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.
A fairly decent day. Mucked about. Dot and Ron came for tea. Went to see Cyril at the Coach. Saw Billy and Dora. Left him at 9. Walked back.
(Cyril was one of Granddad’s brothers. Bill was Cyril’s son, my mum;’s cousin. Dora, Bill’s wife, was the most glamorous person I knew growing up. She painted her nails different colours.)
Not a bad sort of a day. Did a bit in the garden. Went to P in the afternoon. Did the mowing and weeding the drive. Wheat at night.
Not a very nice day. Did the hoeing. Ted Williams brought my wages. Dot came at night. Never went out. Did not go to Platts.
A nasty day with showers. Did a bit of pottering about. Nothing important. Went for a drink. Saw old Mick in there.
Day of the Council outing today. Left home 7.30 cold day. Went through the cottage of Shakespeare. Very interesting. Got home at about 12.45 a.m.
(I asked my mum about the council trip. As my granddad didn’t work for the council, it’s not entirely clear how he finagled himself on to this jaunt and as Mum pointed out, there is a big gap between a trip round Shakespeare’s cottage and getting home at 12.45am, mostly likely spent in a Stratford pub.)
Got up at 10 a.m. Did the table for Nell. Put a little fence between us and next door. Looks a lot tidier for it. All fencing done now.
Got up at 10 a.m. Started to board my fence. Very cold wind, blowing very strong at times. Worked all day and just had enough boards to finish it.
Got up at about 10 a.m. Started to work on my fence. Got 2 bolts off Fred across the road. Got all side pieces fixed. Dot and Ron came.
A cold wind blowing. Got up 9.30. Did the mowing. Went to P in the afternoon. Did the mowing and some weeding. Went to the Wheat at night.
A dull day at first but nice and sunny. Later warmer. Car washing again. Mc.B.H. making 150 to date. Old Fanny Wright passed away yesterday. Starting hols tonight.
My Granddad is Keeping Busy 