Monday December 15, 1980

_. Jim R took me to Leeds with the ever increasingly silent Jennie. He gave me a paperback copy of the Diary of James Woodforde, covering a forty year period 1758-1802. Fascinating. In 2155 will this, my journal, be in print perhaps?

A day of breathless excitement. The Guardian carried a front page piece claiming that the Prince of Wales, fresh back from the Himalayas, is about to announce his engagement to Lady Diana Spencer. Derek Foster, the YP News editor, latches onto this, and prepares the way for the YP to follow on. Derek Foster,  a quiet and careful man doesn't do something on a groundless or flimsy base. The Guardian article actually said that the Queen wants to announce the forthcoming nuptials in her Christmas broadcast, but has been advised against this course because no newspapers are published until Dec 27. No. A Christmas announcement doesn't ring true. Big announcements are never made over Yuletide. All afternoon we await a royal announcement, but at 6 I left the office disappointed. 

Spoke to Ally several times. I might be going to Winchester for the New Year. I don't think Mother will like this.

Watched 'Not the Nine O'clock News', which was poor. Bed with Parson Woodforde and Thomas Hardy at 11:45pm.

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Sunday December 14, 1980

_. 3rd Sunday in Advent

Uncle Tony is 45. Slept in the upper sitting room with Dave. Ally woke us at 12:15. Panic. We should have met the lads in the Nelson pub at noon. Frantic dressing. Drove into Stockport and met Billy Garry, Steve and John [the latter is due to become a father on Dec 31]. From the Nelson to the Robin Hood at 1pm. Unfortunately on this occasion the nature of our politics was not asked for and neither were we invited to remain after hours for a 'bona fide' session.

At 3 we had lunch at the Hollywood [the usual leg of lamb] and left at 4:30 returning to Bradford via Ally's old home at Grasscroft, near Dobcross. Home for 7 in time to observe 2 minutes silence for John Lennon. Even the Archbishop of Canterbury stood for a 'lone vigil' taking it a bit too far. 

One drink at the Drop, fish and chips from Westfield Fisheries, home at 9 to decorate the Christmas tree with Mum and Dad. They were drinking rum and orange celebrating the anniversary of their engagement [December 12, 1953]. Ally and I watched a film until 1, giggling like third formers. The room so fresh smelling of pine. Good old Prince Albert.

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Saturday December 13, 1980

_. Mum and Dad still feeling poorly today. At 11 Ally and I set out to Pudsey to pay a call on the other party-goers so brutally struck down. At Waterloo only Tim and Steve were in, and both were sick yesterday. The word diarrhoea was mentioned. After depositing our Christmas cards we left the house of misery and sought out Auntie Mabel at St Lawrence Close. She has shown no signs of food poisoning, and said that _____ made himself ill by the shear quantity he consumed. After a few minutes we left leaving her with Mark and Debbie.

On to Stockport at 1:30. A rogue rodent is causing havoc at the Hollywood Hotel and Dave has bought a kitten [and I name her Sybil]. Ally took an immediate liking to the creature which is odd because she generally loathes cats. Out at 7 to the Steak Kebabs restaurant in Didsbury. I ate an enormous T-bone [again], then we went on to to the Robin Hood until 1:15. The landlord had a 'lock in' after hours. At closing time he asked: 'Do you vote Labour?' When I responded: 'Of course we do' he allowed us to remain. Ally was on brilliant form showing Garry how to throw darts properly. Back to the Hollywood at 1:30. Ally played with Sybil, who clicked her dress. To bed with milky coffee.

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