Saturday April 28, 1973

Get up at 10.0 and go to Leeds with John. I buy another jumper. He gets a "lumber jack" type jacket - £7.

Continue with Queen Victoria by Cecil Woodham-Smith. Victoria and Albert was one of the greatest romances of all time, others include (to quote Frankie Howerd) "Anthony and Cleopatra, Romeo and Juliet, Nelson and Lady Hamilton, Robin Day and himself...." etc.

Oh what a darling Victoria was! The more I read about her (and I've certainly seen a lot) the more I believe she was the greatest person flung-out by the 19th century. Prince Albert was responsible for lifting the monarchy above politics. William IV was a rabid Tory and Queen Victoria was an equally keen Whig - but Albert soon put a stop to her involvement in politics. The raised the Royal Family far above the vulgarities and cunningness of politics. This was his greatest achievement. Since then no sovereign has ever identified himself/herself with one particular political body. Therefore, why do certain people shun the Queen and Royal Family simply because they are socialist? Such persons are purely naive. The Queen represents EVERYONE, and not simply the well-to-do and Conservative classes.

Go to work at 7 o'clock. Sue is still in pain following her fall from Polo yesterday morning. Had a laugh with Pauline - we devoured soup followed by ice cream with butterscotch sauce and several beers. Toffer played his Woodstock LP. A HATEFUL recording indeed. Pauline agreed that it was completely lacking in taste. She sat reading until 1.30. Came home at 1.50. Lynn was alone. Her boyfriend, Chris, had been here until 11.30. Mum and Dad were at Auntie Hilda's with John and Susan. The Gadsbys go to the Continent tomorrow. At 2am they arrive home. Have coffee then go to bed.

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Wednesday April 18, 1973

Mum got me up at 8.50. Dad gave me a lift to the CW at 9 o'clock. Sue and Toffer were still in bed. I knocked them up - Sue yelled from her bedroom window, telling me to let myself in. Webby and Worthy made a fuss over me and I cleared last night's greasy dishes away. Toffer came down half naked and told me to get a step-ladder fom the garage. To cut a long story short, Toffer went to the cash-and-carry for an hour whilst I polished the tables, and set them. Sue was hoovering upstairs. Toffer came back and cleaned the frier. I didn't begin my cleaning until nearly 11. Worked like a Trojan until 1.30 - when we went up to the Chevin Inn for lunch. I had a delicious salad and one and a half pints of ale. I never expected to be swilling ale on a Wednesday afternoon. At 3 we went and caught Sue's horse - a massive white brute - very nice really. Toffer with Worthy, Web and I drove back to the CW and I started on the walls again - with industrial grease remover. Worked until 5.30. Sue came home and paid me £3 and then gave me a lift home. Had dinner. Mum said I looked awfully pale.

They went out to Auntie Hilda's to see a concert - Mum hates these so-called concerts. I had a bath and washed my hair at 6.15. Emerged at 6.45. Ready at 7. Had a coffee then left and caught the 7.30 55 bus - it was raining. Arrived at the Emmotts at 8 o'clock. June hadn't arrived. I sat alone with half a lager. She's still not here by 8.30, and at 8.45 I go outside and wait in the bus shelter. I could not beleive she had not come. June would never break a promise. Sure enough, she arrived on the 8.50 bus with Sue Bottomley. She was full of apologies. Evidently, her leg had cramp and she had missed the 8 o'clock 55. They had walked most of the way up.

At 9.30 Chris, Denny and MM came in. So did Keith Harrison - and he finished up with Sue Bottomley for the evening. She must like him really. Sue and Keith walked down to the bottom, June and I waited at the bus stop. Left at 11.10. We are meeting tomorrow.

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Wednesday April 11, 1973

Got up at 8 o'clock. Have breakfast and then get a lift with Mr Rawnsley to Quaker Lane. Arrive at school at 9.10. Mrs Lane goes over Sheila's Napoleon III and Suez essays. She ended her Suez essay with the line: "it proved that world politics had changed considerably since the days of Palmerston." Very hysterical. Talk about stating the obvious. Even I know more than that.

Mr Ayling didn't turn up at the first lesson because of a family bereavement. He did, however, arrive after lunch. From 2.30 until 4 o'clock we put up the Christmas decorations for tonight's party. What a laugh it was. Denny and Chris could do nothing but laugh. June sat in a corner reading - very intellectual. Came home on the 4.45 bus. June waved goodbye from my bus stop. She's gorgeous.

At about 7.30 I got to the Emmotts where a crowd of lower 6th boys were sitting coyly. Dave, who had picked me up in the car, was wearing his new platform shoes and white bags. June wasn't on the 7.30 bus - Janet came on it instead. Lynne Robinson, my old neighbour from years ago, came in at about 7.45. She said hello. Louise and Denny went over to speak to her. June, Sue B and a few friends arrived at about 8. She was full of apologies but I only laughed and bought her and Janet a drink. At 8.30 Dave took Denny and Louise down to school. The rest of us waited to be taken down in the second batch. We set off ten minutes later. June sat on my knee in the front. We followed Tim in his mini bus - what a terrible driver he is. We were immediately disappointed by the music - it was a selection of Chid's progressive rubbish - the sort of that bangs on in a erratic fashion and the sort you've never heard before. We did not dance much. June looked lovely in a pink flowery dress covered in pleats. Dave and Janet seemed to be taking notice of each other. How marvellous it would be if they could get together. Harry came as ususal. He tried to get off with Sue Bottomley. He walked her to the bus stop. June and I could not help laughing. After seeing the girls on the bus Harry and I went back to the 6th form block. To our horror and amazement - everyone had gone. I ran down Quaker Lane where Dave was wondering aimlessly in his car - I was so surprised to see him. He brought me home dropping me at the door at 11.45. Auntie Hilda and Uncle Tony were here. Came to bed at 1.

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Friday April 6, 1973

Got up at 7.30. In the morning mail I got a birthday card from Auntie Hilda, Uncle Tony and the girls. Due to the fact that I am now 18 years-old Auntie Hilda has decided to drop the prefix 'aunt' and be known henceforward as Hilda, a move I find distasteful and unnecessary. My attaining my majority or coming of age is no excuse for her to discard historic etiquette in such a way. I will always call her "Auntie Hilda" whether she likes it or not.

We had a bomb scare at school today. We were congregating in the common-room for a lecture on drugs, when the siren/alarm-bells went off. The whole school met in a conglomorate mass on the soccer field. Very amusing. The whole farce lasted about 35 minutes. Several cop cars came but nothing happened. June had to break off from a Biology CSE exam. Hardly fair is it?

At 3 we began listening to the lecture on drugs. He was a very interesting man from Bradford University and he turned what could easily have been a dreadfully boring lecture into a pleasant and useful talk. Groves seemed most impressed.

June and I stood at my bus stop in Rawdon in a deluge of rain and hail. When we make any attempt to kiss or cuddle up together (mainly as a means of gaining shelter and heat) some filthy van load of workers with full wage packets and grinning faces are halted at the traffic lights and they make rude and generally vulgar remarks from the windows. June thinks it's funny but I find such behaviour crude. I am probably a snob.

Work was uneventful.

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Thursday April 5, 1973

What a day my 18th birthday has been! At 7.35 I went down to breakfast to find several cards and an interesting looking little box. On opening it I find a cheque for £18 from Mum and Dad. No card from Auntie Hilda but a £2 gift voucher from Auntie Mabel and Uncle Jack. Lynn and Sue gave me £3.

At school June gave me a little parcel, but was too embarrassed to stay and watch me open it. It was a Parker pen. How sweet and lovable of her. We kept my birthday a secret until lunchtime when Benita congratulated me in front of a massive and brutal mob. My fate was sealed. That afternoon they (the mob) held me down whilst Louise (Bless her) rubbed eye mascara all over my face. Tim Wallis and Malcolm Thomas then ducked me in the boys sinks. Quite refreshing!
Worse was to come. At 4 o'clock Tim and the lads tied me up with a greasy old tow-rope - which made a mess of my new Oxford bags. They then tried to take me (by carrying) out of the room but June and Christine caused a blockade. After failking to get me out of the window they gave in, and Tim patted me on the back and made a comment about June being very loyal, which was emphasised by her struggle to save me from further humiliations.

On my arrival home I was taken out to an unknown destination, which proved to be the Chuck Wagon. How surprising! It was a really fabulous meal. We were there until 11. Sue and Toffer can certainly keep a secret. The bill came to nearly £20. Not bad for 6 dinners. Mum thought that Sue and Toffer were such nice folk. Sue R tells me she has bought a horse for £300 called Polo. She's over the moon.

Came home at 11 and opened the gancia which nearly blew a hole in the ceiling. Retired to bed at midnight. We have enjoyed the day immensely. My t-bone steak was a perfect sealer to the days chain of surprises.

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Sunday April 1, 1973

Awoke at 12 noon. Mum was frying the breakfast... and it's Mother's Day. She doesn't know a good thing when she sees one! Mum made my breakfast whilst I did the vacuuming in the lounge and hall. My good deed for the day...lazy sod! No sooner was breakfast over that Mum was re-setting the table for lunch, due to the fact that Dad is working until 2pm and he has not eaten since 9am.

Dad, John and I are still arguing about the Grand National squabble. John keeps insisting that Dad owes him 5 pence, but Dad refuses to pay up because he insists that John backed out of the bet only when he thought his horse was loosing. However, I was an eye witness, and Dad is certainly in the wrong.

Came out of the bath at 2 to a very nice beef luncheon - not had beef for a while. After lunch I made the coffee and we went into the lounge until 4.30, when we piled into the car and went to Pudsey.

At Pudsey Auntie Hilda made a delicious tea and Grandma Gadsby came over to see us. I stayed until 7.30. Dad and Uncle Tony gave me a lift to the Emmott's. They came inside for a drink with me. A very historic occasion, because it's the first time Dad and I have ever been together in a pub. June and Linda arrived not long after. I introduced them to Dad and Uncle Tony. We had a lovely evening. At 10.30 June and I went to the bottom road in the drizzle - but a refreshing type of rain. Her bus came at 11. I missed mine and walked home, arriving at 11.35.

I rang Auntie Hilda's - and Uncle Tony is now holding a court of inquiry into John and Dad's dispute over the gee-gees. I give evidence to Uncle Tony over the phone. After half an hour Auntie Hilda phoned me and I gave evidence to her. She nearly died laughing.

Had my supper feeling jolly at Auntie Hilda's jest. Came to bed at 1am.

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Wednesday March 28, 1973

Such a beautiful day! Had barely any breakfast and arrived at school at about 9. I set to work on a revision list (again!) for Mrs Lane. I had finished it by 9.30.

June did not arrive until about 10.30 because her poor Aunt Mary Ellen, who is 88, fell down the stairs, and June sat with her to give her some comfort. What an Angel she is!

In her Commerce lesson this afternoon she typed me a beautiful letter. I have never laughed quite so much at a letter before. What imagination she has!

"Dear Michael,

Are you feeling better now? You were in a very bad, aggressive, irritable, aggravated mood, and it was not like you to be like that. Me maybe, but you, definately not. At least I just pretend but you were being serious and I thought my end had come. The finale was in sight...alas...it was a good performance but all good things come to an end!

Anyway,as long as you have taken your tablets and become your nice, normal, lovable self we can forget all about the Mr Hyde side of your nature. A human being has many aspects of his personality. Just as a diamond has many facets and the majority of the time we only see one side, but occasionally we catch a small glimpse of some of the darker depths of human nature.

Wot a load 'o rubbish.

I xxxxxxxx

June.

I love you."


Today is Auntie Hilda's birthday. I always joke with her about her age and on Sunday I reckoned that she is 52. If only looks could kill I doubt very much that I would alive, well, and here today.

We are now growing quite sick of having to give in to half the 6th form and go to the shops every lunchtime. If we could only be more selfish occasionally. I am sure it would do us a lot of good.

Wednesday afternoons are usually quite interesting. Today we discuss whether 18 year-old kids still at school should be allowed into the pubs at lunchtime. Groves said that alcohol slows down a person's brain capacity. Trust him to come out with something like that!

Came home at 5.15. Had tea and sat in front of the TV feeling very guilty about the 'A' levels in 10 weeks time. Oh God!

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Sunday March 25, 1973

Sue woke me at 9 o'clock!! I have not been out of bed so early on a Sunday for at least 2 years. But a brisk swim will do me much more good than simply rotting in bed! Sue and I listened to the Ed Stewart Show on Radio 1 whilst we had breakfast. Alison came across at about 9.45 to walk with us to the swimming baths. We left 5 minutes later. On arriving at the pool at 10.20 Sue and Al went inside leaving me sitting on the wall waiting for June until nearly 10.45. She came running down the road looking very distressed saying she had been waiting for me for half an hour!

From 10.50 to 11.55 had a good time in the pool. June looks so different in the water. I cannot really say that Susan liked her, but what does that matter? She's my girlfriend at that's that. At noon went to get changed and then spectate until nearly 1 o'clock, eating cheese and biscuits, crisps, and "Pink Panther" chocolate. The weather was really miserable and at 1 it began to rain. I accompanied the girls to the bus stop. We waited for nearly half an hour and June, Linda and Janet finally got their bus. I ran homeward in the rain . Had lunch of rabbit pie - yes, the actual rabbit that I gutted yesterday.

Mum and Dad were in an argumentative mood and I was greatly relieved to hear that Auntie Hilda, Uncle Tony and the girls were coming over to see us for tea. They arrived at about 5. I was reading a very tatty copy of "I Will Repay" by Baroness Orczy.

Tonight was my first Sunday evening at home for 2 months! Absolutely dreadful without June. Anyway, we're going out tomorrow evening instead. Dad went to work at about 7. Mum with Auntie H and Uncle T went down to the Commercial at Esholt until nearly 11. We all had a good supper and I departed to bed at about 12.30. Auntie Hilda will be 37 on Wednesday. She was born in 1936 during the brief reign of my hero, King Edward VIII.

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Sunday March 11, 1973

1st in Lent. Yet another sunny, spring-type day! Got up at 11. After an almost non-existant breakfast I struggled into the garden with a pair of shears crawling back some 90 minutes later with ample scars to prove I had been amidst Mum's hybrid floribundas. Yes folks, it's rose pruning season! At about 1 I went into the lounge for a sandwich and a chocolate biscuit only to be told that I couldn't have a proper meal until tea time. I proceeded to potter about in the garden again until 3. I then had a bath and washed my hair - emerging from the murky depths 45 minutes later.

Karen, Jill and Diane came at about 4.30 - having walked from Pudsey. Not bad either having broken Lynn and Sue's record achieving it in 2 and three quarter hours. Jill looked dead! Within the hour Auntie Hilda and Uncle Tony had arrived for tea bringing with them a massive jar of Uncle T's home-brewed beer. I find the stuff quite repulsive, but John seems to enjoy it.

We ate pie and peas. Then went to my bedroom to prepare for tonights rendezvous with June. Went downstairs to listen to the 'Top 60' show. Unfortunately, Slade and 'Cum on feel the noise' are still holding the number one spot - so uncouth.

At 7.30 I made my usual trek down the lane. The bus ride gets longer. It broke down at Rawdon traffic lights. The evening was uneventful. June, myself and Ivy and Tim Wallis's gran's bulldog sat in the usual spot until about 9.30. Linda and Jane Wood were sitting at the other side of the pub and June and I joined them for a laugh. Linda accidentally knocked a glass of 'Cherry B' over Jane, who was, unfortunately, dressed entirely in white. She took it all in her stride and had a good giggle. I did the sopping up of the Cherry B with Uncle Tony's handkerchief. Chris and Christine, Andy and Linda came in with MM and Skinhead. At 11 we (meaning June and myself) went out for the buses. June sat on the signpost at the bottom of the lane. Chris found this very amusing. Andy thought I was strangling June making my passionate embraces. We missed the buses and all got lifts home. I rang Dad and he and Uncle Tony came for me. I would have walked but it was too cold.

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Friday March 2, 1973

Got up at 7.35. Not at all nervous about my coming interview at Middleton St George. In fact I've grown quite accustomed to having these interviews now. Put on my interview suit, and got a lift into Guiseley with Mum and Dad at 9. I boarded the 55 bus and got into Leeds for 9.50. Looked into a few shops and went to the station at 10.30. My ticket to Darlington cost £1.55. The train left for York at 11.15. Changed at York at 11.55 and got into Darlington at 12.55. My first impression of the college was not a good one. In fact I had doubts I'd come to the right place. The college dates from 1970 and was previously a RAF camp - it still looks like one. What else could it be situated slap bang in the middle of Teesside airport. We began at about 2. The interviewees were separated into 2 groups. Half going to interviews and the other half doing a written test. I started with the test. What a stinker! It lasted 45 minutes. My first interview lasted 35 minutes and was conducted by some sort of college idiot - a decent bloke really. We got talking about family histories and went into length about the Wilson family. He seemed to enjoy it. My second interview was with the head of the History department - a fidgetty, intent, little Welsh chap. He also went on about family history and suggested me doing it for a project if I was accepted at the college. I left at 4.25 and caught a train back to Darlington. After chopping and changing I arrived in Leeds at 6.20. I rang Mum and told her to ring Sue and Toffer to let them know I'd be late. I got home at 7.30. Auntie Hilda, Uncle Tony, Karen, Jill and Diane arrived simultaneously. I had my dinner and Uncle T kindly gave me a lift to the Chuck Wagon at 8.
I have never known it to be so busy. Sue R was almost crying with the deluge of orders which Toffer kept bringing in. On adding up the orders at the end Sue said that they had taken £60 in the one night! You can imagine how I felt at 12.30 - up to my eyes in dirty, greasy dinner plates. At about 1am we all collapsed into the empty restaurant and drank off our exhaustion. Worthington hasn't half grown since our last meeting - his legs especially. Toffer brought me home. Mum and Dad had only just gone to bed. The Gadsbys had left at 12.45. I was utterly exhausted after chasing round all day. To bed.

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Wednesday February 21, 1973

Dad woke me up at 9 o'clock but I went straight back to sleep & he did not pursue the matter further. Awoke finally at 11. Staggered downstairs and had a cup of coffee, then staggered back up to my room. The weather is beautiful. Sun is shining brightly and the air is fresh and clear. Lynn, Sue and Alison went at 9 to walk to Auntie Hilda's at Pudsey. I have made this trip before and it should take 3 to 4 hours. Finally started on some homework at 11.30.

Chris rang at 12 with the long awaited news that he and Louise had finished. I was shocked to hear that Louise had made the final move because on Sunday Chris was determined to do all the finishing. Evidently someone probably ___, had rung Louise and told her what Chris had said in the Emmotts on Sunday. So L, armed with this information, made the final move.

Dad watched me whilst I made the lunch which consisted of fish fried and batter and crunchy chips - very tasty. Mum came in from work at 1. Lynn phoned at 1.30 to say they had arrived safely at Auntie Hilda's. The weather was perfect for walking.

What could have been a good afternoon was ruined by Dad's stubborness. Mum wanted to go see Auntie Mabel. But Dad dragged her out on an aimless journey around Otley and eventually Mum got sickened off and asked to be taken home. Dad then made me go out driving on the Tranmere estate with him. I hated every minute of it. Somehow the thought of driving really puts me off. He objects to the way I handle the steering wheel, and queries my dodgy corners, etc. Came home for tea at 5.15. I rang Dave L at 6 and he suggests we go to Chris's - the latter feeling depressed following his divorce from Louise. I am relieved at this suggestion. The thought of staying at home all evening is quite depressing.

This week has been too terrible for words without seeing June. As far as I am concerned tomorrow cannot come too quickly.

I set off for Dave's and arrive half an hour later. He and his dad are putting a radio in the car. I waited until 8.15 for them to finish. Mr Lawson gave us a lift to Christopher's. Chris seemed unusually cheerful. We sat round the record player. We played "Raphsody on a theme by Paganini" by Serge Rachmaninov plus his "piano concerto number 2 in c flat minor". The remainder of the evening was dedicated to Tamla Motown, i.e. Diana Ross and the Supremes - the latter always reminds me of the old days with Barbara Woodhead and Shelley Masterson back in '71. Dave especially gets very nostalgic about it. We sat until after 11. Dave suddenly remembered that our bus comes at 11.10. We dived into our coats and fled to Horsforth Town Street. A 33 bus came at 11.25. Chris came past to see us off with DD (his dog).
I arrived home at midnight. Lynn and Sue came in from babysitting ten minutes later. Sue made a cup of coffee and disappeared to bed. Lynn and I shared a pan of baked beans - I made the toast. We discussed things until 12.35. Mum called us up to bed.
Thursday is here at last!!!

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Sunday February 4, 1973

A lazy morning in bed until 12. Had a bath at 2 after helping Mum clear my bedroom which looked in her words "like a pig sty". Watched the telly after lunch then went into the dining room to listen to 'Pick of the Pops' on the radio. Mum and Dad went over to Pudsey to see Auntie Hilda and Uncle Tony at 7.30, and they gave me a lift to Rawdon traffic lights. I had a brisk walk up to the Emmotts arriving at the same time as Dave (Lawson) , who had a half pint of lager whilst I had a Rye and dry ginger. Chris and Louise arrived ten minutes later. After several minutes I went off to see Ivy who was most pleased to see me, and was anxious to know if June and Lynda were coming. June, Janet Roots, Linda, & Cowie arrived at 8.45. We all sat drinking for 2 hours. June and I were sitting together, but Janet messed things up by sitting next to Cowie, but he fancies Linda. At 10.45 we decided that if we all walked down to the main road we could catch a bus at 11.10. It was too romantic for words. June, me, Cowie and Lynda sat on a bench at the bottom of the road like love birds in a row. But Cowie was too drunk to be romantic with L - he kept walking out into the road, ignoring Lynda's screams. She thought he might be struck by a car. At 11.25 we realised no buses would come so we thumbed a lift for the girls who were soon hopping into a car heading towards Horsforth. Cowie and I began walking towards Guiseley. We eventually got a lift. Three cars stopped at once! Talk about choice! The bloke dropped me off at White Cross and took Cowie on to Ilkley - he lives just 2 miles further at Addingham.

After a brisk walk up Thorpe Lane I arrived home at 11.55. Mum and Dad were still at Pudsey. I had some supper and went to bed at 12.55.

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Friday February 2, 1973

It is now all round the 6th form about June and I. Michael Stott kept harping on about it all afternoon. I got the 9 o'clock bus. Friday is always a busy day for me starting with double Economics in the morning. At lunchtime Benita made Janet Roots face up. She looked quite attractive. But she is too self-conscious, and was so embarrassed and rubbed it all off. Ruth Ashmore and myself were compelled in the afternoon to do 2 periods of Biology. Louise, the cheating Arab, came across at 3.30. Mrs Stancliffe had the form in hysterics when she came to doing a diagram on the blackboard.

Back in the 6th form June was fooling around pretending to ignore me, and she left at 4 without me, but she was peeping through the window to attract my attention. Today Cowie (Graham Cowburn) kept saying that he didn't know how anyone could put up with June - her being so frivolous and full of vitality. Cowie and Andy G are going to the Emmott Arms on Sunday. Linda W has a terrible crush on Andy, but he ignores her completely.

At 7.30 I went down to the Chuck Wagon. It was completely dead until 9.30. Sue, who was 23 yesterday, had a touch of diarrhoea and did not look at all well all evening. Toffer brought me home at 12.15. Lynn and Susan were watching telly. I came to bed at 1.35. Today Mum reverted from being blond to her natural colour. We were all stunned. She looked so different. At 8.30 Mum, Dad and Auntie Hilda and Uncle Tony went to the Police Ball. They were still not home at 12.30.

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Sunday January 28, 1973

Got up and had breakfast at 11.30. I revised until lunchtime for the European History exam. tomorrow. At about 5 Auntie Hilda, Uncle Tony, Karen, Jill, and Diane came for tea. Dave rang at 6.30 and said he was going to the Emmott Arms with Chris and Louise. John and I went up at 8.30. It was the first time John had ever been to a pub, which isn't bad considering he hasn't been 16 for very long. The Emmotts is always full of under-age drinkers. If the police ever visited they would have a Beano. I felt very depressed without June. Louise noticed especially. John made himself popular by buying a round of drinks costing 97p. On arriving home in Mr Harris's Rover we found ourselves locked out until 11. Mum, Dad, Auntie Hilda, Uncle Tony, came home to be followed shortly by Lynn, Susan, Karen, Jill and Diane. We all had bacon sandwiches and coffee. Mum refused to let me revise saying it was too late. H and T plus family went at 1am. We all then retired to bed. I couldn't sleep. With June and the exams I certainly had enough to think about.

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