Ÿ
THE DIARIES 1952 1953 1954
Written in very small scribbled pencil
script, almost unreadable in places, but with a simple charm of a growing
teenager, the important events in his life, and the hard facts of growing up,
girlfriends and everyday living.
At age 15, of course, School invites many entries. “Did homework all
night.” is very common.
1952 9 Jan first day school ” School
not bad, 12 weeks to end of term.”
6 Feb “King died, Art and maths
homework, nothing on wireless,” and on 7 Feb “Still nothing on wireless.” 12 Feb “Speech Day,. Went with Woolfi,
and Geoff and Malcolm on bus“. (to town for 2.5p)
16 Jan “ Had running at school, legs
ache terrible. It snowed.”
15 Feb
“Had service for King, came home early and went to barbers.”
1 March Sat “Should have played Rugby,
did not turn up” The following day he lead the club cycle ride,
66 miles to Woodhead pass and Castleton in Derbyshire. 66 miles
24 March
Examination time “English
Language 1.30 to 4 Was easy I hope .“ and on
25 March “Woodwork practical 6 hours“, and
a little sketch of the test.
31 March Exams “Arith, Alg, Eng Lit, Art, Architecture,
Geom all week
8 April “Broke up Did Periodicals for refugees.” This volunteer activity involved rolling
up and posting packs of magazines and sending them to European refugee camps.
It was run by a favourite teacher Mr (Mark) Gibbs. “6p ice cream off Gibbs.” ,
13 May
The headmaster gets a mention “Mr
Lord died .“ and on 14 May “Mams birthday (underlined) But no
mention of 16 May and becoming 16, he only writes” Had to stand 1 hr 35 mins
in hot sun outside the church for Lord.”
10 June
Examination time “ Art II Ok with a sketch of an advert for ‘DeLime 6p a bottle, amazing value’
12
Eng Lit, not to bad
13 Eng
Lang Terrible (underlined).
18 Arith
Not bad Geom Ok
19 Did
woodwork theory all afternoon pretty easy.
20 Algebra Terrible horrible and then on
23
June School normally again”
11 August
“Got results of GCE. Pass Maths, Art, Eng Lang, Wood, but fail Eng
Lit.”
10 Sept “Start school after 54 days.” He was given an individual timetable with almost 50% of his
time doing woodwork and art as, though
it is not mentioned he had been advised and happily accepted that a woodwork
teaching career might suit his abilities.
In these woodwork classes he was almost a workshop technician being
called on to sharpen tools and to make things for the school,
29 Sept “Finished frame for staffroom
table.” 30 Oct “Turned blackboard pegs for Painter.” (geography teacher).
Work on his own projects is documented,
21
Oct “Cut box in half and polished outside, cut wood for table.”
28 Oct “Brought box home but got to take
it back.” It was a jewellery box for
Mam.
14Nov “Doing preparation for Christmas
fair all morning.”
20 Nov “started marking out joints on
table.”
25 Nov “Did scenery all day.” School plays used ‘flats, which were huge
canvas covered frames painted as house sides or room interiors.
15 Dec
“Turned barrel all day, and glued bowl for Chunky.” A secret but admiring nickname for
woodwork master Mr Eastwood. “Made
Chunky’s fish tank frame and went for wiring.”
“Turned end for barbers pole on lathe.”
“Finished turning teapot stand.”
Most
days seemed to have homework “ Did
Chaucer translation and swatted Tempest. “
Did art all night” “all afternoon
drawing hyacinth.” “Did English.”
Altogether
School generally appears to be, in his venacular “OK”
Cycling was his all endearing interest.
The diaries are leather bound CTC ‘The
Cyclist’s Diary’ . Something related to bikes or riding are mentioned on almost
every day, with meticulous entering of miles covered. The very first entry reads 30 Dec Mon. (New Years Eve. “Set out 7.0,
broke bottom bracket spindle, walked home from Belle Vue, (2miles). Went
on Audrey’s ( next door neighbour ) Raleigh with loiterers, had a good
supper. It snowed. Home 11.45”
The club rides, bike cleaning, evening
training, almost every day a mention of cycling.
6 Jan Christmas Dinner at Goostry 11’ses at Knutsford, Good dinner bad tea. Had
blind home, 3rd at bridge, beat Bob Dean.” Sunday rides almost
always ended with a mad race to get to the railway bridge in Didsbury, or at
Hazel Grove. This was sometimes a few
miles duration, passing slower cars inside and outside Order
of finish is often documented.
13 Jan
” 11ses Whaley Bridge, dinner Bennetston. It snowed so went to
Buxton, won sprint for bridge.
15 Feb “Went on club rollers OK (training
device used with own bike). Barry and
Les had bikes pinched”
19 Feb.
first mention of evening training
“Went out round course,
Alderley Edge, Chelford, left at lights and left again to bottom of Wizzard.” Later called the triangle, a 34 mile circuit,
and done sometimes two evenings a week.
27 Feb “Round triangle 1hr 9 mins.” “Done
200 miles in week”
8 and 9 March, a YHA weekend to Wales.
Equipment buys too,
4 march “Put pedals on” 11March “Got
shoe plates” and 13 March “Changed tyres on bike” and
not only his bike,
17 March
“Mam got bike frame”. This was a Hill Special, a ladies step
through frame. 22 March “Went to Bradburys for Mams wheels and gears” 5 April “Put Mams brakes chainrings and
gears on, went to Cowans for cables”
Dad’s tandem also comes back in to use.
17 April
“Fixed up tandem all day, soldered brake nipples on back brake. And Round
triangle with Roy on tandem.
18 April
“Took Brian out, High Lane and Romily on tandem.” and some time later “15 Sept
Tandem wheel buckled outside Barrys .“ An unusual entry reads
19 April
Watched NCU massed start in Heaton park.
Then the first mention of a Time trial.
20 April
Bury and Dist 25. J1 Did 1.4.45 J1 was the course, on the East Lancs road,
a long straight fairly flat course, and that time was good for a first
event. Many more were to follow, but not
getting much faster, even slightly slower !
His bike was always being cleaned or changed in some way.
26 April.
“Cowens to buy gears 48 shillings plus chain, Put it on and flew. “ The following day,
27 April
Went to Shrewsbury, Bob had to be pushed home, all tired, no sprint
for bridge, went round castle, MDS not
in when got home so went in Roys. (the
house opposite). MDS means Mam Dad Stephen.
That single day was 124 miles with a 210 total for the week.
4 May
First mention of a girl… Sunday, called for D (Dorothy Carlisle, to be a first
date) But on
11 May
“Got booked in Northwich” It
was a common practice at these traffic lights specially on a Sunday when
traffic was light, to stamp on the road pad to get the lights to change in our
favour. Obviously frowned upon by police. Not mentioned again, but on the same
day, “Lost club at EDS so went to
Lyme and met others at Runcorn, but rest had a pileup, Ruths wheel bust,
Gordons back stay broken, Dorothy’s fractured collar bone, Bob Barry and Les
went home on train. An eventful day ! EDS refers to Eastt Didsbury Staion,
for buses, and was the meeting place for all the Cycist Tourning Club sections
to meet.
28 May
Next race, ten miles, in 29 mins 10 secs
and the next day,
29 May
Got wheels from Cowans, put bike together. What was happening here was that his
standard Raleigh Lenton Sports bike, was gradually being upgraded with lighter
equipment, and the wheels were the first in line. Original wheels had a built
in dynamo in the front and a Sturmey archer gear in the rear wheel… not good
for racing or even going fast ! Perhaps
to celebrate , on
2 June
Went round triangle with D (recovered
from her accident ) and again
6 June
150 in 12. A CTC
reliability ride, not a race but riding together as a group. “60 entered so went in 2 groups. Went round
Wales, finished 1 hr 20 mins in front of other group. Noted 164 miles that day
14 June
Called for D, youth hostel weekend Matlock and Bakewell. Another time trial
29 June
Wanderers CC 25 1.6.22 on a slower course. And 20 July Bolton
Clarion 25 1.6.24
25 July
Start of Tour of Scotland lead by Barry.
12 cyclists by train, “ first class to Wigan then in guards van to
Perth then first class again to Inverness. This was an overnight train
arriving at 5 am when nothing was open except the local ‘baths‘, which were
exactly that, not a swimming pool. So we
all went in and had separate rooms with huge baths full of steaming water. The
rooms were very high but walls not up to the ceiling so we were chattering and
singing together all the time. A great start to the holiday.
26 July “Hols. Inverness, saw Caledonian
Canal, good hostel ,bought a dinner, went to bed early to make up for last night”
27 Good
breakfast, bought dinner for 4 shillings and six pence at Invergordon. Went on
two ferries.
28 Eddrachillis YH. Had lousy breakfast at
Castle , went on ferry rowing boat, had a 5 shilling dinner then was sick. So
got lift in lorry to hostel by 8.00.
29 Eddrachiliss Should have gone to Cape Wrath but only 4
went, rest sick. Had to walk for provisions but had good dinner.
30 Ullapool YH Breakfast at CTC place.
Roads rough, another ferry. Went for walk.
31 Gairrloch Sent card to U Oz (Uncle Oswald) Rained at night.
1 August
Kishorn Hostel not too bad
but fire smoked. Went for walk on pebble
beach to caves.
2 Isle of Skye Went on ferry Kyle of Lochalsh, and had shoes mended. Portree YH not bad,
only 1 table bought rations for 2 days.
3 Orlensettle Along rathole to Hostel, wooden building
full of hikers. Went for walk but too many midges so played cards.
4 Glenelg. Lots of ratholes, very rough, another ferry.
Was going swimming but rained.
5 Fort William. Went bathing, left pullover, Party split up,
Loch Logan,
6 Glencoe Climbed Ben Nevis with Dennis and others, 5
started 3 stayed in Fort Willliam buying presents. Blowing a gale at night. (They were able to throw snowballs at the
top.)
7 party got split again, dinner at
hotel, got puncture on another rough road. Over Bridge of Orchy. Good hostel,
went for milk.
8 Arrochar Over Ranoch Moor. Crianlarrick went down west
shore of Loch Lomand
9 Glasgow Had dinner, 4 went home. Went in unfinished
hostel round a fire. Went for walk, lost Barry. ( I remember seeing lots of
drunks lying about on the road )
10 went to Manchester on train, home
6.00.
Nothing exciting you would imagine, but I
well remember really loving every minute, and I still mean to get to Cape Wrath
one day, having felt bad at missing it all my life. 600 miles in 2 weeks.
(NOTE…. In 2012, just 60 years later, David
DID get to Cape Wrath, when he traced
this same Scotland tour, with some detours and changes.)
The bike upgrade continued with 30 Aug “Bought hubs from LHB and ordered sprints.”
These were special racing wheels with tube and tyre in one unit, a tubular
, or ‘tub’ glued on to the rim. 5
Sept “Got cranks off Barry, and buy
Chater Lea Chainring.” 12 Sept “Got sprints.” 23 Sept “Got tubs
off Barry” 27 Sept “Went to Cowans for long front spindle to carry
sprints.”
Two pages of close columns are devoted to
Bike expenses. Large items were ‘Sprint
hubs £2.6s, Rims and building £4.16s, Pr
Allez pedals £1.2s 6p, and Simplex gear £1.2s
6p. Even small costs are there, Two
back batteries 1s.1p, Simplex cable 10p, Mud flap 9p. The year’s grand total £20.4s.4p.
(Dad was earning £12 a week then)
It is clear that every waking minute was
concerned with cycling or bikes. Total miles in 1952 were 7,669.
The other emerging interest was in girls as
more than just friends.
4 May
“Called for Dot” 2 June “Went
round triangle with D” 20 Aug “Went to Rota with Dot to see the
stooge OK” 21 Aug “Went to club with Dot to clean up” 26 “Went to track, met Dot 27 Aug
Only Dot came round triangle” Went
evening run with Dot on tandem Altringham Stretford and Fallowfield” 28 Aug Went to Apollo to see Manor
Maggie OK. I think this was the
second and last date with Dorothy, ( he not experienced enough ! ) but soon
after that Renes , a dance school gets a regular mention. 21 Oct “Went to Renes to find about dancing.” and 22 Oct “ Did English homework then went to Renes,
OK Started to learn Tango.” 29 Oct Renes OK Learned another Tango
sequence.” 5 Nov “More tango and
quickstep but got mucked up a bit, 8th week. ( I suspect I joined in towards the end of an
8 week course.)
Then the first mention of a date with
Julie, though she has been named previously in relation to bike rides and club
meetings.
13 Nov
“ Went to Odeon in Manchester with Julie, saw Jumping jacks and silent dust, OK Got home 11.30”
In fact I remember very well how this came
about. The previous Sunday, riding home
through Stockport, I was riding next to
Julie and it was raining, and some traffic.
She said she wanted to see a certain film, and I knew she was currently
dating Arnold, a fellow club rider who was older than most of the crowd, so I
said, “why don’t you ask Arnold to take you ?”, and she replied, “Well you can
if you’d like to.” Never one to miss an
opportunity even though I judged her to be way out of my league, three years
older, and well above dating the
youngest lad in the club, I took her up on the offer. The first year was rather
up and down, but always. from then on I was sure of our future together, even
if she wasn’t.
The next entry relates to a train trip to
see the cyclists Best All Rounder Concert at the Albert hall in London 21 Nov
“Set out 10.30 pm Went to club called for Dot, went to Lyons café on
London Rd. got on train but did not sleep. Only Bob, Dot, Julie and me in
carriage. It was an night I well remember,
specially when the guard checked our tickets,
and questioned the validity of my half price (schoolboy) ticket, as I
was obviously getting on very well with my partner. “ Had wash and breakfast at corner café
Picadilly London We saw a show in the
afternoon then the concert in the evening, then caught the train and arrived
Manchester 6.35 am on Sunday. “Home
7.20, bed, Up 10.15 met EDS” and a
ride of 60 miles. Youth !
24 Nov
“Went out with Julie to Odeon on Cheetham Hill, ‘The world in his arms‘,
good picture, took Julie home near Heaton Park. Mam and Dad found out. Got home
11.30.” Renes for dancing lessons was a regular
Wednesday evening now, with several mentions of Vera a dance partner, and
learning all the common ballroom dance steps.
29 Nov “Went to Stretford
Wheelers Dance. Met Julie in Picadilly. Had to get train back. Got home 12.40.
8 Dec
“Went to club, Julie there so arranged to go to her house tomorrow.
Brought Julies wheel home. Borrowed cog off Barry.” 9 Nov “Took wheel to Julies, got home
11.20.”12 Nov “ Went to club,
Julie there on new Harrison, but saddle would not tighten .”
26 Dec “Dance at Free Trade hall, Good “ 27 Dec
“Went to Julies at night, OK.12 there, watched television, got home
1.0.” ( TV sets were not common and
of course we did not have one.)
31 Dec (New Years Eve) “Went to buy record at Lewiss. Went to
club 7.0 played record and danced .“ Julie had a record player and I THINK
she bought that day, ‘Jonny Ray Cry’ And
the New Year 1953 started with 1 Jan “Went
to Manchester with Julie.”
Life at home does warrant a few entries.
1 Jan
New Years Day 1952 “Got home
2.15am. Had coffee, went to bed. Got up 12.30. Had dinner with U Oz, (uncle
Oswald) Played Monopoly with AJBRS . (neighbours Audrey, Joyce, Brian, Roy
and Stephen) Went in Brian’s house at
night.”
8 Jan
“Played with Stephen football in afternoon.”
11 March
“Brian had jet car, Cat died.”
17 March
“Had china tea. No good.”
28 April
“Flew Brian’s glider, went OK.”
Surprisingly, model trains do not get
mentioned except on
13 Aug
“Got up 9.0. Went to Tyldsley Holbrooks to sell train but could not.” 14 Aug
“Went to Princess Rd to sell train but only offered £9.10s. (I was desperate to buy a new bike frame and
needed cash.
28 Oct
“Was going to Renees but S had party so stayed in.”
6 Nov
“Dad went to night school, (he was taking art classes) gale blew
tiles off roof.”
And
of course Christmas
25 Dec
“Had dinner, went to sleep in afternoon then made plane. U Oz (Uncle Oswald) Auntie Nellie Sydney and
Lena came for tea. Played Monopoly all night and went home 12.15.”
26 Dec
“Helped Stephen with plane.” 30
Dec “ M&D went out. Did Stephens
plane.”
The first words Julie spoke to David, well
remembered, but not noted however ,
were, “What is that thing on your tooth ?”
It was during the CTC Christmas dinner at Goostry, in Cheshire, a large
café/restaurant, and a lunch venue haunt
for all Manchester cyclists during this period.
21 Dec
Left our house 12.17 after doing post. Goostry 1.34. Had dinner, played games and
dancing. M.D& S there. Did not dance. Very good tea.” ‘That thing’ was
a silver metal wrap around a front left tooth, which had been broken. Not entered in the diary was the
accident. Woolfi, a good friend had
jumped on my back from the steps up to the changing room, both fell over and I
literally bit the playground, breaking off half of a front tooth. The entries
read,
14 Oct
“Mam came to school. Went to Dental (hospital) from school, left bike
at Dads (workplace) and came home.”
11 Nov
“Went to dentist. Bought tie and shirt in town. Did not go back to
school.” (This would be with Mam on the bus of course ).
17 Nov
“Went to Dental, Had finished tooth put on. ‘That silver thing.’ The finished white cap could not be fitted
until the teeth had finished growing, a full 5 years later.
Holiday Work was something new.
Daily delivering papers done since the age
of 11, had ceased at the onset of exam education at school, as Dad thought
homework should come first. An extra weekly allowance (spends) to compensate
for lack of earnings, was agreed upon.
18 Aug
. “Got up 6.0 had beans, Got to Alf’s in 1 hours. Weeded in morning
then stacked corn and barley. There was a murder across the road from the farm,
it was in the papers. Went to bed 9.30 after bath .”
Baths seem to always get a mention,
specially when “Stop cock
did not work, had cold bath.”
This first work was at a small holding
owned by Dad’s manager, Alf. It entailed
a 34 mile bike round trip, and was quite physical work. 19 Aug “Stacked corn all day and got home late
but had a bath and went to track. 20 Aug “rained all day so did weeding.”
25 Did stooking all day Got home in 54 mins.” It was a 12 hour day. “Cleaned lime spreader cos of rain”. “Cutting cabbages and cauliflowers” .“Weeded and picked fodder beet “ . “Drove
lorry “ .“ Picked apples and stacked hay” . “ weeded and picked Swedes. bunched
radishes in afternoon “ .“Finished
radishes so cleaned pigs in afternoon. Did not hear buzzer so was late home.
Was going to do a 10 (mile time trial) at Prestwich but was too tired.” . 5
Sept “Finished work.” .
Christmas Post was another cash earner.
Student Temporary postman.
17 Dec
“On post , Got up 6.15 Started 7.30. Rained all day but only did two
rounds , 10.30 and 3.30.
18 Dec
“Did one round in morning but delivered telephone directories and
parcels in afternoon. Did not rain much. 19 Dec “Did 2 rounds in morning, one post one
parcels. Did parcels on bike. Did one more round, finished 5.00.” 20 Dec
“got up 6.00 three rounds.” and 25 Dec Christmas day “Got up 6.15 did post all morning.”
And so a tall, still growing boy , quickly
becoming a man, enjoyed everything, with NO negative entries in that diary,
moves into the second CTC leather bound Diary.
It must have come with a softer pencil in it’s holder because the
writing is more legible.
1953
Equal with his bike is now Julie, though a
bumpy love life at times.
1Jan. “ Brought in New Year at Club,
went M/C (Manchester) with Julie, got home 3.15am. Got up 1.45, U Oz
came, had dinner, listened to wireless.”
7 Jan “Renees Learned double backward lockstep. Revised
waltz and foxtrot” and 28 jan “Last lesson”
8 Jan
“Went to Ice Palace (skating rink where Julie was an accomplished
skater), did Ok similar entries on several other following weeks.
9 Jan
“Dance at Free Trade Hall and Plaza”
10 Jan
Saxon |Road Club Dinner
11 Feb
“Reenes. Vera there. Snowed all day”
3 March
“Went to Julies to change cog (on
bike). In garage all night. OK” Guess what this means ?
Then the first big jolt
22 March
(Sunday) “Did M&D 25 then
Goostry. “Julie went home after dinner, She’s had it. Blow Easter.”
(In fact she had been invited to a concert that evening by an
Ex boyfriend and she went)
27 march
“Went to Milky Way (A milk bar). Saw Julie there. Had row
outside but we made it up. Til next time ? Went home with her, terrible wind
and rain.” But then
10 April
“Went to Ritz OK. Julie had it
for good. Ray Ellington band good but
not for dancing
18 April Sat Night. “Went to Jubilee
Hall in Duckinfield with Odbod. Met
Kathleen took her home. Had to walk home. Bed 1.15 (I well remember the occasion, done to spite
Julie and her boyfriends,,, I can be like that too )
19 April
Another reliability ride 100 miles in 7 hours. “Did it in 5 hrs 40 mins. Julie seems a ‘bit
narked’. Then a mystery entry “Roy told me about boys club but it makes
no difference.” I suspect he was consoling me! Get together again,
25 April
“Went to see ‘April in Paris’ with Julie. Good picture, got home 6.30, bed 9.45“, (so
I didn’t take her home)
28 April
Went skating, Julie seems to have bucked up. Arranged about Thursday
30
April “Went to Julies and took wheels, went to Sylvias and to Bury.
Got home in 25 mins a record.”
1 May
“Went to Ritz. Had a row with Jullie again. Danced with all the other
girls.,,, but again,
2 May
“Phoned Julie up and apologised.”
Must have worked.
8 May
“Went to Ritz OK Julie bucked up a bit.” Almost every Friday was Ritz night.
25 May
Bank Hol Monday “Went
swimming, (outdoor pool ) to Castleton with Julie Roy and Dot.”
2 June
“Coronation Day. Did 1.7.42 then at home all day with Julie. MDS out
watching television at Kirkbrights.” I
DO REMEMBER THIS DAY VERY WELL.
6 June
“Ritz with pat and Ron. OK. Julie certainly is OK ! Must have
changed.”
From then on, things went smoothly , only a
few disagreements, seeing each other
almost every day. I think that Julie had
finally decided that this might actually work, something I had known all along. After all, I was an upright lad of 17 by then !
11 June
“War of the Worlds” 12
June “Ritz with Pat and Ron“. And on
13 June
“Went to Prestwich in afternoon then to Julies for tea, then stayed
in all night. Finally introduced
properly to the family, Auntie and Uncle, very proper.” Then on
30 June
“Julie came for tea then to track. Reg Harris and Cyril Bardsley
there.”
8 July
“was going training, but brought Julie home all night M&D out.” Then
Pat and Julie went off for a YHA bike tour holiday in Cornwall.
17 July
“Saw Julie and Pat off at station.”
Then 2 Aug “Met Pat and
Ron at Shrewsbury.” This was the first time I met Ron, Pat’s boyfriend, who
was in the RAF, and we met under the river bridge . In between, I wrote to her
4 times ! Must have posted them to the
booked Youth Hostels. During August she
came home to tea almost daily from work, and I rode home with her. Saturdays we
had tea at her Aunties or Sunday evenings.
15 Sept
“Met Julie from work, came back for tea, then Belle Vue for Frankie
Laine, (American Pop singer), Smashing.
10 Oct
”Ice Palace. Back to Julie’s in Shiela’s car.”
Slight rift..
31 Oct
“Julie a bit off” 1 Nov
Sunday “Julie grumbled and groused
all day over the weather.” “went to pictures, ‘Hans Christian Anderson’
Smashing. Julie rotten, seems to be cooling off very rapidly”
7 Nov
“Prestwich CTC Dinner. Rotten, Julie suited the occasion admirably.” 14
“Went to Pats 21st at night, Very good but Julie not so
hot. 26 “Ice palace, all there Ok but not going
again.” 27 “At Julies all night. She made a frock.” 28 Julie has come round at last.” 29
Took Julie home, did not go in. Told her off. And 1 Dec
“Saw ‘Call Me Madam’, Good
Julie changed for the better. Hope it lasts this time.” 16 Dec
“Julie’s Staff Dinner, smashing, Grosvenor Hotel, great band.” 31 Dec
Free Trade Hall. Jack Parnell,
smashing, dance OK. Got home 3.20 came home with Julie.
Entries relating to home life are still
evident, though closer and involving Julie too.
3 Jan
“Steve’s plane flew, broke wing. 4 Jan “Got
home Lit fire.” 5Jan “Had row with dad.” 10 April but no idea what that was about, and
certainly not remembered. “Broke
piece off tooth. ” This was his
right hand front tooth. Mam finished
racing vest (knitted). Lots of
entries “Went to barbers, too many there came home.” or plain “Went
to barbers.” about every three weeks.
26 May Start work at Alfs.” “could not have bath cos bathroom painted” Alfs weeding, cleaned cowshed.” “Did hay all day, dead tired.” “Drove tractor all day, broke shaft on
binder.” “ Did corn all day.” “Nearly walked out, dead tired.”
20 Aug
“Made rabbit hutch all day for Kenyons. (next door neighbours)
Either too tired or getting slack but blank
pages on 28 29 30 Sept
10 Oct
“CTC Dance Rotten, all old
time.”
Lots of signs of growing up and
responsibility… 20 Oct “did cards for Shiela’s wedding.” Using his new skill of manuscript
lettering for the table place names. 5 Dec
“Did shopping all morning, Mam ill in bed.” 23 Dec
“Finished painting Steves present, finished making Club Trophy.
This would have been in the school workshop. Of course.
Even at school, Had new headmaster, looks OK. Got new lathe, smashing, but could not fix
it up cos no stand. Finished all
joints on table. Head told us new
rules. Glued wood for 12 inch
bowl. Got lathe stand Excused lessons for 2 days for stage work. ‘Merchant
Of Venice’ Did scenery pillars all
day.
21 May
“Got given Coronation Pencils OK”.
Propelling pencils, for seniors
6
July “Filled in Colleges Clearing
House Form.” This was the application for teachers college course.
work
for other teachers. “Finished lamp
stand for Livsey (English
teacher). Started Shielas bowl (to be a wedding present).
16 July
BREAK UP. 17 July. “Went to school to do Shiela’s bowl. Saw
Chunky and all other teachers ( I
actually had a cup of tea in the staff room during a break in their meeting).
22 July
Got results failed History . This was bad, because I needed 5 passes to
get into college, and I only had 4 !!!!
1 Sept
Went with Wooolfi to Chunky’s house, Woodwork teacher.
10 Sept
“Made a prefect” and just
3 days later was elected cycling club secretary. 14 Cloak room duty. 15 had prefects meeting. 18 &19
Played rugby 1st team
29
Oct “Ordered wood for Gibbs
Bookshelves.” This was a massive
undertaking, wall to wall ceiling height shelving in his living room. The wood,
oak, cost far more money than I had ever
earned.
30 Oct
Half Term “Got up 8.00 Did job at Miss loft’s neighbour in morning,
then Mr Eastwood’s all afternoon “.
“ Lots of History homework.”
“P for R all evening.”(periodicals for Refugees ) “Scenery finished , did lamp stand “
Through this year, his bike and cycling
still rules. The social scene, Julie, home, and in school, all coming together to make a good life.
A common meeting place was the Milk Bar,
and the one close to the club run meeting place was the favoured one, “Met
at the milk bar.” Sunday 11 Jan, “
went in milky Way”
13 Jan
“Saxon Committee meeting about club colours. The Saxon Road Club had been formed by the
faster members of the CTC to enable them to enter races as a team, not allowed
by the CTC. The design and colour of the club jersey was of paramount
importance. 2 March “ Got wool for racing vest.” and 11
April. Mam finished racing vest.” 11 May
“Got made Secretary.” and
then lots of entries relating to Committee Meetings at Arnolds or Franks or
Pools, and about club arguments regarding rules and constitution.
15 Jan.
“Got new tubular from Cowans.
1 Feb. “ Roys run, V Cold so
only 15 out. “Sunday 15 Feb “Big (snow) drifts all day.”
Sat 7 Feb.
“Went for second hand bike in town, ordered one.”
9 Feb
“ Dad brought bike home OK” I
have no recollection of any other bike but obviously I was building one up from
bits. “Took chain wheel to school to true it up.” “Bike fixed up apart from mudguards.” “Took
crank to school to straighten it.” “Put brake on old bike.” “Got bars off
Barry.” Also “still fixing up the tandem .“ 14 March.
“Got up early, put bike together.”
“Got new chain from Cowans.” “Put gears on. “ “Took gears off.” Got double chainring off Barry
24 Feb
“ Did triangle in 1.15 met Julie.” Friday13 March. “Went for
Julie then round triangle in 1.1 on tandem.” He and Julie were in the process of
ordering and buying new frames Julie had an old Viking frame and David was
still riding his upgraded Raleigh Lenton frame.
2 March
“Went to Cowans about new frame.” 3 March. “Went to LHB and Johnny Berrys about new
frame. 17 march “Went with Julie to Harrisons.”
This all came together Thurs 2 April.. “Went
to LHB about transfers.” 7
April “Phoned LHB, frame not ready .“ Mon 13 April. “LHB frame ready Friday. (perhaps!).” 16 April. “Got bike from LHB.” and finally 17
April. “Drew money out of bank and
paid Dad. “ “Got pump from Cowans.” The frame cost £14 .14 shillings. Or 14
guineas. It was gunmetal grey with red panels and red guards. LH BROOKES was a
small frame builder situated close to the cycle race track in Fallowfield.
Spring was the start of the racing season,
individual time trials of 10 or 25 miles, rather than racing as a group. 18
April “Somerford 10 Did 27.7” 8 March “M/C Clarion 25 1.11.22.”
“22 March. “M&D25 1.8.24 on sprints all day.” 29 March “M/C Vic Wheelers 25 1.9.40.” Sunday 26 April “Got up 3.15am MDTA 25.
Did 1.8.8 with 23 secs late start .Roy
1.7.45. Bob packed.” Sunday 3
May. “Saxon inter club with Vicky
Wheelers 25. “Got up 4.45. I did 1.5.34 Bob 1.5.46, Roy 1.7.? .I came second, but club team won by 49
secs Dinner at Great Budworth went on
boats. Went home with Julie, had to borrow lamps .Bed 11.30, had bath” That days miles 25 plus 74. Wed 6 May
“Carrington 10 mile. Did
26.13.”
The cycle track was now of interest. 28
May. “Joined Track League” “Went to track, Barry riding round.” 30 May.
“Joined NCU and got racing license.” Monday 1 June. “Went on track with Barry,
OK
All that Summer was racing of one sort or
another.
14 June.
Mountain Time Trial, Barry won, me second. 26 June. “Track,
came last in double pursuit.”.
3 July.
“ 2nd in Sprint. 7 laps course de prime, 7 laps point to
point.” 5 July “25.. 1.6.8”. 12 July. “ Did 150 in 12 but did 175
in 11“. 17 July. “ drew first in P to P.” 30 Aug. “25..1.4.30”
and lots of similar entries. The 1953 total miles was 9081, and bike costs were
26.pounds 15 shillings including his new LHB bike frame.
1954
Again the leather- bound CTC diary, but in
the small pocket inside the front cover, three souvenirs.
1 A
small piece of tissue paper, with a faint red impression, where I suspect Julie
had ‘blotted’ her lipstick.
2
Another small folded paper enclosing a four leafed clover. (holiday in
Torquay)
3 A
silver cardboard key, on the reverse printed 21st souvenir.
All these relate to Julie, very prominent
all year. Problems and highs.
7 Jan “Julie stone cold all night.” 8
Jan “Julie still icy.” 10 Jan “Had a bit of a row at Julies. Sorted
things out a bit” 22 Jan “Ritz at night with P&R. Julie smashing” 14
Feb “Julie reformed again” 21Feb “Julie has been terrific all week,
best weekend for ages”
11 March “Went to Julies to fix up
Harrison” She had bought a new hand built frame from a Prestwich builder,
and we were swapping all her Viking bike equipment on to the new frame.
24 April “Julie had row with uncle” 4 May “Pigmalian at Opera House.
7 May “Had row over who we should ride with on Sundays. 9May “Did 1.7.54 in 25. Julie met me at Lancs.
Had big row (apron strings). Cant understand her some times. Took her home.
Suppose she will be ‘off ‘ for a few weeks “
But then the next week, 13 May “Seems to be warmish” 20 May “Julie
better than usual” 21May “Julie red hot !” 19 June Saturday “Walked
round park with Julie, then tea. In all night, ’Oh what a night.“ This
could relate to a new hit record by Jonny Ray, or maybe just us two !
23 June. “Polished needlework box” 5 July “Finish needlework box” 7 July
“Julies birthday. Went to Rialto at night, Julie smashing “
10 July
“Went to Julies 21st in afternoon on bus and train.
Smashing dance.” She and her Uncle laid on a buffet meal in a Prestwich pub
restaurant and a dance in the evening with band. 15 July “Took needlework
box round.”
16 July “Go on holidays, Torquay” What is surprising here is that the train
was Friday 12 midnight from Manchester, and 17 July “Didn’t sleep much on
train. arrived 10.30, went to digs ” Fancy ten and a half hours on the
train ! From then on two weeks of ferry
trips, bus tours, beach days “Dull day”. “Got sunburnt”. “ swam once, cold”.
“Bought new swim trunks” “Motor boat
from Anstey cove” And the evenings,
two dances and show, “Ken MacIntosh, great “ , Ivy Benson show.” “Watched TV
all night, no good .“ But at the end of the week “Smashing holiday,
Julie cooled second week..” There are mentions of Pat and Ron who were with
us, but we seemed to split up most days. They were married, but we had separate
rooms of course, but next door was a quick and easy dash ! Somewhere I have the
bill for the two weeks including some meals and coffees, but I have mislaid it.
National service.
This was the year in which David reached 18
years old, final year in school, and way back then, it was the law that every
able bodied youth was conscripted into the Armed Forces for two compulsory
years, called ‘National Service’. Many boys of this age took it as an adventure
away from home, but I was NOT at all interested in wasting two years of my
young life, when so many other opportunities were available. I had gathered
from many sources, that the Air Force was the preferred option, and that I
would certainly qualify for the RAF Cycling Team, which took away some of the ‘square
bashing’ ( marching drill), and the routine waste of disciplinary training
and boredom. Also it appeared that
joining the musical marching band, also gave advantages and less wasted time.
The diaries, though only touching on the important decisions, do give them a
mention.
There were two sides to this problem. I had
to secure my place in a teachers training college for the two years after my
National Service, and as my birthday was in May, I had to ask to be conscripted
early so that I would be finished and available for start of college in
September of 1956. This was all duly arranged between National Service officials, school and parents.
10 February, “Filled in college forms.” 4
March “Got interview for Loughborough. Started design for lamp stand“ (which
had to be made and taken to the interview).19 March “Loughborough interview” 20 March “Signed on in afternoon ( for the RAF)” 2 July
“Had medical. Met Julie for dinner” This medical inspection was
to ensure that every conscript was ‘medically fit for National Service‘. All I
can now remember was that I could not pee in the required bottle while standing
in line with other conscripts, I had to
seclude myself in the toilet to produce a specimen ! BUT, Shock of a lifetime,
later, a letter was received from the medical authorities telling me that “You
HAVE BEEN REJECTED FOR SERVICE. You have
not reached the required medical standard. Reason: Scarred eardrum.” So, on 14
July “Went to see specialist about ears.” He confirmed after inspection
that I did have a scar on one eardrum, and that it could rupture if I flew in
an un-pressurised aircraft, did any deep sea diving, or maybe if a gun was to
go off close to my ear. TO SAY I WAS DELIGHTED WOULD BE A VAST UNDERSTATEMENT. Now the new problem
was that I was ready to start Teacher Training in September, but of course the
college had filled all available places.
Arrangements were made for me to teach unqualified for one year until I
could be accepted in Loughborough College.
10 August “Went to interview Ashton school. Looking forward to 6 Sept”
BUT AGAIN ANOTHER MASSIVE STROKE OF LUCK. I
got a letter from Loughborough telling me that one place was available this September due to the
death of one prospective entrant. So
again another change of plan. Mon 24 August “Took letter to Mr Grimshaw “. (Lancashire
head of education to decline my temporary unqualified teaching position at
Ashton Primary School ) 30 August “Started
making toolbox for college.” “Ordered tools” 13 Sept “Went to Kirks, tools not in” “Got
drawing board.” 17 Sept “Worked
all day at school til 5.00, Dad came for tool box & took it home.” And
then, 20 Sept “Packed case and tool box. Train to Loughborough by 4.15, to
Quorn Hall. 29 Sept “collected bike from station, But by Sat 2 Oct
played billiards in aft, pinched some apples, Did drawing at night, Fed
up all day.”
Which brings us back to education and
school through the year up to college. I
was a prefect, and taking a personal special course, with half of my timetable
doing woodwork, with a view of becoming a teacher, and I
became almost a member of staff. I was spending days at teacher’s houses doing
paid work for them in their homes, being asked to make a prestigious lectern
for the school stage, and in the school workshop was even supervising junior
lessons, sharpening tools, and fixing new equipment. The 6th form teacher was a Mr
Gibbs, and it was he who led me towards my teaching life. I really admired him,
his teaching and his philosophy. Mr Eastwood was my woodwork teacher, and I
would say we were good friends. The art teacher too featured high in my school
life. Miss Loft had been my maths teacher lower down the school, and I did work
at her home too
4 Jan “Making cycling Club shield.” 7 Jan “Had English mock, terrible,
worst ever !” 3 Feb “Stayed at
school til 7 and did Gibbs bookcase.” 6
Feb Sat “Went to school 9 til 1 on Gibbs bookcase.” 12 Feb “Went to
meet Miss Loft and buy formica,” 16
Feb “Speech Day, Took grand piano to Houldsworth Hall in aft.” 17 Feb “Brought
piano back in van.” 1 &3 March half term “went to school, bookcase.
Went to Gibbs at night and put bookcase in. Home 10pm.” 12 March “Cashed
Gibbs cheque.” 5 & 6 April Easter hol “Went to school to make
lectern all day. School all day on lectern.” 21 April “Ordered wood for
Prestwich CTC table tennis table.” 27 April “Finished TT table at
Julies.” 30 April “took table to
CTC and walked back.” 7May “Did lectern all day.” 14 to 19 April, “Openshaw
Tech for City and Guilds exams.” 8 & 12 July “School all day. Did
jobs for Miss Loft.” I really did
enjoy all my school life, and the last two years in particular. I was never an
academic, and finally got into Teacher Training with the minimum
qualifications, 5 O Levels and two A levels, plus the City and Guilds Woodwork
which was higher standard.
Rugby gets a mention or two, usually on a
Saturday when I was almost forcibly entered into the second 15, which did not
fit in with my cycling at all ! 6 March “Played
sale Grammar, lost 6/12.“ 20 March “Rugby in pouring rain.”
Home life is mentioned less. 1Jan “Julie
and Barry came for dinner. All had shots with air rifle. Played Monopoly, Oak’s
came.” 30 Jan “Got cord jacket. Bought new tie, and one for Dad.” 4
March “Mended Mams sewing machine.” All through August obviously helping
Dad deliver potatoes, 3 Aug “Went
delivering all day with Dad.” Plus several other entries. Auntie Nellie’s
visits are always entered.
A clarinet had been bought in readiness for
an additional interest in the RAF, and lessons were taken from Alan Ainsworth,
a member of the BBC Northern Variety Orchestra, 4, 11, 18 Sept “Clarinet
lesson.“, and many entries of “Practised clarinet.”
And so to Bikes during that year. 7 Feb “Albert
street start, only one turned up, thick snow.” 9 March “Saxon club
meeting at our house til 10.00.” 16 to 19 April “ Easter tour, Grinton
Lodge, Ingleton, Grassington.” 2 May “Buxton. Snowed hard.” Track
racing, 18 May “Track, 4th in sprint. Got one lap I P to P .” 27 May “5thh in track sprint.” 5
,6 &7 June Weekend tour to Richmond “Julie did 29.15.” “ Won grass track
£5.” 12 June “Julie did 28.55.” 29 Aug “Did 4.57 in 100.” 5
Sept “2.24 in 50.”
Suddenly, now there was a great change in
our lives,,, I went off to College, in Loughborough.
19 September. “Said Goodbye.” 22 Sep
“Wrote long letter to Julie”, And on 24th “Write long
letter to Julie, missing her now the pace has slowed.” Until 2 Oct entry….”Bored all day.” …. and then no more entries, the year’s
mileage not totalled, bike expenses not added up,… obviously life was
different. No More Diaries