My secret diary 1973 (October ii) - mill chimneys and news from an ex.

Oct 10 (Wed)
Not much to say. behind with diary a bit. V.v. cold suddenly. Julie off school, got tummy ache and scabs on face.

Oct 11
Again, v little to say. Julie is away again. Doctor gave her Roter tablets like my dad has for his ulcer and said she may have impetigo.

Oct 12
Fun at school when S told some UVs* not to eat in school uniform. Gave them both essays. Some smart Alec in the government announced that Oldham is the drabbest, dullest, dirtiest town in England. How dare he call my home town? I love it and its chimneys*.

Oct 13 (Sat)
I got a letter from - guess who? - Rob!* It really annoyed me, telling me about university and girls etc. Went to town with Ju and she came to my house for dinner and I went to her house for tea. Went for a chat round at CR's, with G and H*, who I can't stand. Ok day.

Oct 14
You know, I really hate Sundays, partly 'cos it's so boring and partly 'cos I usually save all my homework for then - which is a bit thick. I won't next weekend. Mum was depressed, so was I. At least Norma was in a better mood. Ju said last week that a waiter at the club was mad about me.

Oct 15 (Mon)
Oh, so worried about Julie. I think she might have stomach ulcers - doctor's given her Roter tablets. She was away today, violent pains in her stomach. I went to blasted computer course - which I don't like much. Not much else to say.

*Commentary
Oct 12 - UV - the Upper fifth - these were the year below us - the 16 year olds. As sixth formers now, we had some duties involving controlling, herding and reprimanding everyone else. It was not easy!
Oct 12 - for those reading this who don't know Oldham, in 1973 the town still had many tall and imposing cotton mill chimneys dominating its skyline.

I was brought up living next door to the 'Daisy' mill and was used to seeing great huge baskets being hoisted up and down, loaded and unloaded with raw cotton and newly spun cotton. My mum and all her sisters worked in the mills, in mysterious rooms called the carding rooms or the spinning rooms or doubling rooms. Words like winding, doubling, reels, bales and shoddy were part of the everyday language of my streets. We played hop scotch with the round ends of cotton bobbins. Most of the mill chimneys have been demolished now. It may have been a drab and dirty town then, but when I revisit it now, I find its heart and soul have been ripped out by town planners, who really have never known how to reconstruct a community broken when its main industry died.
Oct 13 - ex boyfriend
Oct 13 - I tend to substitute random initials for names, except for Carol and Julie, who don't mind being named!

My secret diary 1973 October (i) Computers, posters and trying to help my friend

Oct 1st (Mon)
Highly exciting day ending with computer course at tech. I'm beginning to regret having gone.

Oct 2nd
Ju was away yesterday, but here today, although ill. E was away today & yesterday. We're doing up our cloakroom with posters and things - looks okay. Saw film 'Oh What a Lovely War!' (film theatre) Very good. World War One. Sarcastic. funny.

Oct 3rd
Julie away from school. Teachers concerned I think. I phoned her and she said her mum was collecting the photos. Whippee!!

Oct 4th (Thurs)
The holiday photos that is. They're okay. We've got Valentino and his pals on them. Also some Surrey lads (Gary Glitter). Oh + Sara + Sian - oh it was such fun, and such a lot has happened since .. I do wish that we could go there again next year - but what can we do now? It's all changed. Went to Oldham Rep. Ten Little Niggers*, with Norma.

Oct 5th
Ju's a lot better. Not much to write - school's pretty normal. V hard work. Messed around with microscope a while, got a few good clear cells (this at home). Work's getting on top of me really - Ju's mum phoned and asked me if I could get her to go out a bit more.

Oct 6th (Sat)
Today I went in town, eyed up some jeans, bought a poster for 20p - so did Julie and went to show girls in inside market and they asked for 3. Bloke on stall let us have them for 10p. Went to Royton Club after. I didn't want to in case Jerry was there, He wasn't, but came later with girl!

Oct 7th
Hmwk in morning and we drove Norma to Morecambe in affy. She's lodging there while going to Lancaster College*. Felt envious of her. I am bored, I am bored, I am bored (to the tune of 'Frere Jacques')

Oct 8th (Mon)
Suddenly bogged down with work. I'm in a bad mood with everyone, especially mum it seems. Went to computer course. Big war between Israel and Egypt - I wish they'd stop it. Going to Plough on Friday. I wish I could be a Buddhist.

Oct 9th
Ju upset today because Miss Roker told her off about her dad's ring that she was wearing. She cried 'cos she was reminded, I think and S didn't help - kept ging on about it. Golly, it's my birthday soon and I don't feel a bit cheerful. Went to help with coffee evening at (.........)* Felt ridiculous amid fur coats and floppy hats.

*Commentary
Oct 4th - To edit and not use offensive language? Or to stay true to the zeitgeist of 1973?
Oct 7th - Norma had started at teacher training college.
Oct 9th - can't read this - what a shame! I would love to have known what it was.

My secret diary 1973 September (iv) - a funeral and musing on religion

Sept 27th (Thurs)
Even less to say  than yest. Mr H's funeral tomorrow. Ju going. She'll be so upset, and Mrs H too. Got microscope mended. Lower sixth sending flowers and we are too (mum, dad and me).

Sept 28th
Ju didn't come to school today. It was her dad's funeral. - I haven't heard from her. Didn't expect to. We sent dome flowers. I keep wanting to cry for all of them. They'll be okay, won't they? Wondering whether to send her the James Taylor card* 'You've got a friend'. School is v hard work. I'm tired all the time.

Sept 29th (Sat)
Not a tremendously exciting day.
Taking an interest in Buddhism. V interesting and nice. Done no homework. Phoned Ju.

Sept 30th
Didn't do half as much work as I should have done. Wish I could have a new character - I'd love to be a Buddhist. Hmm can you imagine me in a witness box swearing a Buddhist oath? It'd mean more than a Christian one to me. Blasphemy! Poor ol' Julie, I guess I'm lucky in a way.

*Commentary
Sept 28 - Julie had given me this for my birthday the previous year. We still have it. It has crossed between us at times when reaching out has been needed.

My secret diary 1973 September (iii) - a terrible time

Sept 21st (Fri)
Today informed that 4 of us get cheques on Speech day for getting 5 or more 1s in 'O' levels - chuff chuff. Annoyed 'cos ju said she's phone me last night and she didn't.

Sept 22nd (Sat)*
Oh my god. Ju's grandma phoned this morning - I wondered what was happening - Ju told me - her dad, Mr H, has died. Julie's dad. What can I do? They think it was a heart attack - I'm so worried for her. I'm so afraid. What can I do? Went to the Indian evening in aid of Oxfam. Dad said I should occupy myself.

Sept 23rd
Oh Jesus Christ. I feel like crying. I phoned Julie up today to see how she was and if she wanted anything. She asked me if I wanted to go to cousin J's party and help. Oh and her mum kept crying and julie did. And R was so quiet. And he's only 6 and he's got to be brought up. He sat out of all the games. He was very quiet and J kept talking.

Sept 24th (Mon)
I'm so tired and so selfish. I always seem to be thinking of me and not Julie. She came to school today and wasn't too bad, but Miss Hatch upset her so much, I felt like crying for her. Poor Julie. I'm going to see Hatch tomorrow. Dad says I should, so does S. Julie hasn't got a dog to say silly things to and I have.

Sept 25th
Ju didn't come to school today - I didn't see Miss Hatch. I saw Miss Rogerson instead - she's v nice. She mentioned it to Hatch, who hadn't seen the notice about it in the staff room. Hatch was upset and nearly crying. Been an altogether depressing day. Everyone sad. No-one happy. So quiet.

Sept 26th (Wed)
I'm very tired. There's nothing to say. Ju at school today, Miss Hatch okay. I keep feeling like I want to cry at silly things.


*Note
Sept 22 - I have only been able to transcribe these parts of my diary because Julie has given me permission to do so.

My secret diary 1973 September (ii) - birthdays and bad tempers

Sept 8th (Sat) 
Went into town with dad and Norma. Got new school skirt and also rubber gloves for chemistry. Norma got a cassette recorder and some rollers. OK day. Ju phoned and suggested going to Royton Club. It was a boring couple singing and then Jerry came over to chat Julie up.

Sept 9th
Been in a rotten mood all day. Slept over at Ju's last night and came all the way home with no shoes on. Auntie May visited - ok. I think I've become more restless since the holiday. I wish I could go back to that campsite again, to Franz and Simple Simon. I'm in love with Jean-Pierre. No kidding.

Sept 10th
Well. School  might be harder work in the sixth form, but it's not as frightening now we don't have Miss Hatch. Went up town after school to look for pressy for Norma, met Norma, put an end to pressy search!! Not much to write. Oh - S is not coming back to school because of her 'O' levels. I wish she were.

Sept 11th (Tue)
Not much to write and anyway I don't feel like writing. Went swimming (at school). Had a double art lesson. OK at school except F is hanging about a bit and she is irritating me.

Sept 12th
After school went into town with Ju to get Norma's present. Got her a Melanie cassette (Candles in the Rain), a paint box and sketch pad. I'm v tired.

Sept 13th
Norma's b'day. She was pleased with pressy. Mum was getting at Kate for some reason (Kate couldn't afford pressy yet) Doing a lot of work at school. Seem to be permanently tired. Me and Ju and S and C are going to dance at the Plough on Saturday I think. Goodnight. Peace and Happiness.

Sept 14th (Fri)
Very tired, but made a prefect at school, so it made up for it I guess. Nearly lost my other contact lens in assembly (got replacement yesterday). S volunteered me to give a talk on Hinduism in R.I. Good grief!! I'm tired, I'm tired, so much work to do.

Sept 15th
Spent day doing homework and going up town with mum. At night me and Ju and R, F and C went to new disco called 'Looking Glass' at Plough Inn. It was really well done up inside - like Alice in Wonderland - music grotty - all Tamla - After I slept over at Ju's. A bit annoyed because she wouldn't stay over here.

Sept 16th (Sun)
We spent a while at Ju's eating and faffing then we set off late for Carol's - she'd invited us for tea. Really good time - listening to records etc, talking. It was fun. Really interesting. I like C.

Sept 17th
Don't feel like taking. too tired. Going on course about computers* I think. Nowt else to say. Bye.

Sept 18th
I think I'm going to cry, don't kno why. Just feel depressed, sick and tired. Keep getting a headache. While on holiday we heard that big fun complex on Isle of White, 'Summerland' burnt down. 49 killed. 3 10 year old kids have been fined £3 each for breaking in.

Sept 19th (Wed)
Been in a rotten stinking mood all day, feel a bit better now. Not much to say. Being a prefect hasn't done much yet. Dum de dum de dum.

Sept 20th
After school went to visit old infant headmistress, Mrs Harrison - good to see her. was surprised to find that she went to Hulme as well. She taught Miss Ashton. She's lovely still. I remember her giving me a prize and smelling of apple pie.

There is Mrs Harrison on the right of this photo. She was married to the other teacher, Mr Harrison. This was infant school, 1966. I'm on the second row, third from the right, with the fetching bow in my hair.


*Commentary
Sept 17 - When I say I am going on a computer course here, bear in mind this is 1973, when computers were big enough to occupy whole rooms, like wardrobes lining the walls. Dad was very keen that I went on this - which was a special course for those doing maths 'A' level, and it was with boy sixth formers! Dad thought that the future was computers and learning Russian. He was not far off the mark. The course was learning to programme using Fortran. is this computer language still about? I don't know. I came away with ticker tape and clueless. This is my memory of it. We'll see what I say about it in my diary entry.

My secret diary 1973 September (i) Paris, then the chemistry lab

Sept 1st (Sat)
In Paris by about 11 o'clock. We did a bit of fussing and faffing and by 2pm we were on metro. I liked going underground to the Champs Elysee and we walked up. Shoes £32! Dresses £132!! Saw Arc dr Triomphe and grave of unknown warrior  Lovely. Got permanent fire. Also Tour Eiffel and we met 3 French blokes.

Sept 2
After Paris last night we drove to Calais and got a ferry at about 10.30am. Not much to say - had a rough crossing. I like ferries but felt a bit sick. Drove all way up to home. Glad to be home. I love my family. Julie got all her 'O' levels. Good, good, good.

Sept 3 (Mon)
Very boring and depressing day. I wish I were back in Spain at Camping Giverola Pola. Simple Simon. Oh God I'm in love with someone I'll never see again! S failed her chem, poor thing. E's done well gor 4 grade 1s.

Sept 4th
Done hardly owt today. Went to dentist (Mr Aron) in afternoon and he gave me a new brace. Coming back I saw a hippy type playing guitar outside of cathedral. I wanted to join him but I'm a coward - it's got to change. I walked from the station in bare feet.

Sept 5th
Went to visit Ju this morning. Had dinner there (her ear's bad). After went to laundry to visit them*. Then up town - new pair of school shoes. 6th former tomorrow - how about that? Saw C in town. Got 7 'O' levels. I'm glad for her.

Sept 6th (Thur)
Well. Went back to school. In sixth form now.Miss Rogerson is form mistress in chem lab. Doing Maths, Biol and Chem for 'A' level'. D only got 4 'O' levels - she's not coming back. IP got 7 grade 1s, C got 4 grade 1s, SP got 6 grade 1s, K got 5 like me*. Great to see everyone again.

Sept 7th
Another mucked up day. Miss Crabtree* still hasn't sorted our timetables out and so Ju doesn't know what she's doing, neither does S. Went to ??, the jewellers about a job that Stella promised me - nothing doing. Stella left. Annoyed. Posted letter to Sian and Sarah.

*Commentary
Sept 5 - Ju and I worked in the hospital laundry to raise money to go on holiday - it was hot, hard work - respect to those who did it full time.
Sept 6 - sometimes I claim not to be a competitive person, but clearly this is a weighing up of everyone and comparing them to my performance. My grown up me is a little embarrassed with my teenage me. Maybe I'm still like that. Oh dear.
Sept 7 - Miss Crabtree was our headmistress. She was a bit like the Queen. Sian and Sarah were girls we had met on holiday in Spain.

My secret diary 1973 August (iii) - new pals, 'O' level results and trouble with boys

Hello
it's been a whole year since I transcribed any of my diary entries from my teenage years. Sorry about that. Life sometimes gets in the way of blogging. Anyway, I find myself now transcribing the diary a nice round 40 years in the future. I pick up where I left off. I am on holiday in Spain with my best pal Julie and her family. I was desperate for a love affair. Julie gives her permission for me to reproduce all this.

August 20 (Mon)
Julie spent day with Mike and I tagged on behind. Had canelone for dinner and wine. At night I wore orange nightie-dress and felt elegant. Met Belgian lad and arranged to meet him at 2pm tomorrow.

August 21
Feel very, very annoyed with Ju. Spent morning mucking about the caravan. In afternoon I went to tell the Belgian boys not going. Ju and Mike came. Watched tennis. I went for dinner on my own! We were going to Tossa in evening. Italian fellas.

August 22
Ju's dad and Uncle Alan came home. Ju spent day with Mike. He's nice but I guess I'm jealous. We made friends with English girls  Suzanne and Sara. Went up to the disco late - some French people had party and they were all dressed up! Went for midnight swim.

August 23 (Thurs)
Ju went to Tossa with Mike. I went swimming with Suzanne - out to the rocks. Weather cooler. Beautiful. Solitary etc. Proud of myself. Actually had quite a nice day. Went out at night and met Rudi Bavarian and friends again. Ok.

August 24
no entry

August 25 (Sat)
Went into Tossa with Rudi, Klaus, French Jackie etc. Had a lovely time. Looked around shops and generally mucked about then went for a meal and I drank out of one of those Spanish things. I was drunk. Good time.

August 26
Today we met 4 weird English blokes. me, Ju and sara went to have a 'party' with them on the beach, but we couldn't stay long. One of them was stone drunk. Next day (Mon) Sara went home and after so did the 4 blokes. They came to beach to say bye bye. (Here I inserted an extra small sheet) We saw Jonathan  Alan, Pete and Tony off. They've got a wonderful railway ticket - cost £33 but takes them around Europe for a month (if under 21). They hitched it away from camp. they were really nice, weird blokes (about 17 or 18, at school).

August 27 (Mon)
Must say having beautiful weather in sunny Spain! Just had another bloomin' storm!! The awning is constantly flooded!! It makes the water mucky, too. All our friends have gone home now, except a few. Germans and English. Oh! Simple Simon!*

August 28
Dull weather in morning but brightened up later on. We went to sunbathe and there was another thunderstorm. Went to caravan and had letter from Norma - contained 'O' level results. Oh! I didn't want to open them. I was so nervous! Would you believe it?!

I got 8!! 5 grade 1s and 3 grade 3s! (Here I added in an extra small sheet of paper) Oh, I'm so happy - 8 'O' levels - it's a beautiful feeling - we went round telling everyone on the camp - even foreigners. We told Gerard (Rudi's German friend) - and he was so pleased for me - (he told me I was so kleine for such grosse results!!). Me and Ju bought some champagne - oh and I was crying, then we went out and sat with English and Germans - 3 glasses of ber and the Germans bought us some wine. We met more English - stayed out till 1.45am. Ju's dad was v. angry.

August 29
Storms, storms and storms again. Sorry, can't remember very well. Oh! at night me and Ju had another 'last night' bloody Spaniards kept pestering us, so we ran down. Ju's dad grabbed one of them and started thumping them - I was frightened. Polizia came too! Oh Good grief!

August 30 (Thur)
Spent day packing. Glad we're going because it would be embarrassing to see the Spaniards again after last night. Said goodbye to everyone, got them to sign a bottle, drank wine on beach.

Goodbye to Sara, Sian and Mark. Set off. Slept in car at night.

August 31
Still travelling. Very little to write because spent all day travelling through France. Made it to about 20 miles out of Paris by nightfall. There were some rows and tempers.

*Commentary
Aug 27 - Simple Simon was a nickname I had given to a French Boy that I was admiring from afar and had convinced myself i was in love with. Thin, long-haired, guitar-playing.