Friday February 9, 1973

Awoke at 7.30. The weather has taken a turn for the better and the dullness of yesterday is gone. The sun came out, filtering through the clouds at 8 o'clock. Caught the 8.30 bus to school. I was witness at 9 to a truly remarkable incident. Groves walked into the common room where Irene and Margaret Edwards were having a quiet game of snooker and he said to Irene: "sorry, but that was the last shot". He then confiscated the cues. We reactionaries began applauding this worthy action by Groves - however the majority of students were narked. At 9.30 he was back in the common room lecturing us on the vices and general bad behaviour of the 6th form - very appropriately it began to snow. In the third lesson we re-arranged the study booths creating an atmosphere of work about the place. It was rather successful. At lunchtime I sat in the new study area with June. Cowie was also there working busily. Dave and I went once again to the chippie. I am determined that someone else should go next Wednesday. I think it's about time that Chid had a turn, the lazy sod. At 2pm Groves and I went down to Guiseley to collect the OAPs for Christine's little rave-up in the Further Education block. The first we picked up lived in great splendour on Tranmere Park. Groves was fuming and was embarrassed by his filthy car. We then collected a further two from St Oswald's Terrace. I helped an old lady down the garden path and into the car. Bloody hell, he had no room for me in the car and so Groves told me to walk in the direction of Rawdon and that he would pick me up after taking the old folk to school.
I walked all the way back to Benton Park in 25 minutes. Groves was frantic with apologies saying that I would probably hold a grudge against him forever. I did Biology until 4.
June and I walked down to the traffic lights at 4.35. My bus passed me on the way down. June said she would wait with me until the next one came along - 30 minutes later. Her buses run every ten minutes. We agreed to meet at the Emmotts at 8 on Sunday. I hated the moment when my bus arrived. I waved at her from the rear window until I turnedf the corner at Benton Park.
After tea Dad and Mum gave me a lift down to the Chuck Wagon. Lynn and Susan were spending the night at the Saxton residence on Silverdale, and John was watching the telly at home. It was very quiet until 10.30 when the place suddenly filled up with all the drunks from the White Cross pub over the road. Sue (Riley) retired as usual at 11.30 with a book and a couple of beers. Toffer and I sat around until 1am. I arrived home at 1.30. Everyone was in bed. My supper consisted of two boiled eggs and toast. I came to bed at 2am.
Tomorrow will most likely be another busy night at the Chuck Wagon, but what is even worse, Pauline - or "The Mouth" -will be there. I can hardly wait for Sunday. Two whole days without seeing June is unbearable. The thought of going to college in September is too horrid for words.
June and I keep kidding each other about Peter Hurst and Janet Roots. But we grow more and more to like each other every day. Besides, old Ivy would be most upset if she did not see us a couple of times a week...

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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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Saturday January 13, 1973

Awoke and had breakfast at 11.30am. Had a lazy day listening to records until lunchtime, Watched the television in the afternoon and I especially enjoyed "Dr Who" - one of my favourites since the age of 6. After tea I walked down Thorpe Lane arriving at the Chuck Wagon at 7.30. Things went very busily until 1am. You can imagine how tired we all felt. A couple of drunks kept us waiting until nearly 2am, but at least we had a laugh. Little Worthington is the most pretty dog I have ever seen. Sue is attached to Webster, but I am always absorbed by cute puppies. Sue did not mind in the least when I told her I was having next Friday off. I had told Toffer last night but he had forgotten to tell Sue. He has a memory like a sieve. Arrived home at 2.30am. John was asleep in the chair. I had to awaken him to let me in. Poor boy. He had to sit up all night simply because I did not take my key with me. Susan and Lynn are staying the night with Alison, and Mum and Dad are at Geoff and Lorna Saxton's annual rave-up. They probably won't be home until 4. Mum distinctly told me not to wait up. All Hell will be let loose if I happen to be sitting here when she walks in. I will do a bit of writing before going to bed which rules out the chances of my getting up early in the morning.


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Saturday January 6, 1973

Epiphany. Mum woke me at 9am with the long awaited letter from Darlington College of Education. They want me to attend an interview on Jan 11th at 9.20. Check the train times and I can't be there until 9.31. I write a letter explaining this trouble.

Denise was in the Airedale and Wharfedale Observer this morning with picture - learning the art of boomerang throwing. I enclose the picture here for posterity. After lunch I went to Bradford Library and the history section and arrived home at 5.15.

Went down to work at 7 and was busy for a solid 2 and a half hours. The evening didn't half drag though. Sue and Toffer were in usual cheery mood as was Pauline, the "sexy" waitress. Incidentally, she's bringing a pack of cards next Saturday so that she, Toffer and I will be able to play a few hands of strip pontoon. Sue says she won't bother because of the difficulties involved in cooking in the nude. I well understand her predicament. Saw little Worthington once again - he tried to tackle a T-bone - he certainly has the right idea. Didn't finish work until 1am. Toffer took Pauline and me home.

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Friday January 5, 1973

Went to school as usual. Ayling, the economics tutor, was absent again leaving me with a free double lesson. Denise and I went to the chippie at 12.20 and spent £1.06. If that aint inflation I don't know what is. We also went to a shoe shop and I helped Denise choose a pair which she is collecting on Monday. Before his 'absentness' occurred Mr Ayling booked Friday afternoon for the upper and lower sixth to pay a visit to Barclays Bank in Leeds - only the economics group that is. After a fairly interesting afternoon we arrived back at school, Dave and myself that is, where Garth was playing snooker and chatting with Mrs Capstan-Fullstrength. After missing several buses I arrived home at 6.45pm. Went to the Chuck Wagon (restaurant at White Cross) at 7.45. Toffer was knocking back the Bacardis. Only four people were in. Sue (the owner) came down from the flat very excited and told me they had got little Worthington at last. Went upstairs to see him. He's just like Webster. Beagles are the cutest dogs. It wasn't a good night for business - but 4 had to come in at 11.25. That delayed my departure until 12.15. Sue retired at 11.25 and Toffer and I looked after things until closing time. Lynn and Susan were watching a horrible film and I sat with a whisky and soda until it ended. Came to bed at 1am.
Read in the paper that a brawling rabble of anti-marketeers jeered the poor Queen as she arrived at Covent Garden yesterday. Why blame her? It's the MPs who want jeering, not her.

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