Spring Term 1957
6 Feb 1957
Dear Mummy
Just feel in the mood for writing a letter. I will make my shorts do for this term. They're O.K. when pinned! On Sunday Michael D felt like knitting so I lent him some kneedles. He's knitting a hat for himself Yesterday he came to me and said he thought there was something wrong. He'd dropped about eight stitches. I casted on for him and did the first 3 rows. This morning we all overslept untill 7.30 and I'd just got out of bed when M.D. knocked on the door and said he'd ended with a knit instead of a pearl. I had to undo half a row - Oh!!!!
I have been sleeping without pyjamas for the last few nights because every time I have a bath I drop the d things in the water.
Everybody is keen on doing excercizes last thing at night now. I do them with Rose(mary).
Sunday 10 Feb [1957]
On Thursday I went to Wetherby with Rose in the rain. I bought four valentine cards one for Sam, John W, Trevor (the new music teacher) and Dennis. Trevor is a super player. We sit for hours in the music room listening to him.
Didn't do much yesterday. Washed my hair as usual. Last night Sam and Piers Gyngell gave a concert on gramaphone records. Berlioz "Symphonie Fantastique" Brahms something or other.
This morning I went for a walk round the woods and this afternoon listened to Trevor. He played a bit of that Tchaikovsky thing you know!!!! and some Chopin polonaises. It was super. He also plays Beethoven, Bartok, and Debussy. As I have said before he is a hopeless teacher.
Hoppy came over today but didn't stay long
Frank's wife has had her baby - it's a girl!!! I'm so glad. Her first baby died.
20 Feb [1957]
I'm sorry I haven't written for ages but I've been snowed up with work and have been trying to finish my mittens which the gloves have at last turned out to be.
I wasn't too well all last week. I had a boil on my neck then I developed a sty on my right eye. It was a wopper but it is just going down. Rosamond squeezed it last night.
I've got the curse too and a cold and my lips and hands are cracked with the cold. That's why I am behind with my work.
Well now for some news. Everybody found out that the valentines were from me. I sent four and didn't even get one back. On Thursday we saw our monthly reports mine was quite good. The best its ever been I think.
We had the:film on Sat. I advise you to see it and do take Graham. It's called "Where no Vultures Fly", and is about the East Africa National Park. How it came to be. It's very exciting - in colour and the animals are l0000vely.
On Sunday Mick and I knitted - not much happened because I had an extra long siesta. On Monday I got out of hockey because I had the curse and a sty. Today I got out of hockey as well. Rosamond has given me some yeast tablets to build me up.
Oh yes!! On Sunday John W was in bed with a boil on his nose and a cold, so Mick, Galina and I went to see him. He couldn't blow his nose because of his boil. It was so bad he had to have Penicillin tablets - poor chap.
I am making Graham a station in workshop so don't buy him one.
It's the dance this Saturday. I hope it's a success because I feel like something to buck me up. We are getting some new records.
The Staff have got a T.V. in the staff room - our fees - and we can't even have a wireless.
I haven't liked this term so far. When Ruth C-B came Rose paired off with her. We are still friends but not as close as we used to be.
G.C. Music is going down O.K. I like it. French is weedy, Maths hard, Physio needs a lot of learning, Geog tiresome, History the same, Art a waste of time, Workshop
super, Eng Lang and Lit O.K.
Well must close now - am looking forward to the hols.
Sunday 24 Feb [1957]
My stye has cleared up nicely but I have now got a boil on my cheek. Dr. Lodge came up this morning to see me and has given me some red medicine to be taken after every meal - two teaspoonsful. It's loooovely stuff.
Sam is mad on Viv now and she's mad on him so I'm looking for another boy to take my mind off him. Everybody thinks I like Philip C so I have to live up to it.
We had the dance last night. It wasn't bad. I danced with Cassy quite a lot - and Martin Eden and Brian Hill.
This morning I helped Michael D to clean Martin's car. I got looovely and dirty and then Dr. Lodge came. I felt awful. Jeans and wellingtons on.
I am definitely taking Eng Lang this year and maybe Eng Lit. Brian is keeping a close watch on me.
This boil is getting me down. All one side of my face hurts and I can hardly open my mouth.
2 March 57
Please please please can you send me the rest of my pocket money. It's Rosemary's birthday on Saturday and I'm out of dosh.
And please could you get me some knitting - something for you or Graham.
3 March 57
I have been practising in all my spare time now. It's mock G.c. in two weeks but I'm only doing two of them. Lang and Lit.
Last night Paul Hamburger and his wife Esther Salaman came to play the piano and sing. It was very good. I really enjoyed myself. Esther sang negro spirituals and folk songs and we all joined in the chorus. Paul played the piano and some duets with Trevor, my new music master.
This morning I went to Wetherby with Rosemary to see Mrs Crossly a woman who used to work in the kitchen but she was out. I enjoyed the ride - I went on Mick's bike. This afternoon I stayed in bed till three. The wind was blowing on my forehead - it was loooovely. When I came down I meant to do some work but couldn't find my book so I cleared Brian Hill's shelves out for him in the English room. The shelves were terribly dusty and so were the books.
It's Roses birthday on Saturday and I've run out of money so please can you send the rest of my pocket money by Thursday!!! I want to go into Harrogate on Thursday.
Lots of love
Pat
P.S. I laddered my nylons today. I've had them since June and they're the only pair I've got. I am mad.