Monday April 23, 1973

The smell of Dad's breakfast awoke me at 10 o'clock. Mum was surprised to see us all up at such an early hour. At 10.40 everyone, much to Dad's disgust, went into the lounge to watch a Tarzan epic. Wot a load o' rubbish it was.

The weather is really terrible. All those poor Easter campers will be sick to death - typical Easter weather conditions. Mum made my lunch at 12 in order that I could be at the CW by 1 o'clock. I had turkey again - highly delicious. Walked down Thorpe Lane in the drizzle arriving exactly on time at the CW. Not many people in. Pauline arrived at 1.15 - we had a laugh together. She complemented me by saying that I worked better than Martin, who, If I understand correctly from Sue, talks down to Pauline all the time. She's a real nice girl really. Sue is offering my job to Lynn or Sue when I depart in September. Keeping it in the family. Sue seems interested. Two Sues working will certainly confuse things. By 2.30 everyone had gone - we staff drifted into the restaurant and devoured several cheese and onion sandwiches. Pauline sat knitting. It got busy again at 3.30. Worked until 5.55. Sue gave me £1.50 and I walked home in the rain. Had tea and sat waiting for June and Dave to ring about tomorrows goings on. I hope and pray that Mr Lawson will not need the car tomorrow. And with these terrible weather conditions I think they may decide to stay in, but all I can do is wait patiently. She rang at 8. We talked for three minutes but still undecided she promised to ring again at 9 o'clock. We decided to meet with the fishing tackle outside the Station Hotel at 12 o'clock. She's buying some maggots in Rawdon. What a wet, yet exciting day we are in for. Dave rang at 9.10. He may be able to get his Dad's car, but he's not sure. He says he'll ring back with the news at 11 tomorrow morning. Saw "Mutiny on the Bounty"with Marlon Brando - such an anti-climax at the end! Came to bed at 12.30am. John and I rumaged for suitable clothing. I can hardly wait.

--==--

Sunday April 22, 1973

Easter Day. Awoke at midday. Watched a rotten film and browsed through the Sunday Express until lunchtime. Really an exquisite lunch. Turkey and a white, medium sweet barsac wine - which I bought from Toffer last night. Mother is certainly an amazing cook.

Later they all went to the lounge and I made the coffee. A rotten film began and so I read the Sunday Express - inside was a good article about the part played by the Queen Mother in the Royal Family over the past 50 years. She truly is a remarkable, lovable, dedicated soul - so natural and unruffled. She knocks Queen Mary into stitches.

Mum and Dad went out at 6.30. Lynn has a new boyfriend - Chris Halliday. She is also going out with Andy Richardson on Friday. Wait till I tell Sue tomorrow. Rang Dave at 7. He picked me and John up at 7.45. Arrived 10 minutes later at the Emmotts. Ivy was in high spirits. June and Sue came shortly afterwards. After half an hour we piled into Dave's car - John and Sue in the back and June on my knee in the front and we went up to our house. Sue was in alone, and we all sat discussing where to go until 9. We decided to go to Shipley - to the Elma nightclub. Sadly on our arrival we were told it was for members only. We then went to Arthington arriving at 9.45 after a cosy ride in the car listening to Radio Luxembourg. Went to to the Wharfedale pub - where we had a couple of drinks - no disco due to it being Easter. What a tip it is! Glad to be back in the car. Took girls to Horsforth arrived at 11 o'clock - June and I kissed goodnight. She is ringing me tomorrow evening. Dave brought us home. Lynn and Sue were entertaining L's boyfriend and his friend, Gary Parry. Dad has previous associations with Gary's "business" type connections. Very embarrassing.

Came to bed at 1 o'clock. Not too tired. We may be all tripping to the Dales on Tuesday. That is if Dave's dad doesn't want the car.

--==--

Saturday April 21, 1973

Her Majesty the Queen is 47 years old today. She is still relatively young when one takes into consideration that she has reigned for 21 years. Her grandfather, George V, reigned for only 25 years but he died at 72. When Her Majesty is 72 she will have been Queen for nearly half a century. Rather disgustingly, the papers have paid hardly any attention to this Royal birthday. And the Daily Mail dedicated 2 precious lines on page 8 to the fact thet HM is now 47. The papers seem to think that the voyage of the QEII to Israel carring loads of rabbis is more important - poor, misguided souls!

I sat with Susan throughout the afternoon and when Mum went to have her hair done we watched Gregory Peck in an ancient film - really quite a weepy. However, yesterday's film "The Song of Bernadette" is still strong in my mind. ___I have neglected God in the past couple of years but have never doubted his existence. To many of my friends God seems beyond their comprehension and frequently come out with statements like "how can you, in the year 1973, believe such superstitious nonsense." I find it difficult to argue the other way, but I know in my own heart that God does exist. I have no proof to doubt it. Why should I?

Work was very busy. We took Pauline home first. Very tired and sleepy. Could sleep for one hundred years. Goodnight.

--==--

Friday April 20, 1973

Good Friday. I feel really terrible. My conscience will never let me rest. And all because of the BBC.

Yes, the BBC put on a film which stirred my religious feelings. Dad frowned when I told him that I believed St Bernadette really saw the Virgin Mary at Lourdes. He went on to query why it was only Roman Catholics who have these visitations. Poor man. He must think that all the people in the Bible were Roman Catholics too - when of course they were Jews. I was so interested in the film that I was half an hour late for the CW. Sue was having eggs - thinking I wasn't going to turn up. Toffer merely laughed. Sue was in an awful fluster at about 9 o'clock. She hardly spoke for the remainder of the evening - unlike Sue altogether. I was in a daze for the largest part of the evening - due to the fact that the film was tearing at my conscience. What pain I was going through. At least my faith in God was boosted, which can never be a bad thing.

Came home at 1.30. Had 2 boiled eggs and retired.

--==--

Thursday April 19, 1973

Dad, scraping old paint off one of the doors, awoke me at 11.10. Sadly, I have been very disappointed with Dad lately, and have come to the conclusion that Stalin's Russia can have been no worse than 58, Hawksworth Lane, Guiseley. Rather stupidly, today I made a terrible boob. Yes, I forgot all about Rule 17 Sub-Section 2c, which states quite clearly: "All watching of television is strictly prohibited between the hours of 8am and 6pm." Those contravening this rule are regarded as "moronic, uncultured people". Rule No 3 section 12B states: "Persons at all times must be doing something useful. No rest is tolerated. Lieusure is to be frowned upon." It just so happens that I broke rule 17 Sub Secrion 2c to watch the film version of Noel Coward's "Astonished Heart" at 3pm. On finding me in from the of the tv Dad proceeded to read the Riot Act. The film was also the cause of concern. He regards the works of Noel Coward as upper middle-class propaganda. Had it been the life story of Clement Attlee rule 17 may have been repealed. Not that I would have broken Rule 17 anyway if Clement's life had been placed on film. Anyway, he got his own way and I turned off the television. I continued with Anthony Eden until tea time. Watched Top of the Pops. John decided to come out with me - the first time since January. He wore his bags and my suit jacket. Mum said he looked very unusual dressed up. We went on the 7.30 55 bus. On our arrival June was already inside - she was surprised to see John. She thinks he looks like Michael Stott. Sue B arrived 20 minutes later after jilting poor Keith in Horsforth. She takes an immediate fancy to John. and they discuss the ins and outs of brick-laying and joinering etc. Sue is training to be an architect. Sadly, she accidentally knocked a drink all over a pretty looking Pakistani girl - and embarrassment almost killed her. She left very quickly afterwards. June was mad with her and thinks that John might be offended by Sue's early departure. Ivy thought I was "bonnie" until she laid eyes on John. I am very glad. I don't fancy the prospects of going through life "bonnie." Ivy did go on to say how John and I look so much alike! I would never say that we looked alike, but everyone is entitled to their own opinions. June thought he was sweet. We went out for the 11.10 bus. John went to the chippy. The bus came on time. We kissed goodnight. A very enjoyable evening. --==--

Wednesday April 18, 1973

Mum got me up at 8.50. Dad gave me a lift to the CW at 9 o'clock. Sue and Toffer were still in bed. I knocked them up - Sue yelled from her bedroom window, telling me to let myself in. Webby and Worthy made a fuss over me and I cleared last night's greasy dishes away. Toffer came down half naked and told me to get a step-ladder fom the garage. To cut a long story short, Toffer went to the cash-and-carry for an hour whilst I polished the tables, and set them. Sue was hoovering upstairs. Toffer came back and cleaned the frier. I didn't begin my cleaning until nearly 11. Worked like a Trojan until 1.30 - when we went up to the Chevin Inn for lunch. I had a delicious salad and one and a half pints of ale. I never expected to be swilling ale on a Wednesday afternoon. At 3 we went and caught Sue's horse - a massive white brute - very nice really. Toffer with Worthy, Web and I drove back to the CW and I started on the walls again - with industrial grease remover. Worked until 5.30. Sue came home and paid me £3 and then gave me a lift home. Had dinner. Mum said I looked awfully pale.

They went out to Auntie Hilda's to see a concert - Mum hates these so-called concerts. I had a bath and washed my hair at 6.15. Emerged at 6.45. Ready at 7. Had a coffee then left and caught the 7.30 55 bus - it was raining. Arrived at the Emmotts at 8 o'clock. June hadn't arrived. I sat alone with half a lager. She's still not here by 8.30, and at 8.45 I go outside and wait in the bus shelter. I could not beleive she had not come. June would never break a promise. Sure enough, she arrived on the 8.50 bus with Sue Bottomley. She was full of apologies. Evidently, her leg had cramp and she had missed the 8 o'clock 55. They had walked most of the way up.

At 9.30 Chris, Denny and MM came in. So did Keith Harrison - and he finished up with Sue Bottomley for the evening. She must like him really. Sue and Keith walked down to the bottom, June and I waited at the bus stop. Left at 11.10. We are meeting tomorrow.

--==--

Tuesday April 17, 1973

June did not ring me. However, she did send me a lovely letter, to which I replied immediately. She must have forgotten about ringing me - she is always telling me how scatter-brained she is. But I love her and would never have her change. Got up at 10 o'clock. Dad was painting the side door, and the girls were having breakfast - the weather is perfect. I read June's letter and reply immediately. By 12 o'clock she still had not phoned.

Had mutton for lunch. Mum and the girls went to Bradford. Dad went to work. I was left alone with Sir Anthony Eden, or should I say Lord Avon, plus my awful doubt. Why has June not phoned? What can I have done wrong? I am like a big kid. She would laugh if she knew I was worrying over her. At 2.10 I beging seriously reading Eden. What a terrible way to spend a beautiful Spring afternoon!

She rang at 4. How relieved and thrilled I was to hear her voice. We are meeting at the Emmotts at 7.30 tomorrow. The pips came much too soon. I blew a kiss down the phone. Swoon, Swoon, Pant, Pant, Swoon, etc.

Tried to settle back down with Eden and the rearmament thing of the early 1930s. Oh, how happy I am! John came home at about 5.30 followed by Mum and the girls, and they were followed by Dad. We had tea. By 7.30 I was back at the Chuck Wagon, where it was unusually busy for a Tuesday night. Came home at 11.30 and had a discussion with Susan about the order of succession to the Throne. I told her how silly it was to say that it should go in order of birth regardless of sex, and not by the usual male first. If this idea had been in operation in 1901 then Queen Victoria would have been succeeded by the Empress Frederick who would have been Queen Victoria II from January to August and then succeeded by her son, King William V (aka Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany). Not a very satisfactory idea is it?


--==--

Monday April 16, 1973

Got up at about 10.30. Lynn and Susan were watching the television. Mum was at work and Dad was in bed. Lynn was complaining like mad about no one wanting to go out with her, Susan intending staying in all day.

Woke Dad up at 12 and he went and collected Mum from work. We had omlettes for lunch. In order to shut Lynn up I decided to go to Guiseley with her. Dad gave us a lift down at 2pm. We went into the Library where we remained for about an hour. We brought 8 books out with us. I found two of Eden's large memoirs - 'Facing the Dictators' and 'Full Circle'. Eden says that he resigned due to ill-health and not due to his arcaic policy which was shunned even by his own colleagues. It goes to show how history can be twisted and warped. I can understand how King Richard III has been wrongly portrayed over the past six hundred years. It was Shakespeare, who may have been a good playwright, but a lousy historian. Henry Tudor was the blackguard.

Lynn and I went from the library to Mrs Little's at Silverdale. We remained for about an hour. She made us a coffee. We didn't see much of Stewart, who was out playing with a friend. At 4.45 we set off for home. The weather is really beautiful and we discuss our very first memories as we walk up the lane. Dinner at 5.15. Watch the television for the remainder of the evening. I briefly look at the Eden memoirs which I'll look at in more detail tomorrow.

June is intending ringing me up tomorrow morning, and event for which I can hardly wait. We will not be seeing one another until Wednesday or Thursday. Too long to ask any love-sick man to wait. Came to bed at midnight.


--==--

Sunday April 15, 1973

Palm Sunday. Nearly 12 again when I get up. I ought to be ashamed of myself remembering the days when I spent Sunday morning in church. Have breakfast and then go upstairs to tidy my bedroom which is a disgrace with books, papers, and useless articles piled everywhere.

Have a small snack at lunchtime then watch a corny film (black and white). Nice tea at 5 followed by Badminton Horse Trials on the telly (Princess Anne there). Horse trials are always very exciting. One poor girl succumbed to a heavy blow on being thrown from her horse which landed on the top of her. She was taken away in an ambulance. Dad was being anti-social and he did the washing-up. Susan and I departed to the dining room to listen to the top 60 programme. At 6 o'clock I rang Dave. His mother told me that he was in Sheffield for the day but he would contact me on his return. At 7 I rang again. He had just got in, and due to several severe nose bleeds he said he wanted an early night. So it seems that June and I will be alone.

Arrived at the Emmotts at 8.25. June had been there since twenty to 8. But in her note she said quite clearly that she'd been there at 8.30. Anyway, she was enjoying herself with dear old Ivy. We have a laugh about her name. She dislikes Bottomley. Evidently, her grandfather, Mr Bottomley, married a Miss Sidebottom - what a remarkable arsey phenomenon! Bottoms run in the family. June's brother, Geoffrey, changed his name to Dalton, and her sister, prior to her marriage, changed her name to Langley. Bottomley is not so bad. Very much to our surprise, Dave came in at about 9 o'clock. He had a couple of cokes and stayed until about 9.50. He had to take the car home for his Dad. June and I remained until 10.30 - she very much liked my new furry jersey and said that her sister Sue is having a crush on me at the moment. God! Not another one! Came home at 11.15. Watched a programme about what the Commonwealth thinks about the Royal Family. Ray Belisario, that horrid photographer, showed some phots of Princess Margaret scantily clad. Everyone should be allowed to have some privacy - Belisario wants hanging!

--==--

Saturday April 14, 1973

It must have been nearly 12 when I awoke. John and I decided to go to Leeds. Mum was in a rather terrible mood - we were relieved to get out of the house. We hope she'll be back to normal by tea time. She wanted to give me the £1.30 she owed me, but I protested and said I would wait until next week. John and I got the 2 o'clock 55 bus. Arrived at Leeds 2.50. We go to the predestrian precinct where we find Harry Fenton's. I buy a pair of trousers for £6.75 and a jumper for £4.50. John lends me £2 until next week. We next went to Ray Allen's where John bought a pair of (Oxford) bags for £5.50 - very similar to my latest bags. At the bus station I bought Mum a box of plain and milk chocolates for 20-odd pence. Leave Leeds on the 55 at 4.50. Home by 5.30. Watched Dr Who and had a salad. Prepare for work. Walk down Thorpe Lane arriving at the CW at 7.10. Pauline, Sue and Toffer sit in readiness for the hungry mob. Pauline gives me a piece of chocolate. Not a terribly busy evening. Sue feeling very tired went to bed at midnight. Pauline and I have a laugh with Toffer until 1. A "lovey-dovey" couple keep us waiting. Pauline and I think of ways to get rid of them. Toffer looks on at us in horror. P and I have a bowl of soup and a roll in the restaurant at 1.15. P being very giggly. Come home at 1.30. John watches the television. Lynn and Sue come home ten minutes later from babysitting. We drink a glass of sherry. Dad comes home for supper. Lynn and I say goodnight and go to bed. Sue comes up not long after Dad departs for work. --==--

Friday April 13, 1973

Christine and Jacko are away. Louise and I go to Economics where Christine Jennings and Irene sit with Mr Ayling. What a boring lesson it is. At break Louise pretends to be sick so that she can avoid the second Economics lesson. She is a lousy actress. In the next lesson we discuss the 6th form with Mr Ayling. He asks me whether I think it's been a success. I pause, but then say "yes". He wants to know if we think there is enough authority in the block. I say "no". He and Irene then discuss where staff and pupils must draw the line. We all agree that the situation is very difficult. I sit with MM, Louise and Denny until lunchtime - June being in lessons. We laugh at the ridiculous letters in Louise's magazine. People worrying about ejaculating on the bed linen. June and I go to Rigg's at 12.30 where he, Mr Rigg himself, tells us that June and I are the only people from Benton Park who actually talk to them in the shop. His assistant said that the majority of the kids are morons and 'thick.' The Riggs are nice old souls really. In current affairs Groves left us to prepare for the lecture which is being carried out by Dave Kerfoot, June Turner and Vicky Kellett. They arrive at 2.30. The talk is really interesting, and deals with the problems facing bods who go away from home to live in colleges and universities etc. Dave Kerfoot is at polytechnic living in digs, June Turner is at college of Education living in halls of residence, and Vicky is at university but living at home. Therefore, a varied selection of opinions. They all put there cases very well. Collected my gear together and left with June for the bus stop - having now broken up for Easter. On the way down to Rawdon we decided to meet at the Emmotts at 8.30 on Sunday. Departed for home waving wildly at June from the window. Went to the CW at 7.30. The evening was rather a drag. Toffer and Sue were arguing again. Came home at 1. John was watching Anthony Quinn is some sort of Western thing. I did not take too much notice of it. John went to bed about 1.15 leaving me reading. Dad came home for supper at 1.30. I said goodnight and came to bed. --==--