Thursday March 19, 1987

 Moorhouse Inn, Leeds LS11 5NQ

Clemmie.

Clemmie has cut her first tooth. Ally thought she could feel it yesterday and today I felt the tiny thing whilst giving her luncheon. [Milupa 'Spring veg']. How they grow up. Thank God her eyes are bright blue. I am sure that one day she will be stunning and hopefully break a lot of hearts. But not mine. Tired. We run this vast bulwark with next to no staff hours.

Four members of the Royal family are to take part in a televised "It's a Knock Out" tournament for charity on June 15. The day of royal fun and games at Alton Towers leisure park Staffordshire was dreamed up by Prince Edward who has persuaded Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of York to captain international teams of personalities from the world of showbusiness and sport.

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Wednesday March 18, 1987

 Moorhouse Inn, Leeds LS11 5NQ

Cheltenham Races. I do not usually talk about sport or enthuse in any way which is a pity. Joe House came in, almost suicidal, because a female jockey had won a race at Cheltenham. "Women cannot be jockeys", he scowled through his red hamster cheeks. Women cannot be, a]. Bishops, b]. Priests, c]. Jockeys, d]. Bus drivers, e]. elephant trainers. Leslie Gledhill came in very grumpy and down. He is going on holiday next week and cannot wait. The brewery has just appointed another woman area manager. He went away looking low. Things so easily get him down. Janette phoned for news of any scandal from Tony's party. John heard from Peter M that we had been ejected at 3am and that Christopher had slammed the door and left in disgust. Dear me. I must have over done things. Just Ally and I worked tonight. Terry did a quiz.

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Tuesday March 17, 1987

 Moorhouse Inn, Leeds LS11 5NQ

St Patrick

Up at 7:50 very hungover to find Bev waiting for her lift to Roundhay. I went down in my old battered dressing gown to phone a taxi but Bev insisted on going by bus. She is a saint. Ally suggests we buy her some pesetas. [She goes to Ibiza, 6/4/87]. This is a good idea because she always declines offers of cash from me. Awful day. I am constantly reminded by Ally of my naughty antics. Sliding down banisters and groping _______. I am always very predictable, consistent, call it what you will. On Tony's 30th I had the same impact. Mr Lawson's Budget. No beer up. No cig price increase, &c. An election on June 11? We'll see.

Helen Lightbody, who has died aged 79, was the redoubtable nanny of the Prince of Wales until her retirement from royal service in 1956. A strapping Scotswoman with a broad, open countenance and beetle eyebrows, Helen Lightbody was a spinster, but in accordance with custom was accorded the courtesy title of 'Mrs'.

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