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In which I continue my studies at Reading
University and take a job delivering mail at Christmas.
Books Read in 1960 Thursday 1 December Went into the library to collect the book which I have reserved on the lL.B.&S.C.R by C.H. Ellis. It is very good indeed and contains much information which I have been wanting for some time. I also went into Barnes and Avis and found out about music scores. They are not as still as expensive I had feared. This evening I went into one of the studies and did an essay on the British Constitution which has to be in by next Tuesday. It wasn't as difficult as I had expected. Friday 2 December Saturday 3 December I went down to Reading General station with Johnny Marsh this morning. It was vastly different from normal. The 11.31 arrival came in on platform 5 instead of platfrom 9 and the through fromOxford, hauled by a Hall was stopped topick up passengersat 11.45. The 11.35 arrival (1A30, due to depart at 11.45) didn't arrive until 11.57. I don't know if the timetable has been changed or if things were messed up. The drivers were non-committal and inferred that this has been the state of affairs for weeks past which I know isn't the case. I also saw a Manor No. 7820 on an up freight and a Warship class diesel going light in the Swindon direction. I played for the 3rd XV against Newbury. We played on the 1st XV pitch which was under about 6 inches of mud, the water in the holes was 6 inches deep. Needless to say it was a very muddy game - the mud smelt up to high heaven. It was a scrumming game entirely which we won 6-0, both scores being from tries scored from scrums close to their line. Sunday 4 December Weather hasn't been too good today. It was raining until just after breakfast, after which there were showers which gradually died out in the afternoon. The wind has been very strong indeed, in fact I was nearly blown off my bike. There has again been extensive flooding in many parts of the country including Wales and the southwest. The Kennet is still in flood - the valley behind us is well underwater. Went into David's and had a bath to get out some of the mud from my hair after yesterday.
Monday
5 December
Tuesday
6 December Wednesday 7 December
Thursday
8 December Friday
9 December Saturday 10 December I went down to Reading General station this morning as usual with Johnny. The trains were a little mixed up but most were quite good. There were great variations, e.g. the down stopping train to Cheltenham was seven minutes early (diesel hauled - normally steam) whereas the up Mayflower was at least ten minutes late as was the 11.45 departure from Taunton to Paddington. Went around the town this afternoon and also watched wrestling on the TV in the Griffin room. This evening we had quite a time! There was quite a crowd of us, myself, Tony, Tommy, Alan, Dave, Johnny and David. We went to the bar in the Union then back to David's and took over the Long Room. We miessed about, during which time Dave Cameron was carried down and deposited in the Griffin room amongst a large number of people all quietly watching TV in the dark. Sunday 11 December It has been bitterly cold today and this hasn't done my cold any good. I've been snuffling all day. Went out this morning with Johnny Marsh to try to get around the engine sheds of the western region but we were turned back. We went to the diesel depot and I told they didn't mind people going around but again we were turned out. I don't think very much of WR public relations. Went into David's this afternoon to see the Sunday film and also this evening. Mr. Beech has played my new record and says there are two points where it jumps. I'll take it back to the record shop tomorrow. Monday
12 December Tuesday
13 December Wednesday
14 December Thursday 15 December After a lecture at 10.00 I raced back, collected my bag and just managed to catch the 11.58 train train from Reading South. I changed at Waterloo and caught the 13.30 to Orpington, arrived home at about 14.15 Mum was surprised because she didn't expect me home so early. Haven't done much - it took quite some time to unpack my case which was very heavy. Dad was pleased to see me but Nin didn't seem unduly worried - she was annoyed because as soon as I came home I started to delouse her. Auntie Pat and Uncle Reg came down in the evening.
Thursday
16 December. Saturday 17 December I started work this morning as Christmas Casual Officer No. 168 on Postal Round No. 81. I had to get up at 06.00 in order to be at the Post office by 07.00. My round is right out by Pratts Bottom and Chelsfield. This morning I had to walk round as my bike is up at Reading but this afternoon the postman, whose route this normally is, managed to borrow a bike for me. We walk up Sevenoaks Road to the roundabout at Green Street Green and our first stop is the Larcher Garage, then via some farm cottages to the Hillside. After the Hillside, which is really steep, we make our way along Sevenoaks Way, cross over at the garage and then into Turnpike Drive. After this we go up Chelsfield Hill and along Church Road, finishing up at Court Lodge. We make our way back past Chelsfield Church, Court Road and Spur Road. I have quite enjoyed it. Sunday 18 December It has been very damp today. Have been pottering around for most of the day. Burnt up too old cases this morning and also helped in the back room. This afternoon we changed all the furniture around. The front room is now a sitting room, we have a television and the suit in there while the back room is now a dining room with the table and chairs. I think this is a much better idea because it means that the rooms of the house are being used more fully.. Monday 19 December It was raining this morning and this made it quite unpleasant on the rounds. It became heavier as time went by until it was very heavy around Turnpike Drive. After this it became lighter and stopped by the time I went back to work at 13.00. I couldn't borrow a bike this afternoon and had to walk except for a lift in a GPO van as far as Green Street Green roundabout. It was quite pleasant this afternoon although the last part was done in complete darkness. I put in an hour overtime. I went round to the new library in the Priory Gardens which was opened today. It will be quite good when it is in full swing although there aren't many books there. Tuesday 20 December Another wet day today. Both this morning and this afternoon I caught a 51A bus up to the Rose and Crown at Green Street Green and started from there. It is much easier and the bus fare, 6d, is refunded by the Post Office. It was particularly bleak this afternoon. It had stopped raining by the time I had reached Turnpike Drive and a heavy mist started to come down. It was quite bleak along Church Road - it could easily have been in the middle of Dartmoor. I put in 1 hour 40 minutes overtime today (about 8/4d less tax). Have been wrapping up my presents for Christmas. Wednesday 21 December It was raining again this morning though not really hard. I caught a 51A up to the Rose and Crown and carried on up to the Hillside. After that I did Chelsfield Hill and Church Road on my own and made my way back to the office. It wasn't difficult trying to last out the time in order not to get back before 11.00. I went around this afternoon by bike.This evening I went over to Colin Bishop's in Eltham. I took some records over and we played records the whole evening. Got a lift back part of the way. Thursday 22 December For once it hasn't rained all day. I managed to get a bike for both times so it has been quite easy. We had a very heavy delivery this morning, it was two full bags, but this afternoon it was lighter than usual. This is a really light duty really, the stress is not on the number of houses but on the distance. Friday 23 December I went on foot both times today. It has been showery all day, not enough to take off a raincoat but not enough to warrant wearing one. One old boy got a bit shirty about a magazine which had been delivered but which had got wet and was badly torn. It wasn't me and I told him so. Then he asked me to get in touch with the Postmaster and I told him to do it himself. When I got home this evening Dave Waywell was waiting for me. He had sent a card but it had come adrift in the post. We played table tennis in the evening. Saturday 24 December What a strange Christmas Eve! I have been working all day. The first delivery was very heavy and we didn't get back until 11.25. The second delivery took, perhaps, the longest to sort out with the result that we didn't leave until about 15.40 (and I was due to book off at 16.20!). We did practically the whole of the second delivery by torch light although the moon did help towards the end. It had been showery but these gradually gave way to a clear sky in the evening. I arrived back at the Post Office at about 19.40 and stayed on sorting until abut 20.20. I arrived home dog tired. I had intended to go up to David Tyler's to give him his present but I was too tired. It was too late so I phoned him up he's coming over tomorrow. Sunday 25 December Christmas Day. I had to get up at 06.30 in order to complete my commitments with the Post Office. The cloud quickly thinned out until we had some long periods of sunshine. Walking out in the country in the early morning with a light frost wsas really pleasant. As I got towards the end of my round a man opened the door, wished me "Merry Christmas" and gave me an envelope with some money in it. As my last duty I went to the Coach and Horses in the High Street and had a whisky mack with the postmen. I came home just before 13.00 then I opened my presents. In thinking about my postman job I don't believe "borrow" is the right word to describe how I obtained a bicycle. "Steal" might be a better term. My postman would go along the line up of Post Office bicycles and choose one with a low numbered route. These were the routes closest to the Post Office and required less walking. However, they were taken by the most senior men so we had to be careful which one we took. I have had mostly money but also a shirt, vest and socks as well as a book on Lifemanship by Stephen Potter. The rest of mum's family came down to tea including Pam, Len and Hilary who I hadn's seen for about one and a half years. Hilary is now three and a half. Got to bed about midnight. Monday 26 December Boxing Day. Although I went to bed very early for Christmas night I didn't wake up until about 10:30 with the result that everything was late. I had intended to go up to Oaklands for dinner but I went up after dinner which wasn't over until about 3:00. Arrived at Oaklands at about 4.30 after walking up Shire lane. They were all pleased to see me. The Russells came up later on to tea and didn't go until gone 11:00 with the result that I haven't got to bed very early. Richard has rigged up a two-way radio between the two bedrooms.
Tuesday
27 December Wednesday
28 December Thursday 29 December It has been very cold most of the day. There was a thick frost this morning and it was freezing around 8:00 this evening. Have been carrying on with the model engine this morning, it is practically complete, I went up to see Auntie Liz this afternoon, she was very pleased and surprised to see me. Her chimney was smoking so she could only have a very small fire indeed. There has been trouble in Belgium where there has been a general strike for the last ten days in protest against the Belgium governments austerity program.
Friday
30 December Saturday 31 December This is my last entry for 1960. I played for 'Combe 2nd Colts against the Old Brockleians this morning. We scored first but were 5-3 down at half time. A try put us 6-5 up but they scored again so they were 8-6 up until about 3 minutes from the end. Then we had a penalty under the posts so we won 9-8. A very close finish. I spent the rest of the day at David's. I arrived home at about 1115 and saw the New Year in although I don't know why. This has been quite an eventful year, particularly for me with the "A" level and then going from Eltham to Reading University. This was quite a break as it was the first time I have lived away from home. Dad has had an operation and seems to have much more life in him and has redecorated half the house. Many important developments have taken place this year, perhaps the most interesting to me being the complete reorganization of the British Transport Commission. Well I hope I can keep up my diary all next year.
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