Monday March 10, 1986

 Moorhouse Inn, Leeds LS11 5NQ

I was startled at 11pm GMT to receive a call from Janette who announced that she and John are to marry without pomp at Bradford Register Office on September 6, 1986, with Ally and I as the principal witnesses. Dumbfounded. I asked if John was aware of this decision and she gave one of her withering sighs. John phoned Dad last night, she says, to make it all official. The proposal took place on Saturday night after they dined with the Bakers, and Janette says she was completely taken aback. Janette wants a reception here for about 40 people, but we don't know how it will be possible. Our baby will be six weeks old. John needs a copy of his birth certificate and asks if I can find one for him. They have decided that Maria must have destroyed the original. I phoned Leeds Register Office and they asked me to forward a £5 postal order. We'd like to see John first before we are entirely satisfied that things are going to go ahead.

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Sunday March 9, 1986

 Moorhouse Inn, Leeds LS11 5NQ

Mothering Sunday. Felt low. A wet and cold day. To Guiseley at 10. Me at the wheel. Took pots of primroses and crocuses to Mum's grave. Very muddy, but we left it looking pretty. Samuel said: "Bye bye, Granny", when we left. To Lynn's for a sherry. John & Janette dined with them last night for David's birthday. We were in the dark about this and feel a little let down. We gave Dave a marble cheese board. Back here at 12 feeling atrociously grumpy. 

At 3 we went to (Auntie) Mabel's. She was with Connie and looked podgy. Samuel in his velvet suit and bow tie became quite paranoid about the snake-like draught excluder at her door and he paraded around the tiny flat saying "don't like it", and yet he couldn't put it down. Mabel told me that Mum's cousin Elsie Basham  died aged 68 at the end of last month (daughter of my great-aunt Harriet Basham, née Wilson). Elsie was renowned for attending every family funeral, no matter how distant or remote was the family member. Uncle Albert used to say that the elbows of her black overcoat were always covered in the grease from the numerous boiled ham funeral teas. Elsie has an only son, Peter Hawkridge (?) who is about 38 or 39. A huge tea. Chicken salad, &c. Mabel was very complementary about Ally saying how much she admired how she can run a public house and be a mother. I said that I am of the very same opinion. Samuel followed Mabel into her kitchen and called her 'granny'. He is a very good little boy and Mabel loves him.

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Saturday March 8, 1986

 Moorhouse Inn, Leeds, LS11 5NQ

David B is 30. I am no longer the only one of the family at this revered, august age. I have been terribly lazy of late and this journal is suffering. 

Up at 7 when Samuel came skipping in. He is sweet and talkative but with a hideous, running, green nose. We endured Postman Pat before breakfast and then went over to Bradford at 9 with me at the wheel. Steve O'Connor's been doing some 'pointing'. Saw poor old Jack O'Brien in his garden and we expressed our condolences. Words are quite meaningless at such times. Poor Mary (Moore) is on sticks after six weeks in hospital and looks shocking. We measured up Sam's bedroom for festoon blinds. Sometimes I think that Ally thinks I am the Duke of Westminster. Back to Leeds for 11. Ally called upon her doctor for a prescription. _________. Samuel urinated in the car park. 

A fresh spring-like day. Bev Pirie came in with Audrey. Uncomfortable. Ally ironing. 12:30 saw the arrival of John, Janette and Charlotte Nora. We sat upstairs with drinks and I nursed the baby who is a replica of Catherine at the same age. JPH now has four sisters. Maria gave birth to another daughter recently. She's called Heather. John came down to the bar with me and I thought he might mention the possibility of a forthcoming wedding, but he didn't. They left at 3. Baby is beautiful.

Tonight: Margaret came in for a drink ________. Later, watched the film 'Poor Cow'.

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