Sunday July 13, 1986

 Moorhouse Inn, Leeds LS11 5NQ

7th Sunday after Trinity

Wellington Inn.

Sunshine. We went, after breakfast, to Knaresborough, via Otley, Pannal, Follifoot, &c. It was sad for Papa because this was a route he took when he took Mum out on one of her very last car journeys when she was so ill and living with us at the Moorhouse. Sam went with grandad to look at the river whilst Ally and I went to the Wellington to see Mr Thompson. It's a tiny place, almost pokey, after the Moorhouse. We were stunned to hear that the takings average £1,700 a week which Mr T says is very good, and that no pub in Knaresborough takes over £2,000 in a week. The Thompsons look like a reasonable couple. Some time ago we met his son Richard (a trainee) at an industrial relations seminar at the brewery. The Wellington has a good downstairs kitchen and an enclosed garden at the rear - ideal for a small child. Dad thinks we should take it, because with a growing family, a smaller pub would be better for us. I already feel overworked. It might also mean a drop in salary. We went over the place from top to bottom and then had a drink in the garden with Dad and Sam. Then to Follifoot and back to the Moorhouse for 5pm. Roast chicken. Busy night. Only Karen and I. Dad did a great job washing up.

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Saturday July 12, 1986

 Moorhouse Inn, Leeds LS11 5NQ

Battle of the Boyne. 

William of Orange landing at Brixham.

In 1988 they are going to be celebrating the 300th anniversary of 'The Glorious Revolution', to commemorate the exile of King James II and implantation of William of Orange upon the throne. The Bill of Rights, &c. I do not want to be involved. The deposing of any monarch, no matter what supposed wrongs he has committed, leaves a very bitter taste on my palate. The RCs won't be overjoyed either. It's foolhardy if you ask me.

I phoned Mr Thompson at the Wellington and said we would go see him between 10-12 tomorrow. It's the day he cleans his beer lines. Later, phoned Dad who says he will join us and he arrived tonight at 9 o'clock. We sat downstairs, nattering. Ally looked enormous and was breathless. It must be a strain. Dad looked older and was wearing some shocking clothes in which Mum wouldn't have allowed him to leave the house. 

Who was the last son of a reigning monarch to go down the aisle to his marriage without a peerage? This is an interesting one.

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Friday July 11, 1986

 Moorhouse Inn, Leeds LS11 5NQ

Phoned Leslie Gledhill. He called in yesterday with royal wedding bunting and a royal quiz. He is very amenable these days. I mentioned Knaresborough and he responded: "it's a funny place is Knaresborough". What he meant by that I do not know. 

Scandal. Police are now appealing for the homosexual yet able singer Boy George to give himself up after one of his brothers and 'friend' -'Marilyn' - were detained on drug charges yesterday. All very 1960s-ish I suppose.

Deceased: Maisie, Lady Makins, wife of the 4th Bt, mother of the Most Rev Michael Bowen, RC Archbishop of Southwark.

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Thursday July 10, 1986

 Moorhouse Inn, Leeds, LS11 5NQ

The Wellington Inn.

Morning off. We went snooping to Knaresborough to look at a pub called the Wellington Inn, on Briggate. Having not made an appointment we did not introduce ourselves to the tenant, Mr Thompson. Instead we wandered around the streets and sat on a park bench near the ruined castle, admiring the view. We would like to live in this direction and decide to petition LG for a move. We have spent two and a half years at the Moorhouse. A new baby. A new pub. Back to Guiseley where we took luncheon in Harry Ramsden's where Samuel refused to eat. Chandeliers and grease. Very popular though.  To Susie's after. Dad was making an impromtu call. In the garden. Ally left me and went to the clinic. She phoned the Wellington. Home at 7. LG had been. No message. Hilda phoned to ask about Ally's progress. 

Wednesday July 9, 1986

 Moorhouse Inn, Leeds, LS11 5NQ

An afternoon and evening at Club Street. I did the motoring. My driving test falls next Tuesday. I have ignored tuition since February. I have no properly instructed lessons since I ditched Karen Hudson after my failure in August '85. I do drive with confidence. Over confident, probably. My wife is a poor passenger and becomes heated. 

Before leaving today someone phoned from YTVs 'Calendar' re the Fergie New Grange Hall story. They are considering re-hashing it for their royal wedding coverage next week and I may be called upon once again to endure Mr Whiteley. I explained my holiday situation. Now even this has changed. We understood that a relief manager would come whenever we requested in July, but Ken Gilbertson at the brewery says we have to go on or before July 22, which puts pressure on Ally to have our baby before this date. Baby will come on time, hopefully.

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Tuesday July 8, 1986

 Moorhouse Inn, Leeds LS11 5NQ

Monday July 7, 1986

 Moorhouse Inn, Leeds LS11 5NQ

New Moon

Lord Stockton is very much better. 

Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson attended the nuptials on Saturday of Harry Cotterell and Carolyn Beckwith-Smith, a former flatmate of Miss F and a bossom pal. Taking down my ancient, worn, copy of Burke's I detect numerous family connections between Mr Cotterell and the future Princess Andrew.  Harry's great-grandfather married Lady Evelyn Gordon-Lennox (d. 1922), daughter of the 7th Duke of Richmond. Sarah descends from this ducal house and eventually from Charles II. The Beckwith-Smiths evade me because they are landed gentry and not peerage and I haven't yet acquired any LG volumes. Carolyn is a cousin of the Princess of Wales's lady-in-waiting  Anne B-S, and of the Duchess of Kent's lady-in-waiting Jane Napier (nee Pugh). 

Sunday July 6, 1986

 Moorhouse Inn, Leeds LS11 5NQ

6th Sunday after Trinity

Auntie Annie is 81 today. (My great-aunt). She phoned this morning to thank me for the birthday card and sounded as robust as ever. Uncle John she says is nervous and cannot go out because he is too frightened to cross the road. I know how he feels. We went out at 12 for an afternoon of peaceful solitude at Club Street, our haven from the insane boozing world where our olives revolve around opening and closing times. Bev phoned tonight to say that she and a friend gave a hitch hiker a lift from the pub into town this afternoon and he proved to be a pervert. He stole a bag of the girls underwear, frilly knickers, &c, whilst leaving other valuables, and is no doubt now wandering around south Leeds clad in Bev's under garments as I write this. Horrific.

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Saturday July 5, 1986

 Moorhouse Inn, Leeds LS11 5NQ

We had a family gathering. An impromptu one. Sue, Pete and the kids cam, followed by Lynn, Dave and Co. We all repaired to the tap room where the children were able to run wild together. Crawling on the pool table and chalking on the blackboard with all the aplomb of budding Picassos. I was a bit pissed really. Lynn shed tears over mother. Both she and David dreamt recently that she was talking to them. We are all cut up. We will never mend. Hungover, evening working.

Lord Stockton has overcome his pneumonia infection. Rudy Vallee has died singing 'The Whiffenpoof Song' at the age of 84. Noel Edmonds has married Helen Soby, 24, in the village church at Luss.

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Friday July 4, 1986

 Moorhouse Inn, Leeds LS11 5NQ

Independence Day, USA

The ban on the movement and slaughter of sheep was lifted from midnight in parts of Cumbria and North Wales. Chernobyl. We'll be hearing from this you mark my words. 

In other news: Lord Stockton is improving, What a constitution he has. It was heart warming to see the front page of the DT as it fell through my letterbox today. The Princess of Wales is pictured arriving at the German embassy (President von Weizsacker is here on a state visit). The princess wearing a stunning gown. A romantic creation. What a beauty she is. What a Queen she will be. But not too soon I hope. She is to be godmother to Prince Philippos, the 2 month old son of King Constantine, next Thursday.

The music for the coming royal wedding has been published. Sarah is to walk down the aisle to Elgar's Imperial March. Arlene Auger, the American soprano will sing Mozart's Exsultate Jubilate whilst the couple are signing the register.

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Thursday July 3, 1986

 Moorhouse Inn, Leeds LS11 5NQ

At 9 I went to see a large, ____ ear, nose and throat specialist at the BRI. Flared nostrils and white coat.  I was led into his room by a nurse whilst another one stood behind the chair as if to catch me on swooning. Immediately he asked why I had bothered coming, and sneered when I told of my allergies to dogs and cats. He says he can do nothing for me and advises me to stay away from our furry friends. Any injections are worthless. Ally saw Dr Duck at 9:50. 

Lord Stockton is stable. Lord Howard of Henderskelfe, of Castle Howard, who died last year left £25,529,220. He was a big, flamboyant chairman of the BBC.

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