Summer Term 1959
17 May
Thank you for the letter and £ 1. Kenneth has been ranting and raving at people who haven't given in pocket money so I gave mine to May as soon as it came. So far I haven't had any pocket money out because we haven't been anywhere were money is needed and I've been running up an account with the tuckshop.
I was looking through the Senate minutes one day last term and noticed that it was the tuckshops 10th anniversary this Wed. May 20th. Cassy and I wanted to do something special so we've ordered a completely new stock of sweets we've never had before and have ordered pop. We now sell biros and combs and greatest of all we have negotiated with Mrs Addy (the housekeeper) and managed to get a deep freeze fridge and a stock of ice-creams and lollipops. We tried to keep it all secret but naturally the staff let it out and people were clamouring for ice-cream today. Cassy and I opened for the first time today. On May 20th we are giving every member of the school a free ice-cream and a duplicate receipt. Luckily this has been kept secret so far.
At the beginning of term a new chairman and secretary had to be voted for Senate. I thought I was bound to get in again because nearly everybody nominated stands down. This time Wendy and I stood. It was terrifying watching Roger counting out the pieces of paper because it was obviously going to be pretty close. About halfway through I began to go hot and cold all over and then stopped looking. Then Roger announced that I was the secretary. I think I would have cried if Wendy had got in. She's so untidy and dirty and has awful hand writing - she would have ruined the book. I must show it to you when you come up on Parent's Day. Sometime last week Dilip told me that the vote had been 12 - 10 and that if it had been 11 - 11 Roger would have chosen - and chosen me.
At the time Wendy had a sprained wrist and I remember someone asking her what she would have done if she'd got in. She replied in a most offhand voice "Oh I would have got Pat to do it". I could have throttled her. She seems to be out to get my position.
Dorothy is still in hospital so G D takes us for choir. Sometimes he is so silly and in our GCA Music lessons he just marks our work and sets us some more to do in the lesson. So far he hasn't taught us anything at all. He just says a certain thing sounds ugly but doesn't tell us how to correct it. Ruth and I and many other people are terribly sarcastic and rude to him - he doesn't seem to mind. He's just as rude back so we all get on very nicely.
Monday
I had a History test this morning. I sit down during an assignment period and tell myself I'm going to revise solidly for the period. At the end I'm no better off than when I started because I don't seem to be able to take anything in and remember it.
Last week I got 12 out of20 for an essay on the Peasants revolt - this week I had to write about the wool trade in the middle ages.
Maths is coming on fine - I think. I've got a faint chance of passing this summer. Apart from History and music everything is OK.
My school skirt hasn't arrived yet. Apparently they have been ordered from the factory and they haven't been made yet. I was wearing my sandals last week and Rossy noticed them and told me to ask May for some money and buy some new ones. May wouldn't give me the money because I haven't got your permission. The trouble is I want some strong sandals for everyday use which can also be worn without stockings with a decent dress e.g. my ship dress. So as you can see I don't know what to do because to go with a dress I would need white or light coloured sandals and they would not be suitable for school.
Well I must close now and do my daily dose of maths.
31 May
I have just come into the library to do some work but I thought I would drop you a line first. As I came in Cassy, who is about 17ft away from the door, smiled at me but I could hardly see his features. My eyes are terrible. At the moment I have a mouth full of ulcers; every morning and night I rinse my mouth with bicarbonate soda in water but it doesn't seem to be doing much good.
Yesterday Judy, Diana, Belinda, Edith, Maggy and I went down to help at the British and Foreign Bible Society Fete which was held at Dr Lodge's house. It opened at 3.0 with speeches from lots of parsons. When these had finished we had to serve teas, carry trays to tables for old ladies, clear the tables and wash up and take the clean crockery out to the garden again. At 3.30 there was a dancing display from the Sunday School girls. There were side shows such as skittles, treasure hunt and bang the nail. The prize for the treasure hunt was a large basket of fruit with over 21/worth of fruit.
At 4.0.clock Mrs Lodge said we could have some tea because there was a lull in serving. We took a plate full of cakes and sandwiches and a cup of tea each and tucked in. When we had finished these another lady came up to us and said, "Would you girls like some tea, you've worked so hard". !!!! So we started all over again on salmon, fish, egg, meat sandwiches, sausage rolls, cakes and another cup of tea.
After a while a parson came and asked me if I would look after the book stall for a bit. So Judy and I went along and had a pleasant half hour reading books. Most of them were religious books - eg 'Mary Jones and her bible', Albert Schweitzer, Trevor Hudd1eston, The Gospels etc.
The fete finished about 5.0; the rest cycled back to school and Judy and I helped to clear up, taking tables down and stacking chairs. There was lots of food left over so one of the ladies put it all in paper bags in a box and said we could take it back to school for the form. Then Dr Lodge went dashing around trying to find a parson who was going back to York so that he could give Judy and I a lift to the bottom of the drive. The parson didn't seem to want to take us but in the end he brought us right up to the courtyard. You should have seen Cassy and Ruth McColrns faces when they saw a parson in the courtyard! Anyway it was a jolly good afternoon altogether. By the way there was a reporter there and he took some photos of us for the Wetherby News. I expect we'll be in on Monday.
Tues morning
On Monday morning I had a History test so I swatted for that nearly all Sunday. I think I did quite well in the test. I get so scared before a test that my mind goes blank.
By the way - in music yesterday G D said he thought I was too intelligent to do advanced music because it is an art not a science. After harping on this for a bit he said "Well you're either too intelligent or too stupid"! He's mad!
PS The sandals fit perfectly.
4 June
My ulcers have gone now. The bi-carb must have done some good. I often find that I get a run of ulcers when I'm feeling a bit depressed. I felt a bit depressed last week because Cassy has been worrying about his advanced exams and has been going around looking as though he was about to commit suicide - or something. I had a talk with him a few nights ago - but I can't remember what I said now. Anyway he seems to have cheered up a bit now. At least he answers when spoken to, and smiles occasionally.
We went to see Figaro last night. Of course we were late - arrived just as they were tuning up for the overture. The lights went out and people couldn't find their places, so had to just pile in and sit anywhere. In the interval they sorted themselves out (Cassy and I were in the right places) and Cassy and I went for a drink. It was terribly hot and stuffy in the theatre.
I can't think of anything particular for my birthday. I could do with a new pair of stockings. The ones I have at the moment are almost in ribbons. I could also do with a new suspender belt 24" waist, broderie anglais. Apart from these you can by me a £22 clarinet if you like.
My skirt was ordered about four weeks ago and it hasn't arrived yet so I would be glad of the one you have bought.
I went to Harrogate today to get Cassy a birthday present but couldn't find anything. Have you any ideas?!
5 June
I received your parcel this morning. All the parcels are brought to the hall during break and if one has a parcel it has to be opened in front of everybody else so that Rosamond can see if the garment is marked or not.
I asked her if I could open it upstairs and tell her if it was marked because I object to opening my parcel in front of everybody. She said no so I didn't take it. Towards the end of break Kenneth came and blew me up and asked me if I wanted to open my parcel; I said not in front of everybody. He said it was a school rule and that no exception could be made for VI formers. I was pretty upset because I like to be alone when I open my parcels so that I can enjoy what is in it before other people. Then I started to cry and walked away from him. I went to get the parcel just before lunch and I had to open it in front of Rosamond. Before I had time to look at it she took it, said that it wasn't marked and proceeded to mark it. She didn't even bother to find out whether it fitted or not - I might have had to send it back or something. I then asked Rosamond if we had to open birthday presents in the hall and she said no - but I've seen her making people open birthday presents for everybody to stare at.
Anyway - I think the skirt is fine. I think its too posh to wear as school uniform and I don't suppose I would be allowed to anyway. I have ironed it and tried it on. It fits nicely - nice length. It's sports day tomorrow so I think I will wear it. Cassy likes it and he's usually pretty snooty. Thank you very much. I think the colour is rather sophisticated.
We had a terrific thunderstorm this afternoon. The hut nearly got washed away because the drains were blocked up.
Tonight G D wanted the soloists for the 'Passion'. There were three sopranos, one bass and me (an alto) so I had to do the part by myself. I enjoyed myself tremendously because Ruth C-B wasn't there - she's so good but she tends to drown me.
Sat morning
When I went upstairs last night I found my bed soaked thru. The windows had been open during the storm. I had to get a clean sheet and pillowcase and dry pillow and had to borrow Cassy's rug. Luckily it was a warm night.