Grandad – I stayed in bed. Dr Gale came & said IF I felt well enough I could get up for wrestling on Sat. Mr Pearce changed the catheter. P did more painting.
Mum – Took Eliz to see Dr W about feet. Nothing to be done now – wait until feet have stopped growing then either have the little toes off or try & straighten them. I promised her I wouldn’t make her do anything – it would be her choice. Went to Chairman’s then to have hair set. Roy went out after doing his washing. P went to do some more painting at Drayton after school. I walked home. Choir at night. Roy rang to say yes to Birmingham if they’d give him extra £500. They said No so had to think again.
Notes
Grandma Was Keeping Grandad’s Diary
A few days earlier, the handwriting had changed meaning, I think, that grandad was not well enough to keep his own diary and grandma did this for him, see Chapter 113.
Grandad Stayed in Bed
It seems that grandad was quite unwell having had a stroke a few days earlier, see Chapter 116. He stayed in bed.
Dr Gale
Dr Gale was one of the Drayton GPs, see Chapter 116. He came to see grandad and told him that, if he felt well enough, he could get up to watch wrestling on TV on Saturday, see Chapter 97.
Catheter Care
At this time, grandad had an indwelling urinary catheter, see Chapter 116, which needed changing periodically. Mr Pearce was one of the male nurses who came to the house to do this.
Tricia Was Painting Grandma and Grandad’s Kitchen
P refers to my older sister Tricia (Patricia). She was painting grandma and grandad’s kitchen, see Chapter 126. On this occasion, she did more after school. Presumably, she picked up the car from mum’s work and mum walked home, see Chapter 127.
Dr Welch and Liz’s Feet
Mum took my younger sister Liz (Eliz/Elizabeth) to see our GP Dr Welch (Dr W). Mum was concerned about the shape of her feet and, from memory, I think she had overlapping little toes, see Chapter 116. Essentially, Dr Welch said there was nothing to do at this stage but there were things that could be done when she was older. Mum said it would be her choice. I am not sure what the outcome was.
Work for Rev Eddy
Chairman refers to Rev G T Eddy who was the Chairman of the Methodist District. Based on her CV, see Chapter 105, mum did some part-time secretarial work for him between 1973 and 1977, see Chapter 121. On this occasion, she again went there after seeing Dr Welch and before having her hair set.
Hair Set
Mum had her hair set after she had been to work for Rev Eddy.
Choir
Mum was part of the choir of St Peter’s Park Lane Methodist Church, see Chapter 124. She attended what I assume was a choir practice.
Dad Was Staying
Roy refers to my father Royle Drew. He was staying at this time, see Chapter 114. Mum noted that he went out after doing his washing.
New Job in Birmingham
Dad had been offered a new job in Birmingham with the Norwich Unionsee Chapter 114. . This was a promotion from Assistant Branch Secretary to Branch Secretary but his salary would actually reduce presumably because it was a smaller office and/or he was paid more for being in London. It seems dad phoned them to say he would accept the job if they would raise the salary by £500. The Norwich Union declined to do this. I presume that dad decided to accept the job anyway as he later moved to Birmingham.
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