Saturday October 13, 1973

Get up after 10 o'clock. Mother is complaining about the dilapidated condition of the bathroom - so without further pressure being placed upon us - John and I go up and begin decorating. We rub all the gloss paing from the walls, but when Dad comes home we all decide that perhaps the bathroom needs tiling and not painting. Mother also wants a shower fitted.

Mick Knowles and Lynne were married this morning. Christine was a bridesmaid.

Later. Chris rings. I tell him to go to Christine W's house at Yeadon for 8.30. John and I are with her at 8.15. Andy, Chris and Marita____arrive at 8.30. At 8.45 Marita, Chris, John and Christine W, leave for an unknown destination. _____.Andy and I go to the Emmotts where we meet Philip Cartwright, Ray, Steve Cottle, etc. We pile into cars and go to Bramhope, then to the pub where Brian and Valerie had their wedding reception in July. Sit joking and drinking until 11.10. Steve gives me a lift as far as Guiseley Swimming Baths. I walk home. Unknown to me Marita passes me in the other direction on Park Rd. On arrival home John says the 'foursome' had a good time at the Fox and Hounds in Menston.__________.

Later. See a good Cary Grant film. Bed at 1.40. What a fantastic evening we've had for a change. Andy and I may be going swimming at Guiseley baths tomorrow.

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Letter from Christine Braithwaite {Postmark Oct 13, 1973}

Glenview
76, New Road Side
Horsforth
Leeds

Dear Mig,
Thanks for your letter. I only got it this morning - and the letter. Sorry about paper, but I didn't bring any proper notepaper with me. MM's sat writing to David and I'm supposed to be writing an essay, but I can't be bothered so I'll have to make yet another excuse. Well, I found your letter very exhilarating! In fact, it lifted me out of my hum-drum, kitchen-sink drama situation which I appear to be in. (Sorry, I'm in one of those moods ~ Oh!). Your diagrams were exceptionally explanatory, and your rules for terminating consumption of oil were ... dare I say it ...yes, I dare ....  were.....O.K!

There is one point I wish to elaborate on....
I WANT AN UMBRELLA FOR CHRISTMAS! I an cold, wet and hungry because I have been disarmed  of my brolly. Just cut along the dotted line and send a £1 note (no coins please) to the following address: "Glenview, 76, New Road Side, Horsforth, Leeds. <------- ..............="" cur="" here="" nbsp="">

However good your bargain for £89 may sound, I want a brolly!

Michael L. Rhodes I wish to present you with a writ demanding you to appear in court, on the morning of December 17. I am acting on behalf of a certain Miss C. Braithwaite, who is prosecuting you for liable (sic), insisting that, in one of your communcates (sic) to her you said, quote "have you given up the drink?" How could you say such a thing? How could you be so callous? How could you?

Philip and I (sorry, your Majesty) go out only on Fridays and Saturdays now, to try and save some money. We haven't been to the Queen's for ages. We might go down this Saturday though! On Saturday we're going into Leeds, and we might get the ring, I see one I like. We'll probably be getting engaged on December 29 (Saturday), which is the weekend between Christmas  and New Year! But we're not sure yet. When are you getting yourself hitched up then? June was up at school the other day, but she didn't stay long. Your poem referring to Irene (MacMahon\) and Andy Maud (that's the poor fools name!) was stupendous! A copy is contained herewith and within.

Some sad news Mig, please ....... whatever you are doing - stop it, your dirty beggar!....  No please sit down..... I have something to tell you .....are you ready? The Cow and Calf has closed! Arghh! It's now Samantha's and anyone who gets drunk is thrown out! I think the whole thing is positively disgusting - they should have asked us first. No, in fact, it was a bit of a dump, we only went so that we could get drunk - still memories will be nice - and of the Cow and Calf.

Well, must go now - got a lesson - write soon, and don't forget that £1 for my brolly!

Love

Christine (Your Honourable Madame Chairman)

-=-

Wednesday September 26, 1973

A very interesting afternoon at school where Maggie Edwards, Irene, MM and myself entertain six old age pensioners - all over the age of 80. They sit and tell us ancient anecdotes of how they lived in the 1890s. Believe it or not one old boy cycled from Rawdon to Sheffield four times a week! And this routine went on for about a year! How has he managed to survive for so long after such hard work?

See the tv in the evening. Chris rings at 8 o'clock and wants to know if I'm going out. I say 'no'. But I am tempted. He and Andy are going off somewhere - poor Marita is in bed with cold.

John and Dad went out driving until 8.30 - it's the first time John has been at the wheel, and I think I will have a go tomorrow.

See Harold Macmillan on tv talking about 1963 - his last year of premiership. What a tremendous fellow he is. It's a damn shame he cannot live another 50 years to further his aims. You can tell from the conversation that he was born 30 years too soon.

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Wednesday June 27, 1973

Mum still ill with cold -Susan is also "under the weather". Get up at 9 and go to Benton on the 9.30 bus. Very quiet at school. Christine, MM, and Dave turn up after lunch. Quite nervous at the thought of going to Christine Hobson's for tea - I loathe having to meet complete strangers whose sole intention is to 'eye you up' and see whether you come up to the standard required for the courtship of their female relation.

Sit and "flirt" with Fat Irene until 4.05. Get the 4.15 55 bus. Arrive at Christine H's at 4.30. Little Karen is playing in the sandpit on the drive. June comes to the door and is surprised to see me so early. Sit with a cup of tea until 5.40. June is very nervous. Play with baby Karen building lego models - such a sweet, good natured child. John H arrives at 5.30. Over dinner John discusses holidays - he thinks Italy is somewhat 'dirtier' than Spain and France. His generalisation astounds me. Clearly he's a geographer of note. Sit with them until 7.30. Karen asks me: "Are you Auntie June's friend?"

Having no money we walk round Guiseley - a beautiful evening. We walk until 11. I take her back home.

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Tuesday June 26, 1973

Aaaarrghh!! I can't stand it! TENNIS is back at Wimbledon! Another fortnight of boredom, misery and petty nonsensical sport. A good cartoon in the Daily Mail this morning. A baby is throwing a screaming tantrum on the beach, mother turns to father and says: "I'm sure he'll be a tennis star when he grows up, because he's such a horrible little boy."

The weather is really terrible once again. But humid and uncomfortably warm. Stay in bed until 10.30. Mother is still unwell. Clear up the breakfast things and so the housework for her. Have a bath at 11.45 and make a bit of lunch - Mother waits to have hers with Father. She gets up at 1.30. I walk down the lane and catch a bus to Rawdon at 2.30. Drop in at school. Christine is bored to death. I go to the library and come back to school at 4 and see Groves about a special police grant. He's very helpful. Sit with Christine, Andy Graham and Irene until 4.30. See Mrs Capstan-Fullstrength. Walk down for the bus home in pouring rain - Christine has her raincoat on her head. Get the 4.45 55 bus. Home for dinner. And yes, tennis on the tv. Come upstairs in disgust. I'm too bored for words. Never did I think I would be wishing Sue and Toffer a hasty return - but I need the money and the work will occupy my time. Roll on Friday.
But at the same time I miss the idea of going out on Friday and Saturday evenings - hate to think that everyone is enjoying life whilst I slave over a hot sink. See tv and read until bed.


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Wednesday February 14, 1973

St Valentine's Day. Awoke at 7.45. The lane looked like something pictured on a Christmas card. Perfectly picturesque. Nothing looks nicer than a beautiful snow scene. Waiting for me downstairs was the Valentine's card from June - I recognised the writing on the envelope.
A pleasant walk to the bus stop through crisp snow. Got to school at 9. Chris had not forgotten Louise's card after all - he had spent 75p on one. June arrived at 9.30. My card to her had not been delivered. She looked awfully upset. I had to explain that it would probably be a late delivery. She cheered up. At 10 Chris and I went for an interview with Mr Gaunt - he arranged for two interviews at Lewis's and Debenham's for a week on Saturday.
At lunchtime Pee Wee, Willy, June, Janet and myself went for a play in the snow - it was fantastic but very cold. June sure is a good shot with a snowball, and Janet Roots is a devil, she got everywhere and resembled a snowman.
Louise, Chid, Irene and myself had a discussion on religion during the afternoon. Chid said our sole purpose in life is to reproduce. He would say that. He added that we humans are only well educated animals. Louise and I, Christians, got really narked. Irene abstained.
At 4.15 Michael Stott, Janet, Linda, June and I went out into the snow once again. What a laugh. It's been a really wonderful day. June, the weather, everything! Since last month things have become much more enjoyable. I feel a poem coming on:

When all the world is young, lad
And all the trees are green
with every goose a swan, lad
And every lass a Queen
Then hey for boot and horse, lad
Around the world away
Young blood must have its course, lad
and every dog his day

Quiet evening at home. Bath. Bed at 11.20. June and I are going to the Emmotts tomorrow. Linda might be dropping out leaving us alone. It's probably part of the Bottomley/West scheme. Of course I will need to borrow the usual £1 until Saturday night again - no difficulties with this at all now. I am much too tired to write any more. I have outlined the day thoroughly enough.
Good night all!

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Monday February 12, 1973

The filthiest day of the year. Awoke at 7.50 leaving for school on the 8.33 bus. I had to walk down the lane which is open to God's elements. I arrived at the bus stop having experienced them all. I was soaked to the very skin. Arrived at school at 8.55. We received another lecture from Groves concerning the legitimate case of IOUs in the common-room servery. Evidently, Irene is tightening up following her coup d'etat last week. June arrived at 9.35 and we discussed yesterdays events. What had happened to Ivy missing from the Emmotts last night? June suspects she is dead. The weather was a contrast of rain, snow, sun, hail, frost, and driving wind - my optimistic view of a possible mild winter may be proved to be quite wrong after all. June has changed since Friday. She's much more serious and the way she looks at me is different. Her eyes devour me altogether. I feel so inadequate and immature. But I have a lot to be happy for.
Princess Anne is now reported to be aboard a battleship on the Black Sea, the guest of a fat, bombastic Commie! God, what will Heath do next to get on the right side of the Reds? He'll be packing the poor Queen off to Moscow next! The poor princess is having to converse with one of the pigs who killed in cold blood the Tsar in 1917, and his innocent wife and children, who were the cousins of our very own Mountbatten family - the Tsarina being a great-aunt of the Duke of Edinburgh. Just because President Nixon of the USA and the so called ex-earl Sir Alec Douglas-Home, MP, can go off making amiable noises in Peking I see no earthly reason why an innocent young princess should be placed up the creek with a fat commie saying nice things to HRH when everyone knows he doesn't mean it! Obviously, our dear Press are full of things about improvements in Anglo-Russian affairs - how positively naive!
June and I walked just the two of us down to the bus stop again. All we seem to do is walk backwards and forwards to ruddy bus stops - and they always come when you least want them to (the buses).
A quiet evening at home. John and I listening to the Diana Ross LP. Retired at 10.45 to bed. Mum and Dad are finally going out with the Smiths on Thursday. Also on Thursday Susan is throwing a rave-up for some of her contemporaries - it is usually my night out, but in the name of romance I would rather go out on Wednesday (Valentine's Day). I will ask June tomorrow.

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Friday February 9, 1973

Awoke at 7.30. The weather has taken a turn for the better and the dullness of yesterday is gone. The sun came out, filtering through the clouds at 8 o'clock. Caught the 8.30 bus to school. I was witness at 9 to a truly remarkable incident. Groves walked into the common room where Irene and Margaret Edwards were having a quiet game of snooker and he said to Irene: "sorry, but that was the last shot". He then confiscated the cues. We reactionaries began applauding this worthy action by Groves - however the majority of students were narked. At 9.30 he was back in the common room lecturing us on the vices and general bad behaviour of the 6th form - very appropriately it began to snow. In the third lesson we re-arranged the study booths creating an atmosphere of work about the place. It was rather successful. At lunchtime I sat in the new study area with June. Cowie was also there working busily. Dave and I went once again to the chippie. I am determined that someone else should go next Wednesday. I think it's about time that Chid had a turn, the lazy sod. At 2pm Groves and I went down to Guiseley to collect the OAPs for Christine's little rave-up in the Further Education block. The first we picked up lived in great splendour on Tranmere Park. Groves was fuming and was embarrassed by his filthy car. We then collected a further two from St Oswald's Terrace. I helped an old lady down the garden path and into the car. Bloody hell, he had no room for me in the car and so Groves told me to walk in the direction of Rawdon and that he would pick me up after taking the old folk to school.
I walked all the way back to Benton Park in 25 minutes. Groves was frantic with apologies saying that I would probably hold a grudge against him forever. I did Biology until 4.
June and I walked down to the traffic lights at 4.35. My bus passed me on the way down. June said she would wait with me until the next one came along - 30 minutes later. Her buses run every ten minutes. We agreed to meet at the Emmotts at 8 on Sunday. I hated the moment when my bus arrived. I waved at her from the rear window until I turnedf the corner at Benton Park.
After tea Dad and Mum gave me a lift down to the Chuck Wagon. Lynn and Susan were spending the night at the Saxton residence on Silverdale, and John was watching the telly at home. It was very quiet until 10.30 when the place suddenly filled up with all the drunks from the White Cross pub over the road. Sue (Riley) retired as usual at 11.30 with a book and a couple of beers. Toffer and I sat around until 1am. I arrived home at 1.30. Everyone was in bed. My supper consisted of two boiled eggs and toast. I came to bed at 2am.
Tomorrow will most likely be another busy night at the Chuck Wagon, but what is even worse, Pauline - or "The Mouth" -will be there. I can hardly wait for Sunday. Two whole days without seeing June is unbearable. The thought of going to college in September is too horrid for words.
June and I keep kidding each other about Peter Hurst and Janet Roots. But we grow more and more to like each other every day. Besides, old Ivy would be most upset if she did not see us a couple of times a week...

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Thursday February 8, 1973

Got up at 7.50. Caught the 8.33 bus to school. Had such a laugh with Christine and Irene. June came at 9.20. Chris and Louise were having one of their usual tiffs. Sadly, I hear from Linda that she only wants to go out with Cowie as a friend and did not want to become involved with him, or indeed with anyone. Did History until lunchtime. I went down to the shops alone at 12.30, bringing Christine her sandwiches. Dave didn't arrive until 1.30. He'd been to Leeds for his medical for entry into college. He also took his urine sample. I have been joking with him about the size of the bottle to use for weeks. He refused my offer of a large lemondale bottle. Generally a depressing day. The rainy weather and damp atmosphere has only added to everyones misery. Cowie had a face like a wet weekend - hardly surprising really. Chris and Louise are coming into school tonight in order to act as ushers for parents nights when mums and dads from all over Aireborough to find out how "little Tommy" is coping with his mathematics, etc, etc. Chris and Louise are then going up to the Emmotts where June, Cowie and Linda are heading at 8. Arrived home from school at 5.10 - June and I walked down to the bus stop alone in pouring rain. She waited with me until the dreaded number 55 bus came. She is sure the best girl in the whole wide world. Had tea at 5.30 and then caught the 7.33 bus back to Rawdon. June and Linda were already in the seat in the bay window with dear old Ivy Fitton. Cowie came in minutes later and bought me a pint of keg. In the next 2 hours I had 3 whiskies. June and I were sitting next to each other and Ivy kept giving me the get stuck in" nod. Chris, Lousie, Andy Graham and Andy Flesher came in at 9.30 - we all had a cosy hour. Peter Hurst caused a sensation by coming in and then rushing out, only to come belting back in again and leave by the back door! The evening ended on a sad note for Cowie and Linda. At the bus stop Linda finally told C that she would rather be his friend as opposed to girlfriend in the strictest sense of the word. She had a good cry. When June and I tried to investigate L banged her brolly on the bus stop window and screamed at us to go away. J and I ran back to my bus stop where we sat (very romantically) until J's bus came at 11.15. Mine arrived at 11.20. On arriving home I found Uncle Harry cavorting in the kitchen with Mum and Dad. They had fish and chips. I devoured a fish sandwich. Uncle H is so pathetic. I haven't seen him sober since 1971 - he seems happy enough however. He is easily upset by things which bring back nostalgic memories, i.e. the record "Ruby Don't Take Your Love to Town" and things like Mum's home-made bread. We all sat listening to my records until 1.30. Uncle H then bedded down on the camp bed in the lounge. I retired to my cosy, yet unmade divan. John was snoring loudly. --==--