In which I come towards the end of my
first year at Reading University, am offered a summer job as a
temporary fireman and cycle to Stonehenge to see the Druids' ceremony
of the summer solstice.
Thursday 1 June
I have bought two of the publications of the Railway
Correspondence and Travel Society on the L.C .and D.R. and S.E. and
C.R. These are extremely good although very expensive. They make the
work I have been doing completely redundant. I have had the usual
busy Thursday with two lectures and a tutorial. It started to drizzle
this morning and this became steadily worse until about 6:00. This is
the first rain we have had for a long time and the ground suddenly
needed it.
Friday 2 June I
went down to Sonning to do some more work on the excavations. It
was very hot this afternoon, also very humid which made work very
difficult. I have started trowelling but didn't find anything.
It is rather boring, not nearly so interesting as at Lullingstone.
Saturday 3 June
Went up to Reading General station. There were one or two relief
trains, one of which was hauled by King 4-6-0 No. 6024 which I hadn't
seen before. The latest diesel from North British Locomotive Co.
is D849 which was on the 11.45 to Paddington. This is a regular
turn for engines running in from Swindon. This
afternoon I went down to the river with Johnny to see part of the
Clinker Boat Regatta. It was quite good, the weather was fine and it
was very pleasant. The racing was carried out with two or three boats
at a time, each race being followed by an umpire in his launch of
which there were three. One of the umpires was particularly amusing.
He would stand bolt up right in the prowl with his megaphone under
his arm. His beard was similar to that of W. G. Grace, in all the
pictures. This was topped by a blue rowing cap.
Sunday 4 June I
went out with Johnny and Dave to help Jeremy Whitehead in his survey of
the settlements of the Chilterns. We were dropped close to marlow
on the Henley road. We first surbeyed an RAF station married
quarters and then did our area which contains much woodland and
relatively few houses. It was hot again, similar to yeaterday but
very humid. This made the job rather unpleasant. To add to
this we had nothing to drink and there wasn't a pub in the whole area.
By the time we were picked up again at 6.00 we were very thirsty.
There is some nice prpoerty in this part of Buckinghamshire.
One house even had its own swimming pool. We arrived back
at around 7.00
Monday 5 June
The
weather has been even more hot and humid today and it just made
everyone rather lethargic, consequently there has been a great deal
of discussion and very little action. I went to Dr. Budden's lecture
this morning which was held for this week only in his room. It was
very interesting and I have learned quite a bit. This side of
economics is concerned with mathematics. He is very good when there
is only a few of us. I came back to the digs to copy up a lecture and
then write a few letters. I
went to the Union for lunch and saw a notice concerning vacancies for
firemen on the Southend line. It would be very interesting and I
have written off to see if they will accept me. Went down to
Tilehurst station this evening to do some work.
Tuesday 6 June
Had two letters today concerning vacation work. I have been turned down
at one place but I have to get in touch with G. Freeman Allen later on
to arrange a meeting. This is for a job on the editorial staff of
Trains Illustrated. I
went into David's first thing this morning and did my washing, after
which I did some work. I went down to the river this afternoon to do
some work but it was too Pleasant and I only stayed for about an
hour.
Wednesday 7 June
I wrote a reply to a letter which I had from the railways about the job
of fireman. I am going up to London on Monday for an
interview. The letter was very vague and I don't know whether or
not I have the job. I went down to Sonning with Simon. We have been trowelling all afternoon but found nothing but worms.
Thursday
8 June
Tutorial
this morning with Professor Campbell at 9.00, lecture at 10.00 in the
seminar room and another at 2.15 in the lecture theater. I had a
letter from Roy this morning, he's coming up next week with Clive, Dave Wright and Charles Smith - that should be a great laugh.
Friday 9 June I
went out again on a field survey with Jeremy Whitehead. We went
out into the Chilterns and I was dropped at a place calle Bix with
Pamela Greenway. We did a fair amount of surveying but I could have
done much more on my own because I could have walked further and
faster. Even so she was pretty good company. We had lunch
at Stonor and made our way to Greenway where we were picked up (20
minutes late).Dave
Cameron and I went into Davids this evening to watch TV for the
second night running. There was quite a good program and we didn't
leave there until just before 10:00. 00. I was very tired and went
straight to bed.
Saturday 10 June
I suddenly decided to go to Basingstoke today. I caught the 10.49
diesel from Reading West. It is quite a pleasant ride.
There are two intermediate stations - Mortimer and Bramley, at the
latter are extensive sidings and a big network of War Department
railway. I spent the rest of the morning on Basingstoke
station. There was an almost non-stop stream of trains to
Southampton, Bournemouth, Weymouth , Exeter and stations west. I
had lunch in a pub in town and then had a look around. It
was cold and I caught the first diesel back to Reading arriving back at
about 16.15. We were stopped at Coley Junction for about five
minutes waiting for a train from Newbury. It is interesting
watching the drivers of these trains - there is a good view from the
front seat of the line ahead. These diesel multiple units are
fitted with Automatic Train Control.
Sunday
11 June
The
weather has been very unpleasant today- so much so in fact that I
have done very little all day.
Monday 12 June
Lecture
with Dr. Budden at 9:30 this morning. I went back to David's straight
afterwards and did my washing. There seem to be an extra amount
today. It started raining around at 11:30 and has continued for the
whole of the day right up until at least 11.00. I came back early
(about 3.30) and have been working for the rest of the time except
for a short excursion down to the off license to take back 5/6d worth
of empty bottles.
The next stage of the Kent Coast Electrification on the railways comes
into operation today, This entails the electrification of the
line from Sevenoaks through Tonbridge and Ashford to Dover.

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The Golden Arrow Puffs Farewell
The last of the
Golden Arrow steam engines, the Appledore, came to a halt at Victoria
station last night.
And with a certain amount of ceremony two fitters
removed the nameplate.
It shouldn't really have been a sad occasion. The
Golden Arrow boat train will still run - as it has for 35 years. Now it
wil be drawn by electric locomotives.
But to a man like Mr. Tom Crabb, the 64 year-old
driver, of Melbourne Avenue, Buckland Estate, Dover, the trip from
Dover Marine Station to Victoria Station was a nostalgic one.
Said Mr. Crabb, "I've been driving steam engines for
more than 35 years"
He had spent 30 minutes cleaning the Appledore at
Dover sidings, watching the crowd.
Before the last journey back to London, a motive power
inspector tried to explain the sadness, "Its just that all men here
have
steam in their veins."
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Tuesday 13
June
Went up to London for my interview today. It wasn't until 14.45
but I went up this morning and had a look round first. I caught
the slow train to London which is a multiple unit - I had a front
seat. From Paddington I went to Kings Cross and St.
Pancras. I then went on to Liverpool Street. The station
pilot there is a J69 0-6-0 tank No. 68619, it is kept in marvellous
condition. It is painted in Great Eastern blue lined in red and
edged black with black boiler and smokebox. The coupling rods and
buffer beams are red while all fittings, as well as buffers etc., are
polished. The Great Eastern crest is painted underneath the
number on the bunker. Truly the cleanest engine I have ever
seen. I think I have got the fireman's job. I have to go up again
for a medical examination but apart from that I think it is
alright. I don't think I will have any problem with the medical.
Wednesday
14 June
Went
to the university early to get my essay done. I worked in the library
most in the morning and then went downtown with Dave Cameron. I wrote
the essay this afternoon and then went down to the river to write
some letters. We went to the cinema this evening just for a laugh.
The two films were “The Shadow of the Cat " and " The
Curse of the Werewolf “. Both were X rated. The first was rather
silly it was about a murder which was witnessed by a cat. In the end
the murderers became obsessed with the fear of the cat and they all
died. The second was rather similar to Dracula although it wasn't so
good. In this case the evil spirit was a wolf and it was set in
Spain. I quite enjoyed it although of course it was really far
fetched.
Thursday 15 June
I
have had the usual fairly busy Thursday with a tutorial and two
lectures. Apart from that I have been doing quite a bit of reading.
I'm sure that I am doing more work this term than last. I came back
early to type out the two lecture notes. Mrs Whitehead has been a bit
snarky recently. She was not too bad when I came in until Dave Payne
came in. He immediately switched on the light and she didn't like it
at all.
Went down to Tilehurst station this evening in order to work.
There were a large number of extra trains from Ascot races. As
well, there was a Britannia 4-6-2 and a 2-10-0 which livened things up
a bit.
Friday 16 June Went
out to do some more field work for Jeremy. We went to the area
around Great Missenden and Wendover. I was dropped off just the
other side of Great Missenden from High Wycombe. It was very
pleasant. Once again the weather was kind although it didn't look
too promising at first. I did quite well until I came to some new
building which slowed me down. I think I have broken in my boots
now, it has taken quite a long time but at least they don't hurt now. I
went into Davids to meet the crowd from school. Altogether there
were five of them, Roy Bennett, Clive Grenyer, Dave Wright, Dai Bamford
and Roy Boulton. We had a drink and then it was time for sleep.
I don't know where they have gone.
Saturday 17 June
They
eventually slept in the bike sheds at Whiteknights. I should have
thought there was somewhere better to sleep, but still! This
afternoon we went down to see the regatta. It was quite amusing with
all the people wearing their rowing caps. We went down to the fair
this evening which is near the river on the Tilehurst side of
Caversham bridge. It is quite a big one. The boxing was quite a
laugh. All together we went in twice. There was also some wrestling.
We came back to the Turks Head and had a drink and the boys left for
home at about 11:00. I think they enjoyed themselves
Sunday 18 June Went
to help Jeremy today. We went even further afiekd. I was
surveying an area in the Chilterns near Little Gadderston. We went via
Henley, Marlow, High Wycombe, Wendover and Tring, the first time I have
been to Wendover or Tring. It was a very hot day but was rather
spoiled by my hay fever which was worse than ever. I was quite
close to Dunstable and could see the gliders going up. I didn't
have much time to do the area and I had to walk a long way for a drink.
I was very hot at one time but quickly got cold. I think I
have caught a cold.
Monday
19 June
I
have caught a pretty bad cold, so bad that I didn't go to Dr.
Budden's lecture. I have started working early for this week's essay
because I might be going to Stonehenge tomorrow to see The Druids
ceremony. At the moment I don't feel very much like it.
Tuesday 20 June
I did an essay this morning and then made preparations for the bike
trip to Stonehenge this evening. We left home at about 16.30 and
cycled through Theale and Aldermaston to a spot the other side of
Kingsclere. We had tea at the top of a hill looking over the
Thames Valley. From there we went through Whitchurch and had a
short rest at Andover. We then decided to go via Salisbury.
It is further that way but we thought it would be possible to find a
coffee bar open. We stocked up with drink at Middle Wallop but,
due to the switchback nature of the road, didn't make Salisbury until
after 23.00 by which time all the cafes were closed. The road to
Stonehenge was then in pitch darkness and along a very narrow winding
lane. We arrived at about 00.30. There seemed to be quite a
riot going on up there so Dave Cameron and I tried to get some sleep in
a field.
Wednesday 21 June
At about 02.30 we went up to Stonehenge and met up with the others from
the University. At about 04.30 the Druids appeared and walked
about three times around the circle. They even came inside and
performed their ceremony. Although I was quite close, I could not
see much. The thing I can remember the most is the sounding of a
horn to the four points of the compass.
We started back at 05.00. It was rather a nightmare journey. We
walked up any hills. We went back via Amesbury, Andover and
Salisbury. There were stops at Whitchurch (by a stream),
Basingstoke (cafe), and Reading (stream and pub). Arrived home at
12.00. Very tired. Slept this afternoon. Very tired
now.
Thursday
22 June
Although
I was very tired last night I didn't sleep very well, I think it was
because I slept during the day. I haven't felt too good at all today
and. I went to the tutorial but luckily the comparative government
lecture was canceled. I went around town afterwards and have found
out the times of the trains for the trip up to London for my medical
tomorrow. I didn't go to my other lecture this afternoon but watched
the test match
Friday 23 June
Caught the 09.49 train to Paddington. It was an empty train and I
managed to get the first compartment to myself, it was hauled by County
4-6-0 No. 1018. I went by tube to Marylebone for my
medical. I had to wait some time but the actual examination
didn't last too long. I have passed the medical alright so I
think I have the fireman's job. I
caught the train from Charing Cross to Orpington and arrived home at
about 1.30. Mom was very surprised to see me. I went up the road this
afternoon and have bought an electric razor. At first I had some
difficulty in finding a shop that would accept a cheque. Eventually I
brought a good one - very expensive but it will last me for a long
time. The weather has been really wonderful today. Dad was very
surprised indeed to see me.
Saturday
24 June
It
has been a really marvelous day today, certainly the hottest we have
had this year. It has nearly been too hot for me. I have just been
sitting around reading and writing most of the day.
Sunday 25 June
I
was in the back Garden when there was a bang and a screeching of
brakes. I raced out to the front to see a motorbike in the road and a
three wheeler car with a dent in the back. Luckily no one was hurt
but the whole of the back of the car was knocked off.
Left
home at 7.30 and caught the 7.59 train to Victoria. I took the
9.25 train hauled by Castle No. 5041 back to Reading and arrived back
at 1030.
Monday
26 June
Had
an early lecture this morning after which I came back to David's to
do a little washing and some work. I came home early and have worked
and read for the rest of the afternoon and evening. Except for half
an hour when I heard Beethoven's First Symphony on the wireless
Tuesday 27 June
Have heard about my fireman's job and it seems that I have definitely been
accepted. I will be starting on July 17th and they are now going
to fix me up with digs. Now it is all cut and dried I have
written
to Wales to cancel the working holiday I was going to have at
Ffestiniog.
Did some work this afternoon and then went down to Tilehurst in order
to do some reading. I was there in just over an hour and in that
time I saw a Hall, a County, and a King (4-6-0s) which I hadn't seen
before and also the Bristol Pullman.
Wednesday 28 June
I went to a second hand record shop in the Oxford Road
this morning to inquire about a record which was in the window it was
in very good condition and I have bought it. The pieces are
The Sorcerer's Apprentice Dukas
Rhapsody Espana -Chabrier
Prelude a l'aprese-midi d'une faune – Faure
Bolero - Ravel
Dance Macabre – Saint Saens
The record wasn't published until this year and is an
exceptionally good condition. I have been writing my week's essay
this afternoon. Somehow it seemed to be exceptionally difficult, it
may have been the weather. In any case it took me a long time. I went
into Davids this evening and watched television.
Thursday 29 June
I had a tutorial and a lecture first thing this morning
- the last ones this term and also this first University year. It has
been a wonderful day - so hot I was wondering whether to go to the
economic organization lecture. However I did go, it was quite
interesting.
Went down to Tilehurst station at about 16.00. It was very
interesting to compare the working of the railway today and on
Tuesday. There is one suburban train still hauled by steam.
This is a down stopping train hauled by a 2-6-2T 61xx class. It
gets up quite a speed before slowing down for the stop.We tried to find a barbecue at Whiteknights.
Unfortunately we couldn't find it and finished up at David's.
Friday 30 June
Another even hotter day today. I went into
David's first thing and played table tennis. After that I cycled out
to Burghfield and had dinner in a pub. After that I found a quiet
hedgerow in the sun and spent a quite afternoon sunbathing, writing
letters and reading. I went into David's this evening to watch
Hancock, played table tennis and had a drink

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