Grandad – Elizabeth came for the week-end. She went with Ethel to the village hall for a unity social. Ron took them in his car along with Caroline.
Mum – Took E to Drayton for weekend. Did flowers in church – not really satisfied. Saw FR aft & evening. Decided not to seek a divorce for children’s sake – yet. Had letter from Cecil. Lovely time with FR. P went to JC party in aft. Alan went in evening. Very depressed in am.
Notes
Elizabeth Went to Grandma and Grandad’s for the Weekend
Elizabeth refers to my sister Liz. Mum refers to her just as E. Mum took her to stay with grandma and grandad in Drayton for the weekend. Ethel refers to my grandmother Ethel May Cecilia Parkin. Liz went with grandma to Drayton village hall for what grandad called a “unity social“. I suspect this was a joint activity between the Anglican and Methodist churches, see Chapter 124. Ron refers to Ron Douglas who was grandma and grandad’s neighbour at 168 Drayton High Road. Caroline refers to his daughter who was Liz’s friend.
Church Flowers
Mum did the flowers in church, see Chapter 124, presumably using the flowers she had bought the previous day. I am not sure why she was not satisfied with them. Mum did have very high standards and was often dissatisfied with things she or we did!
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. Mum noted that she saw him in the afternoon (“aft“) and evening and that she had a lovely time.
Divorce
I don’t know if mum discussed the issue of a divorce with Rev Dowson but I suspect she did. Anyway, she concluded that she would not seek a divorce yet, allegedly for our benefit (!), see Chapter 114.
Cecil
I am not exactly sure who Cecil was. He was someone to whom mum was close at this time. They corresponded frequently. I wonder if he was someone she knew through Christian Guild Holidays, see Chapter 114. On this occasion, mum noted receiving a letter from him.
Tricia and Alan Went to Junior Church Parties
P refers to my sister Tricia (Patricia) and Alan refers to my brother. I assume JC refers to Junior Church which had previously been referred to as Sunday School, see Chapter 124. I imagine one age group had a party in the afternoon with another age group having a party in the evening.
Mum Was Very Depressed
Mum was on treatment for depression although, in her diaries, she did not often refer explicitly to the diagnosis, see Chapter 116. However, on this occasion, she noted feeling very depressed in the morning (a.m.). I don’t recall her ever talking openly and honestly about depression when she was alive.
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