Tuesday March 6, 1973

Got up at 7.30. Left on the 8.30 bus to Rawdon. June came at about 9.30 wearing a very fetching black cardigan-type-jumper thing. Mrs Lane gave me some very shocking news adressing me by my staffroom name - 'Ravishing Rhodes'. She had been in the staffroom and my name had been mentioned. She said she thought she was well-up on the latest gossip but was shocked to hear that I had had " three girlfriends since Louise". I replied: "I have never had, nor wanted, Louise!"

Lynn is 15 years old today and it actually snowed at about 8 this morning, the only time that Mum can remember it snowing on March 6 since the very day that Lynn was born in 1958, when it was a very wintry day.

June and I went out again to Hinchcliffe's in Rawdon. She promised to wait for me until 10 to 5 tonight in case Ayling makes us watch the Budget in any great detail.

We began with the Budget at about 3. Jacko and I went to the main school to collect the television and took it to the library. Both upper 6th and lower 6th economic groups were herded in Ayling's class to watch it - most enjoyable!!

The Budget itself has been described as the Childrens' Budget or Lollipop Budget because the chancellor didn't put VAT on childrens' clothing, etc. He also removed the tax on potato crisps, ice cream, sweets and other childrens eatables. VAT was set at 10 per cent, a mark which the majority of people expected. Dave voted for 7 and a half per cent. The pensioners got a £1 rise (however, it's not payable until Oct 1, 1973). No doubt Mr Barber expects a lot of them to be dead by then due to the industrial action of the gas workers and electricity men. Dad says the Budget is a typical Tory one. The Tories have given more increases to the pensioners than the Labour government ever did between 1964-69. And Dad can't argue about that.

Mum made a lovely tea for Lynn - cream cakes, etc. Ayling let us out at 4.30, enabling me to enjoy a walk to the bus stop with June and untaxed Cadbury's Cream Eggs.

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Wednesday February 28, 1973

Got up at 7.30 and went to school at 8.30. Mr Rawnsley saw me down the lane and gave me a lift to Rawdon. On arriving at school Linda said June was unwell and would not be coming to school. I was horror struck! How could I go through a day without the company of June? Happily, she arrived later looking beautiful as usual. Groves informed me that I had an interview with Mr Gaunt for 10. I dread going to see him. He's such a ridiculous burke. I went up with Denise and 10. He didn't have anything to say except to wish me luck for Friday's interview. Mrs Lane's lesson was rather interesting: Suez Crisis, and the rise of Harold Macmillan 1957-63, etc. At lunchtime June and I went down to the shops for a couple of Cadbury Creme Eggs and a pound of sugar for the servery. June went without her coat and looked really cold. She laughs when I say she'll catch cold. June has been delightful today. She tells me that she's going for tea with her sister Christine, in Guiseley. On Ings Lane to be precise. She was ready and waiting to leave at 4, but somehow the whole thing slipped my mind and we didn't leave until nearly 4.30 - she had been sitting silently in her duffle coat watching me chatting, instead of pulling me away. A romantic journey together on the same bus for once! --==--

Tuesday February 6, 1973

The 21st anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne. On February 6, 1952 the Queen succeeded to the throne on the sudden death of her father King George VI at the early age of 56. The Queen is only 46 now, and to have been been reigning for 21 years seems so long for one so young. Her grandfather, George V, reigned for 25 years and died aged 72. It cannot be doubted that Her Majesty has made a very good job over these years, and has succeeded in adapting the Monarchy to the present day. The British monarchy is more secure now than it ever has been. I am now reading an interesting book "The Youthful Victoria" by Creston. It is remarkable that a 20 year old woman could terrify Sir Robert Peel and even the Iron Duke himself - Wellington. Such a pity that Victoria was the last British sovereign to be able to tell her government "where to get off" as it were.
A very blustery, windy, sunless day. Icy cold. Got up at 8.10 this morning. After breakfast Mum, Susan and I walked down into Guiseley. I caught the 55 bus at the Station Hotel at 9.05am.
On the whole it was a most boring day, June being in lessons for most of the time. The only two lessons I should have had: History was disbanded whilst Mrs Lane continued her inquisition into the exam paper fiasco. The unlucky victims today were Carol and Sheila. I had been seen to last Thursday. At lunch June refused to eat anything and even as late as 4.10 said she wasn't hungry. The afternoon was especially uneventful but for the fact that I smashed one of the servery cups whilst trying to avoid treading on the furniture - some people just have no luck!
At 4.15 June, Linda, Cowie, Louise and myself went down to the bus stop. Cowie hinted to Linda W that Andy Graham had said something about her, but he would not tell exactly what. She wouldn't let it drop until I told her that AG had told GC that he ought to have it away with L, at which GC told AG that he had already done so. At this AG turned a violent red. Jealousy if you ask me. June boarded the bus at 4.30. Janet Roots came across the road after June had left and pretended to go in the Post Office. Louise and I both realise that Janet is head over heels in love with me. Even Louise had to admit this time that I was doing no 'leading on' in Janet's case. Janet came out of the Post Office (with no evidence of any purchase made therein) and waited with me at my stop until my bus came.
After dinner I had a bath at 9.20. The 9 o'clock news was disturbing. Evidently the Civil Servants and Gas Men are striking for wage increases next week. The Prime Minister has instituted a wage freeze (and price freeze) until the end of March. They are only asking for trouble. What with Ulster; the bother in Vietnam, where it's supposed to be at peace since January 27; the bomb through the Archbishop of Canterbury's bedroom window; anti-Marketeers jeering the Queen, etc, etc. The nation is certainly going to the dogs. What next I ask myself?

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Thursday February 1, 1973

Sue (Riley) is 23. Got up at 8.30 this morning. A beautiful, sunny, crisp day. Went on the 9 o'clock bus. Mrs Lane came across at 10. She wanted to see me first. I have 25 per cent for the European paper and 35 per cent for the British paper. Added together they make 60 per cent out of 200, which is 30 per cent. Luckily, the others didn't do much better. She seemed very cheerful considering the circumstances. At 10.45 I invigilated an exam for Mrs Lane whilst she went for a break. Economics was a laugh as usual. Irene made a usual show of herself. I'm sure old Ayling fancies her. In the common-room this afternoon we make a date for the Emmott Arms tonight.

I arrived at the E at 8.20. T..'s dad bought me a pint of keg. He thought I was going to the Golf Club disco. I sat with Ivy until June and Lynda arrived at 8.45. Chris came at the same time. June looked ravishing as usual. MM and Judith Lea came in at 9, and they took June, L and myself to the Golf Club at about 9.50. The music was very loud. Sue Crosby and Martin Vere-Bujnowski were already dancing. June, L, Chris and me went into the bar for a drink. Andy Graham knocked back a double whisky in one gulp. We were all a bit fresh after the drink and we groped back into the disco for a dance. One of June's friends declared us man and wife. It was a good excuse for us to interlock arms together and fool around. I took them both to the bus stop at 10.40 and J and I kissed goodnight. Never have I hated the 55 bus so much.

My bus came at 11.15. Had a bit of supper and came to bed at 12.

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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.

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Monday January 29, 1973

Got up at 7.30am. I had breakfast and left for school on the 8.30 no. 55 bus. Arrived school at 8.55am. I attempted to revise until 9.20 without success. Andy Flesher made things extremely difficult. The History exam. began at 9.30. It was terrible. Mrs Lane will kill me on Tuesday. The exam. finished at 12.30.

In the afternoon I began my "Fog Theory" Volune II. Everyone thinks it's a great success.

June didn't go to work on Saturday and mentioned that she might be going to the Woolpack tonight, but when I said I was going to the Emmotts both she and Lynda West soon changed their minds. I walked with June and L. West to the bus stop at 4.30, and planned vaguely to meet at the Emmotts at 8.30. I was no sooner home then once again out again making my way back down the hill for the bus stop. I arrived at the Motts at 8.20. June was not there. I hung around in the cold until 8.40. Decided to ring Chris from inside the Motts to say I had been jilted. Inside the pub I stuck my head into the lounge to find June, Lynda, Janet R, all chatting with an old age pensioner. June's face didn't half light up on seeing me. I felt brilliant.

Linda bought me a drink and we all sat talking with old Ivy Fitton - a grand old girl - with a great sense of humour. At 9.30 Peter Hurst came in. He must have heard J and I discussing where we were going tonight. He didn't say a word. He sat at our table just staring at us. What could we do? He even came and stood with June and I at the bus stop. My heart sank when June's bus came. We did manage to do a quick waltz outside the Emmotts. How romantic can you get? Skinhead came past at 11.10pm and he gave me a lift to Guiseley.

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