Wednesday January 31, 1973

Got up at 8 this morning. Arrived at school at 9.20. I spent the morning waiting for an interview with Mr Gaunt, the careers bod. I finally saw him at 11.25. After 35 minutes we had sorted something out about going into the retail business - not a very good alternative to teaching. Mr Ayling was in a very good mood in Economics. Had a laugh with Louise and Christine Braithwaite. The 6th form will be back on its feet by tomorrow. Mrs Lane will kill me in the Thursday lesson. I made a soddin' mess of the exam. But one can only say "do ones best" dats what I say. June was in her usual jolly mood. She tries to make me jealous and keeps saying she wants to invite _____to the Emmotts on Sunday. She even tells me she likes him, which cannot be true.

All the newspapers are making a huge fuss over Princess Anne and Mark Phillips.

Groves didn't turn up this afternoon and we had a couple of free lessons to play around in. June was in exams so I amused myself with Louise and Christine. Johnny Hart-Woods was in high spirits. We seem to share the same Monty Python type of humour. He always raises a laugh.

I hear a rumour that Dave is going out with one of the birds from Woolworths. She can't be a very classy dame if she works in that joint.

Came to bed at 11.30. I haven't half written some ridiculous things in this diary.

--==--

Tuesday January 30, 1973

Charles 1 was murdered by Parliament on this day in 1649. I did not get up until 8.30 this morning. Susan was crouched on her bedroom floor putting her face on. She said that Mum had been trying to get me out of bed since 8. I had a bit of breakfast and caught the 9.30 bus to school. June looked radiant as usual. However_______disturbs me very much. He stares at June and follows her wherever she goes. I was dreading seeing Mrs Lane. What will she say about my exam? However, Mr Ayling saw me coming into school and he just happened to mention that Mrs Lane was absent. I was most relieved. I could have kicked myself, because I came out without a penny on me. I thought I was starving to death by the time lunchtime came around. Luckily, Chris offered me a third of a can of soup. Louise warmed it for us. He certainly has her trained. Christine B said it looked like "witches piss and bile juice".
Dad and Lynn went to the dentist at Rawdon at 4.15. I went down with June and Lynda to the bus stop at 4.30 but they had already left the dentist and gone home. Denise and Louise were at the bus stop and so I waited with them until 4.50.
I watched a very disturbing documentary on the telly last night concerning the Bentley/Craig murder of Nov. 1952. Bentley was hanged for simply being with Craig. Craig himself was only 16 - too young to be hanged - but it was he who had pulled the trigger. Hanging is so pagan. Why can't they be injected with a drug, or whatever. Lessons start on Wednesday afternoon. I'll go to Economics at 11.45.
I came up to bed at 11.30. Chris suggested that he and Louise and me and June go out on Sunday.


--==--

Saturday January 27, 1973

1.30pm: Janet rang. Evidently June has not been to work today and she hasn't been able to ask June to meet me at the Emmott Arms on Sunday night. She doesn't even know June's address. However, It's dawned on me that Janet fancies me and she could easily be keeping the proposal from June. This means I'll not see June until Monday morning - the day of the three hour mock History exam.

I got up at 8.50 but decided I needed more sleep - going back to bed until 11am. After breakfast I revised until 1. I then had lunch. The phone kept ringing throughout the morning and my heart leapt when I heard Janet's voice. Somehow I disbelieve her report. Went wearily upstairs at 2pm. Revising until tea time. When I think about it - June may be too shy to go out with me, and so not to hurt my feelings she has told Janet to tell me she hasn;t been to the bakery. If so, it's more harmful keeping it from me. Leading me "up the garden path" as it were.

Watched televsision. I only revised the Crimean War until 3pm. After tea I got a lift from Dad to the Chuck Wagon. It was the second busiest night they have ever known. You could certainly tell by the amount of washing-up. Sue and Toffer changed clothes and went to Wikkis at 12.45 taking Pauline and myself home first. Pauline has a touch of 'flu and was not talking at her usual speed tonight. Worthington has made fantastic progress since last week. Unfortunately, he has lost his baby-face appearance.

Worried all night about June. She's the only girl I have seriously fancied for any length of time. I am still going to the Emmott Arms tomorrow. There is a chance that Janet will have found June and passed on my message. Anyway, Dave, Andrew Graham and Dale may be up there. It will help me take my mind off the exams.

It was Sue Crosby's birthday party tonight. Chris and Louise were going. In fact all the 6th form are going.

--==--

Friday January 26, 1973

I couldn't be bothered to catch the 8.30 bus so I waited until 9 o'clock. Mr Groves gave us a lecture on the vices of the 6th form. Evidently, Mrs Capstan-Fullstrength has been complaining about someone spilling salt in the study area. I have never been so embarrassed. It was June and me yesterday afternoon. What's more, everyone except Groves knew who the culprits were.

Dave and myself had one hell of a laugh with Christine Braithwaite. Chris and Louise had some sort of argument this afternoon. I think it was because Louise had lost Chris's expensive Parker pen. If that's all they can find to fight about it's a bloody pity.

June was in lessons all afternoon. I was kept amused by Christine and Dave. I stayed at school until 4.35 walking June, Linda, Benita and Janet to the bus stop. It wasn't until June had gone that I realised it was the last I had seen of her until Monday. I therefor, with great presence of mind, instructed Janet to tell June (they work at the same bakery in Horsforth on Saturdays) to meet me at the Emmott Arms at 8.30 on Sunday. I pass on my phone number just in case June wants to speak to me first. I arrived home at 5.30. Janet rang me at 6 for final instructions. She was worried that June would think she is being nosey.

I worked at the Chuck Wagon from 7. A boring evening. A couple sat pouring over their bill until 12.30 - silly sods. I missed the Frankenstein film on the telly.

Will June go to the Emmotts on Sunday? Will she ring tomorrow night? When I threw these questions at Janet she was positive that June would turn up.

I intend revising on Saturday and Sunday. European History is sometime on Monday. Let's hope it's in the afternoon. It will give me time to revise just that bit extra.

Dave may be leaving Woolworths tomorrow. He is ringing me to give a full report on his final and irrevocable decision.

Got home from the Chuck Wagon at 12.45. Made poached eggs on toast with fresh coffee. Somehow I do not feel like sleeping. All day I have felt a strange sinking feeling in my stomach. Excitement mingled with fright. Is this love?

--==--

Thursday January 25, 1973

I learned today that June isn't the only one to fancy me. Add Janet Roots and Christine Jennings to the list. Today is Sue Crosby's 18th birthday. Dave, Denise, Louise, Chris, Martin Vere-Bujnowski, Skinhead, Malcolm, Tim, Liz, MM, Judith Lea, Roy Molkin and me went up to the Emmott Arms at 1pm. Denise and I went out at the back of the pub and I told her that I didn't want to go out with her. Inside I bought Denise a Britvic orange and myself a pint of lager. Sue was really pissed. We had a sing song in the Emmotts before returning to school & Denise and I were able to squeeze into the back of Skinhead's car. However, we were pushed with force into the back and he had to drive with the doors open. Denise saved us both from being dashed to pieces on the road surface by holding both doors together with her hands. A pretty sight.

On arriving back at school Denise set to work on Paul Denby. June was very sweet when I told her I had failed my biology (Louise and I failed the mock. Denise got a grade 5). Dave, Christine Braithwaite, Chris and Louise nicked off at 2.30. It was fun watching them all scatter down the drive at Benton Park.

Later June and I walked to the bus stop together at 4.30 and we watched each other until our buses separated us for many hours to come.

-

Wednesday January 24, 1973

Denise phoned me tonight at 8.45 and asked me whether I wanted to go out with June. I said I did. She had received the news that J fancied me via Louise & Benita. Immediately after Denise was gone I rang Dave. He was startled beyond words. At 9.30 John and I went round to the Smiths next door. He was a major in the army. She is German. Lynn and Sue joined us at about 10. Mum and Dad are keen on the Smiths and they are going out to the Chuck Wagon with them next month. We came home at 2.30.

--

Tuesday January 23, 1973

Uneventful day. The snow has gone completely. Our winter for the year is over. Went to school on the 8.30 bus. I revised in the morning. People go wild with hysterics over my "Fog Theory" which I wrote just before Christmas. I could make millions writing satires. Sometimes I wonder whether teaching will be worthwhile after spending 50 years at college. The dreaded letter came today from Darlington College. I have been passed on again. My next choice is Middleton St George near Newcastle. I must be bloody awful at interviews. When I told Mr Groves this morning that my letter had arrived he didn't break down crying like he usually does. All he could say was "place your hopes in Middleton". Silly bugger. At 2pm Denise and I had a mock O Level Biology exam. Louise finished at about 3.30 - everyone else finished at 4. I could only answer half the questions and was sure glad to get out.

President Nixon of the USA announced something about Vietnam on the radio today. It was live on BBC1 at 3am. It will probably be a ceasefire or even an end to the war which has been raging since about 1400BC. Strangely enough, if the end of the war has come Pres. Johnson will have just missed seeing it by a day. They are burying him on Thursday.

Did a bit of revising and watching TV until almost 12. I have History exam tomorrow. If I get more than 40 per cent I am high and dry. In the last "mock" I got 29 per cent.

-

Thursday January 18, 1973

Louise and I went up to Denise's this afternoon where D made me some lunch. L and I played records. Chris arrived at 1.10pm. We all settled down to some revision at 1.45 but weak willed Chris and Louise began copulating on Denise's lounge sofa. Denise and I sat by the dining room fire reading (D was doing her Biology and I was reading Lord Moran's life of Churchill 1940-45). At 3.30 we raided the lounge. We couldn't persuade Chris and Louise to vacate the sofa and so we retreated to the yard to see the dogs. One was called Forrester. Another was some sort of hound - a fine pair of dogs. We returned to the lounge where Louise and Chris made room for us...

Arrived home on the 5.30 55 bus from Leeds. Watched TV until 10.30. It's now 12 midnight and Mum has just stuck her head around the bedroom door and told me it's time I was asleep. She's now threatening to turn off the lights. I had better go.

=

Wednesday January 17, 1973

Day of rejoicing and excitement because Denny brought £6 deposit for the holiday. Got up at 6.30. and revised until nearly 8. I had a quick breakfast (boiled egg) and rushed off to school on the 8.30 bus. Revising by 9, as was Irene, Christine B, Christine J, and MM. I was very satisfied by the exam paper, and managed to answer four questions. Mr Ayling actually came across from the main school in person at about 11.30. Honour for us all indeed. We spent the afternoon relaxing after the exam and Louise, Denny, Dave, Chris and myself joined in with the lower sixth. June and Janet were in usual form. June is such a nice person. We all went through the usual procedure of being ejaculated from the common-room by Mrs Capstan Fullstrength and the caretaker at 4.15. Groves was away. Lousie wants me to go to Denny's tomorrow afternoon. I don't really want to. Things are much more amusing at school. Besides, I promised I would take my "Fog Theory, by Wyndham-Logg" in. I am still awaiting a reply from Darlington College of Ed. They've been considering me for a week as from Thursday. I think they are waiting for my Biology results which should be out on Monday/Tues. I hope to God that I have passed. I doubt very much whether they'll accept me if I fail. Ah well, that's life. I have done no revising tonight. I consider my daily quota to be done for today. History mock A -level is the next thing, and if I don't begin revising I'll be in for it. But I take life as it comes and stuff the consequences.


-

Tuesday January 16, 1973

Revision today for economics exam. tomorrow morning. I read through Harvey's "Elementary Economics", but it went in one ear and straight out of the other. We have been planning Friday evening and I think that Dave, Chris, Louise and Denise are coming up to Pine Tops before we go down to Menston. We have no idea what to buy Tim and Liz. No doubt some suitable gift will be found before Friday. Chris and Louise are quite serious. She's Louise Somes-Harris. It's quite remarkable how many people in the 6th form have hyphenated names. Dacre-Braithwaite, Somes-Harris, Hart-Woods, Vere-Bujnawski, etc. Did some serious revision this afternoon. At 4.15 Mrs Capstan-Fullstrength threw us out of the common-room and Dave remained firmly seated in his chair shouting: "Stand up for your rights and sit down". However, cowardice forced us all to drift out into the cold January air. Walked to the bus stop with June, Lynda West and Janet Rootes. June gets nicer by the day (throb, throb). From about 6 to 10pm I did economics revision. Went to bed at 10.30 leaving a note for Dad to get me up at 6am. I intend revising before breakfast...


==

Monday January 15, 1973

Frustrating day. Denise was in a foul mood. In the morning with Louise we learnt a paragraph from Marshall's "Principles of Economics". She ignored me this afternoon. Chris told June Bottomley that Dave fancies her. I wish June would find the time to fancy me, but she never tells anyone whether she does or not, June told me that Linda West fancies Andy Graham. We all intend revising economics tomorrow. The exam. is Wed. 9.30-11.30am. Phil Raynor was reading "The Sun" this afternoon. Headline "Queen visits Mark's home". Does this mean wedding bells for Princess Anne? The Queen and Mrs Phillips chatting over a cup of tea. Choosing the bridesmaid behind poor Anne's back? It's about time Pcss. Anne was married. At 22 you're getting a bit past it.
Tonight "Big Decision" night. Should I take Denise out?

--

Sunday January 14, 1973

Dad woke me up at the late hour of 1pm. Had a light breakfast. Lynn and Sue were out all day, and John, Mum and Dad were watching a very ancient film on the television. At 8 David and I went down to the Motts (Emmott Arms, Rawdon). Denise, Mick Lea, Julie, Andy Graham, Chris and Louise were all there. Chris fancies Louise and Louise fancies Chris but neither are making any move. MM and Louise have been revising economics on Ilkley Moor all afternoon!
Mick Lea asked Denise out. I told her to ignore him, but she's very worried about the situation. Mum expected Denise and Dave to pay their deposits but one can't expect someone to fork out £6, especially at the age of 16. Home at midnight. Am starting revising at school tomorrow. That is my resolution for the week.


--

Friday January 12, 1973

Mum sent off the deposits for the holiday this evening. I spoke to Denise and David whilst Mum was carrying out this historical spectacle at the Post Office. School was a big laugh. A Professor Corbett came to give us a lecture on humanities. It was the most boring one and a half hours I have ever experienced at school. Cowie (Graham Cowburn), Andy (Graham), and myself were sitting behind Pee-Wee, Dave and Dale (Elkington) - tormenting them by kicking the bottom of their chairs - causing them to bounce through the lecture. 

It happened at last. Chris fancies Fat Louise. I can't see why. However, she's the most nympomaniacal woman in Bramhope. They are off to the Emmott's tonight - and a damned bloody soddin' nice evening they'll have whilst I slog my guts out down at the Chuck Wagon. 

Went to the denist at 4.15 - 15 minutes late. The receptionist was bloody wild with rage, but all the same I received a filling in one of my upper teeth. The numbness from the injection in my face was still evident at 9pm. My next appointment is May 4. And that isn't too far away for my liking. Went down to the Chuck Wagon at 7.30. Busy all evening. Told Toffer I was having next Friday off to go to Tim Wallis and Liz Richardson's engagement party. I can't wait for it. However, Tim and Liz aren't the type to spend the next 50-odd years together so I don't know why they're bothering getting engaged because I'd eat my hat if they got married. It's now 1.15 am. Retiring to bed after a hot beverage, i.e. coffee...

 --

Sunday January 7, 1973

1st Sunday after Epiphany. Woke up at 1.20pm. I absolutely hate sleeping-in until this uncivilised hour. After lunch I rang Shelley (Masterson) at Menston - - haven't seen her since May. Watched the telly all afternoon and listened to the top 20 on Radio 1. Sunday is the most boring day of the week. One day I'll go to church on a Sunday morning. Chris phoned and said that Louise and MM went down to Denise's babysitters last night to see if Chris and D. were doing anything they shouldn't be doing - Geddit! It'll certainly be a laugh at school tomorrow. John and I are going down to Dave's on Tuesday to look at brochures for the '73 holiday. I have to save £70 for July. Not a very pleasant thought. John, being a working man is able to save a small fortune by July - he fancies going to Norway, but I'd prefer Austria or Switzerland.

--