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.
Not so cold today but cloudy. A lot to burn from Hans Hall. Young Peter* came to see me. Cleaned both the jets. Had a leak on one of the oil pipes. Got Bernard to help me to fix it.
(I think this might be my mum’s cousin, generally a bit of a ne’er do well.)
Wind not quite so cold today and some sun. Car washing again. S.B.Mc.K. making 87 to date. Lot of stuff to burn today. One half grown pig.
Got up at 9.30. A very cold wind still. Did the mowing and forked the herbaceous border. Ron, Dot and Jane came for dinner. Jane is lovely. Did some talking.*
(*Not sure who this refers to. Can’t imagine my sister was talking at 3 months old.)
Day off today. Not a bad day but wind very cold. Heard a cuckoo for the first time. Put seven rows of spuds in at home. Went to P in the p.m. No mower yet.
A strong wind blowing and quite cold, but some sunshine. Car washing. H.A.S. making 83 to date. Cleaned all the toilets again. Nell gone to baby sit for Dot.
A fine day but a strong, cold wind blowing. Cleaned and polished Shack’s car. Not a lot to burn. Did the three toilets. John Davies having a party at the Shrew tonight.
Rain at first but fine and sunny later. Fresh wind. Rather cold. Cleaned copper in boiler room. Cleaned the grease from round the vent in kitchen window. Finished house windows last night. W.
A cool wind but nice and sunny. Cleaned both the jets. Cleared the drain in the field. Borrowed rods from Hans Hall. John Davies leaves tonight. Averil giving party at the Shrew.
Some showers at first and rather cold but nice and sunny later. Washed and polished Bond’s car. 82 to date. 1 ton of coke came. Did all the toilets. Dot’s birthday today. God bless her.
Got up at 9.30. Nice warm day. Did the mowing and cleaned rose bed. Went to Dot’s on the 3 bus. Jane is lovely. Back on the 7.30. Saw old Jim. Saw first swallow.
My Granddad is Keeping Busy 