Monday June 2, 1975

Holiday in Irish Republic. Last night was hilarious really. After arguing with CB about Gary and telling her of my own experience with June, we are caught almost 'red handed' sitting on top of one another in a corner by none other than Gary himself. Christine and he exchanged words and he left 10 minutes later to 'have an early night'. He doesn't love herat all and it pains me to see her virtually throwing herself at him. However, after my own experiences with JB I don't have a leg to stand on. I threw myself at her for two years without receiving anything back whatsoever!! CB isn't as mad to do a thing like that (I hope).

Worry all day about John. What with unemployment being the way it is at the moment I'm a bit dubious about whether he'll find anything easily. The poor devil looks really cheesed off.

Quiet day at the YP. Sarah is on holiday until next Monday and so the office isn't all that happy. Miss Collis brightens the place up no end.

It snowed in certain parts of England today, and in Essex snow stopped the county cricket match! The Second of bloody June and we have weather not fit for February.

CB rang to say she accidentally left the Monty Python book in the phone box last night. I had to laugh because she's been chasing after the damned thing since January.

I rang Marita to let her know I was still alive. Received a letter from David today.

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Wednesday December 11, 1974

James II abdicated 1688. An absolutely perishing day. By the way things are going I forsee Bing Crosby's dream about a white Christmas coming true.

Eileen and I go shopping at lunchtime. We drift around the centre of town in agonising cold and get fish and chips from a little place near the Corn Exchange. Come back to the YP after an hour and with nothing to show for it.

Pleasant afternoon with Sarah. It certainly seems ages since we were in bed together that night at the Johnson residence - and our relationship is degenerating into a mediocre sort of thing. May have better luck with her at Christmas.

38 years ago today King Edward VIII renounced the throne, in order to have his way with Wallis Simpson. Every other book published this year is either on the subject of the Duke of Windsor or the Royal Family since 1917.

A rumpus in the Press about the Prince of Wales spotted at an X-certificate film 'Percy's Progress' at a London cinema. His Royal Highness is reported to have told the usherette that he had 'enjoyed it very much'. And we are all informed that he devoured an ice-cream in the interval. The film deals with a man who has had a penis transplant, and is a follow-up to 'Percy' a good film of a few years ago. A cartoon in the Daily Mail this morning implies that Mary Whitehouse wants a referendum on the monarchy, following this plebian act by our beloved heir.

John and I go to the Hare & Hounds with Mum & Dad, where we consume an excessive amount of alcohol. Following this we move on to the White Horse at Burley-in-Wharfedale, where cousin Dorothy resides. Unfortunately, she's having a night off, and we spend the last hour supping ale.

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Tuesday February 5, 1974

Winter is here at last. Exceedingly cold day and very few dare venture out of the YP into the Leeds streets this lunchtime. From about 7 this evening it proceeded to snow until after 9. All the lane was covered in at least 3 inches.

Mum and Dad bought a new washing machine today - fully automatic. She keeps repeating that it's the first new washer she's had since married. Unbelieveable really.

After tea I write to CB using an official YP envelope - it's not really stealing - just one of the perks of the job. It's been a very quiet period for letters recently and I will have to remedy the lack of mail by creating my own stimuluses. If I write to everyone I know, someone, somewhere MUST answer.

I inform Dad the flag outside his office must be hoist for all to see tomorrow. The 6th being the 22nd anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne - a 'Union Jack' day not widely observed. It must be a dreadful day for the poor Queen, who cannot have wanted the burden of the crown so unexpectedly, or early. The Royal Family generally do nothing on February 6, and by all accounts the Queen Mother locks herself away in a room at Royal Lodge, Windsor.

The coal miners have cut off all negotiations with Mr Heath, and the whole nation seems to be in a state of collapse. MPs are now staying that Parliament will be dissolved within a few days, and that a general election will be held on February 28 or March 7. Poor Mr Heath is hanging on by his teeth to his dwindling sanity and support.

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Sunday April 8, 1973

Passion Sunday. The Foreign Secretary, Sir Alec "Rabbit" Douglas-Home, yesterday carried out an attack almost Palmerstonian in its nature and somewhat like Eden's Suez rumpus way back in the '50s. He sent a letter repremanding Smith, the Rhodesian chief, or more commonly known as Adolf Hitler II. Evidently, Smith has jailed one of our news correspondents for apparently no known reason. Sir Alec's note expresses the feelings of horror and humiliation felt by the British public. The only message I have for Sir Alec is: 'You may be a bit vague and old fashioned, but we love you. Send in the troops and bring back good old British rule to this sad, misguided pin-prick of a nation stuck out in the jungles of hot, sticky Africa.'

It was on the evening news at 6pm that Picasso, the world famous artist, has died at his home in France. I have never liked his work but he is a legend in his own right and he will go down in history with all the other great artists.

What a day it has been. It is now 6.15pm and I am sitting in the lounge watching a blinding snow storm unfold outside. For any of the people who deny that the world is heading towards its second ice age I can always say: "You ought to have been in Guiseley on April 8, 1973 and you would have been converted." One would think it is January.

Dave rang me at about 5.45 and he is coming to pick me up in the car at 7.45. He and I and the delightful June will be getting together at the Emmotts as usual. Somehow, the thought of having to walk down the lane in these weather conditions is intolerable. Thank the Lord Dave passed his driving test.

Alison has been here all afternoon watching the TV with us. Mum and Dad went down to South Yorkshire at about 3 and on my arrival back from the Emmotts at 11.15 they are still out. Due to the freak weather conditions I am worried about the whereabouts of Mum and Dad. But Dad is a very competent driver and has never had a bump or mishap.

Dave came for me at 7.45 and even the bad weather did not affect his good driving. June and Linda with L's new boyfriend came about 10 minutes later. He is a very quiet chap. Unlike the late Graham. They leave for the Peacock pub at about 9 o'clock. Snow is terrible. June and I go out to get the buses at 10.30 - Dave having gone to meet his Dad in Leeds. I felt very cold. June is so wonderful. Bus comes at 10.50. Home by 11.15. Watch television with John until close-down. He goes to bed. Mum and Dad are home at 1.30.

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Monday April 2, 1973

Truly a freak day by all accounts! I awoke at about 7.45 to find a freak snowstorm banging against my bedroom window. After a small, hurried breakfast I made my way down the lane, and it was so cold that the snow which settled one me did not melt into my clothing. It is hard to believe that it is April. But April is always an eratic month.

June and I went to the shops as usual, but the day passed by completely uneventful.

At 2pm I went to Rawdon Library where I stumbled upon an interesting biography of King George III, with a foreword by the Prince of Wales. It is a very well written clear-cut book, and is one of the first to deny that the king was "mad" and instead is described as suffering from porphyria - a fact which I was aware of 2 years ago.

Arrived home at 5.15 still deeply emersed in my book. Came to bed at 10.30 and was still reading at 11.30.

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Wednesday February 14, 1973

St Valentine's Day. Awoke at 7.45. The lane looked like something pictured on a Christmas card. Perfectly picturesque. Nothing looks nicer than a beautiful snow scene. Waiting for me downstairs was the Valentine's card from June - I recognised the writing on the envelope.
A pleasant walk to the bus stop through crisp snow. Got to school at 9. Chris had not forgotten Louise's card after all - he had spent 75p on one. June arrived at 9.30. My card to her had not been delivered. She looked awfully upset. I had to explain that it would probably be a late delivery. She cheered up. At 10 Chris and I went for an interview with Mr Gaunt - he arranged for two interviews at Lewis's and Debenham's for a week on Saturday.
At lunchtime Pee Wee, Willy, June, Janet and myself went for a play in the snow - it was fantastic but very cold. June sure is a good shot with a snowball, and Janet Roots is a devil, she got everywhere and resembled a snowman.
Louise, Chid, Irene and myself had a discussion on religion during the afternoon. Chid said our sole purpose in life is to reproduce. He would say that. He added that we humans are only well educated animals. Louise and I, Christians, got really narked. Irene abstained.
At 4.15 Michael Stott, Janet, Linda, June and I went out into the snow once again. What a laugh. It's been a really wonderful day. June, the weather, everything! Since last month things have become much more enjoyable. I feel a poem coming on:

When all the world is young, lad
And all the trees are green
with every goose a swan, lad
And every lass a Queen
Then hey for boot and horse, lad
Around the world away
Young blood must have its course, lad
and every dog his day

Quiet evening at home. Bath. Bed at 11.20. June and I are going to the Emmotts tomorrow. Linda might be dropping out leaving us alone. It's probably part of the Bottomley/West scheme. Of course I will need to borrow the usual £1 until Saturday night again - no difficulties with this at all now. I am much too tired to write any more. I have outlined the day thoroughly enough.
Good night all!

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Tuesday February 13, 1973

Awoke at 7.45 to blinding snow banging against my bedroom window. However, the sun came out at about 8.30 - a beautiful contrast with the thick, white carpet shrouding the area. The sky was china blue. Groves gave one of his usual lectures. I have forgotten on what subject, but it was something barely worth mentioning. In the common room I attempted to play "Big Six" on the record player. It's been banned by the BBC, and Judge Dread has now released "Big Seven" - even dirtier. Irene, self-styled guardian of the 6th form morals, found it most distasteful.
June arrived at 9.50. During the 1st lesson I attempted to discover June's address, which was fixed at 72 Featherbank Lane, Horsforth. We spent the first 2 lessons together and at 11.10 we walked out in the crisp, cold snow. June went without her coat. I was shivering inside my "budgie" jacket. I deposited £1.60 at the Post Office. However, my main intention on journeying out was to buy June a Valentine's card. I had not accounted for her accompanying me on the excursion. I escorted her back to school only to leave once again for Rawdon quite alone. I found a nice card costing 25p - very classy. On arriving back I told her that the woman at the Post Office had given me the wrong change - I could tell she knew otherwise. For lunch I shared a can of soup with Cowie. June also purchased a salmon sandwich and French bun for me - which I duly consumed. Some of the 6th form lads envy me being with June. Chid says he's amazed what June sees in me.
Dave really has caught the card bug - everyone are gambling like mad fiends and he certainly has caught the disease. He delayed buying his lunch until 1.35.
June and I sat at the same table all afternoon - our eyes kept meeting. Chris and Louise have been fighting again. Chris has forgotten to buy Louise a Valentine's card... heads will roll tomorrow.
A mass clean-up campaign began in the 6th form today. Mr Elliott (the headmaster) is paying us a Royal visit at morning break tomorrow. We all suspect he's doing this for ulterior motives - i.e. it's Valentine's Day and he fancies his chances with some of the girls.
Mrs Lane came across for History today. They all dissolved in fits of laughter when I told them that Churchill had resigned on the day that I was born. She said he's been able to stand up to Hitler but I was just the limit.
June and I went to Rawdon Library at 4.30 - emerging 10 minutes later for our dreaded buses.
Arrived home at 5.15 and spent a quiet evening in front of the telly. Snow carried on all evening.The gas men went on strike as soon as this weather arrived. The Daily Mail predicts that many old age pensioners will die from cold this winter due to the ignorance of the trade unions. The gas men are murderers. They will pay for this before God. Vic Feather has a lot on his conscience.

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