingen supplied the bees and came to Scheessel as well. Through him I met Fritz Holtermann of Brokel and later I brought him over to give me lessons and guidance on the spot. Today 3 leaf hives and one full basket are standing there. I received the basket from Mrs (Imker) Fehling in exchange for some honey. Beekeeping is fun and it has brought in good returns. This year I would have recovered my investment.

• WHAT:  Celebration of Uli Sparr being a shooting club youth shooting champion
• WHO: On the left: The two young ladies enframing Ulli are his entourage. Then right to left: Jochen Homann. Ulrike Homann, ? Harries (not a member of the family), Erika Homann née Müller. Adolf Sparr. Borchard Sparr. Astrid Sparr and Adolf Müller (in the doorway)
• WHEN: ca 1961
• WHERE: Scheeßel, Germany
• SOURCE: Jochen Homann shared on 20 May 2020
• COMMENTS: It’s a tradition of shooting clubs once a year to crown a shooting champion – one adult and one adolescent (Ulli Sparr this year)

Hurricane

The hurricane on 13 Nov 1972 caused great damage in Varel and also to the storehouse and to me. In Varel, Karl Heinz Behrens had to cart away and burn 3 loads of fir trees. Uli, Mr Gunther and I managed to save about 100 firs. These firs withstood the 1975 hurricane.

The hurricane in 1972 blew a roof tile from Süling’s house onto my forehead when I was standing on the steps leading to the store. Mrs Grosche took me in her car to Dr Grosche who applied a temporary dressing and Mr Pietze, who by chance happened to work in the surgery, drove me across paddocks, through ditches and forest to the hospital for an operation. The road from Scheessel to Rotenburg was impassable. I finished up with five Scars 5 – 7 cm long. They all had to be sewn under a local anaesthetic.The stitching of my head took an hour and 40 minutes. After return from the hospital, the hurricane had stopped and I discovered the damage at home. The hurricane had blown the great old linden tree onto the store and the tree was completely destroyed. Süling’s roof tile had shattered the big kitchen window. The window in the roof was gone! My hat was found 8 days later in the pastor’s yard. The roofs of residential buildings remained pretty well intact.

It was weeks before the yard was usable again. The cleaning up and the demolition work was carried out on week-ends by the Technische Hilfswek Rotenburg[Rotenburg Technical Assistance Group], under the leadership of brother-in-law Bodo Homann. K.H. Behrens took over the removal of stones and timber and the cutting up of the linden tree. Herbert Friese, who had been a tenant at Bahnhofstraße 5 from 1 Nov 1960, took photographs after the storm.

Tenants

In 1960, the tenant Schubert died; for practically 10 years he used the whole house. At last I could get to fundamental alterations. I demolished the wooden inside walls myself to save expense. The masonry work was done by Johann Behrens. He became one of my tenants as, following his bankruptcy, he could not keep his house in Helvesieker Weg. It came to a compulsory sale and Uncle Hinni (Holland Meyer) got the house. Uncle Hinni and the old Vahjen from Sothel gave a written guarantee for Behrens rent. This is how he and his family came to be with us. Behrens was also known as Wessel Johann in Scheessel. He issued bills of exchange or cheques that he could not honour or that were not secured. Besides, he drank 3 bottles of whiskey a day that he bought from us and paid for. Drink finally killed him. Every day grandmother came down very early and saw Behrens every morning as he pulled empty bottles from trouser and jacket pockets to put in the rubbish bin.

These alterations were carried out without any other assistance, except for financial credit from the building society. The work caused a sensation in Scheessel. I could let the downstairs front rooms to the Bremische Volksbank. The opening by the Volksbank was cause for Ludwig Stahmleder to celebrate also.

From then any settlement of money matters was done with the Volksbank exclusively. In those years interest rates reached 12 or more percent, on top of any extra expenses or fees. Unfortunately the rent was not increased, even though I had personal discussions with Messrs Krüger and Scharmann in Bremen. The first lease contract stipulated that the payment for the occupation of the building was to be DM 10,000.-. But with the building of the bank rooms this was not enough and the amount was increased to DM 15,000.-. In the second lease contract it stated that this was an advance payment of rent. This dishonesty of the Bremen Bank board was the reason I transferred all my accounts back to the Savings Bank in Scheessel. Even today we are still working together most satisfactorily.

There was good cooperation and a good personal relationship with Walter Behrens, the manager of the VB (VolksBank), and this was the case in Varel also.

So the entire house was leased and I could start repayment of the existing loans. Later the Volksbank built new premises in Veerser Weg, but they had to continue paying rent to me. I could take my time finding a new tenant. This time the dentist, Dr Mohaupt, had to pay the costs of renovation. He became a tenant on 1 Jun 1973. From November 1975, Dr. Mohaupt became the tenant of the whole ground floor of the house in Bahnhofstraße.

The tenant Maria Mehling must be mentioned. “And when she lost control, then ……”. Then this lady took a hammer and broke all windows in the house. I got rid of this tenant as a result of an enforced admission to an institution in Lüneburg. The next tenant was Gottlieb Böhm, who entered an aged care home on 31 Jul 1974. Our son Adolf Borchard was the tenant of the house for one year. A reason Borchi moved out and back into our house was that Dr. Mohaupt wanted to extend his practice.

To increase turnover I leased the business of Paul Masuch in Breslauer Straße on 1 Jul 1957, a wooden cabin, around which Langschen Hein (Heinrich Gehrken) had built his house! On 1 Oct 1957, I took over the business of Mrs Wichern (a dressmaker) in the Mühlenstraße as well. Both brought an increase in turnover, but the costs increased as well. Detailed investigations were carried out by my brother Dr Erich Sparr, a political economist. They showed that the profit for these shops came from the distribution of the dividends of the business G.f.L. so I quickly sold the Breslauer Straße place through the Rotenburg buyer, Mr Schloon, at a good price. Miss Heinrich managed the business in Mühlenstraße on my account. Differences in stock on hand arose and, because of this, I decided to sell the goods and get her to carry on the business on her own account.

Both businesses were unable to continue for much longer and closed.

Supplement, as a pensioner, written January 1979

At that time, the house was heated with oil heaters, fed by a supply tank which hung on the wall leading to the bedroom. In 1972 the heating installation was built into the so-called laundry and it supplied both houses with warmth. A 20,000 litre tank was sunk into the garden. It was only in 1976 that the remaining rooms and the shop were provided with heating. The calculation of the heating cost from the central heating plant was done by the company Brunata – Hamburg. As all heaters had a temperature control an exact calculation could be made.

Business Developments

The business developments by us and on behalf of the community which occurred during 1967 have been recorded. In that year the following businesses operated in Scheessel: 19 grocery stores, of which 13 were Edka businesses, 1 greengrocer, 3 butchers and 4 bakeries, according to a location analysis by Edka Stade on 9 Sep 1967.

I was supposed to risk a complete reconstruction because of a possible turnover increase from DM 900,000.- to Dm 1,000,000.-. This assessment was made by Edka without input from me. In the following years two further analyses were made, the last one in 1974 by LAT from Hamburg. According to that, the house at Große Straße 13 was to be lengthened by 10 metres. The extension was to provide a cooling plant and cold store. It was to be widened by 5 m towards the garden, and the shop floor area was to be enlarged. The expected turnover was to be about 2.8 million, but the costs would have been 4 million. However, as our son did not want to undertake this project, it was cancelled. The project in Vareler Weg at the corner of Breslauer Straße did not come to anything, as I could not get any alternative land from the parish. Here it was estimated that a total area of 320 m² could bring a turnover of only 800,000.- to 880,000.- DM. Therefore suicide as well! In 1977, the Vivo Market arrived. At first we suffered losses, but after a year we had them ironed out.

The Globus Market had been planned for 1974. As a community councillor, I had given it my support. Accordingly I knew that the consortium of master builder Meyer, architect Mahnken, from Zeven, and Fritz Schröder, building supplier, had developed this project and were going to lease it to Edeka Soltau. The negotiations with Fritz Schröder Lehopweg established that he was prepared to hand over his share in the consortium to me for DM 100,000.-. The Savings Bank was prepared to advance this money immediately. The architect Mahnken did not agree with this arrangement. His reason for refusal was “he offered me VIVO Market and I refused the offer”. So much for Fritz Schröder. I don’t know Mr. Mahnken at all, I never met him, so I never could have spoken with him. Presumably Mr Mahnken had an aversion to Edka Stade due possibly to differences in Zeven, as Dr. Lilienthal had at that time. Anyhow, on 1.11.1975, I heard from Mr. Dobner, from Edka Soltau, that Edka planned to return Globus Market to private ownership. Discussions took place as a result of a reception in Bartelsdorf at Fritz Ehlermann’s, a colleague of mine. I represented the Stade Industry and Trade Association. I was a full assembly member and thus could bring greetings from the President and the full assembly.

On 21 Nov  1975, on the occasion of a meeting of the board of directors of the Edeka Harburg-Sievern association which I attended, Mr. Hokamp from the Edeka Association officially offered the Globus Market to me for my son Adolf Borchard. He was offered the position as Co-operative business merchant for Edeka Soltau. In December 1975, a meeting was held in the big room attended by Messrs Wulf and Wendt, both from Soltau, Dr Lilienthal from EHG Harburg-Sievern, Mr. Unkrieg from the accounts office, my son Borchard and myself. The agreement was to take effect as from 1 Jan 1976. Borchard commenced on 2 Jan 1976. He studied all departments and various Globus Markets. Proposed contracts had been handed to us. My wishes: The take over of all goods as soon as I reach pension age, and the change of bank arrangements were accepted.

It was too good to be true. Mother and I would have continued as long as we enjoyed it, and then could have closed the shop or sold it. On 12 Aug 1976, Mr Wulf informed my son that the return to private ownership of the Globus market would not go ahead.

I became aware that Mr. Wulf planned to take over the “Big Bär” in Rotenburg as a crisis was looming in the company. To finance this, Globus was asked to assist. That was, after all, a windfall. Adolf Borchard then went to EHG Harburg-Sievern and was employed in various public undertakings.

After the merger of Edeka Waldenau and EGH Harburg-Sievern, he worked as manager in different stores in the Hamburg area. Final training was given by a colleague, Mr Lippmann, in Hamburg Billstedt.

As a member of the A.R. (Board of Directors ?) of E.H.G Hamburg m.b.H. in Pinneberg ,we discussed the closure of our subsidiary firms and also the termination of new lease contracts. As the losses of the subsidiaries could no longer be carried, we decided to convert all these stores to private ownership. But the retail business section had unearthed a new project in H.H. 63, Hummelsbüttel Market 34. The analysis for this showed an expected turnover of DM 3.3 to 3.9 million per annum. After a careful study of this analysis, I came to the conclusion that this project would be something for Borchard.

Earlier, we had looked at projects at Cadenberge, Hittfeld and Harsefeld. We did not get Hittfeld and we did not support the other two projects.

So, Borchi applied for the Hummelsbüttel project..

At the Edeka Hamburg meeting, the Association Director Stubbe took part. At this meeting, the letting through Edeka, or better still, the sub-letting to my son was to be finalised. Only Mr. Stubbe spoke to this agenda item and he pointed out that Edeka had a moral obligation to our son because of the events concerning Edeka Soltau. After the statements by Director Stubbe, no one else sought to speak. It was decided unanimously to support Adolf Borchard for the contract as sub-lessor. I was not present during the voting.

So, on 8 Sep 1977, Adolf Borchard became an independent shop-owner at Hamburg – Hummelsbüttel. The shop was very nice – see the photograph album. Herbert Schulz from Helvesiker Weg took the photographs.

In July 1978, it became clear that the figures were not right. Discussions were held with Mr. Gusek. Dr. Lillienthal, Mr. Brams, father and son all took part. A solution could not be found. So, another termination for “master butcher” Voss. However, what had been in a sad state for so long could not be fixed in one day. No further discussions took place in the search to find a successor.

The fact was that the planned building works were not ready. Also the tenants of the shopping centre had engaged a lawyer as turnover projections had not been achieved. Accordingly the rents bore no comparison to the turnovers. For all tenants the costs were too high. The expected turnover for 1978 had dropped to 2.15 million. That meant that until October 78, Borchard would have to produce DM 561.- daily.

The management of Edeka in Pinneberg reacted only when Adolf Borchard lodged a bankruptcy application at the District Court. Then on 13 Dec 78, a meeting between the lawyer Dr. Lüder, Mr. Trutzel, Dr Lilienthal, Mr. Bramst, Mr. Rhode, father and son was held in Mr. Trutzel’s room. Under pressure, Edeka agreed to take back the store on 31 Dec 1978. Amazingly, they now had a new person who wanted to take it over.

It was clear to me that the management (A.R. and the Board of Directors) had hoped that I would take over the guarantee. Mother and I did not want this. Without doubt we did not reproach our son. As far as I could see, the error lay with the retailing division of Edeka.

Organizations

Despite all the work connected with the expansion of the store, I was eager to assist organisations in Scheessel. Since the re-establishment of the Trade Association in 1952, I had belonged to the executive committee as its secretary. Then it merged with the newly founded Commerce Association. Holland Meyer, our girl and I started to “clear the deck” at home, after Pokanischki had landed in the school yard with his ice stand. I also took part in the preliminary work for the 1150th Anniversary, but in March 1955, tuberculosis brought all activities to an end. In 1954 the Scheessel Kyffhäuser Fellowship was re-established and I was its chairman, and held that office until 1968. In 1966, Hilde had a slight stroke and was admitted in Zeven and in 1968 she had abdominal cancer and was taken to Bremen. These events made me give up some of the honorary local activities. I had been the secretary of the rifle club for 10 years.

In 1956, I was elected to the Scheessel Municipal Council as a member of the German Party. I was a member of the Council until the formation of the United Municipality in 1974. I was a member of the FDP[Freie Demokratische Partei – Free Democratic Party] political party and with the SDP [Socialdemokratische Partei – Social Democratic Party] formed a faction group in the Council. I became a deputy because of this. After the split, I went to the CDU [Christliche Demokratische Union – Christian Democratic Union], and although I had switched parties I was elected to the Council again.

In 1958, I was elected to the controlling council of Grosseinkauf für Lebensmittel e.G.m.b.H.[Grocery Wholesalers Co. Ltd] in Hamburg-Harburg and 8 years later I was elected to the building committee of the company as the increased turnover made a relocation of stock necessary. At the inspection of the site in NeuWulmstorf, I suggested to my colleague Mr. Gade that it be built large enough to take over Edeka Stade. The idea was soon taken up. On 31 Jan 1969, the topping-off ceremony for the new building of Edeka Harburg-Stade was held at Neu-Wulmstorf following the merger which had occurred smoothly one year earlier. The old G.f.L. business was in a healthy state, so no problems appeared.

In 1972, I became Chairman of the Board of Directors of Edeka Harburg-Stade. Then the merger with Edeka Bremerhavem – Cuxhaven resulted in the Edeka Trading Company Harburg-Sievern being formed. I was again appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors and held that position until the takeover by Edeka Hamburg e.G. In the latter company I held the position of deputy chairman until my resignation in July 1978. I could not attend the last meeting of the year as I was in the Rotenburg hospital having 2 tumors removed from my bladder.

From 1973 until 1978 I was a member of the Chamber for Industry and Commerce in Stade.

I was most fortunate to attain these very desirable offices for a businessman and to participate in these governing bodies. It is to be noted that throughout my participation in the various groups and in the community the business was never neglected. On the contrary, constant improvements were achieved in the economic position.

Celebrations

For this reason, I could issue invitations for a reception on the occasion of my 60th birthday to be held in the Treffpunkt[“Hitpoint” – a club?] here in Scheessel.

There were apologies from Mr. Rickers, chairman of the retail business in Stade, also the business manager Mr. Johannsen. Mr Unkrieg from the Edeka accounts office stayed in Frankfurt, and Mr. Jan Peter Meyer from the CDU was unavailable. My friend Fritz Holtermann, the apiarist from Brockel, also sent his apologies.

It was a successful reception. The cold buffet was supplied by butcher Meinke. After the reception we had the mid-day meal with Frieda and with all our relatives and their children. We had our evening  meal there with our private guests also. On my 60th birthday on 26 Oct 1975 we received the following guests:
Hans Ehlermann, Verden, President of the Stade Chamber of Industry and Commerce
Helmut Hokamp, Buchholz, from the Edeka Association Hamburg and member of EZHG Hamburg
Colleagues from the Executive Committee and Board of Directors also from the Edeka company
Harburg-Sievern
Dr Detlef Lilienthal, Buxtehude
Walther Lemke, Neugraben
Arno Münch, Wilhelmsburg-Kirchdorf
Arn Walter Böttjer, Selsingen
V. Sprekelsen, Osterbruch
Gustav Adolf Frese, Cuxhaven-Lüdingworth
Hans Heinrich Mügge, Freiburg on the Elbe
Hans Hinsen, Horneburg
Hermann Elfers, Himmelforten
Hermann Döscher
Walter Spiering, Mayor, Scheessel
Hinrich Trochelmann, Mayor, Ostervesede
Johann Kröger, deputy, Scheessel
Fritz Bellmann, deputy, Hetzwege
Jürgen Baden, neighbour
Hermann Beckmann, councillor and cousin, Scheessel, from the Meyerhof
Gerd Jochim, Verden, from the branch office, Stade Chamber of Industry and Commerce
Hermann Dieckmann, Boderkesa, EHG Harburg-Sievern
Günter Ehlen, Scheessel, Voluntary Fire Brigade
Herbert Friese, Scheessel, Rotenburger District paper, and tenant
Herbert Schulz, Scheessel, Helvesieker Weg, chairman of the bowling club
Alfred Cöster, Scheessel, Scheessel Savings Bank
Hans W. Peters, Scheessel, chairman, choral society
Heinrich Behrens, Scheessel, councillor and close friend
Hermann Dreyer, Scheessel, friend of the Adolf Conrad house
Heiner Richter, Scheessel, choral society
Oswald Fischer, Scheessel, councillor and secretary of Kyffhäuser
Wilhelm Lüdecke, Scheessel, a close friend
Fritz Behrens, Scheessel, chairman of the country club
Bodo Homann, Rotenburg, brother-in-law
Wolf Eberhard Sparr, Garstedt, brother
Heinrich Meyer, Scheessel, chairman, Kyffhäuser Fellowship, close friend
Helmut Hellwig, Scheessel, Council Director
Eduard Rose, Scheessel, dairy factory Director, friend of the Adolf Conrad house
Hildegard Trau, Scheessel, our sales lady of many years

One celebration seldom comes on its own! On 10 Feb 1976 we celebrated our Silver Wedding Anniversary. However, we celebrated on Saturday 14 Feb.1976, again in the Treffpunkt. Our “first” one we celebrated in the part of the shop facing Süling due to the conditions at the time. We invited friends only to the Silver Anniversary. It was to be a real celebration, and it was just that.

The music was a problem as the Faslom was celebrated everywhere around here. Then I remembered the lively music in Cuxhaven on 1 Nov 1975. That was our second last celebration in the E.H.G. HarburgSievern company. As chairman of the Board of Directors I had invited guests to the Strand Hotel Duhnen. Those 3 musicians played until 4 o’clock in the morning. It was great. Nothing was missing. Our guests slept in the Paga (?). It must be mentioned that my doctor, Dr. Sierke from Hamburg, his wife, and my announcer Hermann Lange from Barrien near Bremen, were present. My classmate, Günter Albers, from Bonn came on the Monday only, as he had to bury his mother-in-law on the Saturday. Aunt Berta Sparr came from Grönwohld. I paid Frieda DM 4,600.- and the musicians DM 600.-. A short time before my life insurance had been paid out so there was no financial pressure.

More Health Issues

At the end of Feb 1976, I was called to Bad Neustadt/Saale in the Röhn for treatment. I left there 2 days before time because of a painful appendix. On 25 March, my appendix was removed in Rotenburg. From the end of January 1974 through February 1974, I was at Bad Waldsee for treatment for diabetes. In 1969, I had my first treatment in Bad Oeynhausen as a year earlier the Health Department in Verden had diagnosed diabetes. I took a course of treatment for sugar and problems with the spinal column. Freedom of movement of the spinal column was restricted; this may have contributed to the fall in front of the steps on 24 Feb 1970 when I broke a pelvic and lumbar vertebra. I had to lie in hospital for 8 weeks and I was fed and washed right up to the last day. The accident was recognised by the professional organisation and they are still paying a pension up until today.

Changes in the Neighborhood

Our former neighbour, Christian Süling, hanged himself in his house. After his death, his daughter Marliese continued to run the restaurant until the joint heirs sold the property to Wilhelm Baden of Bremer Strasse. Baden had to buy the stock also.

Jürgen Baden immediately started to demolish the stable and made it into a parking area. When this dilapidated stable finally disappeared it was to the great advantage of our house at Bahnhofstraße 5. There was a very good neighbourly relationship with the Baden family, senior and junior. When further extensions were made to the hotel for hardware, kitchenware, etc. retailing, there were no further difficulties regarding the boundary.

On 15 Dec 1975,, we signed an agreement before notary Jürgen Kruse regarding the division of the earlier common path between the properties of A.C. and Baden. We received the southern and Baden the northern part of the path. Baden could now build an entry to the cellar from the outside, directly on our side.

The good development of Baden’s business induced Jürgen to arrange a number of discussions with me regarding the eventual acquisition of the property at Große Straße 13.

Selling the House and Moving

In the spring of 1977, it was clear that our son Adolf Borchard did not want to continue his parent’s business. So, discussions were held with Baden regarding the sale. On 8 Jun 1977, an agreement was signed in front of the notary Berthold Otworowski. For land and earthworks DM 122,980.- were paid and for the buildings including the fittings DM 127,020.-. The handover was to be no later than 31 Dec 1978. The sales contract was necessary to secure a loan of DM 100,000.- for financing Hummelsbüttel. The Savings Bank in Scheessel granted us this amount.

At the beginning of 1978, I had the idea to have the handover earlier on 30 Jun 1978, as it was planned that Baden would be making his payment only at transfer. It was difficult to convince Hilde and grandmother of this date. The idea of moving our household from Bahnhofstraße, transporting all our possessions to Hamburg, and carrying out the stocktake in Hamburg and Scheessel in December, was impossible and so 30 Jun 1978 was to be the date.

Our house was ready in May, so the children could do the moving on Saturdays and Sundays. After closing the shop, Hilde, Uli and I carted the contents of cupboards and wardrobes in baskets and boxes to our new home. We have lived in our new home since May and are very pleased. Even grandmother, despite her age, soon found her way around. Closing the household in Große Straße was a big problem as we could not take the big pieces of furniture with us. One Saturday, we started on the ground floor with “Miesners Fidi”(?), secretary of the Niederschsen Country Club e.v.21 Scheessel and his men – “all hands had to help and carry what they could”.

The Volkswagen Transporter (Combi-van) was filled twice. They got the big round table (Loesener), the old wooden chairs, the firescreen painted by Uncle Karl, the block and tackle, the chairs with the reed seats, the old pictures (certificates of honour for the dog breeder Julius Müller), the chairs from Uncle Ernst, his art nouveau cupboard, the large extension table (art nouveau) from the big room, the cupboard from Tangermann and the trunk (both came from my mother’s parents home in Tangendorf), the biggest and most beautiful trunk. The items have a dignified place in the Häuslingshaus, in the Art Gallery and in Professor Ernst Müller-Scheessel’s room.

Borchi took the cupboard made by Julius Müller and the smoker’s table to Hamburg with him. Astrid received the small round table and the two wickerwork chairs and armchairs

The problem was our “week-end house” on the floor above. The cupboard was 2.7 metres high and 2,5 metres wide at the top. A few people showed interest but none of them could find a place for such an enormous cupboard. In the evening of 26 June, I was still in the cellar with Wilfried Beims, selling him the last of the wine when Hilde called me as a person who was interested in the big cupboard had come. The man was dressed in old clothes and his appearance did not make a good impression, so I continued to attend to Beims until we were finished. Thereafter, I had time and I showed him the cupboard. “Too big, one can cut off the legs, How much does it cost?” Our request of DM 5,000.- was too high for him. He offered a price of DM 4,500.- which mother accepted, as the cupboard had to be out by 30 June. The man drove his open VW van into the yard to start with loading straight away. Uli came at this time and he saw on the vehicle the lettering “Manfred Ahlden, Autolackiererei (car painting) Walszrode”. In the passage they greeted each other, as they knew each other from when they were exchanging stamps. Uli told me not to hesitate, as there was nothing wrong with the man. Ahlden pulled out his wallet and paid me DM 4,500.- in cash. The cupboard was taken away in two loads the same night. Thanks to Ulrich’s assistance the cupboard was laid safely on it’s side, taken apart, and hauled downstairs. We were very pleased to get rid of this big piece. The day before we also had a stroke of luck. Our shop fittings were offered through circular letters of Edeka Pinneberg. Several people showed interest, but only for individual items. Harder from Ashausen and a colleague from Bremerhaven arrived looking for a T.K. chest. The manager from Prien Supermarket, 2057 Reinbeck, called also. The visit had been postponed several times, but it took place on 25 Jun 1978. Mr Peter Prien and his men looked at everything carefully, then we adjourned to the office and got down to business. Mr Prien wanted to purchase all the shop fittings, including the cooling system in the cellar. He was going to dismantle everything and load it all himself. I agreed to the deal as I was going to get rid of everything and there was going to be nothing left to create storage problems. Again, a once only opportunity. The largest painting from the big room upstairs was already standing on the floor in the office. It was from Uncle Karl, a copy from the Karlsruhe Academy, “Grandmother showing her grandchildren the bridal tiara”. Our boys did not want this painting in our new house. We were under the impression that they literally hated it. Mr Prien liked it and wanted to take it straight away. He hastened to the Westbank and collected  DM 3,000.-, for which the painting changed ownership. Peets Hinni from Stemmen wanted to buy the writing desk for DM 1,000.-, and he got it for that price. Prien wanted to pay the same. We stayed until 4 July, the day the shop fittings were collected.

The turnover was very good on the last business days. All of the wine was sold. The Frankenwine was bought by Mr Mittelstädt. Borchard came on the 30th with 3 station wagons and loaded all grease and coldstores. We started with the writing and packing early on Saturday. The goods were taken to Hamburg in the afternoon. Our neighbour Baden made his LKW truck available, and Borchi containers for disposal of meats. We were labelling and packing. We continued on Sunday. In the afternoon, 21 Registered Club everything was loaded in Hamburg for Bobby. The mid-day meal was eaten in the new kitchen, and so was the coffee. A delicious cake was baked by our daughter-in-law Helga.

Herbert Schulz, daughter Astrid, Hilde Trau and Heinrich Trau helped with the last stocktake. Ulrich drove the LKW and Borchi his car. He had brought other helpers from his shop also, and they assisted with the carting and loading

The Schützenfest [Shooting Festival] was on that Saturday, Sunday and Monday. I wanted to take part in the King’s dinner on the Monday at least. But, oh what a shock, I had quite a bit of blood in my urine. It gave me quite a fright. I rang Dr. Sierke in Hamburg. He recommended that I see an urologist immediately. This occurred on the Monday. Dr. Koch wanted to admit me to hospital straight away, but as the shop fittings were to be collected on the Tuesday, I returned to Scheessel.

On Monday, Mother had cleaned all the shelves and the floor. On Tuesday, Prien arrived with an LKW and some staff. The shop fittings were taken to pieces and packed, and they got the big motor out of the cellar. He had brought a refrigeration expert with him for this. We had no problems with the machine. It appears it had been designed for an 8 metre refrigerated cabinet. In the meantime, I crawled with the young Mr Prien through the whole house, the storage area and the floor of No. 2. He took everything with him, whether it was old or dirty, as long as there was some connection with an old shop. It goes without saying that I was well paid. At the financial settlement in the office he would not give in until he could take the writing desk and the small round table as well. Ulrich got the small cupboard with the roller doors. So our house in Große Straße was empty and it could be handed over. We had no regrets.

The safe, which was fixed to the floor, was taken to the cellar in Bahnhofstraße. Borchard and his assistant manager, who was with THW[Technisches Hilfswerk – Technical Assistance Centre] in Hamburg, had brought some tools to do the job. Even Uli had helped with the very heavy work. About mid-night it stood in its place. The lifting and pushing, millimetre by millimetre, was possible only with use of some oil and a car jack. Thank God everything went well without a mishap. Some time ago, Johann Intelmann from Sothel 27 had built the platform. He also did some masonry work in our new home in the kitchen and bathroom before our move. The big chimney was taken down also as it restricted the bathroom. Intelmann built a chimney in the garage as a new heating unit had to be installed in the house in Bahnhofstraße.

More Health Issues

I went to hospital on Wednesday, the operation was on Friday, and I was discharged after 10 days. In the meantime the boys had dismantled the panelling in the passage. It was nailed on again in Bahnhofstraße. The panelling consisted of some precious wood which Julius was supposed to have bought from a friend in Bremen. The chocolate cabinet was now the only piece left in the shop.

J. Baden did not want this cupboard, unless he could have it for nothing. Without further ado, I took it apart. The bottom part went into the attic. The top part went to the Country Club for its Christmas display of handwoven linen. The Country Club paid me for this part of the cupboard and with the money I bought a spinning wheel which was given to Almut. For the other odds and ends which were collected in a minibus I had already bought a spinning wheel for Borchi.

Borchi’s Engagement

Borchi’s engagement was celebrated at the Meyerhof.  He was engaged to Annemarie Müller. After the ear splitting noise by the Kreuzberger Nächte, who were here, we had dancing. It was the second and last performance of its kind at the Meyerhof. An engagement of this kind would not have been able to be celebrated in our old house at No. 13.

Retirement

In summer and autumn I rediscovered my bicycle and rode it to Varel. I only took the car when I had to transport food for the bees. It was a bad year for the bees, no nectar, little honey. I drove into the Stemmer heath with one basket and 2 boxes. But this year, as 2 years ago, there were no returns. I swore never to wander afar again. At the last inspection Fritz Holtermann managed to harvest something after all. The exchange of hives went smoothly as the bees were well fed, the bees were well looked after and they built well.

From Jürgen Baden I obtained plastic coated wire netting which had been taken down at the airfield at Rotenburg. I used it to fence the meadow. I did the same behind Plate. I cut down the beech hedge behind Plate and on the right hand side of the gate. The bushes had grown onto Behrens meadow. Due to the frost in the middle of December pruning on Walter’s side was brought to a standstill.

For thinning out the pines, Borchi gave me a chainsaw – but I haven’t used it yet.

Regularly in the evening during the last three months Mother and I drowned our concerns about Hummelsbüttel with alcohol. The result was that my blood sugar rose to 279 and there was acetone in my urine. Our “Jo”, Dr. Grosche, diagnosed this in the first days of January 1979, and since that time I don’t drink anything more with a high percentage content. I am allowed to drink some dry Frankenwine in the evening. Today, 3 Feb 1979, there is still snow from New Year’s Eve, it is very cold.

Research of the Müller family

The cold days and the heavy snow were still with us at the end of Feb so I could work on the chronicle and research of the Müller family. On Sunday I visited Müller’s ancestral castle, the mill, for the first time. Klaus Eckehard Müller-Scheessel gave me the birth and death dates of his, or rather our, common ancestors.

When we first started about 1951 our big room compared very well with the room in the mill with the family tree on the wall. I was shocked! For years the Scheessel mill has been known as the “Moulin Rouge” by the people of Scheessel. Klaus Eckehard has leased the place and he is now a librarian in Hamburg.

Children

Now back to several of our children.

Astrid

Astrid was no problem child. She went through school and did her matriculation in 1973. At first, she showed an interest in business studies, or rather to do a retail business course. Through Mr Schäffer from the Edeka Association, she was introduced to Mr Vonhoff of Bonn-Bad Godesberg. Mother and I drove her to Bonn. She stayed in the residence of Mr Vonhoff’s mother and worked in a supermarket. All the standing was not to her liking and she wanted to return to work in the Customs office. Günter Albers could not change Astrid’s decision to return to Customs. So Borchi drove across to get his sister. Back in Scheessel, she worked for a while in the District Council. On 1 Feb 1974 she drove to the school in Sigmaringen to do the first year of a three year training course. During this time, I was in Bad Waldsee, but we did not meet. Astrid is now employed by O.F.D. Hamburg and works in the Head Customs Office Waltershof and the Customs House in Veddel.

Hans Ulrich

Now to our oldest, Hans Ulrich [Uli]. He was born on 29 Mar 1946 in our house at Große Straße 13. Hilde’s sister Erika was practically his nursemaid. As a toddler he was a little rascal. He cut his bed quilt open with a pair of scissors, sending feathers flying everywhere in his room. He made holes in the clay wall with his fingers and was already walking at 10 months. He pushed his playpen around everywhere so that he could reach the tablecloth. All ration coupons, which were very important at that time, were lying on the table, and also a glue pot. Everything landed in his hair, much to the annoyance of grandfather and grandmother. Every coupon had to be accounted for as we received a permit to purchase new groceries only after the coupons had been handed in.

During the summer he was searching for small dead rats along Süling’s house wall and put them into his apron pocket. There was much fuss and hullaballoo when we tried to take the animals away from him. Before going to bed, grandfather tried to console him. Grandfather flattened the paper wrappings from oranges, rolled them into cylinders and lit one end. To Uli’s delight the warm air made them rise and fly to the ceiling. Grandmother was not impressed. Although there was a nursemaid, he went on his own to the railway station, and sent a shoe floating on the Beeke.

During 1952 – 1956 he attended primary school. From then until 1961 the Eichen[Oaken] school. Every so often buttered bread was taken from the local children and then they were locked in the cellar with the heating plant. It was understandable that despite his intelligence he took a dislike to school. So, it came about that he completed an apprenticeship as a machine builder with my school friend Georg Dudeck in Harburg. From October to December 1964 he was working here in the engineering works of Adolf M.[Müller?] From January 1965 until December 1968, he did his military service. When he was discharged he had reached the rank of Hauptgefreiter [Head lance-corporal]. From January 1969 until December 1976, he worked for Blohm und Voss in Hamburg as a machine builder, and later on armoured tanks.

On 15 Aug 1969, he married Helga Höfer, one of our employees. The wedding was celebrated at Lütjens at Jeersdorf. Son Michael was born there on 22 Nov 1970 and Alexander on 22 Jul 1975. During his christening, Alex, who was nursed by Hilde, cried from start to finish.

Since 1977, Uli has been the Town Hall’s caretaker. Like his great-grandfather he is a member of the fire brigade and the Kyffhäuser fellowship.

Preparing to Move Again

In 1980, we found Bahnhofstraße 5 was a little bit small. There was limited space for grandmother, that is there was no garden or area outside the home. She started to take daily walks. So we started to look for another residence. If possible it would be in South Scheessel with a terrace and a balcony. Thus, it came about that I saw the building plans of Martin Sommer’s “In the garden” semi-detached house. After we had studied the beautiful plans, together with my brother-in-law Bodo who could not find anything wrong with them either, I contacted the architect Schlumbom. The house, which included a basement, garage, terrace and landscaped garden, was supposed to cost DM 292,000.-. J. Baden was prepared to pay DM 300,000.- for Bahnhofstraße, but no more. We could not purchase the house in the garden under these conditions. At this time excavation work had not started.

In discussions regarding the sale and purchase with Schlumbom, it was proposed that if our house in Bahnhofstraße was not sold before completion of the house in the garden, the company consisting of Bernhard Götze, a master builder, Mrs Schlumbom and Mr Götze from the WestBank would buy our house for DM 400,000.-. This is what I was led to believe. The legal contract was to be drawn up after the erection of the house. During the discussions, I learned that the company had bought the old Town Hall for only DM 225,000.-, and were going to pay only DM 300,000.- for our house. That was the end of the story for me, but not quite so for Hilde. Hilde was still thinking about our garden house.

To make this wish come true, I offered Varel for sale. From June until September 1980, Luttmer advertised the land in a number of newspapers for DM 228,000.-. A number of potential buyers looked at this paradise, but as it was not a building area yet, it did not attract a contract.

The Scheessel rumour mill said that our tenant Dr. Mohaupt was looking for a new practice. I checked these rumours and heard from Dr. Mohaupt, as we were trying to sell the house, that this was correct. In the spring of 1981, Dr. Mohaupt gave us notice until May 1982. This led us again to look seriously for something new. The house was offered for sale to the regional savings bank. The asking price was DM 335,000.-.

The parish considered an exchange, Varel for the building site at Vareler Weg and the corner of Breslauer Straße where I had planned to open a shop at an earlier stage. Pastor Röhrs and the vestry committee wanted to acquire Varel for youth work. After inspection by the district church the exchange did not eventuate, as the church could not see any benefit. We then looked at houses by Lüdemann in Jeersdorf. The long walk to the town centre and the high price was a problem. Then discussions again with Luttmer concerning a four family house in Wohlsdorfer Straße, which was to be built in 1982, Master builder Bernhard Götze called again also. He was prepared to make some concessions. Due to the constant rise in interest rates the cost of our garden house without the garage and the landscaped garden had risen to DM 320,000.-. An exchange was not possible anymore. Well, that did not work out. We continued reading the offers in the newspaper and pricked up our ears.

On Saturday 3 Oct 1981, I read for the second time the advertisement regarding the sale of a terrace house in Stettiner Straße.

Until then, Mother and I went to Frieda Stahmleder every Sunday from 5pm to 6pm for a beer. Grandmother stayed at home alone. Almut or Giesela Richter were told of our absence and they looked after things. So it was that on Sunday 4 October we talked about the previous day’s advertisement and after getting back home, I was going to ring Götze in Schleswig. The terrace house was offered for DM 185,000.-. I heard that the house had not been sold yet and I replied that if it was to our liking we would buy it and pay in cash. This would occur only if our hoouse in Bahnhofstraße was sold first. On 5 October, an inspection by Winkelmann from the Savings Bank followed. This house appealed to us without reservations. In the evening, I advised Mr. Götze by telephone and I informed him about our endeavours to sell our house. On Tuesday, I asked Jürgen Baden if he was still interested in buying our house for DM 300,000.-, and he was. The same evening, Mr Götze arrived from Schleswig without prior notice with building plans!

We studied the plans, measured furniture, inspected the place again, and planned.

My brother-in-law, Bodo, approved of the documents, calculations, and the price as well. Götze and I arranged that on the day of settlement I would hand him DM 32,500.-, and the purchase price would be fixed at DM 150,000.-, and he would meet half the solicitor’s fees. With these instructions I drove to the notary Ottworowski in Rotenburg and we arranged the dates for the sale to Baden and the purchase from Götze. I arranged with him for 26 Oct 1981, 6:30 pm with Baden and 7 pm with Götze and Dawarth.

We planned to keep our intentions concerning our selling and buying quiet until the 26th, although they did not remain secret altogether.

The contract was finalised as planned on  26 Oct 1981. Mr. Harmsen from the Savings Bank was present also so that the deposit could be paid to Hans Götze in the afternoon. We received the keys for the Stettiner Straße house.

Payment was to be made to us on 1 Dec 1981. When nothing had happened by the 2nd I had to get on J. Baden’s back. He explained to me that payment could be made only after the transaction had been recorded by the registrar. I immediately rang the notary and asked for this to be rectified. The notary informed Baden that the entry had been made on 18 November and that he was to pay me without further delay. About 12:30 pm J.B. rang me with the news that the money would be ready after 2 pm. But J.B. was not in the shop at 2 pm. I was told he had an afternoon off and was at home. I was angry and ready to leave the shop when his cousin (Schmidt-Schraube) saw me and called to me “Mr. Sparr, just a minute, I have something for you!” He produced the cheques from a pocket of his coat which was hanging in the unlocked wardrobe. I took them to Mr. Harmsen in the Savings Bank immediately to pay my debts and to cancel the mortgage.

What Hilde had always wished but had never believed, came true. At last on the 10th and 11th, I obtained certificates from the Savings Bank and could collect interest on DM 10,000.- at 9.5% per annum .

It is a nice feeling to have a new home and no obligations. With all those negotiations, Varel remained intact. We are really happy and are feeling well, despite the daily strain due to grandmother.

The change of residence from Bahnhofstraße to Stettiner Straße.

The electrician, Heinz Meinke, fixed some temporary lights in every room, as we could come here only in the evening because of grandmother. On every trip, to make the move more efficient, the car was fully loaded. First the cellar in Bahnhofstraße was emptied. The two shelves made by the cabinet maker Helmut Riebesehl in 1952 were brought here on a trailer by Heinz Schleesselmann. The nesting box for the fowls was transported in one piece. The corner shelves were taken apart and I put them together again. The small cellar was full, but everything fitted in. It is surprising what one can store in a limited space. Food for the bees, wine, and the cupboard with the roller doors were put under the staircase. Saturday 7 Novmber was the moving day for the big pieces. Borchi had the LKW with sideboards which made it comparatively easy to lift the bed and wardrobe pieces directly from the bedroom onto the truck. Earlier, Ulrich had thoroughly cleaned all floors with his carpet cleaning machine so that everything could be placed in its right position, as advised by mother and me. From Saturday night to Sunday we slept here already. On Saturday, H. Meinke had dismantled some lights and then fitted them here. Some kitchen units were available so Uli got his kitchen cupboard back. Astrid took the electric stove and grandmother’s buffet which she had given to her as a present. The old wooden panels from the house in Große Straße went to Ohlendorf on Sunday. Almut got the small “Rotermund” [redmouth?] and carted it upstairs with Suse Gumlich.

Grandmother was taken to Rotenburg on Saturday and Sunday. Uli had asked Mr. Schuhmacher to help. Astrid and Detlef came on Sunday. Ami helped on both days also. Helga cooked pea soup for us all, it was delicious! Astrid gave us some curtains for the move. She had sewn them herself, but they did not fit. So, on Sunday Astrid and Ami were busily resewing curtains and hanging them. Both girls could not help with the move nor assist with the placement of the furniture, which made it harder for the boys.

On 28 and 29 October, Ulrich and Borchi put glass fibre down in the attic and then nailed the floor boards down. I had prepared the 5.40m long boards earlier and stacked them on the terrace so that they could be passed over the balcony as they were needed, through Almut’s room into the attic. Many thanks go to the children and helpers who assisted with the work and the move.

Earlier, Schleesselmann had installed some thermostats so no tradesman had to enter the clean home. Nevertheless, before Christmas, we had electric heating elements installed in the kitchen and the bathroom. This did not cause any dirt. After we moved in, I packed all the books into boxes. I did it shelf by shelf and carted them here. All the boards were taken down, including the dowel pins. The children did the dowelling and fixing in the evenings. On the weekend Borchi and Ami painted our hall as the wallpaper was ghastly according to mother. The following weekend we did some dowelling! This disturbed Delfs who lived two doors from us. Borchi fixed picture-hooks and put pictures up in the hall. So we were very happy and satisfied when everything was in order. As the nailing in the attic was almost completed we could store some things there. (business documents that had to be kept until 1988, books, spare china, etc.)

Borchi provided us with a new deep freeze which was here and ready when we moved in. A cooling system is necessary up here.

1982
We got over the winter well and the heating oil we had to use was worth the price. Of course, someone had to be around at all times because of grandmother. Indeed, it was a bad time for Hilde and myself.  Grandmother was bed-bound from the middle of June. In the last week before she died the two of us had to lift her out of and into bed. On 29 Jun 1982, in the morning at 9.30 am she stopped breathing, as Hilde said. She passed away peacefully, probably without being conscious. Etti’s comment was that she is now in Wendisch Evern where she always wanted to be.

In May, we were still there with grandmother but she did not recognise it. She thought she was in Hamburg and saw the Heide-Sues canal. The sermon was given by Pastor Burfeind. It was no sermon for grandmother, she would have been shocked as we were. Every fortnight grandmother went to church from Bahnhofstraße, or was taken there by Hilde and brought back again. The weather was fine for the funeral. There was a good attendance. She rests next to her husband in the Müller burial ground. At the beginning of June, Hilde and I had the words “Familie Sparr” engraved on the stone which had been selected by Uncle Ernst and now decorates the grave site. Hilde cares for and looks after the family burial ground.

The months of July and August were our “roses” months. Every morning a bunch of roses stood on the coffee table. Our rose bed is magnificent. After 31 years of married life, we are finally alone in our own house and we can do whatever we wish. At last “Varel” has become a dear place for Hilde, where we can be without being pressed for time. We have spent many Sundays sunbaking and bathing.

I haven’t had much luck with the bees. Three swarms have died but I have managed to build them up again to their former condition. Now all eight swarms are taken care of and are ready for the winter. I still hope for some returns from the five hives.

Since I gave up the business in 1978, I have been sick in hospital three times for bladder operations. The last time was this year in August with a local anaesthetic. It is not too bad, it has nearly become routine. I cut my left index finger with the chainsaw. According to my wish, Mr Bensien sewed it up at his practice, I did not want to go to hospital. The finger is almost fully mobile again. Then I fell when the pool ladder collapsed and I injured my shin. It has not healed yet. On 4 December during a sleet storm I fell on my right shoulder at Werner’s in Stettiner Straße. For three months I will have ray treatment, ½ hour “fango pack” in the afternoon plus massage for ½ hour. A permanent impediment will remain.

1983
We had a very mild winter. Plenty of rain until April! The bees survived the winter well, but there is little weather for them to fly as it is still too cold.

On 4 April,  a part of the Edeka Hamburg store in Pinneberg burned down. Damage was about DM 10 million.

The bee swarms are developing well. At first, many queens were lost. With the addition of Insel (insulation) and some queens I filled many jars for the first time with 261 pounds of honey. Such a harvest has not been achieved before. One pound of honey in a jar costs DM 8.50. I bought another 50 pounds from Johann Dittmer in Helvesiek.

In September, I went to the hospital for a check up regarding the December 1982 accident.

A new apiary was built with Volker. Theft occurs from both boxes.

Almut and Volker came on 24 December and stayed until 26th. Taking the rest of their belongings from Bahnhofstraße back to Bocholt. On 25 December, Astrid and Detlef, Borchi and Ami and Almut were here.

We had a very nice Christmas with a Christmas tree in the main room. On the 26th. Uli and his family were here, it was very nice, but noisy. New Year’s Eve, Almut and Volker were here at home. Almut has finally moved to Bocholt, but appears to be homesick for Scheessel.

1984
On 21 January, we received a reply at last from the R & V Insurance company regarding the accident in December 1982. January brought storms and rain. The Wümme meadows are under water! There was a lot of snow during the last week of Jan. The storm blew pine trees and willows over. Until the end of spring the weather was bad for the bee swarms.

On 9 May, I went to Dr. Koch for out-patient treatment on the bladder. After that, home treatment with willow rose tea and propolis tincture.[A red resinous substance got by bees from buds which they use to stop crevices.] This time I took part in the Schutzenfest and everything went well.

On 9 July, I drove with Borchi, Ami and Hilde to the border. A beautiful trip, but very exhausting. I showed them where I took my last steps before I was taken prisoner. It was in Langenhorst on the Jeetzel.

On 4 August there was the Bowling Club and on 11 August the gathering of my regular circle of friends at Varel.

This year the honey harvest came to only 66 jars = 25.01% compared with last year.

On Sunday 19 August, Hilde suffered blood flow problems to the brain and then Dr. Lichte from Lauenbrück sent her to Rotenburg by ambulance. There were no after effects and after 9 days she was discharged. We bought a blood pressure gauge. Dr. Müller-Weinhard is treating Hilde now.

We drove to Steinhude again for the spring and autumn fairs and bought some eels. For the first time, it was a trip in the rain, but it was still worth it.

Almut and Volker spent their holidays in Varel, but, unfortunately, the weather was not good. The health insurance has given us both a course of treatment in Bad Mergentheim from 6 November to 3 December 1984. It was perfect weather when Borchi drove us there, but it was foggy and raining when Uli collected us. The treatment was a success for both of us. The only drawback was that the home stood on a slope and one had to walk uphill all the time. We did not have a walk after the evening meal.

This year only 1 pine tree was cut down in Varel, it was the one damaged by the Fire Brigade tank truck, and, besides, it was in the way. A couple of martens were caught.

On Christmas Eve, Borchi and Ami were with us. Ulrich and family, Almut and Volker, came on Christmas Day. Almut and Volker stayed until 30 Dec. New Year’s Eve we were alone, it began to snow.

1985
We had snow until the end of January, a little rain, but very cold. The cold weather lasted until the end of February. The rabbits have eaten the juniper bushes as well as the heath.

The cold prevented me from walking at Varel so I used the opportunity to copy the chronicle with the help of a typewriter, and to record the family tree of the Sparr-Müller family. I must mention that in December 1984 the mayor received a letter from Australia from the John Muller family, grandson of Gustav Müller, son of A.C. Müller. John Muller wanted to know if any relatives were still living here in Scheessel. The mayor gave us the letter. So I was able to use the family chronicle and A.C.’s Bible to record the relatives for John Muller. Now in February, the news has come that the Müller family will arrive here on 28 May. I have booked their accommodation with the hotel keeper Götze. We hope to have a family gathering of the Müller families at the Meyerhof.