Monday July 28, 1986

 5, Club Street, Lidget Green

Ice, wind, rain, &c. Not a typical July. We waited all day for the Philips engineer to come to look at our washing machine. He didn't appear until 4pm when Ally and I were watching a tape of the Royal wedding and laughing at the puerile commentary of the great broadcaster Sir Alastair Burnet. He should really be horsewhipped ... along with the Philips engineer, who charged me £30 just to tighten up the points and connections and did nothing but moan about the inaccessibility of the appliance. British workmen. God Bless 'em. However, the machine was going again and within minutes of his departure the nappies were spinning furiously. All two dozen of them. Ally wrote a couple of thank you letters. Auntie Annie Wilkinson sent £15 and Aunt Elsie a dress. I sat over my D. Telegraph reading of the furore over Michael Shea. The man should go. The palace is standing by Mr Shea and his is defended by Sir W. Heseltine, the private sec, but to quieten things down his head should roll. Damage has been done to Her Majesty and the PM over this. Heseltine has a letter in the Times today which makes it clear that the Queen accepts Mr Shea's version of events and not that of the Sunday Times, who published an article alleging HM was dismayed by Mrs Thatcher's policies. HM wouldn't be so unprofessional. My blood  boils. The poor maligned sovereign.

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Sunday July 27, 1986

 5, Club Street

9th Sunday after Trinity

Samuel went for a walk to collect the morning papers and to walk-off our enormous breakfast. I bought a Sunday Telegraph, but weakened and also bought the News of the World. We came back and sat in the garden midst the flower pots. Sam always talks to the neighbours ginger Tom cat and is very cross when it declines to answer back. Well, I am on holiday. One must be light-hearted every so often. The latter organ leads with an account of poor Princess Michael of Kent's supposed 'affair' with the Earl of Suffolk & Berkshire, the thrice married millionaire, who is 51. Inside was a tale 
of the Duke and Duchess of York's pre-nuptial Ball at Windsor where 'Fergie' introduced Paddy McNally to Prince Andrew. All good stuff. The Telegraph leads with a train crash. In other news, Averell Harriman has died aged 94.

A warm afternoon. We put a chicken in the oven and took Clemmie out in her pram. Her first walkies. We went of all places to Scholemoor cemetery where the roses were beautiful and where Samuel could run around unhindered. The dead don't mind, I'm sure. Looking at tombstones both old and new one thing emerges very clear and frightening. One is so very lucky now to reach three score years and ten. People are not living longer despite the NHS, Giros, British Rail, Concorde, PVC, penicillin, or Margaret Thatcher. Most disturbing. Bessie phoned. Ate an enormous dinner. Our washing machine went kaput. I phoned Dad who said automatic machines are too complex for the amateur and I will have to call in Philips. Sod it. Sue goes to Scotland tomorrow.

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Saturday July 26, 1986

 5, Club Street, Lidget Green

Susan and Peter's sixth anniversary of blissful wedlock _______. We phoned tonight and Sue seemed cheerful. They were both drinking whisky, a present from Jim Nason. The boys both have spots and they are going to Horton in the morning and then to Scotland in Dad's car. Jill and Tim came here at 7 o'clock with Thomas. Clementine's first visitors. "Where have you got Clementine from -- the name that is?", Jill asked. 

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Friday July 25, 1986

 Club Street, &c.

Went again in the car again to Duckworth Lane with Samuel clinging on in the back of the car wide-eyed with amusement at my new found mobility. The Co-op is doing very nicely out of me this week. We went to Cheap 'n Cheerful to give our glad tidings to Mrs Whitehead but it was her day off. Bought some notelets for announcing our child's arrival to friends we haven't phoned. Sarah C and the Rawnsleys, &c. She is a gorgeous fat little thing - like Samuel, but rounder and with a different nose. The little girl has no eye-lashes and of course her eyes are blue. They always are. Clementine has a perfectly shaped head, so unlike some babies, but am I slightly biased? Just think if I go along and collect my grandmother's birth certificate and find that she is really spelt 'Lavinia'! Dad says that his mother-in-law was a rotten speller too. Was she spelling her name 'Levinyer' because she knew no other? Mum's birth certificate definitely says her mother was Levinyer, but I am gripped with paroxysms of doubt.

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Thursday July 24, 1986

 5, Club Street

Sunshine and midwives, &c. Samuel and I went up to Duckworth Lane in the car for an hour and spent it amongst the frozen veg in the Co-Op. We lingered in a newsagents shop over the royal wedding editions. You have no idea how satisfied I am that Prince Andrew is now Duke of York. Hugh Montgomery-Massingberd says that the last time a son of the sovereign married without a peerage title 'appears' to have been in 1374 when Thomas of Woodstock, a son of Edward III, married Eleanor de Bohun. He later became Duke of Gloucester. I cannot dispute this because as yet the plethora of dirty nappies has prevented my researches. I could have been physically sick today over breakfast while reading the offering compiled by our talented poet laureate  in honour of the York nuptials. Called 'The Honey Bee and the Thistle', it is written as a song, and Ted Hughes should be thoroughly ashamed of himself. Come back John Masefield, all is forgiven. I enclose the 'poem' here.

The Honey Bee and the Thistle

Upon this day in Westminster

That brings the Prince his Bride

Out of the Sun there swoops a song

that cannot be denied.

While every television trembles

In the organ blare

And their cardiographs' two butterflies

Are trying to touch in air.

While some weep at the foamy veil

That surges her to bliss

And some drink to the princely hand

That lifts it for the kiss

Before the country's dried is eyes

Or bells begin to ring

That cherub in a shaft of light

sweetly starts to sing:

When all the birds of Roxburghshire

Danced on the lawns, and all the

The Salmon of the Tweed cavorted

Over the Garden Wall

Gold as the Honey Bee

etc etc

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Wednesday July 23, 1986

 5, Club Street

A bright day. Nothing quite like a Royal wedding. Samuel and I went out at breakfast time before the television had 'warmed up' and we did our shopping amongst a throng of housewives all eager to get home in front of the box. It was with great relief that I heard on the 10 o'clock news that Prince Andrew is to become Duke of York, Earl of Inverness, and Baron Killyleagh. Phew. My reputation as a royal boffin is saved. We watched TV all day. It darkened here later and rained heavily. Dr Duck came at 10:15 and Dad at about 11. A splendid wedding. Miss Ferguson is a very suitable, traditional frock. Pretty bridesmaids. A relaxed sovereign, and a beaming Grand Old Duke of York. At 3 we went (Dad, Sam and I) to the Kwik Fit Tyre place where the Maestro had new brake pads. We then went to register the baby in her lovely Christian names at Manor Row. Today is Levinyer Wilson's birthday. Quite fitting really.

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Tuesday July 22, 1986

 Moorhouse Inn

Something of a frantic day. Dad with Bessie and Frank moved vast amounts of personal belongings to Club St. I had a stock take. A flash little couple, the Brendan Watsons, came to relieve me here. They've been promised the 'Sir Gawain and the Green Dragon' pub near Mold. The drip with the beard did the stock take, and I didn't escape at the wheel of my vehicle until almost 2pm. I picked up Ally at 3 and took our daughter home. Such a feeling of fulfilment and elation. We had a photo session at Club St. Our visitors departed and left us with our rapidly expanding family. Darling Clementine. Will she perhaps resemble me?

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Monday July 21, 1986

Moorhouse Inn

Bessie & Clementine.

Full Moon. Two visits to Ally and our pink daughter. Back at 9pm to find Hilda and Tony with Dad partaking of ale. We were joined downstairs by Frank and Bessie and Uncle Peter, who came to collect Bev, and was stunned to see his shunned sister here. No acrimony really. It's such a pity that they all don't get on. Life is too bloody short, &c. Dad found himself in a furious row on the subject of charitable organisations and was opposed by Frank, Bessie and Tony. Poor Bessie. She now works as a prison visitor at Winchester nick brewing tea for the mad axe men and child molesters. Oh dear. It was quite late, 1am. Hilda and Tony disappeared in their farting Fiat. A mobile hairdryer. It's dear Sue's birthday.

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Sunday July 20, 1986

5 Club St, Lidget Green, Bradford 

8th Sunday after Trinity.

Clementine.

Sunny. Day off. We went for lunch to the Radcliffe Arms at Follifoot. Bessie, Frank, Samuel and I. Busy. A blind young man spilt a pint over me. Samuel well behaved and cute. He enjoys the company of his grandparents. On to see Ally via Norwood Edge and the scenic route around Otley. I slept on way to Bradford. Samuel is fascinated by the electric windows of grandad's Granada. Back to see Ally tonight. Both tired. Thank God I can use the motor. Called in to see Hilda on the way home and had a couple of glasses of wine. Later, back at the pub Dad was close to tears. Downstairs with F & B, Dad, Uncle Peter, &c. The church lot began brawling and an embarrassing scene ensued. Bessie was about to join in.

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Saturday July 19, 1986

5, Club Street, Lidget Green, Bradford BD7 2PB

Up with the larks. I had slept in a heap on the floor with my head against the TV and feet up the chimney. A hearty breakfast was consumed and then we went back to Leeds in a convoy - me leading the way. Back for 9am. Went breezing in and saw Maureen and Audrey. They swoon at the news, but obviously don't like our choice of names. B & F took Sam to Leeds Market and I went down to Morrison's and bought Ally a display of dried flowers, a baby book, and a baby card, all predominately green for some reason. I was in a trance with joy really. The afternoon passed. The name Clementine doesn't go down too well in Hunslet. Terry Egan and Margaret Milne say we should call baby Levinyer as a first name and think it beautiful. We do not heed their advice. We visited BRI noon and night. Ally so relaxed in hospital and is making the most of her bed rest. If only I could join her.

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Friday July 18, 1986

5, Club Street, Lidget Green, Bradford BD7 2PB

Clementine Nora Levinyer.

I slept until 5am, and on waking Ally says her pains have stopped.  We waited until 9am and then went back to Hilda's for Samuel, who had been crying for his Daddy. Back to the Moorhouse. Did the wages for the staff. I went to the bank &c. By late morning it had all started again. We went back to Club Street to wait for Bessie and Frank , who had been informed of Ally's condition in the early hours. Ally paced around looking very uncomfortable. I went to the Co-op to buy brown rolls and a tin of salmon and when I came back the situation had altered. Her contractions were very regular. I ate greedily. At the BRI when will I eat again? Ally's pains were worse. I grabbed Sam by the hand and picked up a bottle of lemonade and a door key and went to Mary Moore's who agreed to have him until Bessie and Frank arrive. Poor Mary is 72 and on two sticks. She told me not to worry because she had been a teacher. Ally and I piled into the Maestro and I drove like a madman to the BRI where they put us in a room. It was 1:30pm. (Gynaecological redaction). At 4:16pm Clementine Nora Levinyer was born. I shed tears. Baby weighs 8lb 3oz. Ally so brave, despite the pain. She phoned people, everyone, at 5 o'clock. I went to Club St and collected a few cans of Carlsberg. Sam couldn't understand. F & B got here at 4pm. They went to bed at 10:30 and I went through the phone book to let everyone know. Dad was choked.

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