"I was 3/4 hour late and consequently was in the dog house all night."

Mum's diary from July 1962

After my dad died in 2010, my sister was clearing out his house – the house we grew up in – and found a small suitcase in the loft.

The case was full of stuff that Mum, who died in 1999, had saved, but had never mentioned. Letters, cards, postcards, photos, programmes from shows, even things like dry cleaning receipts from when she lived in America in the early sixties.

I’m going to write about it all.

Don’t know when this was taken, but she looks young.

Mum’s 1962 Diary

Sunday July 15 1962

Had a game of golf with Barb, Walter and Brian then back to Barb’s for supper.

Monday July 16 1962

Overslept. Arrived in work 9.15am.

Gaumont with Harry to see Peter Sellers in Waltz of the Toreadors. Then for a run on the scooter.

Tuesday July 17 1962

Went for coffee with Pat straight from work.

Bleached Barb’s roots. Brian called in for a few minutes, had a bath and an early night.

Wednesday July 18 1962

Stayed in at Harry’s.

Thursday July 19 1962

Out with Harry (can’t remember where).

Friday July 20 1962

Went out with Brian in the car. Had a driving lesson on the prom¹, then went for a run².

Saturday July 21 1962

Blackpool with Bar, Walt, Brian. Had our tea then went round the fair. Great.

Harry called down for a few minutes and brought the Wallasey News, wonders will never cease.

Dot became an aunty.

Sunday July 22 1962

Did lots and lots of washing, a little ironing and a little altering.

Monday July 23 1962

Capitol with Harry to see The Pot Carriers and Spin of a Coin.

Sent a thank you note to Judy.

Tuesday July 24 1962

Bought a dress.

Out with Brian in the car.

Wednesday July 25 1962

Stayed in at Harry’s. I was 3/4 hour late and consequently was in the dog house all night.

Thursday July 26 1962

Stayed in and went to bed early.

Friday July 27 1962

Out with Brian for a run in the car. I drove as far as Arrowe Park, but I was completely hopeless.

Saturday July 28 1962

Grand with Barb, Barb, Johnny, Walter and Brian then back to Barb’s for a party. Barb had a very nice surprise for me, a cake with ‘Bon Voyage, Maureen’ on the top.

Sunday July 29 1962

Wheatsheaf with Barb, Johnny and Brian.

Monday July 30 1962

Late again.

Rang Harry.

Out with Harry.

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1. She never did learn to drive.

2. In the car.