Retiring from the Shoe Trade
Grandad sold his business and effectively retired in 1958.
Mum Left School and Went to Work
Mum had left school and was working for Kirkby Cooperative Manufacturing at the start of this period. But she stopped working in 1955 to help grandad run the shop.
Mum and Dad Get Married
Mum and dad got married in June 1956 and there were quite a lot of other weddings during this period.
Grandad Buys a Car
Grandad also bought his first car during this period, a Morris Minor De Luxe.
TV, Tape Recorders and Other Technology
Television was a major part of family life with quite a lot of detail recorded of what they watched.
Grandad is Really Quite Unwell
During that period grandad was quite unwell, first with gallstones and then with heart problems. He was so unwell that he was unable to attend mum and dad’s wedding.
Entertainment in the Late 1950s
The diaries have a lot of information about entertainment in the late 1950s ranging from parties to day trips to holidays.
Doing Things Yourself and Other Practical Tasks
Grandad continued to do a lot of practical things, which might now be called DIY, and mum was also very handy with knitting, sewing etc.
Bits and Bobs
The diaries cover various other bits and bobs such as music, pets and sport.
Methodism in the Late 1950s
The diaries contain a great deal about Methodism including chapels they went to and activities they were involved in. Towards the end of this period, the chapel they were involved in merged with another to form Trinity Methodist Church.
Houses
After they were married, mum and dad lived briefly with grandma and grandad before moving to the back of the shop in Station Street. They were looking at houses to buy and, in the end, bought one on Diamond Avenue.
Tricia
Mum and dad had their first child during this period with my sister, Tricia, being born in May 1958.
Dad and His Work
Dad worked for the Norwich Union in Nottingham for most of this period. He was also studying and applying for other jobs.
External Events
There were a wide range of external events during this period ranging from the Suez crisis to a formal name change for Kirkby in Ashfield.