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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Monday February 12, 1973

The filthiest day of the year. Awoke at 7.50 leaving for school on the 8.33 bus. I had to walk down the lane which is open to God's elements. I arrived at the bus stop having experienced them all. I was soaked to the very skin. Arrived at school at 8.55. We received another lecture from Groves concerning the legitimate case of IOUs in the common-room servery. Evidently, Irene is tightening up following her coup d'etat last week. June arrived at 9.35 and we discussed yesterdays events. What had happened to Ivy missing from the Emmotts last night? June suspects she is dead. The weather was a contrast of rain, snow, sun, hail, frost, and driving wind - my optimistic view of a possible mild winter may be proved to be quite wrong after all. June has changed since Friday. She's much more serious and the way she looks at me is different. Her eyes devour me altogether. I feel so inadequate and immature. But I have a lot to be happy for.
Princess Anne is now reported to be aboard a battleship on the Black Sea, the guest of a fat, bombastic Commie! God, what will Heath do next to get on the right side of the Reds? He'll be packing the poor Queen off to Moscow next! The poor princess is having to converse with one of the pigs who killed in cold blood the Tsar in 1917, and his innocent wife and children, who were the cousins of our very own Mountbatten family - the Tsarina being a great-aunt of the Duke of Edinburgh. Just because President Nixon of the USA and the so called ex-earl Sir Alec Douglas-Home, MP, can go off making amiable noises in Peking I see no earthly reason why an innocent young princess should be placed up the creek with a fat commie saying nice things to HRH when everyone knows he doesn't mean it! Obviously, our dear Press are full of things about improvements in Anglo-Russian affairs - how positively naive!
June and I walked just the two of us down to the bus stop again. All we seem to do is walk backwards and forwards to ruddy bus stops - and they always come when you least want them to (the buses).
A quiet evening at home. John and I listening to the Diana Ross LP. Retired at 10.45 to bed. Mum and Dad are finally going out with the Smiths on Thursday. Also on Thursday Susan is throwing a rave-up for some of her contemporaries - it is usually my night out, but in the name of romance I would rather go out on Wednesday (Valentine's Day). I will ask June tomorrow.

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Sunday February 11, 1973

Dad woke me up with a lovely cup of tea at noon. I sat until 12,30. Had breakfast of bacon and eggs. All the family had a cosy afternoon in front of the TV. John, Lynn, Sue and Dad were watching a Dean Martin/Jerry Lewis film. Mum sat with the Sunday Express. At 4 o'clock I decided to have a bath and wash my hair. By 5 I was suitably spruced up and prepared for my evening on the town with June. We have been going out together for 2 weeks. Today Chris and Louise celebrate one month together. I certainly do not envy Chris.
At home we all watched the final part of Sir Walter Scott's "Woodstock" -drama based on the intrigue surrounding the flight of Charles II from the Battle of Worcester. Obviously, the cavaliers and royalists came out of the whole thing best. At 7.20 I went down the lane in the wind and torrential rain to catch the 7.30 bus which never arrived! I subsequently waited in the broken and dilapidated bus shelter until 8.05. Arrived at the Emmotts at 8.30. June, Linda and Cowie had been there since 8. Chris, Louise and Denise were sitting at the other side of the pub. They came over for a natter at 9.03 - the exact time one month ago that Chris and Lousie began their romance. June looked overpoweringly beautiful as usual - wearing her pretty purple coat with the black fur-lined hood. She almost brought the house down when at 9.30 she purchased a brandy and Babycham at the exorbitant cost of 39p!! Lord, what a price. Cowie and I finished by drinking brandy (23p) - a much more refined flavour than whisky. At about closing time I bumped into Ian Appleyard. He went into the sordid details about his father's death, which occurred last month. Linda said something about "all Guiseley Secondary School boys being the same". What she meant by that I really don't know. At 10.30 we walked to the bottom road. It was very cold and raining. Cowie and Linda went through the usual rigmarole of fighting, then making up, etc. whilst June and I were quite content to be in each others company. We sat there on the same seat as last Sunday not caring about the weather - just one another. June's bus came at 11.10. Cowie and I walked to Westfield where we got a lift from a bloke saying: "it's no night to be out walking". We couldn't have agreed more. I got home at 12 and had some supper and came immediately to bed.

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Saturday February 10, 1973

Philip Knowles is 17 today. On this day in 1840 Queen Victoria married Prince Albert. Got up at 11.30 the cold winter sun was shining brilliantly. After a small but adequate breakfast I drifted into the lounge and played all the records until nearly 2 o'clock. Mum, who had been at the hairdressers, brought fish and chips home for luncheon. After lunch Mum suggested that Sue, Dad, me and herself should drive down into Otley to do a bit of shopping. However, I put forward the idea that Dad and I could drop Mum and Sue in Otley, and I could then go off for a driving lesson with Dad. All agreed to these suggestions and we set off at 3. I had a most enjoyable lesson and made only one major fault - whilst going up a steep hill on the Harewood road I quite forgot to change gear and stalled the car. However, after an hour in the beautiful countryside Dad could happily say that I had improved greatly on last time - which was sometime in November. I would love to take my test before my 18th birthday. After all, not everyone can say they have passed while they were only 17 years-old.
Home at 5. Had a good tea and watched TV until 6.45. Walked down to the Chuck Wagon at 6.50. Pauline arrived at 7.15. Sue and Toffer were in very good moods all evening, which was the most quiet Saturday I have experienced. Alas, at 10 o'clock the place began to fill up, and bloody drunks - greedy drunks at that - were pouring in at 11.30pm. Pauline was feeling unwell at 11.30 - reduced to tears with a cronic stomach ache. However, by 1am she had recovered quite satisfactorily. At 1am we sat down at the usual table. I had my usual beers (3 in all) and Sue played Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture on the stereo. At the same time Toffer was chopping T_bone steaks to the rhythm of the music. Sue also played the Warsaw Concerto, Dream of Olwen, Cornish Raphsody, and Murder on 10th Avenue. I received my usual £3.50. and retired home in the back seat of Toffer's comfortable car. Mum and Dad arrived home simultaneously from Mum's works orgy at the Troutbeck Hotel, Ilkley. They had enjoyed it very much. They went straight up to bed leaving me alone in the kitchen to make an adequate supper for myself.
I settled on cheese and biscuits and a cup of tea. I sat in the lounge eating my long-awaited supper and reading my Queen Victoria book. I rang Bradford Library this morning in order to renew my books. They were unable to trace my tickets, and told me to bring the books in next week cancelling the fine.

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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 8, 1973

Got up at 7.50. Caught the 8.33 bus to school. Had such a laugh with Christine and Irene. June came at 9.20. Chris and Louise were having one of their usual tiffs. Sadly, I hear from Linda that she only wants to go out with Cowie as a friend and did not want to become involved with him, or indeed with anyone. Did History until lunchtime. I went down to the shops alone at 12.30, bringing Christine her sandwiches. Dave didn't arrive until 1.30. He'd been to Leeds for his medical for entry into college. He also took his urine sample. I have been joking with him about the size of the bottle to use for weeks. He refused my offer of a large lemondale bottle. Generally a depressing day. The rainy weather and damp atmosphere has only added to everyones misery. Cowie had a face like a wet weekend - hardly surprising really. Chris and Louise are coming into school tonight in order to act as ushers for parents nights when mums and dads from all over Aireborough to find out how "little Tommy" is coping with his mathematics, etc, etc. Chris and Louise are then going up to the Emmotts where June, Cowie and Linda are heading at 8. Arrived home from school at 5.10 - June and I walked down to the bus stop alone in pouring rain. She waited with me until the dreaded number 55 bus came. She is sure the best girl in the whole wide world. Had tea at 5.30 and then caught the 7.33 bus back to Rawdon. June and Linda were already in the seat in the bay window with dear old Ivy Fitton. Cowie came in minutes later and bought me a pint of keg. In the next 2 hours I had 3 whiskies. June and I were sitting next to each other and Ivy kept giving me the get stuck in" nod. Chris, Lousie, Andy Graham and Andy Flesher came in at 9.30 - we all had a cosy hour. Peter Hurst caused a sensation by coming in and then rushing out, only to come belting back in again and leave by the back door! The evening ended on a sad note for Cowie and Linda. At the bus stop Linda finally told C that she would rather be his friend as opposed to girlfriend in the strictest sense of the word. She had a good cry. When June and I tried to investigate L banged her brolly on the bus stop window and screamed at us to go away. J and I ran back to my bus stop where we sat (very romantically) until J's bus came at 11.15. Mine arrived at 11.20. On arriving home I found Uncle Harry cavorting in the kitchen with Mum and Dad. They had fish and chips. I devoured a fish sandwich. Uncle H is so pathetic. I haven't seen him sober since 1971 - he seems happy enough however. He is easily upset by things which bring back nostalgic memories, i.e. the record "Ruby Don't Take Your Love to Town" and things like Mum's home-made bread. We all sat listening to my records until 1.30. Uncle H then bedded down on the camp bed in the lounge. I retired to my cosy, yet unmade divan. John was snoring loudly. --==--

Wednesday February 7, 1973

Another cold, blustery day. Got up at 8am, Went on the 8.33 bus. Another mixed up and frustrating day.June was in lessons all day, and I had 3 out of 6 of mine. Vey busy.
What makes me laugh is that June always doubts that I am keen on her. When I suggested going up to the Emmotts tomorrow she said yes, but that I'd be bored, and she was not wantingt to push me into something "disagreeable" to me! She could not get much further from the truth. I would not miss going to the Emmotts with her for anything. I have a feeling that a romance is blossoming between Denise and Dave L.
At lunchtime Dave and I went down to the chippie to get the weekly order - fish and chips six times and fishcake and chips once - the price came to 98p. I am almost sure that we keep the old woman there in business. Groves went out in the afternoon leaving his 6th formers to the vices of the card table and Christine Braithwaite. I refused to play cards and sat with Cowie instead discussing the qualities of June and Linda W.
At 4 we were all re-united and messed around for half an hour before we went for our buses. June and Linda missed there buses and so waited with Cowie and myself. When the 55 came at 4.45 we were in two minds whether to catch it or not - June looked most depressed when we did. Cowie and I were waving violently from an upstairs window until they disappeared from sight. We hardly spoke on the journey home. Cowie was worried that L had fallen out with him.
With Divine assistance I should be going to the Emmotts with June tomorrow evening. Sadly, however, I am completely out of solid cash. Mum or John will have to deal out some lolly. If not, my marital prospects with Miss Bottomley may be at stake. In our case however, I suspect that the bliss and contentment of our meetings at school alone will usurp the purge of my not attending the Emmotts.
My reputation as a "lady killer" may have been severely weakened today by the rumour put about by the lower 6th that _______had finished with me because of a refusal on my part to go to bed with her. This sordid question never once entered into our relationship and I proceed to treat it with the contempt it deserves. On reflection it is amusing.

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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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Monday February 5, 1973

Arose at 7.30. Went on the 8.30 bus. June and Linda came at 9.30 and Cowie, looking very tired, came at 9.50. Evidently, he didn't arrive home until 1.30am. Last nights events have triggered a romance between Cowie and Lynda, and she has now cast off her crush on Andy Graham. Chris wants me to go with him and Louise to Leeds this afternoon, but I'd feel like a goosberry, or whatever fruit it is. June wants me to go with her but she is meeting her sister who is in her late twenties, and they'll be on a wild goose-chase around the female boutiques. June, Benita and Lynda are doing the servery this week, and I sat with them throughout break - Dave thinks I'm being anti-social avoiding him. Saw Denise and MM at lunchtime. Dave Chris, Louise and Christine all tramped up to the library. Janet Roots, trying to chat me up, got under my feet. June, Lynda and Cowie all went to Leeds at 2.30. For me a boring and wasteful afternoon.

My evening was spent playing records. "Saturday Night at the Movies" reminds me of Mrs Cuthbert's biology classes last March when June, Johnny and I, plus David Stuttard all messed about together. Talking about Dave Stuttard - and who isn't these days? - I saw him in the tap room at the Emmotts last Thursday. He waved through the hatch to me in the lounge where I am always situated.

June and I fancy going out on Thursday but I will first have to throw myself upon the mercy of Mum and John to give me a substantial loan until Saturday night. I did this last week and can see no reason why I can't do it again. Had a bath. Had supper. Came to bed at 10.30.

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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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