My granddad died in 1983. For the previous 20 years, he kept a diary, recording his day as a farm worker and then through his retirement. We are lucky enough to have his notebooks, all the entries in block capitals, often in pencil. He always tells us about the weather, sometimes about what is going well at the allotment. We get updates of how Liverpool are doing and the occasional political thought. He suffered from rheumatoid arthritis, was always in pain, but you would never know from these entries. My mum once described him as a contented man. Who knows, really, but certainly, there is something soothing about these entries. So I thought I would share them with you. We have a few years to cover so buckle up.
Leg feels better today, thank God. Day follows day and each day some one gets discharged so my time will come. Nell came tonight, God bless her. Gave her 19/-* collected from work. Get a perm.
(* not sure if this is 19/- for £9. Quick Google suggests a perm might have cost £2 in 1964, so neither seems to make sense)
Saw Partridge this morning. Got to stay in bed until fortnight today. Have a walking plaster on. It seems a hundred years away but I suppose it will pass. Please God it’s ok.
Another red letter day. Went to theatre to have stitches removed and new plaster on. As well as having clamps tightened. Got a bit of pain in it again. Nell never came tonight.
A frost this a.m. I believe. The day much the same as the rest. Terry Downes got beat.* Ron brought Nell in to see me. All is ok at home. The time goes very slowly and it seems ages to wait.
* World title, light heavyweight fight in Manchester against Willie Pastrano. Downes was knocked down twice in the 11th round, while reportedly well ahead on points, and Pastrano retained his title. Downes then retired, and had a number of acting roles, as a thug, including appearing in Derek Jarman’s “Caravaggio”.
Still the same old routine. Leg progress slow but sure, I hope. Nell came again today. Got bless her. Also Dot, Ron and Jane. Jane came in for a bit.
Much as the day before, one just like another. Nell, Dot and little Jane came this afternoon, and Ron came at night. It does break the monotony a lot.
Day follows day much the same. It seems ages since I first came in but the time will come. Nell came last night. Also Les Pinager and Harry Welsh. He has got to have an op.
A day much as yesterday. Birthday card from Lou and Les. Alf Gerrard and Bill Edwards came to see me. Alf brought 2 bottles of brown ale in. Nell gone to the housey. Heavy rain outside.
Went for an X-ray today. Sam Pugh came in yesterday. Saw Mr P. Said I could get on leg as soon as stitches were out but never mind. Nell, Dot and Jane came to see me today. Bless them.
Another day similar to yesterday. Leg appears to be going on ok, thank goodness. Did some reading. Joe and Ted Evans came to see me tonight. Also Dot and Nell. Will see Mr P in the a.m.
My Granddad is Keeping Busy 