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13. All Night Party…Friday, December 3rd 1965. All Night Party.

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Bog Island, Pierrepont Street. Originally underground public toilets , they were later converted into a nightclub.

I was never any good at staying awake all night and in his letter my father refers to my first and last all night party. The morning after, my eyes were sore and my skin felt tight.Because I was constantly insecure about my appearance and the underground toilet near Pultney Bridge had a very flattering mirror,  I had been a frequent visitor. Over time I had become friendly with the attendant; she had her own room with fresh flowers and a kettle. That morning I went down to splash cold water on my face and was invited into her inner sanctum and the subsequent chat and cup of tea were much more enjoyable than the party.

Dad mentions The Selecta. This was an old Nissen hut down the Leicester Road converted into a record warehouse. I had worked there during several school holidays collecting  the orders from the shelves. The hits were easy to spot because they were stacked in boxes on the floor …a Neil Sedaka and a Helen Shapiro clogging up the ‘S’ aisle.

Friday,December 3rd 1965

My Dear Joy,

It’s a miserable, cold , wet and blustery morning. Chris and I sit enjoying the only cheery prospect in view- a warm , cozy fire, listening to the wireless. Mam was off early to the church with Miss Reynolds to do a spot of charring-scrubbing the pews down. That will take some cleaning after the awful mess the plasterers left. Chris is threading monkey nuts for the blue –tits. We keep them well supplied with food and they are most entertaining to watch. They keep up a regular shuttle service and their antics and gyrations, swinging and twisting in the wind make a most fascinating spectacle.

Chris is off to Leicester after dinner to see the City play west Bromich Albion- a local derby match but as things are its me for home and the fireside.

Coming home from work at seven o’clock last night I had a quick supper and turn around and off again just after eight o’clock to entertain with the hand –bells at a big church stewardship dinner at the Working Men’s Club. It was an ‘orrible night-great slobs of sleet as big as half-crowns slapping in ones eyes, and although we gave a well appreciated show I was glad to get home and snug between warm blankets.

Had a surprise-I won’t say shock as I am placed just now but the works manager told me that there was over production of our line of work and that I and about five more affected would be in the dole next week. In my position I wasn’t unduly perturbed and in fact I’m constantly on the look out for a nice little light job to augment my pension which would be quite adequate and comfortable. I tell you this so that you yourself won’t be perturbed or under any duress. Anyway, yesterday-Friday, the manager again informed us that the dole decision had been rescinded and that it is as was for the time being. I give it until just after Xmas and then I think that the line of work that we make and the machines will be obsolete, but by then I hope there will be a more concise clarification of my position. Even so-as I’ve always asserted, I aint worried-rather thankful for my blessings and that I am so fortunately placed.

Advent 1 tomorrow ‘Stir Up’ Sunday and hardly a thought yet of the inevitable Xmas puddings and the other host of Xmas preparations. We do hope that you get your Post post and failing that a job at the Selecta. How did the all night party go? I’m afraid that even in my wildest young days I wouldn’t give it a thought. I had always the rule to keep fit and trim, bright of eye with plenty of rest the better to enjoy my pleasures.-and I did.

‘Fraid that’s the extent for this week –and now here’s mam back from church with a tale of stress and damned hard work-Yes, listening mam!

Best Wishes to Sue and all. Meantime love and safe keeping ever, Dad.

PS The answer to the University Challenge question is ‘Out.’

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All The Letters

  • From Earl Shilton… 1 , Friday August  2nd 1963 Black Sail Hostel

    From Earl Shilton… 1 , Friday August 2nd 1963 Black Sail Hostel

  • 2.  Sunday August 4h 1963 Eskdale Youth Hostel

    2. Sunday August 4h 1963 Eskdale Youth Hostel

  • 3 . Wednesday August 6th, 1963. Coniston, Coppermine Youth Hostel.

    3 . Wednesday August 6th, 1963. Coniston, Coppermine Youth Hostel.

  • 4. Borrow House, The Lake District…  Saturday August 9th 1963. Derwentwater.

    4. Borrow House, The Lake District… Saturday August 9th 1963. Derwentwater.

  • 5. Zion Hill …  Saturday Winter 1964. And finally college after a shambolic education.

    5. Zion Hill … Saturday Winter 1964. And finally college after a shambolic education.

  • 6. Bath … Saturday, Winter 1965. The Elms , Bath and the misery of unrequited love.

    6. Bath … Saturday, Winter 1965. The Elms , Bath and the misery of unrequited love.

  • 7. Newton Park… May 22nd 1965. Richard, a dull and joyless relationship but lots of postcards.

    7. Newton Park… May 22nd 1965. Richard, a dull and joyless relationship but lots of postcards.

  • 8. North Walsham… Saturday September 1965 Freedom…and North Walsham.

    8. North Walsham… Saturday September 1965 Freedom…and North Walsham.

  • 9. The Royal Crescent…Sunday September 1965. The Royal Crescent

    9. The Royal Crescent…Sunday September 1965. The Royal Crescent

  • 10. Glasgow Art School… Friday Autumn 1965. Glasgow Art School

    10. Glasgow Art School… Friday Autumn 1965. Glasgow Art School

  • 11. The Royal Crescent … Sarurday, Autumn 1965 . The Royal Crescent

    11. The Royal Crescent … Sarurday, Autumn 1965 . The Royal Crescent

  • 12. From Earl Shilton… Saturday, Late November 1965 Church Street.

    12. From Earl Shilton… Saturday, Late November 1965 Church Street.

  • 13. All Night Party…Friday, December 3rd 1965. All Night Party.

    13. All Night Party…Friday, December 3rd 1965. All Night Party.

  • 14. From Earl Shilton… December 1965. Christmas Post …The Prefabs.

    14. From Earl Shilton… December 1965. Christmas Post …The Prefabs.

  • 15. From Earl Shilton…Friday March 1966 . Beatnik? Hippy? Lost?

    15. From Earl Shilton…Friday March 1966 . Beatnik? Hippy? Lost?

  • 16. From Earl Shilton… Late March 1966. Works Bonfire…Terror in Church Street

    16. From Earl Shilton… Late March 1966. Works Bonfire…Terror in Church Street

  • 17. North Walsham…Saturday, The Early Autumn 1966 . Alex…six three, long hair and a gold earring!

    17. North Walsham…Saturday, The Early Autumn 1966 . Alex…six three, long hair and a gold earring!

  • 18.Bath in 1967… Marriage-pregnancy- miscarriage- becoming a qualified teacher- hitch hiking -cheerful destitution and then Liverpool.

    18.Bath in 1967… Marriage-pregnancy- miscarriage- becoming a qualified teacher- hitch hiking -cheerful destitution and then Liverpool.

  • 19. Arthur Brown’s Marmalde…1968. Granby Street, Paddington Comprehensive  and Dave , the poet.

    19. Arthur Brown’s Marmalde…1968. Granby Street, Paddington Comprehensive and Dave , the poet.

  • 20 .Liverpool…1969 . Trouble brewing … The end of Dave the poet, John, Henry  and the Odd Spot.

    20 .Liverpool…1969 . Trouble brewing … The end of Dave the poet, John, Henry and the Odd Spot.

  • 21. Liverpool…1970 …Approaching the bottom of a downward spiral.

    21. Liverpool…1970 …Approaching the bottom of a downward spiral.

  • 22… Autumn 1971. Rock bottom or  almost drowning then learning how to swim.

    22… Autumn 1971. Rock bottom or almost drowning then learning how to swim.

  • 23.Liverpool…1972  The Monte Carlo chip shop, love, The Oriental Club and Venice in half a day.

    23.Liverpool…1972 The Monte Carlo chip shop, love, The Oriental Club and Venice in half a day.

  • 24. January 1973… Neuralgia, worse than childbirth or a slipped disc.

    24. January 1973… Neuralgia, worse than childbirth or a slipped disc.

  • 25. Summer 1973… An allotment plot and back to The Oriental Club.

    25. Summer 1973… An allotment plot and back to The Oriental Club.

  • 26.  August/ September 1973 . Camping chiefly next to picturesque Irish castles but …

    26. August/ September 1973 . Camping chiefly next to picturesque Irish castles but …

  • 27. Autumn 1973 An abortion.

    27. Autumn 1973 An abortion.

  • 28. Early November 1973… Still very sad but write home cheerfully.

    28. Early November 1973… Still very sad but write home cheerfully.

  • 29. November 18th  1973… Too old to plant a tree! Dad’s seventy-third birthday.

    29. November 18th 1973… Too old to plant a tree! Dad’s seventy-third birthday.

  • 30. Late November 1973… Bean Stew.

    30. Late November 1973… Bean Stew.

  • 31. Late November 1973… Gardening and common ground.

    31. Late November 1973… Gardening and common ground.

  • 32. Early December 1973… Chris visits Liverpool and muck spreading.

    32. Early December 1973… Chris visits Liverpool and muck spreading.

  • 33. Early/Mid December 1973… Piss Quick and Shit Quick.

    33. Early/Mid December 1973… Piss Quick and Shit Quick.

  • 34, Mid December 1973… A monstrous pile of cardboard flung all over the place in the biting wind.

    34, Mid December 1973… A monstrous pile of cardboard flung all over the place in the biting wind.

  • 35. March 3rd 1974… Rosemary for memory.

    35. March 3rd 1974… Rosemary for memory.

  • 36. March 1974… Sweeping the chimney and exploding lumps of coal.

    36. March 1974… Sweeping the chimney and exploding lumps of coal.

  • 37.March 1974… Panic! A wet and miserable time and I have just found out that I am pregnant again.

    37.March 1974… Panic! A wet and miserable time and I have just found out that I am pregnant again.

  • 38.March 1974…The reality has begun to sink in. Despite the sickness I was glad to be pregnant.

    38.March 1974…The reality has begun to sink in. Despite the sickness I was glad to be pregnant.

  • 39. April 21st…The pregnancy is now an accepted fact.

    39. April 21st…The pregnancy is now an accepted fact.

  • 40. April /May 1974… Cup final, the flood and a pub crawl!

    40. April /May 1974… Cup final, the flood and a pub crawl!

Bonny Braeside
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