Sue is pregnant! (Not my sister of course, but Sue of CW fame!) I said on Tuesday that I'd go down today and find her knitting. She can hardly believe it. The little bundle of joy is due on Christmas Eve - what a fabulous little Christmas present that will be!
Got to school at 8.30. Cowie and Ulrich are flat out with hangovers. I feel fine. Christine arrives 10 minutes later. They go off to York at 9.30 - another pub crawl - poor devils!
June and I go to the park at lunchtime. A beautiful sunny day. She says that she will never marry me - but not talking seriously. When I say that I'll have to marry her twin instead she changes her tune and says she'll have to marry me because she couldn't tolerate me as a brother-in-law.
Louise and I do Biology in the afternoon. Reproduction in plants! We laugh at the thought of geraniums copulating in a sweaty heap on the greenhouse floor!
Arrive home at 5.10 after waiting with June at the bus stop. We are meeting on Sunday at the local.
Got to CW at 7.30 - Sue is knitting! I immediately understand what this means - call Toffer "Dad" all night. They are both overjoyed. Home at 12.30 after a quiet evening.
--==--
Showing posts with label 1973. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1973. Show all posts
20090416
Thursday May 17, 1973
What a day! Got up late and get to school at 9.30. Do Lord Liverpool and Liberal Toryism until 11.45. June and I sit together until nearly 12.30.
Christine tells Dave and me that the Germans and the usual mob are going on a pub crawl round Horsforth tonight. How can I refuse such an invitation! However, June says she doesn't want to go. I feel terrible. But the dear Darling insists that I go alone. Alone, and without June with me for the first time in about 3 and a half months! A final fling before the 'A' levels as it were (or at least one of the last!)
John and I go to Dave's at 7.30. Cowie and his German penfriend Ulrich arrive later. Dave takes us up to the Fleece at Horsforth. Christine, Philip, Phil, Willie, Dietrich, Dale, Wolfgang, Helga, and Dave, Cowie, Ulrich and myself spent 2 and a half hours going round the pubs in Horsforth Town Street. I was 'pissed up to the armpits'. Too hysterical for words. Christine's Philip is great fun.
We decide to move on the the Intercon at Ilkley. Dave has to make two trips. A great night. Sober up at about 12.30. Every time the music breaks we shout "Rod Stewart" - the disc jockey laughs. He plays 'Cindy Incidentally' and 'Maggie' about 10 times. Dale is sloshed. Christine and Philip are a great couple. Finish at 2 o'clock.
Dave takes everyone home in the 1st trip except John, Phil and myself. We walk for four miles until almost 3am. Dave didn't half look hilarious driving off over Ilkley Moor with seven in the back seat. Have you ever heard a car full of Germans singing 'God Save the Queen', 'Four and Twenty Virgins' and 'On Ilkla Moor Bah't at'? Home after 3. Mum not pleased.
--==--
Christine tells Dave and me that the Germans and the usual mob are going on a pub crawl round Horsforth tonight. How can I refuse such an invitation! However, June says she doesn't want to go. I feel terrible. But the dear Darling insists that I go alone. Alone, and without June with me for the first time in about 3 and a half months! A final fling before the 'A' levels as it were (or at least one of the last!)
John and I go to Dave's at 7.30. Cowie and his German penfriend Ulrich arrive later. Dave takes us up to the Fleece at Horsforth. Christine, Philip, Phil, Willie, Dietrich, Dale, Wolfgang, Helga, and Dave, Cowie, Ulrich and myself spent 2 and a half hours going round the pubs in Horsforth Town Street. I was 'pissed up to the armpits'. Too hysterical for words. Christine's Philip is great fun.
We decide to move on the the Intercon at Ilkley. Dave has to make two trips. A great night. Sober up at about 12.30. Every time the music breaks we shout "Rod Stewart" - the disc jockey laughs. He plays 'Cindy Incidentally' and 'Maggie' about 10 times. Dale is sloshed. Christine and Philip are a great couple. Finish at 2 o'clock.
Dave takes everyone home in the 1st trip except John, Phil and myself. We walk for four miles until almost 3am. Dave didn't half look hilarious driving off over Ilkley Moor with seven in the back seat. Have you ever heard a car full of Germans singing 'God Save the Queen', 'Four and Twenty Virgins' and 'On Ilkla Moor Bah't at'? Home after 3. Mum not pleased.
--==--
Wednesday May 16, 1973
In the post we receive a wedding invitation for cousin Brian's wedding to Valerie Hutchinson on July 7, 1973. Weddings are always fantastic affairs. When cousin Derek married Jennifer last September, Dad and Auntie Eleanor caused a hysterical sensation by dancing Spanish dances in Auntie E's lounge after the reception. Uncle Jack nearly died laughing. I will of course have to get the day off work - Sue won't really like it.
Spend the day with Lord Liverpool again quite interesting really. Have the usual liaison with dearest June at the bus stop from 4.30 to 4.50. Kiss goodbye. Come home and watch 'Coronation Street' and do Queen Victoria and Lord Liverpool revision. Come to bed at 10.35.
Oh God! Hear on the news that the Queen has asked to go to Northern Ireland more regularly, along with other members of the family. Mr Willie Hamilton, MP (Lab, Fife) will be pleased. I forsee a massive depletion in the descendants of George V. God Save the Queen!
--==--
Spend the day with Lord Liverpool again quite interesting really. Have the usual liaison with dearest June at the bus stop from 4.30 to 4.50. Kiss goodbye. Come home and watch 'Coronation Street' and do Queen Victoria and Lord Liverpool revision. Come to bed at 10.35.
Oh God! Hear on the news that the Queen has asked to go to Northern Ireland more regularly, along with other members of the family. Mr Willie Hamilton, MP (Lab, Fife) will be pleased. I forsee a massive depletion in the descendants of George V. God Save the Queen!
--==--
Monday May 14, 1973
Having a lazy day and do not intend writing anything. School was boring; June was delightful; weather excellent; food average, etc. Sorry if I've disappointed you.
M.R.
M.R.
Sunday May 13, 1973
3rd after Easter. Another stay at home Sunday. June wants me to revise, which I do. See a good old film on the television: 'Kind Hearts and Coronets'. A real good laugh.
Dave rings at 6 but I say I am not going out - he didn't particularly want to go out either. Had a bath in the afternoon and relaxed with 'Queen Victoria' until about 8.
I must go to Bradford Library next week. I have books out which were due back on April 21. I will probably be bankrupt after paying the fine. Go to bed at about 11. Goodnight all.
--==--
Dave rings at 6 but I say I am not going out - he didn't particularly want to go out either. Had a bath in the afternoon and relaxed with 'Queen Victoria' until about 8.
I must go to Bradford Library next week. I have books out which were due back on April 21. I will probably be bankrupt after paying the fine. Go to bed at about 11. Goodnight all.
--==--
20090415
Friday May 11, 1973
Got up at 6.20. The start of a really wonderful day. The sun was shining in a clear blue sky and the birds were singing merrily in the newly-full-leafed trees. Dress and run down the lane to catch the 7 o'clock 55 bus. Arrive at school at 7.25. Sit on the bus-park wall and wait for the economists and other hangers-on all going to Washington New Town, County Durham, today.
By 7.45 Louise, Christine, MM, and I are on the back seat of a rotten old coach. Dave arrived and joined us 5 minutes later. What a hysterical laugh it was on the journey there. After a few minutes on the road Christine decided she wanted a coffee and scalded everyone by pouring it out going down Pool Bank - where the road is very unmanageable. What a mess we were all in. We sang songs and played games - 'join the dots' etc. Our only stop was at a Forte's cafe where MM spotted a really pornographic magazine being displayed for all to see, next to a copy of Vogue, with Princess Anne on the cover. MM persuaded, or I should say 'dared' me, to buy the porn mag. I did, but he paid for it! What a laugh we had with it on the way home.
Washington was a really hateful place. The architect should really be strung up by his ankles. What a tip! And that's all I intend saying about the place. We set off back at about 3.30. Going home was even more fun than the journey going. In order to clean up the mess of any future 'coffee' incidents with Christine, MM and I stole a couple of toilet rolls from a public convenience and hid them behind the back seat - we certainly needed them!
Back in Rawdon by 5.30. Home at 6.20. Dave picked John and I up at 7.40. Spent an hour at the Emmotts where June, Sue B and MM arrived. June thought the porn mag was "terrible" - I have to agree with her to keep the peace. From the Emmotts we moved on to the Fleece at Horsforth. MM left us at 10 and we set off for the Elma at Shipley - where we were refused entry because it was a members only do.
We went on to the disco 'Caroline's' at Kirkstall. Before entry can be made you need a tie. John did not have one, so we used Dave's yellow handkerchief and a safety pin from Sue B's trousers, and pinned it to his shirt. June was hilarious. We got into the club at 11 o'clock. Remained until 2.05 am. The lights, music, drinks and atmosphere make it a wonderful place. Dave felt ill at midnight and he sat down in a dark corner. June and I danced some romantic steps and good old Dave managed to get John to dance with Sue. Dave brought the girls home at 2.15, nearly falling asleep at the wheel. John and I were home by 2.30. After he'd left I suddenly realised the porn mag was on the back seat of Dave's Dads car. The horror of it all! Mum was growing worried about the whereabouts of John and I. Straight to bed.
--==--
By 7.45 Louise, Christine, MM, and I are on the back seat of a rotten old coach. Dave arrived and joined us 5 minutes later. What a hysterical laugh it was on the journey there. After a few minutes on the road Christine decided she wanted a coffee and scalded everyone by pouring it out going down Pool Bank - where the road is very unmanageable. What a mess we were all in. We sang songs and played games - 'join the dots' etc. Our only stop was at a Forte's cafe where MM spotted a really pornographic magazine being displayed for all to see, next to a copy of Vogue, with Princess Anne on the cover. MM persuaded, or I should say 'dared' me, to buy the porn mag. I did, but he paid for it! What a laugh we had with it on the way home.
Washington was a really hateful place. The architect should really be strung up by his ankles. What a tip! And that's all I intend saying about the place. We set off back at about 3.30. Going home was even more fun than the journey going. In order to clean up the mess of any future 'coffee' incidents with Christine, MM and I stole a couple of toilet rolls from a public convenience and hid them behind the back seat - we certainly needed them!
Back in Rawdon by 5.30. Home at 6.20. Dave picked John and I up at 7.40. Spent an hour at the Emmotts where June, Sue B and MM arrived. June thought the porn mag was "terrible" - I have to agree with her to keep the peace. From the Emmotts we moved on to the Fleece at Horsforth. MM left us at 10 and we set off for the Elma at Shipley - where we were refused entry because it was a members only do.
We went on to the disco 'Caroline's' at Kirkstall. Before entry can be made you need a tie. John did not have one, so we used Dave's yellow handkerchief and a safety pin from Sue B's trousers, and pinned it to his shirt. June was hilarious. We got into the club at 11 o'clock. Remained until 2.05 am. The lights, music, drinks and atmosphere make it a wonderful place. Dave felt ill at midnight and he sat down in a dark corner. June and I danced some romantic steps and good old Dave managed to get John to dance with Sue. Dave brought the girls home at 2.15, nearly falling asleep at the wheel. John and I were home by 2.30. After he'd left I suddenly realised the porn mag was on the back seat of Dave's Dads car. The horror of it all! Mum was growing worried about the whereabouts of John and I. Straight to bed.
--==--
Thursday May 10, 1973
No school today. A very windy day. Do a 'Bank of England' essay - but scrap it after a couple of minutes.
Go to vote in the afternoon. Vote for Philip Cartwright's Dad - a Tory - then for another Tory and a nice little Liberal. It is the first time ever that the electorate have had more than one vote on a polling day. A silly man on the tv says that those who perm their votes, which I did, are idiots. What the Dickens is wrong with feeling sorry for one pathetic little Liberal? Anyway, in a few years time it will be nice to see the ex-Lady Harewood in Number 10. I hope it won't be an embarrassment for the Queen having the ex-wife of her cousin as wife of the PM.
Spend the evening at home. Go to bed at about 11.30.
--==--
Go to vote in the afternoon. Vote for Philip Cartwright's Dad - a Tory - then for another Tory and a nice little Liberal. It is the first time ever that the electorate have had more than one vote on a polling day. A silly man on the tv says that those who perm their votes, which I did, are idiots. What the Dickens is wrong with feeling sorry for one pathetic little Liberal? Anyway, in a few years time it will be nice to see the ex-Lady Harewood in Number 10. I hope it won't be an embarrassment for the Queen having the ex-wife of her cousin as wife of the PM.
Spend the evening at home. Go to bed at about 11.30.
--==--
Saturday May 5, 1973
John gets up at 6.00 and goes to Wembley with Geoff Saxton. Yes, the day has come. Leeds United are playing Sunderland in the FA Cup Final today. How can Leeds loose? Sunderland, a second division team, have only played at Wembley once before, way back in 1937. Watch the build up to the kick off from 10.30.
Mum and Dad go shopping a buy a few large cans of ale. Bill Stott rings up at 2.15 and asks if he can come round to see the final on our colour tv, which, incidentally, is one year old today. Mum is furious when Dad says yes to him. When he does come he turns up with his father-in-law - both nice blokes really. Kick off at 3. The Duke and Duchess of Kent in the royal box. At half-time Sunderland was winning 1-0. We all seemed to take it for granted that Leeds would snatch two goals in the second half. Full-time: Sunderland wins 1-0. We are all stunned. Poor John, going all that way to see his idols defeated! Geoff Saxton will no doubt commit suicide. Tragedy!
Go to the CW. Sue and Toffer didn't even watch the match. She said I was a baby for saying I "felt sick inside" when contemplating the defeat. Pauline came in at about 7.10. She says she was on Sunderland's side throughout. Later on in the evening she promised to 'rape' me when I had finished doing the washing up. Not a very hectic evening. Toffer brought me home, un-raped, at 1.15 after sitting with some beers for an hour. Working again tomorrow. Fool, Michael. You bloody fool!
--==--
Mum and Dad go shopping a buy a few large cans of ale. Bill Stott rings up at 2.15 and asks if he can come round to see the final on our colour tv, which, incidentally, is one year old today. Mum is furious when Dad says yes to him. When he does come he turns up with his father-in-law - both nice blokes really. Kick off at 3. The Duke and Duchess of Kent in the royal box. At half-time Sunderland was winning 1-0. We all seemed to take it for granted that Leeds would snatch two goals in the second half. Full-time: Sunderland wins 1-0. We are all stunned. Poor John, going all that way to see his idols defeated! Geoff Saxton will no doubt commit suicide. Tragedy!
Go to the CW. Sue and Toffer didn't even watch the match. She said I was a baby for saying I "felt sick inside" when contemplating the defeat. Pauline came in at about 7.10. She says she was on Sunderland's side throughout. Later on in the evening she promised to 'rape' me when I had finished doing the washing up. Not a very hectic evening. Toffer brought me home, un-raped, at 1.15 after sitting with some beers for an hour. Working again tomorrow. Fool, Michael. You bloody fool!
--==--
20090414
Sunday April 22, 1973
Easter Day. Awoke at midday. Watched a rotten film and browsed through the Sunday Express until lunchtime. Really an exquisite lunch. Turkey and a white, medium sweet barsac wine - which I bought from Toffer last night. Mother is certainly an amazing cook.
Later they all went to the lounge and I made the coffee. A rotten film began and so I read the Sunday Express - inside was a good article about the part played by the Queen Mother in the Royal Family over the past 50 years. She truly is a remarkable, lovable, dedicated soul - so natural and unruffled. She knocks Queen Mary into stitches.
Mum and Dad went out at 6.30. Lynn has a new boyfriend - Chris Halliday. She is also going out with Andy Richardson on Friday. Wait till I tell Sue tomorrow. Rang Dave at 7. He picked me and John up at 7.45. Arrived 10 minutes later at the Emmotts. Ivy was in high spirits. June and Sue came shortly afterwards. After half an hour we piled into Dave's car - John and Sue in the back and June on my knee in the front and we went up to our house. Sue was in alone, and we all sat discussing where to go until 9. We decided to go to Shipley - to the Elma nightclub. Sadly on our arrival we were told it was for members only. We then went to Arthington arriving at 9.45 after a cosy ride in the car listening to Radio Luxembourg. Went to to the Wharfedale pub - where we had a couple of drinks - no disco due to it being Easter. What a tip it is! Glad to be back in the car. Took girls to Horsforth arrived at 11 o'clock - June and I kissed goodnight. She is ringing me tomorrow evening. Dave brought us home. Lynn and Sue were entertaining L's boyfriend and his friend, Gary Parry. Dad has previous associations with Gary's "business" type connections. Very embarrassing.
Came to bed at 1 o'clock. Not too tired. We may be all tripping to the Dales on Tuesday. That is if Dave's dad doesn't want the car.
--==--
Later they all went to the lounge and I made the coffee. A rotten film began and so I read the Sunday Express - inside was a good article about the part played by the Queen Mother in the Royal Family over the past 50 years. She truly is a remarkable, lovable, dedicated soul - so natural and unruffled. She knocks Queen Mary into stitches.
Mum and Dad went out at 6.30. Lynn has a new boyfriend - Chris Halliday. She is also going out with Andy Richardson on Friday. Wait till I tell Sue tomorrow. Rang Dave at 7. He picked me and John up at 7.45. Arrived 10 minutes later at the Emmotts. Ivy was in high spirits. June and Sue came shortly afterwards. After half an hour we piled into Dave's car - John and Sue in the back and June on my knee in the front and we went up to our house. Sue was in alone, and we all sat discussing where to go until 9. We decided to go to Shipley - to the Elma nightclub. Sadly on our arrival we were told it was for members only. We then went to Arthington arriving at 9.45 after a cosy ride in the car listening to Radio Luxembourg. Went to to the Wharfedale pub - where we had a couple of drinks - no disco due to it being Easter. What a tip it is! Glad to be back in the car. Took girls to Horsforth arrived at 11 o'clock - June and I kissed goodnight. She is ringing me tomorrow evening. Dave brought us home. Lynn and Sue were entertaining L's boyfriend and his friend, Gary Parry. Dad has previous associations with Gary's "business" type connections. Very embarrassing.
Came to bed at 1 o'clock. Not too tired. We may be all tripping to the Dales on Tuesday. That is if Dave's dad doesn't want the car.
--==--
Saturday April 21, 1973
Her Majesty the Queen is 47 years old today. She is still relatively young when one takes into consideration that she has reigned for 21 years. Her grandfather, George V, reigned for only 25 years but he died at 72. When Her Majesty is 72 she will have been Queen for nearly half a century. Rather disgustingly, the papers have paid hardly any attention to this Royal birthday. And the Daily Mail dedicated 2 precious lines on page 8 to the fact thet HM is now 47. The papers seem to think that the voyage of the QEII to Israel carring loads of rabbis is more important - poor, misguided souls!
I sat with Susan throughout the afternoon and when Mum went to have her hair done we watched Gregory Peck in an ancient film - really quite a weepy. However, yesterday's film "The Song of Bernadette" is still strong in my mind. ___I have neglected God in the past couple of years but have never doubted his existence. To many of my friends God seems beyond their comprehension and frequently come out with statements like "how can you, in the year 1973, believe such superstitious nonsense." I find it difficult to argue the other way, but I know in my own heart that God does exist. I have no proof to doubt it. Why should I?
Work was very busy. We took Pauline home first. Very tired and sleepy. Could sleep for one hundred years. Goodnight.
--==--
I sat with Susan throughout the afternoon and when Mum went to have her hair done we watched Gregory Peck in an ancient film - really quite a weepy. However, yesterday's film "The Song of Bernadette" is still strong in my mind. ___I have neglected God in the past couple of years but have never doubted his existence. To many of my friends God seems beyond their comprehension and frequently come out with statements like "how can you, in the year 1973, believe such superstitious nonsense." I find it difficult to argue the other way, but I know in my own heart that God does exist. I have no proof to doubt it. Why should I?
Work was very busy. We took Pauline home first. Very tired and sleepy. Could sleep for one hundred years. Goodnight.
--==--
20090308
Birth of Mig's Journal
On January 1 1973 I was a 17 year-old living at Pine Tops, 58 Hawksworth Lane, Guiseley. I was a pupil in the 6th form at Benton Park Grammar School, Rawdon. At home I lived with my parents, Lawrence (born in 1934) a police constable based at Guiseley police station; mother Nora (born 1935) who worked as a secretary at Barnes & Winder (trailers?) at White Cross, Guiseley. My siblings are John (born 1956), an apprentice joiner from 1971 with Slater & Padgett, of Yeadon; and 2 sisters, Lynn (born 1958), a schoolgirl; and Susan (born 1959) a schoolgirl.
In 1973 I was , apparently, obsessed with June Bottomley and the 23 year-old Princess Anne and was somewhat over zealous with my usage of the exclamation mark.
Some of the characters appearing in my 1973 journal:
Uncle Harry (1922-94) my father's eccentric brother. Policeman and heavy drinker.
Toffer Riley, aka Christopher Riley, owner of the Chuck Wagon, Guiseley restaurant. Bearded, long hair.
Sue Riley (born 1950) Toffer's wife
Dave Lawson (born 1955) schoolfriend since 1967 who moved to Benton Park with me from Guiseley Secondary School in 1971. Later teacher and market garden proprietor.
Some schoolfriends: Christopher Ratcliffe (born 1955); Christine Braithwaite (born 1956); Louise Harris; Denise Akroyd (born 1956); June Margaret Bottlomley (born 1956); Graham Cowburn (known as Cowie); etc.
This journal begins on January 1, 1973. It was born during a country in crisis. The Heath government was on its last legs. The "Three Day Week" reigned. TV closed down in the evening. The nation was on strike. Power cuts, &c. The idea of writing a diary in a Pepys-like setting next to a burning candle inspired me to take up my pen. I compiled my diary in a page-a-day WH Smith diary. It runs from Jan 1 1973 to somewhere in 1991 and consists of millions of words. Would it be a good idea to publish, in an abridged form to protect the dead, my banal outpourings? Yes. So here goes
Some of the characters appearing in my 1973 journal:
Uncle Harry (1922-94) my father's eccentric brother. Policeman and heavy drinker.
Toffer Riley, aka Christopher Riley, owner of the Chuck Wagon, Guiseley restaurant. Bearded, long hair.
Sue Riley (born 1950) Toffer's wife
Dave Lawson (born 1955) schoolfriend since 1967 who moved to Benton Park with me from Guiseley Secondary School in 1971. Later teacher and market garden proprietor.
Some schoolfriends: Christopher Ratcliffe (born 1955); Christine Braithwaite (born 1956); Louise Harris; Denise Akroyd (born 1956); June Margaret Bottlomley (born 1956); Graham Cowburn (known as Cowie); etc.
This journal begins on January 1, 1973. It was born during a country in crisis. The Heath government was on its last legs. The "Three Day Week" reigned. TV closed down in the evening. The nation was on strike. Power cuts, &c. The idea of writing a diary in a Pepys-like setting next to a burning candle inspired me to take up my pen. I compiled my diary in a page-a-day WH Smith diary. It runs from Jan 1 1973 to somewhere in 1991 and consists of millions of words. Would it be a good idea to publish, in an abridged form to protect the dead, my banal outpourings? Yes. So here goes
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Wednesday May 9, 1984
Moorhouse Inn, Leeds, &c Still dull outside. Who cares? Our alarm clock is on the blink and refuses to sound off. Samuel laid patiently...
-
5, Club Street, Lidget Green, Bradford Samuel has a hairy back and shoulders, you know. I have to record these things because in ten years ... -
3rd Sunday after Epiphany 5, Club Street, Lidget Green, Bradford Baby slept until 6am which is amazing. Ally however woke at three and then...