Diary 1972

Diary 1972

Saturday, Jan 1st - Heard a radio service from Northern Ireland (a hard sell) in bed and then strokes of Big Ben and account of the morning papers. Woke up late, in bed to lunch.

Tuesday, Jan 4th - Took Cil to Stratford to see Toad of Toad Hall. First performed at Stratford  in 1948 and so rather a speciality of theirs. Many very young children and a couple of seat kicking boys. Cil is better than she used to be, but they are all very frightened that Butters will burn the cottage down. The Butters will not give up what measure of independence she has and has already burnt two dressings gowns.

(See Index of names at end of this post)

Thursday, Jan 6th - When I went off to Burford to meet C, Mary said ‘You may not find it so easy to come back another time.’ ‘Will you tell your lady to behave herself.’ About six o’clock it became very foggy and I suggested returning to Burford. C cut up rough and I agreed to wait to see what it was like at eight. Though misty it was possible and we drove gingerly to Burford. When we appeared at the motel we had to change rooms because the heat switch had gone and wherever we went we were followed by a window-cleaning gang with ladders who almost caught C in the loo.

Friday, Jan 14 - Busy with footling details of Hall, not helped by telephone out of order for six days owing to carelessness of men repairing outside line.

Sunday, Jan 16th - Gave up Observer for Sunday Telegraph.

Monday, Jan 17th - To Witney buying mats etc for Hall. Fixing Ladies and Gents, toilet paper, buckets etc. Fire appliance man arrived with extinguishers. Meter at last fixed by S.E.B. but omitted cooker and lost padlock! One step forward and two back! In spite of spate of talk Margaret Blackwell more congenial and she certainly appreciates what I have done, but decide to give up in March.

Sunday, Jan 23rd - Michael to late tea and supper. Brought us a bottle of Port which changed for Martini later. Amusing as usual about school and above all the the planners’ pamphlet on Rosla = raising of school leaving age, but no equipment and no books. His headmaster is an expert speaker on ‘Pastoral’ = pastoral care. His English head of department is a P.E. man and runs everywhere but never organises anything, and again not enough books.
After struggling with the S.E.B. and various big firms and the Education Dept in Gloucester, have reached my old conclusion: ‘Everything increases in inefficiency with size’ - the more departments you have to chase to get action the more inefficient they are.

Sunday, Jan 30th - A  bitter frost. Thought of going to Tewkesbury, but stayed in bed to lunch. News to-night - troops fired on rioters in Londonderry and 13 killed, though whether by troops, as Irish say, or by IRA snipers, as army says, not clear and probably never will be. But unfortunately this will add another episode to the long list of Irish wrongs at the hands of England and what Mrs Hearn calls ‘bloody dramas’.

Wednesday, Feb 2nd - Cheltenham for Mary’s hair do. Thaw and rain. Bernadette Devlin assaulted Maudling, Home Secretary, in House of Commons. Government appointed Lord Chief Justice as one man enquiry on shooting at Londonderry. Last night the Dublin mob burnt down the British Embassy in Merrion Square. The staff had left and the Irish policeman made no attempt to stop them.

Thursday, Feb 3rd -  Burford for dinner with C. When Paul marrying, C consulted Oxford R.C. chaplain and told if married in C of E fornication, if Register Office adultery. P chose adultery!

Friday, Feb 4th - Nora rang up to say in hospital next week for removal of polyp from backside. Worried, and got M to ring back to enquire where polyp situated.

Saturday, Feb 14th - Saturday, Feb 12th- My 72nd birthday - a sunny but cold and windy morning. To Bourton to get veal and wine for lunch. Mary thought if power cut because of miners’ strike better not to risk cooking joint in oven but fry veal slices on Cyril’s camping gas. Promptly at 12.15 the power failed so we got out the gas and proceeded. The Christmas pudding already cooked, and the potatoes. The fridge failed with Asti cooling and the pump for the radiators.
There was quite a show in the garden. A crysanthus and snow bunting crocus just made it: dwarf irises, hamamclis, crysanthus, wallflowers in bud, snowdrops, daffodils showing well, and a circle of aconites.
Hilary rang up from Copenhagen. They thought of having a holiday in Norway, camping out in a mountain hut, but perhaps Hilary and Nicholas would come to see us.
About 9.20 while watching the tele the lights went out. Trod on the cat! After beating the weak post office workers and the dustmen, the government has taken on the miners, who are determined. The government may have got themselves in a jam. It the meantime the pits are deteriorating and it will take at least three weeks to get the coal flowing again. If the government should make an offer it will take the miners three weeks to ballot on it, it looks as though in any case we shall be in for a very awkward six weeks. I am sure if the great British public lose their tele and their ‘match of the day’ they will soon tell Mr Heath to brass up.However, as Shakespeare said, there is one activity for which you do not need a light - and we did not.

Sunday, Feb 13th - Left for the Cowley Dads mess at 10. Made it comfortably and were lucky enough to get some petrol before the pumps shut down. Not much activity outside but a good congregation inside. I had last been to mass here 50 years ago. Now an altar on a platform west of the rood screen round which the religious sat in a semicircle in surplices. Owing to the power cuts the organ was not used, instead a piano at the west end.
It was a simple and dignified service, no sermon. Toby Mason was not there but there was a very friendly and happy father who came up and said he thought we were strangers. Half way through the service an elderly dame sitting next to me suddenly said ‘The peace of God be with you!’ and clasped me warmly by the hand! After the service Mary said she was Connie Green’s sister, so we accosted her.

Monday, Feb 14th - A lovely sunny day. Tea in porch. Opinion turning against government’s handling of coal strike. Industry in chaos owing to power cuts. Failure to consult industry before emergency powers, failure to realize success of picketing. Now covering up defeat by means of a committee of enquiry which they have agreed to set up in order to get miners to go back to work, which they refuse to do.

Friday, Feb 18th - Government scraped home last night by eight votes on Common Market, six of them Liberals. Wilson as usual trying for party advantage. Like him less and less and wish Labour could find another leader. Committee report giving miners almost all they asked for as a ‘special case’, but doubtful whether rank and file will accept it - and then we are in for proper chaos.

Saturday, Feb 19th - Cold wind. Stayed in bed all morning. Power off 9-12 but heard at 1.0 that after further negotiations at no. 10 late last night pickets at power stations called off while miners vote on latest offer, which gives them rather more than  the report. A total victory for the miners.

Wednesday, Feb 23rd - Cuts 6 - 9, 12 - 3, 6 - 9. Up to Stow early to get meat in time to cook it before midday. Went to read to Cecily yesterday but found she had gone to Hereford while they put a new door on in her bedroom. Talked to Bertha who was in reminiscent mood. Said when she married new nothing about cooking - “My poor husband!” Later her mother used to say of children, ‘When young they make your arms ache; when they are older they make your heart ache.’

Thursday, Feb 24th - Mary set on by Mrs Blackwell who said if it had not been for the Youth Service there wouldn’t have been any hall. Substitute H.D.B for Youth Service and you’d be nearer the truth.
News on tele all violence and disaster - Bombings in Ulster and England and accidents in collieries in Wales. At holme railway men claim they are a ‘special case’ too.
Heard to-day that Norman Attrill has been offered a living in Seaview in Isle of Wight where Mother and Father went for their honeymoon and where for all I know I may have been begotten!

Saturday, Feb 26th - A letter from Lise. Nora has cancer. She, Nora, rang up from Horley Hospital yesterday and seemed cheerful. Stitches to be taken out yesterday (after second operation as first found problem ‘deeper seated’). Rang up Hilary in Copenhagen. He had got more information from hospital. Nora has had an ileostomy. It is an operation frequently performed and so it is well known and we must hope it will be successful.
The cuts continue. To-day a three hour cut 6-9 in which I am writing this by two candles. Normal supplies will be back in a week so village hall opening should be all right.

Saturday, March 4 - Bitter cold wind and some snow. Delivered invitations at Church Westcote end of village with success in spite of absence of letter boxes at all except council houses. Crisis last night as sub-committee had thought fit to change decision of main committee to change its penting. The Blackwell and Coombes claimed Scarry had agreed to this, which he flatly denied. Wrote to the Admiral, the Millais, the architect, the builder etc etc.

Saturday, March 11th - Opening of the village hall by Admiral Sir William Davis. By midday it was snowing. the admiral rang up from Longhope, from whence he was starting for the Diocesan Synod at Bishop’s Cleeve, to enquire about the roads. Lady Elizabeth was driving as he was recovering from flu. They arrived at 6.45. The admiral tall, white haired and plum purple in the face but very courtly and polite and inquisitive about my past career. Lady E used too to social occasions and with beautiful manners.  
We gave them sherry soup and sandwiches and at 7.35 arrived at the hall where there were about 40 persons - all with about six exceptions - the good old middle class. Because they had to pay for entry or by tradition the working class does not attend. Don Coombes, the publican, was busy with his drinks, wine was being handed out at the door, and Scarry was present in his evening dress (for the Hunt Ball) covered with an overcoat below which hung his tails like Peter Rabbit.
Scarri introduced the admiral and made a financial statement, the admiral, adopting a stance against the rolling of the deck, said his piece about the Rural District Community Council, then I spoke with a few cracks about the drain question etc which went down well. Then we circulated and talked to all and sundry, but as usual on these occasions I could neither hear nor make myself heard. About 9 the admiral and lady set off fo Longhope and we went home. Heard later party broke up about 10 with no ill effects.

Sunday, March 12th - To Hall but found all cleaned up and polished. Called Margaret Blackwell and held an inquest - ‘who was who?’ ‘Who didn’t come!’ etc etc. Lifted a bottle of wine from the cache for lunch.
Rang Wilk to cheer her up as friends at Chippenham have turned nasty and she is, as Mary says, such a nice loyal soul!

Tuesday, March 14th - Polite letter exchange with admiral. Find made a small profit on the wine and cheese. Went round to Scarry but he was much taken up with the Cheltenham races.  Packed photo album of Nora and Hilary which I have made for Nora for her birthday and wrote affectionate letter.

Thursday, March 23rd - To-day the government announced the suspension of the Ulster government and the appointment of a secretary of state and a commission. It was, said Mr Heath, Ulster’s last chance. They’ve had 52 years to misgovern the province; now Westminster is going to try. Paisley and Craig fulminating, but though a few Tories may vote against the bill, the government has the solid support of Labour and the Liberals.

Saturday, March 25th - Donald Heath and Ma arrived for lunch. Donald fatter than ever and Ma much better after her operation which she was most anxious to tell Mary all about. Consequently I had plenty of time with Donald. He had been to stay with the fellows of Merton, Oxford, and was amazed by the ease and comfort of the life in an Oxford college. Also discussed Ireland and violence, failure to teach reading and writing skills, affluence versus spiritual life, professors versus tutors, et al. Is going to Zurich tomorrow, to S. America in the autumn, and recently back from Canada and Constantinople.

Good Friday, March 31st - Gardening in the morning. Put moss killer on the back lawn and begun to clear for runner beans. Heard bell ringing at 12. Father and mother always had lunch at the usual time and then went for last hour of five hour service - one of the less admirable Anglo-Catholic innovations. I reckon when staying at Shillingford with Uncle Sam I must have done the full three-hour stint at Dunchideok.

Saturday, April 1st - At 7.0 set out for Tewkesbury for the blessing of the Paschal Fire and Candles at 8 o’clock. The light was just failing. The first time I had seen the abbey in the darkness. You could just see white-clad figures moving silently down the south aisle. Then a basket of glowing coals was brought in through the west door and the candle lit. The procession carrying the candle moves up the nave to the pulpit. From there a taper was taken to light the candles on the high altar and suddenly all the lights were turned on. The great windows disappeared but the eastern vaulting sprang to life like a great pair of folded hands enclosing the sanctuary.

Easter Sunday - Up at 7 o’clock and in to Cowley Dads. This time had an organ. Procession and sermon. I looked out for Toby Mason and sure enough he was there. Chatted with him afterwards and received his blessing as did Mary. A congregation of old trouts. Thought of Anatole France’s question, ‘Why do women like monks?’

Saturday, April 8th - To Henley to lunch with Len and Mrs Hayes. I hardly recognised the back drive. There was a tennis court in the orchard and next to the old gym a huge red brick hall. We had a very nice lunch of chicken and chipolatas with all the trimmings and a delicious orange sweet. The cottage now has an inside bath and loo instead of the outside inconvenience. The only snag is that the wireless and tele are never switched off as a kind of status symbol.
After lunch Len took us round the school. Thousands of pounds have been spent on labs and music rooms whereas we could not get a box of matches, but could not help wondering if expensive library cases and fitted carpets really meant a better education. I was pleased to see that a tablet had been put up to Tom Wheeler and in spite of Lipscombe’s boasting my honours board compared favourably with the subsequent one. The walled garden was completely filled in by the hall and from my room you now saw out over tarred roof felts! Old School House had been renamed ‘Hill Crest’ had been boarded in and terrace extended over the field. To enter the head’s room you wait for the green and amber light and there is a public address system.
Monday, April 10th - Wanted to go off to Bibury after trout by myself, but M said C was waiting for me ‘wetting her pants’. Trout Farm closed on Mondays! Saw two men coming out who had got some, so went in and found man who netted two lovely ones. 60p each. Home to lunch, gutted them and found them delicious but if anything too big. No more said about C!!

Thursday, April 15th - To Reading. Nora and Hilary for lunch at Great Western Hotel. Edible but heavy. Nora seemed thin but well and active. News of Lise and the grandchildren. Jacob had led a revolt at school. Hilary was running an economic lunch club in Copenhagen.

Saturday, April 22nd - Heard of some coaching at Bampton. Went to Bampton and closed with Mr Stevens for Monday and Friday a.m. at 25:- and travelling.

Saturday May 6 to May 13th at Beacon House Hotel, Exmouth - Monday - To Shillingford. Borrowed Mr Hope’s shears and clipped graves. Stephen Atkins now on back of Uncle’s cross. New shells from Orcombe yesterday for Molly’s. Tuesday - To Exeter by train sitting in front seat of diesel with good views of estuary. Cathedral extension shining like an iced cake and much painting of corbels. Wednesday -  Shillingford, Dunchideok (went in), Moreton, Postbridge, Two Bridges, missed Bellever, lunch near Dartmeet, then back to Bellever, missed Runnage. Thursday - 10.15 coach with packed lunch to Plymouth. Huge new motor road over Telegraph Hill with cuttings 70ft deep and double carriageway a good deal of the way. 65 m.p.h., most towns bypassed. To Hoe, which Mary remembered on a hot summer’s day. Turned out to be exposed to a chill chill gale off sea. Shelters all packed on leeward. ‘My God, I was annoyed’. Friday - Sat in car at Orcombe till tide went out and could go out to Sandy Bay and collect shells. Lunch in car as squalls coming up from west. Saturday -  Off about 10 with lunch. Back in time for tea. Mr Badger does not recognise us! Bill for week £53.15 for two.

Sunday, May 28th - Listening to the middle of the 1 o’clock news heard a recording of the abdication speech and called to Mary who was dishing up, “The Duke of Windsor is dead!” Quite true, he died in his house in the Bois de Boulogne last night.

Monday, May 29th - The Duke’s body to be flown to Benson, thence taken to Windsor and buried outside the mausoleum at Frogmore near Duke of Kent, who was killed in the war. The Duchess actually invited to stay at Buckingham Palace!! Duke to lie in state at Windsor. Don’t know whether this one last snub by establishment as previous monarchs in Westminster Hall. Always feel sympathy with Duke. He gave up his throne to marry the woman he loved - I gave up my school for the same reason. Neither of us regretted our choice!
‘The Palace’ has been unbelievably sticky. Only 11 days ago when the Duke was dying did the royal family enter enter his home and so recognise the Duchess as a member of the family. He always wanted recognition for his wife. It was always refused. She was never “her royal highness’. Mean and petty minded courtiers. Even when he came to be operated on in the London Clinic the Duchess had to stay at a hotel. In the end the Queen was prevailed upon to call on her, but when he was invited to attend the unveiling of a plaque to Queen Mary on Marlborough House he had to come alone. He was unlucky - Baldwin and Cosmo Gordon Lang - what a pair!!
I well remember listening to the abdication broadcast with Nora in 1936. I only had a crystal set with earphones so we sat with our heads together and used one phone each! Miss Hunter was on leave in California and heard the speech there in tears! Nevertheless it has been a happy marriage of over 30 years, and as the Daily Mail today said: ‘We cherish the memory of that charming and most English of Englishmen whose love for a woman lost him his throne but not the affection of his people.’

Friday, June 2nd - Bank manager. Another £100 overdraft for next year. Television of St George’s Windsor lying in state, arrival of Duchess at Heathrow, tribute to David by Dickie Mountbatten, honest and informal. The Prince had been best man at his wedding 50 years ago. Of the bearers from the R.A.F. who carried the coffin none had been born when he was king!

Saturday, June 3rd - Trooping of colour, which had not been cancelled, though colours had mourning crepe and officers black arm bands.  Curious! ‘How I hate the army’ I said to Mary from O.T.C. first war days. All this massive and impressive ceremonial centred on the person of the monarch who no longer has any real power as Queen. Odd!

Sunday, June 4th - To Cuddesdon to lunch after 50 years! with David Meara. Sherry in his room with a good collection of books to look at and then lunch in hall. Changes noticed: 1) Women lunching, 2) Long haired and whiskered ordinands, 3) a better lunch! After coffee in the common room (with ginger pussy) to the library to see old college groups and find many of my generation - John Hunter, George Day, A. V. Hurley, Coney, Baddesley, B. Higgins, Toby Mason, et al. Might have been there myself!!
Then to Littlemore where David had four girl friends living in converted section of the Manor House. Here we were shown an extraordinary flowered Chinese W.C. and the girls’ bedsitters and had a good tea provided by Rosemary who was a therapist at the Park Hospital for Maladjusted Children. We got on well. David is a nice creature and hope he has a happy life and a successful career in the church and a good marriage.
[Wikipoedia, 2013: David Gwynne Meara (born 30 June 1947 is an Anglican priest and the current Archdeacon of London in the Church of England. Meara was educated at Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood, Oriel College, Oxford and Ripon College Cuddesdon and ordained in 1973. Lives in City of London with wife Rosemary]

Wednesday, June 7th - Oxford Society Meeting. Old parson in advanced state of senility stumbled through a Latin collect and a canon in what appeared to be advanced state of inebriety replied to the guest, Miss Kenyon from St Hugh’s. She spoke on the proposed trial plan to open men’s colleges to women. The thin end of the wedge say I!

Monday, June 12th - Win £4.26 on Derby on Roberto. Intend to go out to lunch on it next Sunday.

Wednesday, June 21st. The longest day windy, no sun perishing old. What a summer!

Saturday, June 24th - Village fete for Hall at Mr Blackwell's. Had bottles with Mr Baskerville. Made £20. Altogether fete made £140.

Sunday, July 16th - Wedding anniversary. Off to Tewkesbury, High Mass, lunch and night Tudor Hotel. Very foolishly after lunch went to Malverns. Hit afternoon so packed with cars and people. Congestion, losing way, fast drivers and hair pin bends got me down. Back to Tewkesbury got stuck in narrow lane at side of the hotel and could not get out. Just one of those days, but my own fault. Gave Mary ‘Shakespeare’s Flowers’, box chocolates, four carnations and she me Brahms’ Piano Concerto. I took my brass candle stick to illuminate bed - so all was all right in the end!

Friday, July 21 - Excelsior for lunch and supper and home for Otto Klemperer conducting Beethoven 1sdt an 2nd. Excellent, but he had forgotten or lost his teeth.

Tuesday, July 25th to 31st, Westcott, near Dorking, with Nora. Graham took us to Bourton, Pulham’s coach to Cheltenham. Taxi to bus station for coach to Guildford via Swindon, Newbury, Farnham. Nora’s cottage off main road about 150 yards but traffic very heavy. Two up, bathroom, sitting room and kitchen down. A tiny yard at back and tiny garden in front. Nora slept on couch in sitting room, we each has a bed upstairs. Wednesday - To Dorking for coffee, looked in church. Afternoon to Clandon House, much refurbished and cleaned up since last went there. Thursday -  Walked up on common back of Westcott. Sandy, bracken, birch and ash. In evening to Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford to see Beggars Opera. A nice little theatre but production not a patch on Lyric, Hammersmith. Friday -  London. National Portrait Gallery for The Mask of Beauty. Historic beauties from gallery fortified by photographs of modern beauties. Not very satisfactory. Saturday - To Leatherhead to show M St John ‘s. H.M. away but got into the main block, quad, hall and garden. It was interesting to show to Mary 43 years after. Sunday -  To Matins in Guildford Cathedral. Not very full. Monday -  Graham met us in Bourton with his new Ford Corsair.

August 2nd, Wednesday - Aug 10th, York with Margaret Millbank - Bus from Bourton to Cheltenham. 10.56 York 2.35. Taxi to Civic Museum. Crowded as I had never seen a museum before. Impossible to see much but examined replica of ancient street with shop fronts, etc, for which Craft Museum is famous. Margaret’s house in Warlaby not a cottage but a gentleman’s residence with snuggery, sitting room, large kitchen in which we ate and three bedrooms. Thursday -  Margaret leaves for work. Mrs Tutin (aunt of Dorothy) calls to take us to Richmond. After lunch  to castle built on high cliff above Swale, finer situation than I remember from ‘34 or ‘35 when Denys lent us his cottage in Reeth. Friday -  Wandered round village. Not much of it. Looked in church. Margaret back for tea. Set off for Mount Grace. Large and interesting but a bit disappointed as only restored cell used by caretaker as tool shed. Saturday -  Whitby kipper for breakfast. Rivaux. As fine as Tintern. Church and arcades complete but roofless. Built against bluff looking across valley and beautifully kept by Ministry of Works. Sunday - Parish communion. Little man with soup strainer moustache. 60 in congregation and mixed choir. Heavy lunch. Siesta in lounge on settee. Wake up giddy, settee levitates to ceiling - alarmed, call Mary, who brings it back to earth. Tuesday - At 11 we set off for Wall and Durham mining villages. Hexham Abbey. Fine, but crypt shut. To Housesteads. Walk up from car park to wall. Many visitors. See fort. Excellent views E and N. Set off for Lanercost Priory. Nave used as parish church. Ruins of domestic buildings. By Teesdale to Greta Bridge and smart hotel for dinner. Cost £6. Home about 10. 170 miles  and pretty tired. Thursday, Aug 10th - To Northallerton Station, to York. To South Transept of Minster. A great open space with no chairs or seating, running south to north to lancet windows and above white and shining tower lantern relieved by brightly coloured heraldic shields - breathtaking, did not know whether to laugh or cry, so former. Plymouth train very crowded. Cheltenham 5.30. Bus to Bourton where Graham meets us. Mr Badger out, but reappears after supper with a big welcome.

Sunday, Aug 19th - Mearas for lunch and tea, Gwynne, Winnie, David and Richard. Latter had not been here for some time. Interesting as twins who had been hardly distinguishable for so long had now begun to grow apart. David engaged to be married and ordained at Cuddesdon much more extrovert than Richard, the medical administrator, who was rather silent and withdrawn, settled down with a book on the lawn. David has got a tithe at Christchurch, Reading, the vicar is an old man and the living is in the college gift. He intends to marry Rosemary and be ordained afterwards. He brought us some excellent brass rubbings they had done together. The chicken only just went round, but everyone enjoyed themselves and Winnie seems genuinely fond of me and devoted to Mary. I like her better than I did at first.

Thursday, Aug 24th - Two ghastly television programmes. Tuesday the Dieppe raid with bodies floating on the tide. Wednesday the bombing of Germany and bodies stacked in heaps after the Dresden holocaust. Corresponding with Dean of York about lack of lavatories. Says as one million visitors to Minster per year cannot provide any - curious argument [Later entry: A pleasant letter from the Borough Engineer of York, negotiations are under way for the provision of a convenience nearer the Minster.]

Saturday, Aug 26th -  Great display at aerodrome, 75,000 expected. We made ff to Otmoor via Charlbury, Woodstock and Kidlington.

Wednesday, Sept 6th - A horrible crime in the night. Yesterday Arab guerrillas seized some Jewish athletes in Munich at the Olympic Games and held them hostage. They were offered an air flight but when they got on the tarmac they were shot down, but managed to blow up the plane and kill the hostages. As they were a suicide squad they had nothing to lose and the German police seem to have bungled the job. The early papers believed the hostages were safe. Only in the evening editions did we learn the truth.
To-day we went by train to Slough and then bus bus to Windsor. To the State Apartments. The castle was packed with pentecostal visitors. Fortunately we were ahead of the postprandial  crowds. it was not a guided tour and I went round at “a good round trot”. The Rubens, Vandycks, Canalettos and Lawrences were good; the furniture heavy but tasteless compared with a first rate family house. My main object was to add to my postcard collection but in this I failed. No p.c.s of the royal pictures except those you could get at Buckingham Palace.

Monday, Sept 11th - To Cheltenham. Coming back I told Mary how in the railway strike in 1920 Crab and I got stuck in Cheltenham and started out to walk to Bourton! Fortunately when we got to Charlton Kings we went down to the station and caught a train whose driver wanted to get back to his home in Bourton. Neither the Crab nor I were equipped for a 20 mile route march.
Reading old Macmillan’s last volume. One of the most difficult decisions was the Queen’s visit to Ghana. In trying to bump off the dictator would they kill her? He sent Duncan Sandys who persuaded Nkruma (who seldom appeared in public) to drive over the course in an open car. ‘Trying it on the dog’. The dog survived, so did Her Majesty. Of the UN force in the Congo, he says it was made up of Swedes, who had not fought anyone for 200 years, and Irish who are anxious to fight anyone anytime!!

Sunday, Sept 24th - During last week three long arguments with Mary about meeting C other than fortnightly. She will not meet C and discuss but persists in sending messages through me. C will not give up and says she is not committed to any agreement. Feel like a mouse in a mangle!

Sunday , Oct 1st - [Nora on visit from Sept 26th] Took Nora to High Mass  at Tewkesbury. Nora a Quaker but made no comment except that she did not like the smell of incense..... Enjoyed having her here. She is a very courageous woman, but she will correct and supplement everything you say.

Friday, Oct 6th - Apple Tree Dinner - indeed a dinner as Dr Johnson would have said ‘to ask a man to’. Menu: Hours d’Oeuvres. Consommé Garni. Grilled Trout, Tartar Sauce (Mersault Goutte d’Or 1966). Roast Grouse, Salad, Courgettes, Runner Beans, Croquette Potatoes (Ch. Croizet Bages 1962). Baked Apples, Honey & Whipped Cream (Graache Himmelreich 1964). Dessert (Madeira Solera 1862, Sandeman 1958). Trouble was recognized few elderly gents from 1920 - now stout, lined, baggy, red faced and white haired. Two Bishops - Worcester, whom I sat next to, and Oxford who presided at the other end of the table. Bursar there, rumbustious as usual, Percy Gay, de la Mare, Price and Escritt. Few meals now on this scale with polished table reflecting the silver candelabra and candles. Thought of the stately houses with tables laid but never used. After this about 10 tottered out into the Quad feeling distinctly squiffy.

Saturday, Oct 14th - Planted out wallflowers, myosotis and tulips this morning. All bulbs planted out or in pots. Finished heavy job reducing hedge from 12 to 6 ft.

Monday, Oct 23rd - Cleaning up for winter. Cut lawns last time and got up runner beans. In the afternoon the sweep came. He told Mary that a stick of bombs fell on Westcote in 1940 - one in Scarrys - aimed I suppose at the airfield. A versatile man; he gave a most realistic imitation of a cuckoo clock striking.

Thursday, Oct 26th - In  afternoon to horse fair at Stow. Felt should go once as lived from 1923-29 within in reach of Derby at Leatherhead but never went. It was extraordinary! The Cheltenham Road blocked with cars. Stalls on one side. Two large fields on either side a mass of cars. We went down to the rings where raucous voiced auctioneers with loud speaker fortified by glasses of beer were selling ponies etc but soon came away. The characters, gypsies, crooks, horsey types, county, etc etc a study. Tea at Darts and home. Mary fascinated, and very surprized agreed to go.

Sunday, Nov 5th - Nothing!

Monday, Nov 6th - P.M. (Heath) announced a wage and price freeze for 90 days, but old age pensioners (Mary and I) to get £10 a piece with new year. Interviewed by Robin Day, he seemed confident and on top of the situation. Did not like him at first but he has improved his persona and now prefer him to Harold Wilson.

Wednesday, Nov 8th - Nixon elected with a landslide, but the Democrats still control the Senate and the House so it looks as in for a period of weak government. Such is the result of their peculiar constitution.

Saturday, Nov 11th - With Cil Roberts (driving) to Gloucester Cathedral for Dream of Gerontius. Cil did not  know the road so I navigated. Went astray at roundabout in the dark and on to Bristol ring road. Retraced our route only to lose ourselves in a maze of streets on outskirts. Mary suggested we go to ‘City Centre’. Alas, as I feared could not reach cathedral in closed ‘one ways’ and found ourselves in Northgate totally lost. Found a helpful man in petrol station who knew his way around and guided us to cathedral in his car; We were nearly quarter of an hour late. We were in choir and orchestra in nave. Had a good view of Robert of Normandy and Edward II’s tomb, thought how they killed him by putting a red hot poker up his back passage!
Music and orchestra very loud. The fortissimo passages in ‘Praise the Holiest’ resembled the blitz and might have shaken the great tower above our heads. Got home without mishap and apologized to Cil for my bad temper which she did not seem to mind. She much moved by music and wept - said myself if the next world so noisy preferred the quiet of this!

Monday, Nov 20th - School holiday for Queen’s silver wedding. Up to London (£4.50 for two day returns). National Portrait Gallery. Then taxi to Tate. Parliament Sq. full of white helmeted policemen. At Tate magnificent Van Dyck exhibition, more post cards. Then by taxi to Trattoria degli Pescatori, Charlotte St. Then to exhibition of Venetian pictures for ‘Venice in Peril’. Back about 7 p.m. after a lovely day which we both enjoyed.

Thursday, Dec 7th - Mary had been to call on he Matriarch (Mrs Roberts). Matriarch said she wishes to be wheeled to cemetery on a bier. It was uphill, but her two sons (Bishop of Ely and ?) could jolly well push her!

Monday, Dec 11th - London by coach from Burford. The coach was 30 minutes late so froze until it eventually appeared. It made up 15 minutes on the journey by A40, Oxford bypass and motorway and reached Victoria Coach Station in spite of Christmas traffic at 11.45. To Tate to Charles I exhibition. After lunch to V & A which was new to Mary. Then to coach station. Started punctually and reached Burford at 8.45. Railway £4.50 for two, coach £1.00!!

Wednesday, Dec 20th - To Dr King. Said blood pressure good but he himself looked more dead than have ever seen him. P.M. over to Hatford. Church sold and inside gutted.
What will happen to Grandpa? Put flowers on grave. Mrs Simpson, 1lb honey and 4 mince pies. Seemed better though shaking.

Thursday, Dec 21st. My handwriting owing to ball point pens has got so bad that I can’t read it so it is hardly likely posterity will be able to do so. Hence to-day in Cheltenham I tried to buy a ‘penholder’. Man said he did not know what I meant and must try the art department, so I gave up. Posts very bad this Christmas. Everybody has used 2 ½ stamps for second class mail - the result is few cards have arrived and it seems few will.
Wonder what parents (if they returned) would notice most. I guessed women wearing men’s suits and trousers. Father always said it was illegal. Next perhaps decimal coinage. Banks still much the same except more women in them.

Sunday, Christmas Eve - [Held Christmas a day early to facilitate visit to Tewkesbury Abbey on the 25th]. Opened presents after breakfast. M gave me a scarf, the Danes sent a sweater. I gave Mary soap and a Spanish iron candleholder for five candles. Listened to R.C. Archbishop of Birmingham on telly, then did Christmas tree, a small one this year. Graham is marrying his Sylvia in January. Mary got the turkey in, a sweet strawberry jelly, but a bottle of Asti Spumante. The candelabra on the dinner table looked fine. Flowers outside the worst I have known. The Asti went off with a good bang and we drank the whole bottle. Later on heard Alistair Cooke on the American Civil War, which I found too moving.

Christmas Day. - Up betimes and off about 9.50 to Tewkesbury. We were in cloud most on the Wolds and it was raining but cleared down in the Avon valley. Entering the North Porch as always struck when I found myself faced with a great Norman column. It all seemed warm and welcoming with a golden frontal and golden vestments. We had a short sermon from Pouncey. He beamed on us much from the pulpit. I wondered is he had had a drop too much but his sermon spoke ‘to my true condition’ as a marginal Christian. Later in the service I had covered my eyes and when I opened them the the sun had pierced the clouds and the Lady Chapel and nave was flooded with with light. “You are here told to kneel, Where prayer has been valid”. We beat it back to lunch on cold turkey and pudding.
In the afternoon a short talk from Queen, more confident and dignified than she used to be, and then Olivier’s Henry V which I took the school to see in 1946 when it was released.

Boxing Day - so glad that about 11 Hilary rang. Nicholas liked his ping pong bat. He had been given some skis but so far no snow.

Wednesday, Dec 27th - Graham taking furniture in for his marriage shortly. Started working on historical talk to  Westcote women’s club.

Saturday, Dec 30th - An annoying day. Confirmation of Venice booking arrived. When I told Mary she burst into tears. I had not discussed it with her. I thought we’d discussed it pro and con Venice or Sicily till blue in the face I had come (with what pains) to an actual decision. I should get giddy fits. Leave it till I had seen the doctor in March. If I were ill she could not cope and didn’t know Italian. Was there a guide? Thought I kept my temper fairly well and said I would write and enquire, which I did.
Reading Rose Macaulay’s life. For years she was in love with a married man who died in the war when her flat was bombed. She wrote an unbearably poignant short story based on this, ‘Miss Anstruther’s Letters’, hitherto not published in England.

Sunday, Dec 31st - Nothing to report. Listened to the New Year in bed with May but her hip was out of true and too painful.
1972 not much of a year with Irish atrocities and Viet Cong war. Nora ill at beginning of the year and no visit from the Danes. On the whole both pretty well and no deaths in the family. Entry to Europe was at last achieved after so many wasted years.

Christmas cards 1972: Charitable 19; Religious 8; Nature 7; Candles, snow etc 14; + Letters 5; Misc 1. Total 54.








 



Diary 1972

Saturday, Jan 1st - Heard a radio service from Northern Ireland (a hard sell) in bed and then strokes of Big Ben and account of the morning papers. Woke up late, in bed to lunch.

Tuesday, Jan 4th - Took Cil to Stratford to see Toad of Toad Hall. First performed at Stratford  in 1948 and so rather a speciality of theirs. Many very young children and a couple of seat kicking boys. Cil is better than she used to be, but they are all very frightened that Butters will burn the cottage down. The Butters will not give up what measure of independence she has and has already burnt two dressings gowns.

Thursday, Jan 6th - When I went off to Burford to meet C, Mary said ‘You may not find it so easy to come back another time.’ ‘Will you tell your lady to behave herself.’ About six o’clock it became very foggy and I suggested returning to Burford. C cut up rough and I agreed to wait to see what it was like at eight. Though misty it was possible and we drove gingerly to Burford. When we appeared at the motel we had to change rooms because the heat switch had gone and wherever we went we were followed by a window-cleaning gang with ladders who almost caught C in the loo.

Friday, Jan 14 - Busy with footling details of Hall, not helped by telephone out of order for six days owing to carelessness of men repairing outside line.

Sunday, Jan 16th - Gave up Observer for Sunday Telegraph.

Monday, Jan 17th - To Witney buying mats etc for Hall. Fixing Ladies and Gents, toilet paper, buckets etc. Fire appliance man arrived with extinguishers. Meter at last fixed by S.E.B. but omitted cooker and lost padlock! One step forward and two back! In spite of spate of talk Margaret Blackwell more congenial and she certainly appreciates what I have done, but decide to give up in March.

Sunday, Jan 23rd - Michael to late tea and supper. Brought us a bottle of Port which changed for Martini later. Amusing as usual about school and above all the the planners’ pamphlet on Rosla = raising of school leaving age, but no equipment and no books. His headmaster is an expert speaker on ‘Pastoral’ = pastoral care. His English head of department is a P.E. man and runs everywhere but never organises anything, and again not enough books.
After struggling with the S.E.B. and various big firms and the Education Dept in Gloucester, have reached my old conclusion: ‘Everything increases in inefficiency with size’ - the more departments you have to chase to get action the more inefficient they are.

Sunday, Jan 30th - A  bitter frost. Thought of going to Tewkesbury, but stayed in bed to lunch. News to-night - troops fired on rioters in Londonderry and 13 killed, though whether by troops, as Irish say, or by IRA snipers, as army says, not clear and probably never will be. But unfortunately this will add another episode to the long list of Irish wrongs at the hands of England and what Mrs Hearn calls ‘bloody dramas’.

Wednesday, Feb 2nd - Cheltenham for Mary’s hair do. Thaw and rain. Bernadette Devlin assaulted Maudling, Home Secretary, in House of Commons. Government appointed Lord Chief Justice as one man enquiry on shooting at Londonderry. Last night the Dublin mob burnt down the British Embassy in Merrion Square. The staff had left and the Irish policeman made no attempt to stop them.

Thursday, Feb 3rd -  Burford for dinner with C. When Paul marrying, C consulted Oxford R.C. chaplain and told if married in C of E fornication, if Register Office adultery. P chose adultery!

Friday, Feb 4th - Nora rang up to say in hospital next week for removal of polyp from backside. Worried, and got M to ring back to enquire where polyp situated.

Saturday, Feb 14th - Saturday, Feb 12th- My 72nd birthday - a sunny but cold and windy morning. To Bourton to get veal and wine for lunch. Mary thought if power cut because of miners’ strike better not to risk cooking joint in oven but fry veal slices on Cyril’s camping gas. Promptly at 12.15 the power failed so we got out the gas and proceeded. The Christmas pudding already cooked, and the potatoes. The fridge failed with Asti cooling and the pump for the radiators.
There was quite a show in the garden. A crysanthus and snow bunting crocus just made it: dwarf irises, hamamclis, crysanthus, wallflowers in bud, snowdrops, daffodils showing well, and a circle of aconites.
Hilary rang up from Copenhagen. They thought of having a holiday in Norway, camping out in a mountain hut, but perhaps Hilary and Nicholas would come to see us.
About 9.20 while watching the tele the lights went out. Trod on the cat! After beating the weak post office workers and the dustmen, the government has taken on the miners, who are determined. The government may have got themselves in a jam. It the meantime the pits are deteriorating and it will take at least three weeks to get the coal flowing again. If the government should make an offer it will take the miners three weeks to ballot on it, it looks as though in any case we shall be in for a very awkward six weeks. I am sure if thf great British public lose their tele and their ‘match of the day’ they will soon tell Mr Heath to brass up.However, as Shakespeare said, there is one activity for which you do not need a light - and we did not.

Sunday, Feb 13th - Left for the Cowley Dads mess at 10. Made it comfortably and were lucky enough to get some petrol before the pumps shut down. Not much activity outside but a good congregation inside. I had last been to mass here 50 years ago. Now an altar on a platform west of the rood screen round which the religious sat in a semicircle in surplices. Owing to the power cuts the organ was not used, instead a piano at the west end.
It was a simple and dignified service, no sermon. Toby Mason was not there but there was a very friendly and happy father who came up and said he thought we were strangers. Half way through the service an elderly dame sitting next to me suddenly said ‘The peace of God be with you!’ and clasped me warmly by the hand! After the service Mary said she was Connie Green’s sister, so we accosted her.

Monday, Feb 14th - A lovely sunny day. Tea in porch. Opinion turning against government’s handling of coal strike. Industry in chaos owing to power cuts. Failure to consult industry before emergency powers, failure to realize success of picketing. Now covering up defeat by means of a committee of enquiry which they have agreed to set up in order to get miners to go back to work, which they refuse to do.

Friday, Feb 18th - Government scraped home last night by eight votes on Common Market, six of them Liberals. Wilson as usual trying for party advantage. Like him less and less and wish Labour could find another leader. Committee report giving miners almost all they asked for as a ‘special case’, but doubtful whether rank and file will accept it - and then we are in for proper chaos.

Saturday, Feb 19th - Cold wind. Stayed in bed all morning. Power off 9-12 but heard at 1.0 that after further negotiations at no. 10 late last night pickets at power stations called off while miners vote on latest offer, which gives them rather more than  the report. A total victory for the miners.

Wednesday, Feb 23rd - Cuts 6 - 9, 12 - 3, 6 - 9. Up to Stow early to get meat in time to cook it before midday. Went to read to Cecily yesterday but found she had gone to Hereford while they put a new door on in her bedroom. Talked to Bertha who was in reminiscent mood. Said when she married new nothing about cooking - “My poor husband!” Later her mother used to say of children, ‘When young they make your arms ache; when they are older they make your heart ache.’

Thursday, Feb 24th - Mary set on by Mrs Blackwell who said if it had not been for the Youth Service there wouldn’t have been any hall. Substitute H.D.B for Youth Service and you’d be nearer the truth.
News on tele all violence and disaster - Bombings in Ulster and England and accidents in collieries in Wales. At holme railway men claim they are a ‘special case’ too.
Heard to-day that Norman Attrill has been offered a living in Seaview in Isle of Wight where Mother and Father went for their honeymoon and where for all I know I may have been begotten!

Saturday, Feb 26th - A letter from Lise. Nora has cancer. She, Nora, rang up from Horley Hospital yesterday and seemed cheerful. Stitches to be taken out yesterday (after second operation as first found problem ‘deeper seated’). Rang up Hilary in Copenhagen. He had got more information from hospital. Nora has had an ileostomy. It is an operation frequently performed and so it is well known and we must hope it will be successful.
The cuts continue. To-day a three hour cut 6-9 in which I am writing this by two candles. Normal supplies will be back in a week so village hall opening should be all right.

Saturday, March 4 - Bitter cold wind and some snow. Delivered invitations at Church Westcote end of village with success inspite of absence of letter boxes at all except council houses. Crisis last night as sub-committee had thought fit to change decision of main committee to change its penting. The Blackwell and Coombes claimed Scarry had agreed to this, which he flatly denied. Wrote to the Admiral, the Millais, the architect, the builder etc etc.

Saturday, March 11th - Opening of the village hall by Admiral Sir William Davis. By midday it was snowing. the admiral rang up from Longhope, from whence he was starting for the Diocesan Synod at Bishop’s Cleeve, to enquire about the roads. Lady Elizabeth was driving as he was recovering from flu. They arrived at 6.45. The admiral tall, white haired and plum purple in the face but very courtly and polite and inquisitive about my past career. Lady E used too to social occasions and with beautiful manners.  
We gave them sherry soup and sandwiches and at 7.35 arrived at the hall where there were about 40 persons - all with about six exceptions - the good old middle class. Because they had to pay for entry or by tradition the working class does not attend. Don Coombes, the publican, was busy with his drinks, wine was being handed out at the door, and Scarry was present in his evening dress (for the Hunt Ball) covered with an overcoat below which hung his tails like Peter Rabbit.
Scarri introduced the admiral and made a financial statement, the admiral, adopting a stance against the rolling of the deck, said his piece about the Rural District Community Council, then I spoke with a few cracks about the drain question etc which went down well. Then we circulated and talked to all and sundry, but as usual on these occasions I could neither hear nor make myself heard. About 9 the admiral and lady set off fo Longhope and we went home. Heard later party broke up about 10 with no ill effects.

Sunday, March 12th - To Hall but found all cleaned up and polished. Called Margaret Blackwell and held an inquest - ‘who was who?’ ‘Who didn’t come!’ etc etc. Lifted a bottle of wine from the cache for lunch.
Rang Wilk to cheer her up as friends at Chippenham have turned nasty and she is, as Mary says, such a nice loyal soul!

Tuesday, March 14th - Polite letter exchange with admiral. Find made a small profit on the wine and cheese. Went round to Scarry but he was much taken up with the Cheltenham races.  Packed photo album of Nora and Hilary which I have made for Nora for her birthday and wrote affectionate letter.

Thursday, March 23rd - To-day the government announced the suspension of the Ulster government and the appointment of a secretary of state and a commission. It was, said Mr Heath, Ulster’s last chance. They’ve had 52 years to misgovern the province; now Westminster is going to try. Paisley and Craig fulminating, but though a few Tories may vote against the bill, the government has the solid support of Labour and the Liberals.

Saturday, March 25th - Donald Heath and Ma arrived for lunch. Donald fatter than ever and Ma much better after her operation which she was most anxious to tell Mary all about. Consequently I had plenty of time with Donald. He had been to stay with the fellows of Merton, Oxford, and was amazed by the ease and comfort of the life in an Oxford college. Also discussed Ireland and violence, failure to teach reading and writing skills, affluence versus spiritual life, professors versus tutors, et al. Is going to Zurich tomorrow, to S. America in the autumn, and recently back from Canada and Constantinople.

Good Friday, March 31st - Gardening in the morning. Put moss killer on the back lawn and begun to clear for runner beans. Heard bell ringing at 12. Father and mother always had lunch at the usual time and then went for last hour of five hour service - one of the less admirable Anglo-Catholic innovations. I reckon when staying at Shillingford with Uncle Sam I must have done the full three-hour stint at Dunchideok.

Saturday, April 1st - At 7.0 set out for Tewkesbury for the blessing of the Paschal Fire and Candles at 8 o’clock. The light was just failing. The first time I had seen the abbey in the darkness. You could just see white-clad figures moving silently down the south aisle. Then a basket of glowing coals was brought in through the west door and the candle lit. The procession carrying the candle moves up the nave to the pulpit. From there a taper was taken to light the candles on the high altar and suddenly all the lights were turned on. The great windows disappeared but the eastern vaulting sprang to life like a great pair of folded hands enclosing the sanctuary.

Easter Sunday - Up at 7 o’clock and in to Cowley Dads. This time had an organ. Procession and sermon. I looked out for Toby Mason and sure enough he was there. Chatted with him afterwards and received his blessing as did Mary. A congregation of old trouts. Thought of Anatole France’s question, ‘Why do women like monks?’

Saturday, April 8th - To Henley to lunch with Len and Mrs Hayes. I hardly recognised the back drive. There was a tennis court in the orchard and next to the old gym a huge red brick hall. We had a very nice lunch of chicken and chipolatas with all the trimmings and a delicious orange sweet. The cottage now has an inside bath and loo instead of the outside inconvenience. The only snag is that the wireless and tele are never switched off as a kind of status symbol.
After lunch Len took us round the school. Thousands of pounds have been spent on labs and music rooms whereas we could not get a box of matches, but could not help wondering if expensive library cases and fitted carpets really meant a better education. I was pleased to see that a tablet had been put up to Tom Wheeler and inspite of Lipscombe’s boasting my honours board compared favourably with the subsequent one. The walled garden was completely filled in by the hall and from my room you now saw out over tarred roof felts! Old School House had been renamed ‘Hill Crest’ had been boarded in and terrace extended over the field. To enter the head’s room you wait for the green and amber light and there is a public address system.
Monday, April 10th - Wanted to go off to Bibury after trout by myself, but M said C was waiting for me ‘wetting her pants’. Trout Farm closed on Mondays! Saw two men coming out who had got some, so went in and found man who netted two lovely ones. 60p each. Home to lunch, gutted them and found them delicious but if anything too big. No more said about C!!

Thursday, April 15th - To Reading. Nora and Hilary for lunch at Great Western Hotel. Edible but heavy. Nora seemed thin but well and active. News of Lise and the grandchildren. Jacob had led a revolt at school. Hilary was running an economic lunch club in Copenhagen.

Saturday, April 22nd - Heard of some coaching at Bampton. Went to Bampton and closed with Mr Stevens for Monday and Friday a.m. at 25:- and travelling.

Saturday May 6 to May 13th at Beacon House Hotel, Exmouth - Monday - To Shillingford. Borrowed Mr Hope’s shears and clipped graves. Stephen Atkins now on back of Uncle’s cross. New shells from Orcombe yesterday for Molly’s. Tuesday - To Exeter by train sitting in front seat of diesel with good views of estuary. Cathedral extension shining like an iced cake and much painting of corbels. Wednesday -  Shillingford, Dunchideok (went in), Moreton, Postbridge, Two Bridges, missed Bellever, lunch near Dartmeet, then back to Bellever, missed Runnage. Thursday - 10.15 coach with packed lunch to Plymouth. Huge new motor road over Telegraph Hill with cuttings 70ft deep and double carriageway a good deal of the way. 65 m.p.h., most towns bypassed. To Hoe, which Mary remembered on a hot summer’s day. Turned out to be exposed to a chill chill gale off sea. Shelters all packed on leeward. ‘My God, I was annoyed’. Friday - Sat in car at Orcombe till tide went out and could go out to Sandy Bay and collect shells. Lunch in car as squalls coming up from west. Saturday -  Off about 10 with lunch. Back in time for tea. Mr Badger does not recognise us! Bill for week £53.15 for two.

Sunday, May 28th - Listening to the middle of the 1 o’clock news heard a recording of the abdication speech and called to Mary who was dishing up, “The Duke of Windsor is dead!” Quite true, he died in his house in the Bois de Boulogne last night.

Monday, May 29th - The Duke’s body to be flown to Benson, thence taken to Windsor and buried outside the mausoleum at Frogmore near Duke of Kent, who was killed in the war. The Duchess actually invited to stay at Buckingham Palace!! Duke to lie in state at Windsor. Don’t know whether this one last snub by establishment as previous monarchs in Westminster Hall. Always feel sympathy with Duke. He gave up his throne to marry the woman he loved - I gave up my school for the same reason. Neither of us regretted our choice!
‘The Palace’ has been unbelievably sticky. Only 11 days ago when the Duke was dying did the royal family enter enter his home and so recognise the Duchess as a member of the family. He always wanted recognition for his wife. It was always refused. She was never “her royal highness’. Mean and petty minded courtiers. Even when he came to be operated on in the London Clinic the Duchess had to stay at a hotel. In the end the Queen was prevailed upon to call on her, but when he was invited to attend the unveiling of a plaque to Queen Mary on Marlborough House he had to come alone. He was unlucky - Baldwin and Cosmo Gordon Lang - what a pair!!
I well remember listening to the abdication broadcast with Nora in 1936. I only had a crystal set with earphones so we sat with our heads together and used one phone each! Miss Hunter was on leave in California and heard the speech there in tears! Nevertheless it has been a happy marriage of over 30 years, and as the Daily Mail today said: ‘We cherish the memory of that charming and most English of Englishmen whose love for a woman lost him his throne but not the affection of his people.’

Friday, June 2nd - Bank manager. Another £100 overdraft for next year. Television of St George’s Windsor lying in state, arrival of Duchess at Heathrow, tribute to David by Dickie Mountbatten, honest and informal. The Prince had been best man at his wedding 50 years ago. Of the bearers from the R.A.F. who carried the coffin none had been born when he was king!

Saturday, June 3rd - Trooping of colour, which had not been cancelled, though colours had mourning crepe and officers black arm bands.  Curious! ‘How I hate the army’ I said to Mary from O.T.C. first war days. All this massive and impressive ceremonial centred on the person of the monarch who no longer has any real power as Queen. Odd!

Sunday, June 4th - To Cuddesdon to lunch after 50 years! with David Meara. Sherry in his room with a good collection of books to look at and then lunch in hall. Changes noticed: 1) Women lunching, 2) Long haired and whiskered ordinands, 3) a better lunch! After coffee in the common room (with ginger pussy) to the library to see old college groups and find many of my generation - John Hunter, George Day, A. V. Hurley, Coney, Baddesley, B. Higgins, Toby Mason, et al. Might have been there myself!!
Then to Littlemore where David had four girl friends living in converted section of the Manor House. Here we were shown an extraordinary flowered Chinese W.C. and the girls’ bedsitters and had a good tea provided by Rosemary who was a therapist at the Park Hospital for Maladjusted Children. We got on well. David is a nice creature and hope he has a happy life and a successful career in the church and a good marriage.
[Wikipoedia, 2013: David Gwynne Meara (born 30 June 1947 is an Anglican priest and the current Archdeacon of London in the Church of England. Meara was educated at Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood, Oriel College, Oxford and Ripon College Cuddesdon and ordained in 1973. Lives in City of London with wife Rosemary]

Wednesday, June 7th - Oxford Society Meeting. Old parson in advanced state of senility stumbled through a Latin collect and a canon in what appeared to be advanced state of inebriety replied to the guest, Miss Kenyon from St Hugh’s. She spoke on the proposed trial plan to open men’s colleges to women. The thin end of the wedge say I!

Monday, June 12th - Win £4.26 on Derby on Roberto. Intend to go out to lunch on it next Sunday.

Wednesday, June 21st. The longest day windy, no sun perishing old. What a summer!

Saturday, June 24th - Village fete for Hall at Mr Blackwells. Had bottles with Mr Baskerville. Made £20. Altogether fete made £140.

Sunday, July 16th - Wedding anniversary. Off to Tewkesbury, High Mass, lunch and night Tudor Hotel. Very foolishly after lunch went to Malverns. Hit afternoon so packed with cars and people. Congestion, losing way, fast drivers and hair pin bends got me down. Back to Tewkesbury got stuck in narrow lane at side of the hotel and could not get out. Just one of those days, but my own fault. Gave Mary ‘Shakespeare’s Flowers’, box chocolates, four carnations and she me Brahms’ Piano Concerto. I took my brass candle stick to illuminate bed - so all was all right in the end!

Friday, July 21 - Excelsior for lunch and supper and home for Otto Klemperer conducting Beethoven 1sdt an 2nd. Excellent, but he had forgotten or lost his teeth.

Tuesday, July 25th to 31st, Westcott, near Dorking, with Nora. Graham took us to Bourton, Pulham’s coach to Cheltenham. Taxi to bus station for coach to Guildford via Swindon, Newbury, Farnham. Nora’s cottage off main road about 150 yards but traffic very heavy. Two up, bathroom, sitting room and kitchen down. A tiny yard at back and tiny garden in front. Nora slept on couch in sitting room, we each has a bed upstairs. Wednesday - To Dorking for coffee, looked in church. Afternoon to Clandon House, much refurbished and cleaned up since last went there. Thursday -  Walked up on common back of Westcott. Sandy, bracken, birch and ash. In evening to Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford to see Beggars Opera. A nice little theatre but production not a patch on Lyric, Hammersmith. Friday -  London. National Portrait Gallery for The Mask of Beauty. Historic beauties from gallery fortified by photographs of modern beauties. Not very satisfactory. Saturday - To Leatherhead to show M St John ‘s. H.M. away but got into the main block, quad, hall and garden. It was interesting to show to Mary 43 years after. Sunday -  To Matins in Guildford Cathedral. Not very full. Monday -  Graham met us in Bourton with his new Ford Corsair.

August 2nd, Wednesday - Aug 10th, York with Margaret Millbank - Bus from Bourton to Cheltenham. 10.56 York 2.35. Taxi to Civic Museum. Crowded as I had never seen a museum before. Impossible to see much but examined replica of ancient street with shop fronts, etc, for which Craft Museum is famous. Margaret’s house in Warlaby not a cottage but a gentleman’s residence with snuggery, sitting room, large kitchen in which we ate and three bedrooms. Thursday -  Margaret leaves for work. Mrs Tutin (aunt of Dorothy) calls to take us to Richmond. After lunch  to castle built on high cliff above Swale, finer situation than I remember from ‘34 or ‘35 when Denys lent us his cottage in Reeth. Friday -  Wandered round village. Not much of it. Looked in church. Margaret back for tea. Set off for Mount Grace. Large and interesting but a bit disappointed as only restored cell used by caretaker as tool shed. Saturday -  Whitby kipper for breakfast. Rivaux. As fine as Tintern. Church and arcades complete but roofless. Built against bluff looking across valley and beautifully kept by Ministry of Works. Sunday - Parish communion. Little man with soup strainer moustache. 60 in congregation and mixed choir. Heavy lunch. Siesta in lounge on settee. Wake up giddy, settee levitates to ceiling - alarmed, call Mary, who brings it back to earth. Tuesday - At 11 we set off for Wall and Durham mining villages. Hexham Abbey. Fine, but crypt shut. To Housesteads. Walk up from car park to wall. Many visitors. See fort. Excellent views E and N. Set off for Lanercost Priory. Nave used as parish church. Ruins of domestic buildings. By Teesdale to Greta Bridge and smart hotel for dinner. Cost £6. Home about 10. 170 miles  and pretty tired. Thursday, Aug 10th - To Northallerton Station, to York. To South Transept of Minster. A great open space with no chairs or seating, running south to north to lancet windows and above white and shining tower lantern relieved by brightly coloured heraldic shields - breathtaking, did not know whether to laugh or cry, so former. Plymouth train very crowded. Cheltenham 5.30. Bus to Bourton where Graham meets us. Mr Badger out, but reappears after supper with a big welcome.

Sunday, Aug 19th - Mearas for lunch and tea, Gwynne, Winnie, David and Richard. Latter had not been here for some time. Interesting as twins who had been hardly distinguishable for so long had now begun to grow apart. David engaged to be married and ordained at Cuddesdon much more extrovert than Richard, the medical administrator, who was rather silent and withdrawn, settled down with a book on the lawn. David has got a tithe at Christchurch, Reading, the vicar is an old man and the living is in the college gift. He intends to marry Rosemary and be ordained afterwards. He brought us some excellent brass rubbings they had done together. The chicken only just went round, but everyone enjoyed themselves and Winnie seems genuinely fond of me and devoted to Mary. I like her better than I did at first.

Thursday, Aug 24th - Two ghastly television programmes. Tuesday the Dieppe raid with bodies floating on the tide. Wednesday the bombing of Germany and bodies stacked in heaps after the Dresden holocaust. Corresponding with Dean of York about lack of lavatories. Says as one million visitors to Minster per year cannot provide any - curious argument [Later entry: A pleasant letter from the Borough Engineer of York, negotiations are under way for the provision of a convenience nearer the Minster.]

Saturday, Aug 26th -  Great display at aerodrome, 75,000 expected. We made ff to Otmoor via Charlbury, Woodstock and Kidlington.

Wednesday, Sept 6th - A horrible crime in the night. Yesterday Arab guerrillas seized some Jewish athletes in Munich at the Olympic Games and held them hostage. They were offered an air flight but when they got on the tarmac they were shot down, but managed to blow up the plane and kill the hostages. As they were a suicide squad they had nothing to lose and the German police seem to have bungled the job. The early papers believed the hostages were safe. Only in the evening editions did we learn the truth.
To-day we went by train to Slough and then bus bus to Windsor. To the State Apartments. The castle was packed with pentecostal visitors. Fortunately we were ahead of the postprandial  crowds. it was not a guided tour and I went round at “a good round trot”. The Rubens, Vandycks, Canalettos and Lawrences were good; the furniture heavy but tasteless compared with a first rate family house. My main object was to add to my postcard collection but in this I failed. No p.c.s of the royal pictures except those you could get at Buckingham Palace.

Monday, Sept 11th - To Cheltenham. Coming back I told Mary how in the railway strike in 1920 Crab and I got stuck in Cheltenham and started out to walk to Bourton! Fortunately when we got to Charlton Kings we went down to the station and caught a train whose driver wanted to get back to his home in Bourton. Neither the Crab nor I were equipped for a 20 mile route march.
Reading old Macmillan’s last volume. One of the most difficult decisions was the Queen’s visit to Ghana. In trying to bump off the dictator would they kill her? He sent Duncan Sandys who persuaded Nkruma (who seldom appeared in public) to drive over the course in an open car. ‘Trying it on the dog’. The dog survived, so did Her Majesty. Of the UN force in the Congo, he says it was made up of Swedes, who had not fought anyone for 200 years, and Irish who are anxious to fight anyone anytime!!

Sunday, Sept 24th - During last week three long arguments with Mary about meeting C other than fortnightly. She will not meet C and discuss but persists in sending messages through me. C will not give up and says she is not committed to any agreement. Feel like a mouse in a mangle!

Sunday , Oct 1st - [Nora on visit from Sept 26th] Took Nora to High Mass  at Tewkesbury. Nora a Quaker but made no comment except that she did not like the smell of incense..... Enjoyed having her here. She is a very courageous woman, but she will correct and supplement everything you say.

Friday, Oct 6th - Apple Tree Dinner - indeed a dinner as Dr Johnson would have said ‘to ask a man to’. Menu: Hours d’Oeuvres. Consommé Garni. Grilled Trout, Tartar Sauce (Mersault Goutte d’Or 1966). Roast Grouse, Salad, Courgettes, Runner Beans, Croquette Potatoes (Ch. Croizet Bages 1962). Baked Apples, Honey & Whipped Cream (Graache Himmelreich 1964). Dessert (Madeira Solera 1862, Sandeman 1958). Trouble was recognized few elderly gents from 1920 - now stout, lined, baggy, red faced and white haired. Two Bishops - Worcester, whom I sat next to, and Oxford who presided at the other end of the table. Bursar there, rumbustious as usual, Percy Gay, de la Mare, Price and Escritt. Few meals now on this scale with polished table reflecting the silver candelabra and candles. Thought of the stately houses with tables laid but never used. After this about 10 tottered out into the Quad feeling distinctly squiffy.

Saturday, Oct 14th - Planted out wallflowers, myosotis and tulips this morning. All bulbs planted out or in pots. Finished heavy job reducing hedge from 12 to 6 ft.

Monday, Oct 23rd - Cleaning up for winter. Cut lawns last time and got up runner beans. In the afternoon the sweep came. He told Mary that a stick of bombs fell on Westcote in 1940 - one in Scarrys - aimed I suppose at the airfield. A versatile man; he gave a most realistic imitation of a cuckoo clock striking.

Thursday, Oct 26th - In  afternoon to horse fair at Stow. Felt should go once as lived from 1923-29 within in reach of Derby at Leatherhead but never went. It was extraordinary! The Cheltenham Road blocked with cars. Stalls on one side. Two large fields on either side a mass of cars. We went down to the rings where raucous voiced auctioneers with loud speaker fortified by glasses of beer were selling ponies etc but soon came away. The characters, gypsies, crooks, horsey types, county, etc etc a study. Tea at Darts and home. Mary fascinated, and very surprized agreed to go.

Sunday, Nov 5th - Nothing!

Monday, Nov 6th - P.M. (Heath) announced a wage and price freeze for 90 days, but old age pensioners (Mary and I) to get £10 a piece with new year. Interviewed by Robin Day, he seemed confident and on top of the situation. Did not like him at first but he has improved his persona and now prefer him to Harold Wilson.

Wednesday, Nov 8th - Nixon elected with a landslide, but the Democrats still control the Senate and the House so it looks as in for a period of weak government. Such is the result of their peculiar constitution.

Saturday, Nov 11th - With Cil Roberts (driving) to Gloucester Cathedral for Dream of Gerontius. Cil did not  know the road so I navigated. Went astray at roundabout in the dark and on to Bristol ring road. Retraced our route only to lose ourselves in a maze of streets on outskirts. Mary suggested we go to ‘City Centre’. Alas, as I feared could not reach cathedral in closed ‘one ways’ and found ourselves in Northgate totally lost. Found a helpful man in petrol station who knew his way around and guided us to cathedral in his car; We were nearly quarter of an hour late. We were in choir and orchestra in nave. Had a good view of Robert of Normandy and Edward II’s tomb, thought how they killed him by putting a red hot poker up his back passage!
Music and orchestra very loud. The fortissimo passages in ‘Praise the Holiest’ resembled the blitz and might have shaken the great tower above our heads. Got home without mishap and apologized to Cil for my bad temper which she did not seem to mind. She much moved by music and wept - said myself if the next world so noisy prefered the quiet of this!

Monday, Nov 20th - School holiday for Queen’s silver wedding. Up to London (£4.50 for two day returns). National Portrait Gallery. Then taxi to Tate. Parliament Sq. full of white helmeted policemen. At Tate magnificent Van Dyck exhibition, more post cards. Then by taxi to Trattoria degli Pescatori, Charlotte St. Then to exhibition of Venetian pictures for ‘Venice in Peril’. Back about 7 p.m. after a lovely day which we both enjoyed.

Thursday, Dec 7th - Mary had been to call on he Matriarch (Mrs Roberts). Matriarch said she wishes to be wheeled to cemetery on a bier. It was uphill, but her two sons (Bishop of Ely and ?) could jolly well push her!

Monday, Dec 11th - London by coach from Burford. The coach was 30 minutes late so froze until it eventually appeared. It made up 15 minutes on the journey by A40, Oxford bypass and motorway and reached Victoria Coach Station in spite of Christmas traffic at 11.45. To Tate to Charles I exhibition. After lunch to V & A which was new to Mary. Then to coach station. Started punctually and reached Burford at 8.45. Railway £4.50 for two, coach £1.00!!

Wednesday, Dec 20th - To Dr King. Said blood pressure good but he himself looked more dead than have ever seen him. P.M. over to Hatford. Church sold and inside gutted.
What will happen to Grandpa? Put flowers on grave. Mrs Simpson, 1lb honey and 4 mince pies. Seemed better though shaking.

Thursday, Dec 21st. My handwriting owing to ball point pens has got so bad that I can’t read it so it is hardly likely posterity will be able to do so. Hence to-day in Cheltenham I tried to buy a ‘penholder’. Man said he did not know what I meant and must try the art department, so I gave up. Posts very bad this Christmas. Everybody has used 2 ½ stamps for second class mail - the result is few cards have arrived and it seems few will.
Wonder what parents (if they returned) would notice most. I guessed women wearing men’s suits and trousers. Father always said it was illegal. Next perhaps decimal coinage. Banks still much the same except more women in them.

Sunday, Christmas Eve - [Held Christmas a day early to facilitate visit to Tewkesbury Abbey on the 25th]; Opened presents after breakfast. M gave me a scarf, the Danes sent a sweater. I gave Mary soap and a Spanish iron candleholder for five candles. Listened to R.C. Archbishop of Birmingham on telly, then did Christmas tree, a small one this year. Graham is marrying his Sylvia in January. Mary got the turkey in, a sweet strawberry jelly, but a bottle of Asti Spumante. The candelabra on the dinner table looked fine. Flowers outside the worst I have known. The Asti went off with a good bang and we drank the whole bottle. Later on heard Alistair Cooke on the American Civil War, which I found too moving.

Christmas Day. - Up betimes and off about 9.50 to Tewkesbury. We were in cloud most on the Wolds and it was raining but cleared down in the Avon valley. Entering the North Porch as always struck when I found myself faced with a great Norman column. It all seemed warm and welcoming with a golden frontal and golden vestments. We had a short sermon from Pouncey. He beamed on us much from the pulpit. I wondered is he had had a drop too much but his sermon spoke ‘to my true condition’ as a marginal Christian. Later in the service I had covered my eyes and when I opened them the the sun had pierced the clouds and the Lady Chapel and nave was flooded with with light. “You are here told to kneel, Where prayer has been valid”. We beat it back to lunch on cold turkey and pudding.
In the afternoon a short talk from Queen, more confident and dignified than she used to be, and then Olivier’s Henry V which I took the school to see in 1946 when it was released.

Boxing Day - so glad that about 11 Hilary rang. Nicholas liked his ping pong bat. He had been given some skis but so far no snow.

Wednesday, Dec 27th - Graham taking furniture in for his marriage shortly. Started working on historical talk to  Westcote women’s club.

Saturday, Dec 30th - An annoying day. Confirmation of Venice booking arrived. When I told Mary she burst into tears. I had not discussed it with her. I thought we’d discussed it pro and con Venice or Sicily till blue in the face I had come (with what pains) to an actual decision. I should get giddy fits. Leave it till I had seen the doctor in March. If I were ill she could not cope and didn’t know Italian. Was there a guide? Thought I kept my temper fairly well and said I would write and enquire, which I did.
Reading Rose Macaulay’s life. For years she was in love with a married man who died in the war when her flat was bombed. She wrote an unbearably poignant short story based on this, ‘Miss Anstruther’s Letters’, hitherto not published in England.

Sunday, Dec 31st - Nothing to report. Listened to the New Year in bed with May but her hip was out of true and too painful.
1972 not much of a year with Irish atrocities and Viet Cong war. Nora ill at beginning of the year and no visit from the Danes. On the whole both pretty well and no deaths in the family. Entry to Europe was at last achieved after so many wasted years.

Christmas cards 1972: Charitable 19; Religious 8; Nature 7; Candles, snow etc 14; + Letters 5; Misc 1. Total 54.

Index of names 1972:  
Attrill, Norman & Eric - Feb 24. Blackwell, Margaret, Jan 17, Feb 24, Mar 12.  Butterfield, Miss Cecily (Butters) - Jan 4. Cil Roberts - Jan 4, Nov 11.  Clayden, Mary (C, Cherry) -  Jan 6, Feb 3, Apr 10. Collard, Michael - Jan 23. Coombes, Don, March 11. Common Market - Feb 18.
Davis, Admiral, - Mar 11, 14.  
Exmouth  -  May 6. Graham (Kitchen) July 25, 31, Dec 24, Dec 27.  Hayes, Len - Apr 8. Heath, Donald - Mar 25.  Hilary (Barnes) - Feb 12, April 5. Keble - Oct 6.  King, Dr, - Dec 20. Lise (Barnes) - Feb 26. Mary - Jan 6, Feb 2, Feb 12, Sept 24, Dec 30.  Mason, Toby - Feb 13, Apr 8. Meara family - June 4, Aug 19. Millbank, Margaret - Aug 2. Munich Olympics - Sept 6.  
Nora (Barnes) - Feb 4, Feb 26, April 5, July 25, Oct 1.  
Roberts, Mrs Bertha Feb 23, Dec 7.  Scaramanga (Scarry) - Mar 11. Stow horse fair - Oct 26.  Stratford -Jan 4. York - Aug 2. Westcote village - Jan 14, 7, Feb 24, March 4, March 11, 12, Dec 27,  June 24,  Aug 26, Oct 23. Windsor, Duke of, - May 28, 29, June 3. Wilkinson, Marjorie (Wilk, Wilkon) - Mar 12,