Friday July 28, 1978

Up at 6 o'clock in the bloody morning to wave goodbye to John and Alison. My alarm clock has opened up a whole new world for me and my first view of a sunrise was one I will never forget.

John and Alison shot off to Itchen Abbas and they'll be back in September for the first nuptials of this happy little foursome.

I met Jacq at 8:30 and Dave L picked us up in the car from here {Pine Tops}. We went to the Bod at Bradford and the three of us thoroughly enjoyed it. My first visit to the place this year.

David laughs at Jacq saying she sounds like the bird in the Campari advertisement where a suave young man clad in a white dinner jacket asks: "Were you truly wafted here from paradise?" to which she replies in a broad cockney accent: "Nah, from Luton airport."

Back home at about 11:30. Jacq and I sat about singing hymns until we fell asleep in each others arms. How romantic and delightful.

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Thursday July 27, 1978

A Jim and Margaret Nason night. But first I have a piece of historic news to let you all in on.

I left the YP at my usual hour and Dave picked me up half way up Hawksworth Lane. John Pinder was also with Dave ~ they'd been to Rochdale or Doncaster or somewhere on a job. John P was his usual cheerful self. At home Alison and the family were having a glass of wine. It was obvious that something was afoot. Alison had a glint in her eye. John announced: "we're getting married on October 28". John has a house with his new job at Oxford, and it's given them the impetus to take the plunge. Lynn and Sue are to be bridesmaids and all the family are invited to the wedding.

So when Jim and Margaret arrived we had something to celebrate. It was far from riotous and we ended up playing 20 questions. Poor John P looked bored silly. He was under the impression we were going out for a drink.

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Wednesday July 26, 1978

Moon's last quarter 23:31

To Lawn Road with Papa for a {wall}paper hanging session. Graham (Airey) was buidling the fireplace in the lounge. It strongly resembles Reginald Dixon's organ in the Tower Ballroom at Blackpool, but it is very attractive and original all the same.

Back home Lynn and Dave are awaiting John (Pinder) and Alison's arrival but by 12 o'clock I was too exhausted to join them in the vigil.

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Tuesday July 25, 1978

St James

John called up tonight with an advert for the MG that he wants me to stick in the Evening Post. It is Maria's birthday tomorrow. Mum produced a card and a present for her. Sue and Lynn also sent offerings. I limited myself to a tiny, yet hilarious card with one of my odes inside. Andrew Marvell isn't half as marvellous as me.

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Monday July 24, 1978

The YP landed on me with a resounding crash. The whole thing is simply too horrific to discuss. Well, it was like this. I was minding my own business in the fashion that I usually mind my own business in, and quite by chance I found myself on Wellington Street, a grubby, protrusion smelling of alcohol, abutting the famous City Square. Then it happened. Yes, a large, grey, slime~covered building leapt out in my path and before I could struggle or make a dash for it I had been totally devoured. It was the Yorkshire Post.





Ode to the Yorkshire Post

I believe you are a newspaper,
Keith's Mum seems to think so anyway,

Myself I prefer the Daily Mail,
I don't know why.

E. Jarvis Thribb.

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Sunday July 23, 1978

9th after Trinity

Rain. Went to Leeds at 11:30 and met Jacq at the Y.W.C.A. We walked to Whitelocks and waited for Cheryl and Steve, the bloke who gave her a lift up to Leeds.

Just Jacq and I having a quiet drink until they rolled in at about 1pm. We had an hour there and then came home here where I gave them a few drinks. Mum was acting strangely and sat moping in the dining room.

Cheryl drank Cinzano. She wasn't as amusing as on previous occasions. She and Steve only see each other on Sundays. They left at about 3:30 and Jacq followed after tea. I feel listless.

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Saturday July 22, 1978

Sun rises 05:09 Sun sets 21:04

Jacq went off to Dacre, Son & Hartley at 8:30. I loathe being at home. "My Heart Belongs to Ibiza, Dear Old Ibiza Town" is the refrain, &c.

Mum, Dad, Lynn, Sue, Pete and Dave went out at 8 with the Nasons to to the Riversdale at Burley-in-Wharfedale to celebrate Sue's 19th.

At 8:30 Jacq came up with Cheryl who is staying at the Dragonara in Leeds for the weekend. We had a few drinks and they made me listen to Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side of the Moon' and a Wishbone Ash LP.

At 9 I phoned Chippy at the Shoulder of Mutton pretending to be Eamon Andrews. It went down very well. The three of us went down to the Shoulder for a couple of hours. Chippy fancied his chances with Cheryl. Not a chance. She phoned for a taxi and she and Jacq went off to Leeds. Chippy was furious. He came back home with me and had a few beers and when Pete got back from the Riversdale he drove the lad home.

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