Grandad – I did a bit in my cabin repairing the run-about I made for Alan. Ethel went to hospital clinic. Dr Leeman called to see me as my legs are swollen.
Mum – Washed in am. Took Red Cross chair back to them, now dad has the ministry chair he doesn’t need theirs. Collected paper & stencils from Roneo. Alan went to BB at night. He did look nice. FR rang in aft.
Notes
Repairing a Run-about
Grandad had a purpose-built cabin at the back of their house that he used for practical tasks particularly woodworking, see Chapter 85. Over the previous few months, he had been less able to work on it. However, on this day, he was able to do some work repairing what he described as a run-about that he had made for my brother Alan. I believe this refers to a four-wheeled run-about he had made for Alan in April 1973, see Chapter 109.
Over the years, grandad made us a number of such run-abouts which were various forms of trolleys/go-carts/wooden bikes and which I recall as a child, see Chapter 85.
Grandma Went to the Hospital
Ethel refers to my grandmother Ethel May Cecilia Parkin. Grandad noted that she went to the hospital clinic. However, I think he meant the hospital canteen where grandma helped as a volunteer, see Chapter 116.
Dr Leeming Called
Dr Leeman refers to Dr Leeming who was one of the GPs in the Drayton surgery at that time, see Chapter 116. He called to see grandad because his legs were swollen. This was a follow-up visit to one he had made two days earlier.
Wash Day
Mum noted that she did washing in the morning (am). While this was not always commented on in the diaries, both grandma and mum tended to wash on Mondays, see Chapter 126.
Wheelchair from the Red Cross
In July 1975, grandma had got grandad a wheelchair from the Red Cross. However, when it came, grandad commented that it was the wrong kind. So, the following month, in August 1975, another wheelchair came from the NHS. Grandad commented that he was very satisfied with this. As a result, mum took the original Red Cross wheelchair back to them, see Chapter 116.
Papers and Stencils from Roneo
Mum noted that she collected paper and stencils from Roneo, presumably for her home typing and duplicating business, see Chapter 121.
I knew of Roneo as a manufacturer of office equipment, such as duplicators, but I was not aware that they were retailers of paper and stencils. I was also not aware that the name Roneo was an abbreviation of Rotary Neostyle. In 1967, according to Kelly’s directory, Roneo did have a Norwich office/shop at Norfolk House in St John Maddermarket and I presume this is where mum got stencils and paper. It seems that Norfolk House may be the building that also houses the Maddermarket Theatre.
Alan Went to Boys’ Brigade
Alan refers to my younger brother and BB refers to Boys’ Brigade, see Chapter 124. Mum thought he looked nice. Presumably, she liked the uniform.
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, he phoned in the afternoon (aft).
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