Thursday July 4, 1985

 Moorhouse Inn

Independence Day USA

Very hot. We erected hanging baskets. Ally took Sam over to Guiseley for the afternoon to see Lynn & Co before their Tenby extravaganza. All the babies played in the nude with buckets of water. Samuel delights in the companionship of other children, especially Katie. His eyes light up at the mention of her name. I spent the afternoon in the flat, stripped to the waist, eating quiche and watching the tennis on our panoramic screen. Ally was back at 5pm with a 'nappy-less' but soggy Sam. Full of fun. Very busy downstairs. None stop from 5:30. If only we could be similarly employed every night. 

Princess Michael of Kent is in hospital in a collapsed state. Some evil rag is suggesting that HRH is having an affair with a Dallas oilman. Prince Michael is 43 today.

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Wednesday July 3, 1985

 Moorhouse Inn

Hilda phoned me at 11am to give an account of last night's visit to Waltergarth. It was very weepy she says. All Mum's remaining clothes have gone to Pudsey and Lilian Gaunt is now the possessor of Mum's finest gowns. Tony was so drunk that they had to stay the night, a boozy affair.

Naughty Janette discharged herself from hospital and returned to Menston against the advice of her doctors. She is a wilful girl. Susan is under the impression that Mr Glass has given Janette the 'all clear' but when Ally phoned the Clarendon Wing a nurse expressed surprise that 'Miss Drysdale' was leaving. Confusion. John had to leave the Tay site at Yeadon to collect his wailing mistress.

We had an evening off upstairs, and lay in our bedroom after watching 'Dallas'. The noise rising up from the tap room below was awful. Dogs, hysterical women, breaking wood and glass, &c. And yet, a peaceful evening.

Tuesday July 2, 1985

 Moorhouse Inn

Full Moon

Hot day. That brat of a tennis star has been knocked out of Wimbledon. What's his name? We went to see Janette at the Clarendon Wing. Leeds is horrible in the heat. Hilda and Tony are visiting Waltergarth this evening. On Saturday we received a wedding invitation for Diane & Paul's nuptials on August 31. Nobody else in the family have yet to receive one. We suspect that Hilda doesn't know John or Susan's address. We have a visit to the brewery on July 11. Must ring Marlene to grab Debbie for babysitting.

Lunches here have fallen off. Nobody eats. We take £5 on average these days when before Mary Theresa Collinson's appointment to the kitchen £20 was more the norm. 

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Monday July 1, 1985

 Moorhouse Inn

Di Wales is 24. The worst June weather since the turn of the century, they're saying. It's bound to be a scorcher next week when Lynn goes to Tenby. She always has it tropical. Lynn phoned to say that Janette is in the Clarendon Wing after some twinges over the weekend. We went with Samuel to visit our would-be-sister-in-law . She looked perfectly well to me, but is awaiting a scan and is under the famous consultant, Mr Glass. Ally went back to see her at 7 and met John there. He only found out at 6:30 when a neighbour went over and reported that Janette had been carried off in an ambulance. He had been working on his kitchen. They drove back to the Moorhouse at 8, and John came in for 'one' drink and stayed until 2am in the tap room. Ally played pool. We had a good chat. John is squeamish about being present for the birth of his next child. I strongly suggested he must be there, and he chewed it over. Ally says I should not try and persuade him and that the decision must be his. It's a highly personal decision. Glynnie phoned at a late hour. The Hollywood is doing a roaring trade. It's the first time I have spoken to him since I phoned him about Mum. 

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Sunday June 30, 1985

 Moorhouse Inn

4th Sunday after Trinity

John, Sheila, Me & Sam, Dad, Janet, Arnold.

Early start. We got to Horton for 10:30. Dull, overcast. Dad, John, Sheila, Arnold and Janet were having breakfast together. We joined them for coffee laced with whisky. We discussed Ruth Upton's birth certificate. ________. My Uncle John bronzed and handsome as ever. Very 1950s Hollywood. Uncle Arnold is a deep sort of chap, peculiarly likeable. They all refer to him as 'Our Bill' for some reason, The brothers would all make very good MPs. Great orators. We walked to the newsagents and both Dad and John came out with a Sunday Telegraph. At Waltergarth we had lashings of wine and a late dinner, three chickens in fact. It was odd and disconcerting seeing Sheila and Janet pottering in the kitchen with Mum's things. Lynn, David, Thomas and Katie appeared (Frances was at a kid's party). (Uncle) John has always been obsessed with Lynn. He idolises her. Samuel did a lot of showing off. Lynn left at 6, followed by Arnold and Janet at 9. We sat chatting until 11. The wine left me with an enormous headache. (Uncle) John going on the rampage about the British banking system. 

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Saturday June 29, 1985

 Moorhouse Inn

Mr Humphrey Smith married Miss Julia Gladstone today and we were surprised to receive an invitation from his mother 'Mrs Geoffrey Smith and the Directors of Sam. Smith's' for lunch at the family home at Oxton Hall, Tadcaster, on July 24, to celebrate this great dynastic occurrence. It is so good of the company to do this. That is what is so good about working for a family business. So personal, &c.  Tonight we 'taped' 'Dysentery' (as I call the series Dynasty). It is the last episode until September. Blake Carrington's dad has died in Indonesia. To bed with books. I am plodding through 'George V'. Very entertaining. Didn't phone Dad because he is entertaining his brothers in Settle.

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Friday June 28, 1985

 Moorhouse Inn

A man from DER brought us a video machine for us to play with over the weekend. Not that we'll have much chance. We watched our wedding video which was a jolt. Mum's bright "Hello Darling, it's Grannie" (to Catherine) is now the only known recording of her voice. Phoned Dad. He went back to Horton yesterday afternoon. He called at Hanson's, the stonemason, en route. The headstone will take six weeks. John and Sheila have phoned to confirm they will be visiting him tomorrow. Arnold & Janet too. _______.

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Thursday June 27, 1985

 Moorhouse Inn

Our fourth wedding anniversary. Shock, horror. We exchanged cards in bed. No personal presents were swapped because the plethora of pine and the tv set is going to be our gift to each other. We live in grand surroundings now. Ally wants Laura Ashley festoon blinds hanging in the bedroom, but they'll cost £150 and the things will not transfer from the Moorhouse if and when we leave. Sceptical. Messed around until late. We went to Guiseley at 12 via a florist where we bought Sue a spray. At Thorpe Lane we found them tucking in to lunch. Poor Sue has heavy eyes and looks washed out. She only escaped from hospital at 10am. Lynn and her bronzed infants appeared and we went out into the garden and Grandpa Rhodes provided wheelbarrow rides for a wild, hysterical bunch of children. A make-shift tea party on the lawn followed. Goose pimples galore. Home to the pub exhausted at 8 after a couple of hours at Lynn's.

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Wednesday June 26, 1985

Moorhouse Inn

Susan had a scan at the hospital (Otley?) and as she suspected something is wrong, but it isn't a reappearance of the hydatiform mole. It seems that the tiny baby has died in the womb. Off she went with Dad to the Clarendon Wing this afternoon _________. Peter visited this evening. We are going to Guiseley tomorrow. Benjamin is one. 

St Giles.

A very large TV appeared from DER. We are having it on trial for a few days. We sat watching 'Dallas' open mouthed, wide eyed,  and bushy tailed at the glorious , breath-taking splash of colour. 

Quiet downstairs. Phoned Donna Lea re my cloudy ale. I have nothing to hide. Unlike my ale, my conscience is clear. She will visit and take samples, &c. 

Did I ever mention that Saint Giles was a cripple? Well, he was.

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Tuesday June 25, 1985

 Moorhouse Inn

I feel down in the dumps. Worrying about my Old Brewery Bitter. Is it really up to scratch? Colin Black's words are ringing in my ears: "If you are not happy with it for God's sake return it". This I have done, and now my cellar is spartan. 

Dad went back to Guiseley to see Susan. He is going to help out until she has her pregnancy confirmed or quashed. ________. Dad is going to Wales with Lynn and Dave. Two weeks in Tenby isn't my idea of fun. Poor Dad forgot his luggage when he came for the weekend and so he borrowed John's things. Hw went away today wearing one of my old shirts. 

Our chairman (Humphrey Smith) marries on Saturday up in Dumfriesshire. All the managers gave a £1 at the managers meeting for a joint present to the boss and his bride. Leslie Gledhill joked about my suit saying he could have one made from my lapels alone. I set fashion I do not follow it.

Revoltingly quiet this evening. Just Janet. She needs motivating. Ally fumes because the girl stands around, arms folded, doing nowt. But we can only be responsible for that.

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Monday June 24, 1985

 Moorhouse Inn

Dad came over in the afternoon from Guiseley looking better than he did yesterday. He's so lost though. Mum always provided such gaiety. Will Dad ever get that sparkle back? Dad says Susan isn't at all well and is having a scan on Wednesday. Is it a reappearance of a hydatiform mole? She has been passing blood &c, and describes the discharge as 'stringy'. Dad does worry. We had a few pints and looked at headstones (again). The choice was finally made. 

The Angel & White Horse

We went to Tadcaster at 5:15 leaving Dad to bath Samuel and to put him to bed. At Taddy it was a large gathering of pub managers in the brewery canteen. To our surprise Chris Wills appeared. He accused the brewery of diluting his ale at source before he received it. We are told we are to have a seven per cent pay rise. Can't complain. Afterwards to the Angel (and White Horse). I felt pissed drinking beer. Found myself talking to the landlord of the Norman at Normanton. The brewery wives always look so brassy, you know typical landlady types. My wife is so fresh, young and so very uncommon. Saw LG and C. Black. Very relaxed. To Horsforth afterwards. I was drunk as a skunk. The 'Inside Out' or 'Outside Inn' or whatever you call it was shut. On to Jacomelli's. Steak, &c. Ally not too pleased about the dinner. Home at 11. David was watching Billy Joel on the telly. We have spent our bonus on a tv cabinet (pine), bed for Sam (pine) and a chest of drawers for Sam (pine).

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