Grandad – Ethel went to DLM.
Mum – Took Alan to see Dr Robertson at 8.30. Spots on his legs – either reaction to the antibiotic (Amoxil) or to his trousers – (?have I used “Comfort” before on anything of Alan’s?). To take Piriton. Had letter from FR – & a brief telephone call. Patricia started school. Went to coffee morning at church.
Notes
Grandma Attended Drayton Ladies’ Meeting
Ethel refers to my grandmother Ethel May Cecilia Parkin. DLM stands for Drayton Ladies’ Meeting which was how grandad referred to the weekly women’s meeting that grandma attended at Drayton Methodist Church, see Chapter 124.
Alan’s Rash
Alan refers to my brother. Mum had noticed that he had a rash on his legs the previous day, see Chapter 116. It seems that the doctor thought it was an allergic reaction, either to antibiotics or his trousers. I was not aware that Alan was taking antibiotics. It seems he was taking amoxicillin. Amoxil is a brand name for this and is still available. Whatever the cause, the doctor suggested he take an antihistamine. Chlorphenamine is the generic name and Piriton a brand name.
Comfort Fabric Softener
Comfort is a well-known fabric softener that is still available. It was first launched in 1969 and I wonder if mum had only started using it relatively recently when this diary entry was made. She wondered if it was the first time she had used it on Alan’s clothes and if that was the cause of his rash.
Dr Ian Robertson
I was not entirely sure who Dr Robertson was. As far as I can see, he/she was only mentioned twice by mum in the late seventies. This was one and the other was in August 1976 when mum took Alan about his toe. I assume that he/she was a GP. I found a very interesting history of what is now the Castle Partnership which includes a surgery in Mile End Road. This mentions that the building, which houses the surgery at 29 Mile End Road, was bought by Dr Ian Robertson in 1938 and I assume this was the Dr Robertson in question.
Rev Dowson
FR refers to Rev F R Dowson. Frederick Rodham Dowson entered the Methodist ministry in 1936. He was born in Haxby, York on 5 August 1912 and he died in Selsey on 4 September 2011, aged 99. I believe he was superintendent Minister for the Park Lane circuit from 1968 to 1974. He and mum were close and they spoke and corresponded frequently, see Chapter 114.
Tricia Attended Norwich High School for Girls
Patricia refers to my older sister. She attended Norwich High School for Girls, see Chapter 118. I an my other siblings had started back to school two days earlier.
Church Coffee Morning
Mum noted attending a coffee morning at church. I assume this refers to St Peter’s Park Lane Methodist Chuch, see Chapter 124.
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