Diary, 1950–58: pocket diaries

1950

M.S.W. Pollard

22 Cintra Av

Reading

Telephone No. 81564

Telephone Numbers include Beck, 6800, Tudor

Mostly record of letters written.

Jan 28. Book Club Evans.

31st. Blue Lamp film. Liberal meeting.

Feb 4. W.I.L. 3pm

Feb 7. Birthday.

8th. Liberal Club.

9th. Lib Club

10th. Lib Club

28th. W.I.L. Annual Meeting 2.30

March 7. Chiropodist.

9th. Ruth?

21st. Liberal Social. Stung on cheek.

23rd. Cottage

24th. Book Club. H.R. Smith's. Chas. Morgan

April 1. Becks

10th. Becks went.

18th. Chiropodist

21st. F.O.R.

25th. Margaret's

May 2. Home

22nd. Book Club here. Literature of the Sea

June 3. Liberal Garden Party.

6th. Chiropodist.

13th. Ruth's

14th. Back home

29th Book Club

July 10. C's

22nd. Home

25th. Chiropodist

30th. Ruth's

August 25. To Ruth's

28th. Motored home

29th. Cottage.

30th. Caesar & Cleopatra

September 7. Ruth's

11th. Book Club. Musical evening.

14th. Evie's

October 13. Reading M.M.

16th. Book Club. Elsie Harrod. Historic Houses of the District

17th. Sir N. Edgley [??]

18th. W.I.L. American Negro

28th. Becks come.

November 1. Becks went.

2nd. No Way Out

9th. Broken Arrow

14th. Book Club. Readings from well known authors

15th. The Wooden Horse

16th. Ruth's

18th. Liberal Bazaar

22nd. W.I.L.

28th. Palace Hansel & Gretel

December 7. University. Plays

11th. Book Club. Auction New Books.

16th. Leighton Park Speech Day.

21st. Hardie's

1951

January 6. Friends party

10th. 10.0 Clinic

February 18. Ruth.

19th. Book Club. Millers. Critics & criticisms.

22nd. F. to Woodbrooke.

26th. 11.0. chiropodist

March 6. Totland Bay

13th. Returned T. Bay

14th. Saw house in Hendran Rd

15th. Auction 3.0 at G.W.R. Hotel. Went to 2500 & then 2750 and we got it for ,3000.

16th. Went to bed feverish. Bad cold & cough. Dr. Field

17th. F. exhausted after doing kitchen stove. Dr. Berry

18th. I had to get up as F. to bed feverish.

19th. Dr. Roulston. Frightful weather.

21st. Had written to Molly. Dead about 9.0. R came.

23rd. Saw Hawarden. Poured aft. Rob wrote about Father for Friend.

24th. Funeral 3.30

April 2. Television

3rd. Hawarden.

9th. Deaf aid 11.0

18th. W.I.L. 2.45 Craven Rd

21st. To Ruth's

22nd. Back from Ruth's. Back bad

25th. M.M. for Frank. Cried all morning.

26th. Sidney came

May 1. Moving

4th. M. for S.

8th. Dentist 3.0

20th. Becks came

24th. Swarthmore Lecture

26th. To Kew by steamer. First night alone.

29th. To Caro's. Sidney met me in London

June 5. York

8th. Left

15th. To Ruth's

22nd. To Hawarden

24th. Back to Ruth's

26th. Baby's birthday. Benjamin

July 8. R. & baby home

14th. Go to Hawarden.

20th. Chiropodist

22nd. Becks? for day

30th. Got Calor Gas Cooker

31st. D. Brain

August 3. Back to Hawarden

11th. Cinema Lavender

23rd. Dentist Lambert 10.30

28th. Ruth & Sidney

29th. R. & S. bathed before breakfast & in aft. Wokefield Common

31st. R & S go, & I too after dinner. R. had 4 bathes altogether, S. 3

September 1. House St Albans

2nd. Meeting (I). Left in car with S. at 5.0. Beatrice. Hawarden. 8.0

8th. Picnic—Cottage. Tea on heather.

15th. First M.M. since before F. died

17th. Dentist 11.0

24th. Dentist

26th. Dentist. Mrs Pims

October 9. Felt well

11th. Ruth's

12th. Hawarden. Lent car to Sidney

26th. D. Brain to tea

November 9. To Ruth's at St. Albans in aft.

10th. Delighted with house. Old Roman theatre in aft.

11th. Meeting—all even baby. Warm welcome. S. Motored me back 2.30-4.30

22nd. U. Nations Ass. YMC.A. 8pm. 10.45 Dentist

December 8. W.I.L. 2.45

8th. May Gretton's

10th. Back from Oxford

12th. M.M. 6.30

Ruth Tudor 6800

A.B. fire

Dec.19th.

Calor gas lasted from Aug 1st—Nov 30th.

1952

Mary S. W. Pollard

Hawarden

Burghfield

Reading

Tel. No. 103 Burghfield Common

In event of an accident please notify:

Mr R.S.W. Pollard

17 Victoria St

London

S.W.1

Telephone Numbers

Beck     St. Albans 5390

Pollard  2844 Chiswick

Abbey  4806

Dale     Swansea 87089

Hardie office 26096 Bradford

Morrell York 3197

Bowen Weeks [?] Reading 51967

Weiss Liv. for Livingstone 3484

[Note of bus times, Reading to Hatchgate & v.v.]

1953

Mary S.W. Pollard

Burnside

Homestead Estate

Menston

nr Leeds

Ruth Tel. St. Albans 5390

Telephone No. Menston 2424

Motor Car BYU 303

December 31. R. & S. went to dance

January 5. To Sydenham

January 8. Icelandic film

10th. Looked after Benj. Pantomime for others

16th. To R. & B. Bad foot.

17th. Back at 3.14

22nd. Dr. about poisoned toe. He is very nice.

23rd. New wireless.

31st. To York

February 1. Terrible loss of life due to gale & floods & steamer from Stranraer to Ireland sunk.

2nd. Home about 4.30

4th. Ilkley in morning. Feel very lonely.

7th. "My birthday. Many nice letters etc, but all alone. Bought tulips yesterday"

12th. Snow terrible in many places. Awful winter

14th. About this time rationing of sweets ended after 7 years.

17th. Thaw—milder—thank Heaven. Chiropodist Toe still septic

March 3. Evie came. Joe met her. I was excited.

14th. "Evie went. B. & B. came for her. I miss her awfully. She is so sweet."

Does occasional gardening.

16th  . . . to dentist at Ilkley

19th. Ilkley with C. Saw "Limelight" Charlie Chaplin. Tea there

21st. Sad day but nice call from Esther.

April 3. Alone. Fibrositis. Cold wind. rested

4th. Hardies to tea. Fun making Pace eggs

12th. F's records exquisite. Seemed to be singing to me

23rd. Garden's lovely now. tulips, daff, flowering currants etc

24th. To Heugh Folds

29th. I had pain in evening.

May 4. Home

6th . Women's Liberal at Ilkley

28th. Budgerigar 8 weeks old—bthdy Present from Marg.

June 2. Coronation. Cold & wet. Joe took me to Glen. They went to see Television then Queen's speech. v. good & Churchill. She is wonderful. Still not feeling well. V. cold like winter

4th. To Dr Melvin in evening.

8th. Dr came—says it is neuritis owing to cold winds.

10th. Dr came.

15th. Feel v. weak

17th. Last visit from Dr. He is no good.

27th. To Dr Kathleen Rutherford at Harrogate. She was so nice & clever.

29th. Bolton Abbey. Felt ill.

July 18. Mrs B. to Harrogate to get my medicine.

19th. To Meeting by bus for 1st time since illness

23rd. "To St. Albans. Joe C. & Bobby saw me off at 9.30. Alas Benj. has got polio. He has such a sweet smile."

25th. Benj. to hospital.

26th. Sidney to Aberdeen

August 1. Saw over 40 Clarence Rd.

2nd. Tea in Park

4th. Ruthie to zoo with children & I saw Benj, sitting up now (Looked thro glass)

6th. Sidney back in time for breakfast. All came to see me off & D came to Kings X.

10th. To Harrogate with Mrs. B. Tea there. Dr. gave me good report.

13th. Ruthie brought Julia & Lucy.

14th. R. & ' to Ilkley. Joe came for her about 12.0 & she went home in aft. It was lovely having her.

21st. Chiropodist 10.0

September 4. Saw house with C. & Joe

5th. Saw ghastly house with Joe.

10th. Mrs. Nicol to tea. C. & Joe too about Eldwick house.

11th. [after tea] Then to Eldwick

18th. To Bradford. Deaf aid.

23rd to Scarborough.

October 3 home.

4th. To Glen. Walked there. Made my great decision to stay in North.

14th. Have lost Netherdale House, alas. So sorry for Joe & Caro. It's awful.

19th. Have very bad cold starting.

20th. Still worse cold. Sneezed all day.

21st. Cold still.

27th. To Bradford to get eyes tested again. Dr Botwood not nice.

31st. Saw house at Poole [?] in afternoon.

November 7. Saw (self) house at Burley.

17th. 10 a.m. chiropodist

December 1. To London

3rd. To Everest film

4th. To Mumbles

15th. To se Dr. Urinary trouble. In bed all morning

18th. Dr. Am well now.

[Still in Mumbles at end of year]

1954

Ruth Beck

St Albans 5390

January 1. Pantomime. Goldilocks

2nd. To St Albans. "Sidney met me. Children went to party."

3rd. V. cold. Lovely evening playing & singing with children etc.

4th. To town. Coffee at Danish cafe. Mahjong in evening. I got terrific score.

5th. Sad to have to leave. Children sweet. [to home]

30th. Friends party at Ilkley. Hardies took me 3-6. Quite nice but room so cold

February 12. "Netherdale" again on the market.

25th. Heard about Netherdale.

26th. Looked after children while C. & Joe went to Netherdale.

March 6. Tel. rang all morning about house sale.

8th. Person to see house never came.

13th. C. & Joe have sold their house for £2000. Lost £500 alas!

21st. 3 years ago!

28th. [after tea] Then I felt poorly & feverish.

30th. In bed all day—temp 100__0___. Shocking cold & cough. J kind. Sold house £2800.

April 11. Joe took me & R. to see Netherdale. V. nice

23rd. Chiropodist 10 a.m.

May 3. Men at 8.30. Mrs Lucas helped. V. cold. Joe came 12.30. Dinner at Netherdale. Men finished at 5.0. Awful muddle.

4th. Sitting room lovely. C. & J. done so much for me.

June 27. Budgerigar is lost. 4 kittens arrived. 28th. 11.30 Chiropodist. July 12. Taxi to St. Albans [from Harpenden or Chiswick]. Arrived 5.0. Children angelic. Ruth to comte in evening. 13th. Took B. walk. Shopped 14th. Oculist—have split in left eye. 16th. Sidney came home. 18th. Children & I to meeting. 20th. R. took me to Hatfield House in aft. Wonderful place. 23rd. Elsie Pollard to tea. Splendid cakes made by Ruthie. 24th. D. & I to "Father Brown". I missed a lot of it. 25th. Pouring, so no one to meeting. Have taught D. & K. bezique. 26th. Wet. Had hair shampooed. Taught Julia Highland Schottische. To tea at Harpenden. 27th. V. windy & showery. Have had simply lively time at St. Albans in spite of wet. 28th. aft. all but S. by bus to Hertford. Pretty ride. Tea, then poured so came back. R. to Comtee. S. put on records. 29th. All but S. saw me off at 11.13. August 7. Family out to tea. Late back. I was anxious. Bad thunder & lightning. 19th. Water system right at last.

30th. C. Miss H. & I to cinema "An inspector calls"

September 3. Had Dr. Moody to syringe my ears. She seemed nice. They needed it. Colder.

8th. So busy with children I got tired out & C. brought me supper.

October 18.  . . . I went to chiropodist  . . .

30th to Chipperfield, Kings Langley

November 9. Left by taxi 9.45 to St. Albans. Saw E. off to London. Have been v. happy together. Daniel has bad cold.

12th. Fine & mild. Took B. walk

14th. Meeting with 5 children. Benj. so good. R. & S. to hear B. Saxon Snell in evening on Woolman

18th. Foggy. F. Benj. & I shopped satisfactorily. R. & S. out in evening. Bowes is ill

19th. Ruth's birthday. Such a happy day. Lovely presents. Sir Roger etc after tea. Children sweet.

20th. Lucy poorly. R. & S. to dinner dance.

21st. Lucy in bed. All but her & S. to meeting. V. cold. Lovely evening. Records & R. & S. sang.

22nd. Left very sorrowfully after such a happy time at 1.26. [ to home]

1955

Telephone No. Bingley 2844

Beck St Albans 5390

January 6. I to Sales at Bradford & to see The Divided Heart. V.good

11th. Saltaire to get sleeping pills. C. & I to concert at Keighley, Yorks. Symp. Orchestra. Peter Pears Denis Brain horn. V. good

13th. My back not right.

21st. Much better at last, but have not been out for over a week.

25th. 1st time out for 11 days.

February 3. To St. Albans via London. S. met me. 4th. Ruthie v. busy. Margt for 2 nights. 5th. Wonderful celebration of 80th birthday—all family except C. Rowland also came. 7th. "Happy birthday to you" sung by family while I in bed. Lots more lovely flowers etc. Potato pudding! 12th. To Chiswick. 13th. Nearly lost voice. 14th. To St Albans 15th. W.L.A. Ruth is chairman. Benj. went to sleep on my knee. Good talk on social worker in factory. 16th. Play duets with Julia. 17th. Left by 11.13. V. sorry. All have been so kind. [to home] 20th. Bad faint when going to bed. Thought it the end. Dr. came. C. & J. so very kind. 21st. Dr. came. In bed all day, but much better. 22nd. Still in bed. 25th. Feel much better. 27th. Bowes 'phoned to say he is taking 2 tickets for him & me to fly to Ireland! March 13.  . . . I went to chiropodist. 28th. I did not feel well, but tried to help C. [with Rob, who had chickenpox]. 29th.  . . . found I was feverish. Stayed in bed. Over 102o in evening.

Mary Pollard at St Albans, on the day of her 80th birthday

30th. In bed all day. Cough but a good deal better

31st. Dr. Moody came. I got up in aft.

April 2. Dr. Moody says I can go to Ireland.

8th. To Ireland [Lydia]

9th. Tired out. Bad cough & cold. Wonderful place.

14th. Lydia & I to Emlyn Williams reading Dickens.

16th. London, St. Albans. R. & D. out, but warm welcome from the rest.

17th. Nice day. Garden lovely.

18th. First performance of Pinafore. Sidney went to hear it. V. successful. I sat up till 11.0. Benj. woke & cried a bit.

19th. Very fine. 2nd performance. I took B. short walk.

20th. Sidney here, so R. & I shopped. Warm. Dinner in garden very nice.

21st. To meet Evie at Victoria. V. cold. Lunch at Fuller's. She is very frail. Saw her off & came back. Went to R's Dr.

22nd. Cold, so never went out, tho' my cold much better.

23rd. Rob. & all of us to matinee of Pinafore. Ruth in chorus looked lovely & Daniel excellent as Midshipman. Rob. to tea.

24th. Julia, Benj. & I to meeting

25th. Lovely weather.

26th. S. & R. spring cleaned drawing room.

28th. Left by 11.13 for Leeds. R. & Benj. saw me off. Julia gave me 2/6!

May 14. Voted conservative in local election

24th. I to hear Harold Macmillan & Geoffrey Hirst.

27th. Ruthie & Daniel arrive about 8.0.

28th. Ruthie had tea with me. She, Rob, D, & I to 5 ride [rise] locks. Saw barge go thro' .

29th. R. had supper with me.

30th. Joe motored R., D & me to York. Bootham. Lunch B. Croft. Railway strike begun, but R. & D. got train about 3.30.

June 16. Evie, Mabel & I to Cromer.

23rd. Home

July 2. I to Bingley to see "The sea shall not get them." Quite good.

18th. Newcastle.

22nd. Home.

27th. "Snip" got 4 kittens on front doorstep!

August 10. J. & I at 1.30 by coach to Ripon & Studley Royal. Disappointing. Did not see house.

16th. My old Ford car is sold £20 & was taken away to-night. I feel sad.

20th. Deaf aid test. Ardente 56 guineas—frightful.

23rd. Ruthie, Lucy & Benj. arrived about 6.0. R. has had her hair "permed". Lovely to see them.

24th. Ruthie went at 8.30—Joe took her to Bingley (me too). I put B. to bed. He was very good, but asked for Mummy.

25th. V. hot. Slide a grt joy. I took 3 children to swings. Evening Joe & C. took them all to the little railway.

28th. All children & C. to Cong. Church. I did dinner. B. Stayed with me.

29th. Swing arrived at last. Great joy to children.

31st. Joe took all but me to Menston—I did dinner. They went to stream etc.

September 1. I took L. & B. to sail boat. Evening C. & J. went to see "The Living Desert." I put the 4 children to bed. Pretty exhausting.

3rd. Lovely afternoon—all to the fair—children wildly excited—C. & I went on aerial ? 1/2 hour in boat on Aire. Back 6.15 (Car)

4th. All children church with Joe. I made castle puddings & helped C.

9th. Becks get home in evening.

10th. Sidney arrived 5.30. Children very excited. I had supper with J.C. & him & nice talk about France.

11th. Joe took S. & children to Bradford & I saw them off to St Albans & went to meeting.

12th. C. & I tired out, tho' loved having Lucy & Benjamin.

15th. To York

17th. To Buttermere/Hassness.

24th. To Bingley.

28th. To Chiropodist at Bingley.

October 2. New deaf aid on appro (Ardente)

22nd. 2.30 Baildon Liberal Bazaar.

November 4. Have got a cough.

14th. To St Albans by car [from Harpenden]. Lunch at barn with Chrissie. Then to Ruth's. Children sweet. Benjamin not well & not at school. Cold.

16th. Benj. not well but amusing_ & sweet. Ruth out in aft. Last night at Utopia Ltd.

19th. Ruthie's birthday. She had lovely presents & a splendid tea. R. & S. to dance, wh. was v. good.

20th. Children Jane & I to meeting. R. & I in evening to hear—Tennyson on Vinova Bhave.

21st. Nothing much. R. & S. to Parents meeting in evening.

22nd. S. began to teach me chess! R. at operatic rehearsal.

23rd. S. & I 9.0 train to London.

26th. V. bad cold. "Messiah" in evening in Abbey. Beautiful. Taxi there. S. has taught me chess. Played several games with him.

27th. Cold too bad for meeting, but happy day. Games, songs, small pipes D's trumpet, gramophone.

28th. Left at 11.23—one change. Have had a lovely time, but nice to get back.

30th. I to chiropodists. Right foot bad.

December 13. Began a cold.

14th. Mild. Sneezed all day.

15th. Mild, In bed all day, but did own dinner & C. brought me a very nice one.

16th. Am much better, but not up to much.

18th. Gt. preparations for family to tea in my room. Cakes, candles, christingles, presents, games.

19th. Cold slowly getting better.

29th. Cinema The Lady Killers 5-7 Most amusing.

31st. "Scrabble" game.

1956

January 17. Bowes asked me last week to go on cargo boat to Adriatic.

February 17. Began influenza.

March 10. I think Dr. paid her last visit—no it was the 3rd or 5th I think. Dr. Craven called.

14th. I'm well at last.

21st. To York

22nd Sudden attack of diarrhoea. Got up, but had to go to bed. Miserable day & night.

23rd. Got Dr. Medicine good.

24th. Dr. again, but I got up.

28th. back to Bingley

April 8 -14 at Burton Croft.

15th.  . . . taken ill in night & shivered.

16th. Temp 102—evening 103__0___.

17th. Dr. came temp 103 night & morning. Soaked in perspiration.

19th. Temp—still up—Began M. & B.

21st. Normal at last & enjoyed some proper dinner.

24th. Dr. in aft. Said I could get up. Had tea up.

28th. 3.30 York St. Bingley Lib. club. I could not go.

30th. Dr. syringed my ears. Now free from Drs but feel weak still.

May 8. Chiropodist.

24th to N/C for a couple of days

June 5. 9.5 to St Albans via London. R. & Benj. met me about 3.30.

6th. V. cold & wet. Took Benj. to near shops.

7th. Cold & wet. R. & S.'s wedding anniversary. Lovely dinner!

8th. Helped R. to cook for celebration to-morrow.

9th. Wonderful dinner & tea 8 whites of eggs in cake! 6.36 to St. P. [to Chiswick]

11th. Back to St Albans. Warm welcome at St. Albans. No wind at last, warmer. Drawing room getting redecorated. Took B. to Park.

13th. R. B. & I to town for coffee & ice.

15th. R. & I by coach with Liberals to see Ovaltine works & farm. Most interesting. Given tea.

17th. All but S. to meeting. All of us bus to Hitchin 1 hour there. Lovely old church, but day like winter & very dull.

19th. Lucy poorly. Milder. R. Benj. & I to Welwyn—not very good shopping.

20th. Last day alas. Potato pudding. I shopped. Have taught children "pounce".

21st. Left at 12.39. R. saw me off.

July 18. To York

24th home.

November 1. Chiropodist. Toe septic. Deaf aid.

2nd. Chiropodist.

3rd. Chiropodist.

4th. News about Hungary dreadful. Russians are cruel, & we are fighting in Egypt.

15th. Heard that Mr. Beck died yesterday.

19th. Mr. Beck's funeral & darling Ruthie's birthday. V. Cold.

20th. Got deaf aid "Aditone"

December 11. 10.30. Chiropodist.

23rd. To Chiswick

29th. Aft. R. & B. & I to St. A. Lovely. House pretty. Grand tea. Xmas tree. Foot muff etc. Lovely supper. Goodbye to R. & B.

30th. V. wet. Taxi to meeting. Benj. has cough.

31st. Wet. V. short walk. End of this not very happy year.

1957

Mary S.W. Pollard

Netherdale House

Eldwick

Bingley, Yorks

Tel. Bingley 2844

January 2. Wet, but mild. Benjamin poorly.

3rd. B. v. poorly.

4th. B. taken to Austins at 12.0. Rest of us to see Peter Pan.

5th. B. much better & sweet.

6th. Meeting by myself. B. out a little. Games (writing) with children. Ruth & Sidney sang. Delightful.

7th. Left at 8.25 with Sidney. Have had lovely time. [to Bingley]

17th. To Bradford. V. good lunch hour concert. Dennis Brain (horn) Jean Pougnet violin & Wilfrid Parry piano

31st. Old peoples club boring.

February 20. Turned out both rooms.

27th. To York

March 2. Saw Ingram's Almshouses with Bowes. Delightful.

5th. Home

14th. I to old peoples club. Quite nice but childish game.

15th. To Bradford.

16th. Too much television in evening. I don't care for it.

17th. Home.

April 6. I think Benj. had his operation on the 5th but am not sure.

11th. Have lumbago.

12th. Still have fibrositis in back, not lumbago. Benj. came home yesterday from hospital.

24th. Got to St. A. at about 8.0 carried case.

25th. Very cold. Icy wind. Benjamin woke last night to kiss me. Ruthie out each night at "the Rebel Maid". Daniel in France.

26th. All in aft. to see "The Rebel Maid". Very good indeed. Ruthie looked very pretty.

28th. All but Ruthie & Julia to meeting. S. spoke beautifully.

May 3rd. V. cold. Ruth evening to Liberal Education Comtee in London

4th. To Burford

9th. Wet most of day; Played bezique & tens.

11th. By 12.45 to London. Gateshead H.S. Old Girls re-union. Delightful.

12th. I have fibrositis.

14th. To Chiswick.

16th. To York

21st. To Netherdale.

25th. By bus to Leeds for Liberal Meeting. Frank Byers grand & Chairman Sir Ronald Walker very good.

26th. Benjamin went back to hospital more than a week ago.

June 1. Benjamin home from hospital.

3rd  . . . fell & grazed my elbow.

5th. Erica went in morning. She is sweet & remembers Bensham so well.

15th. It has been lovely having Ruthie, but such a short visit.

16th. Glorious weather, but I started bad cold so cd not go to Bingley meeting.

17th. V. hot. Still have cold.

22nd. Bowes offered to send me on a cruise with Edna. I declined. He is kind.

25th. To York

27th. Betty, she [Mabel?] & I lunch festival rooms. Amadeus Quartette in church.

29th. V. stuffy. Lately 74__0___ in my bedroom. Thunder in night. I love the heat but not stuffiness.

July 12. Bingley

18th. Benjamin has measles & Ruth swollen finger.

27th. I gave R. tea & supper. C. came to coffee with us, & we played "tail" & got it out.

August 10. To Dr. at Saltaire. Dr. Moody away. Unsatisfactory

11th. Meeting. Heard nothing—am very deaf. Rain in afternoon.

13th. York.

17th. Bingley.

23rd. Dr. syringed my ears.

27th. I am very tired. Snowball got 4 or 5 kittens last night.

September 3. To chiropodist at Bingley.

10th. Mumbles.

16th. Evening film "Admirable Crichton"—most amusing.

[Various concerts and plays left out by me—bsb—my having done so may give distorted picture.]

19th. To St. Albans. Sidney met me at Pad. Children all sweet.

20th. Went with Ruthie to meet Benj. after school.

21st. Fete at Daniel's school. Evening with R. to Franco-British Society. French lady lectured on 25 years in England.

22nd. All to meeting except Julia who went to Guides.

24th. Wet. Children except D. at school for dinner. Ruthie & I jolly shopping. Coffee at Danish rest.

26th. Ruthie & I shopped

27th. Julia got influenza. To Liberal meeting with Sidney. Prospective candidates. Very interesting.

29th. Bill & Daphne Beck & 2 children to dinner & tea. Lovely meals. Ruthie sang to me in evening.

30th. Julia still in bed. To Bingley.

October 10. Still fibrositis.

11th. Did v. little because of back.

14th. Am much better  . . . Ruthie has had influenza.

22nd. York

25. Chiropodist. Betty & I to cinema—St. Joan. Very good.

28th. Not feeling well. Bowes begged me to stay. To Bingley.

November 16. W.I. party 4.30. Went on till 9.0. Too long, but v. nice. Good tea. Community singing, old songs of my youth. Concert party poor, also ventriloquist poor & middling conjuring.

December 2. To Chiropodist.

5th. Not v. well, but went to old peoples club—films (coloured) of France, Majorca, Scotland etc taken by members.

15th. Hardies to Bostons to tea, so I enjoyed playing F's songs.

24th. I was poorly but managed to do a good deal to help.

25th. Felt better but not well at first. All had a perfect time—C. so very sweet. Almost too many presents all my grandchildren.

1958

January 5. I said few words in Meeting.

6th. Jeremy taught K & me chess.

Ruth Beck

50 Clarence Rd

St. Albans

[Transcript by Benjamin S. Beck]