Grandad – Sheila & Patricia called at 06.50 to take Dolly to the Bus Station for Bedford. Ethel went to the hospital clinic. Irene went to see her doctor. Ethel bought a new hat.
Mum – Took A Dolly to bus station at 7am. Patricia drove. Posted letter to FR. Moved fridge & cooker in kitchen. Tired at night. Started making thin dressing gown. Roger took English ‘O’ level. S L & H tabs.
Notes
Mum and Tricia Took Auntie Dolly to the Bus
Sheila refers to my mother Sheila May Drew née Parkin. Patricia refers to my older sister Tricia. Dolly refers to Dorothy Rose who we knew as Auntie Dolly although she was my grandmother’s first cousin. Grandma’s father (Charles Cirket) and Auntie Dolly’s mother (Lois Rose née Cirket) were siblings. Auntie Dolly visited grandma and grandad often coming by bus from where she lived in Bedford to Norwich bus station, see Chapter 122. Tricia and mum collected her early in the morning to take her to the bus station so she could catch the bus to Bedford, see Chapter 127.
Tricia Was Learning to Drive
Mum noted that my sister Tricia (Patricia) drove. I assume she wanted to practice as she was learning to drive, see Chapter 127.
Grandma Went to the Hospital
Ethel refers to my grandmother Ethel May Cecilia Parkin. Grandad noted that she went to the hospital clinic but I think he may have meant the canteen as she often helped here, as a volunteer, on a Monday, see Chapter 116.
Irene Bell Went to the Doctor
Irene refers to Irene Bell who lived next-door-but-one to grandma and grandad at 162 Drayton High Road. She went to the doctor, see Chapter 116.
Grandma Bought a New Hat
Ethel refers to my grandmother Ethel May Cecilia Parkin. She bought a new hat, see Chapter 125. I am not sure why she did not buy one when Auntie Dolly did earlier in the week. Perhaps she had seen one she liked and decided to go back for it.
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. On this occasion, mum posted him a letter.
Mum Moved the Fridge and Cooker
According to mum’s diary, she moved the fridge and cooker in the kitchen, see Chapter 117.
Mum Was Tired at Night
During this period, mum had severe struggles with her mental health, suffering with depression and anxiety, see Chapter 116. She often complained of being tired and this seemed to relate to her poor mental health. On this occasion, she complained of being tired at night.
Thin Dressing Gown
Mum was an accomplished seamstress and often made her own clothes. On this occasion, she started making a thin dressing gown, see Chapter 126.
English O Level
Roger refers to me. I took my English language O level. For some reason, a group of us took maths and English language O levels a year early, see Chapter 118.
Mum’s Tablets
During this period, mum had severe struggles with her mental health, suffering with depression and anxiety, see Chapter 116. She was taking antidepressants and sleeping tablets (tabs) and I think this is what S, L and H refer to. S refers to the antidepressant doxepin (Sinequan), L to long-acting amitryptilline (Lentizol) and H to the sleeping tablet clomethiazole (Heminevrin).
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