Unedited entries from Five-Year Diary

1966
SUNDAY DECEMBER 25th
Christmas Day. Sunny & frosty. Sheaf knife from Auntie Hazel & Uncle Roy. Spirograph from Nanny & Poppa. Sports coat from Mum & Dad & lots of other things. Gave presents too. Went to Auntie Doreens and Uncle Percys then traditional lunch at Nans. Records & TV rest of the day. Taylors came for tea and supper at our house. Full of food. I love Mum & Nan.
MONDAY DECEMBER 26th
Boxing Day. Showers, dull. Taylors went to Gran & Grandpa Taylor in Barry all day. Cold turkey & salad lunch. Afternoon Cardiff 1 C Palace 2 (boo). Farrell sent off.

1967
MONDAY DECEMBER 25th
Xmas Day. Windy, showers. Had watch, recorder, scarf, money – great! I love Mum. Went to Doreens and the Potters in morning. Traditional lunch at Nans. 12 round the table! TV on afternoon and evening. Supper up the road. Bed. Happy but sad.
TUESDAY DECEMBER 26th
Dry. Sunny periods. Boxing Day. Morning – up late, did nothing much. Afternoon City 3 Villa 0 with Tony, Paul & Robert. City down to 8 men + sub but still won! TV etc in evening.

1968
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 25th
Xmas Day. Up at 7.15. Had 2 jumpers, flares, watch strap, crevatte, sponge bag, soccer book, lots of little things. Thank-you to everyone. Then Doreens for small talk and sherry and Potters for much the same. We played in the garden. Then Xmas turkey at Nans. TV and games in the afternoon. Supper up the road. TV etc. I’m happy.
THURSDAY DECEMBER 26th
Boxing day – cold, frosty, very christmassy, snow on the hills. Left at 8.45 with Haydn to see City at Villa. Ma Williams took us to the village where coach picked us up and took us to Bristol and snow-covered Birmingham. Caught bus to ground. A Villa fan nicked my scarf and City end unbeaten run by losing 2-0!! Home in the dark by 9.15. Auntie Hazel & Uncle Roy are there and we watched TV. Robert rang.

1969
THURSDAY DECEMBER 25th
Xmas Day. Dry, sunny & clear. Tim in Clares room, me in my own! Unusually quiet Xmas. Had suit, shirt, brut and tang deodorants etc + money and soccer book. Scrabble, hankies and a bow tie off Auntie Marj and Uncle Bunny! Thankyou all. Felt off all day – filthy cold and headache. Lovely turkey dinner with the Taylors at Nans & drinks. Then our house for telly and more food. Then I felt drowsy and slept. Then came down for supper up the road & TV again. Nice day despite head – happy Xmas everyone. I love Mum.
FRIDAY DECEMBER 26th
Sunny and clear. Day of sniffs and coughs – both Auntie Hazel and Mum ill and I’m bad but recovering. Day of Cold Turkey (not John Lennon!), telly and pyjamas and handkerchiefs etc. Tim played soccer in the morning but I didn’t go to see. Watched telly and stuck with annoying Jane for the rest of the day. Boxing Day soccer games but City not playing.

1970
FRIDAY DECEMBER 25th
Cold, sunny & beautiful. Xmas day. Up at 5 (woken by Tim). Opened presents – mostly much needed cash – thank you everyone. Then Helen arrives & all of us (Mum, Dad, Tim, Clare, Tim, Helen & me) go to Potters for drinks – great fun. Then Helen departs and we have family Xmas dinner at Nans – super! TV & booze before Helen arrives again & I go back to hers to meet her Nan and Auntie, watch telly & have trifle tea. Then telly (colour) all evening before turkey supper & finally I get out about 1. Home. Good. I love MUM.
SATURDAY DECEMBER 26th
Freezing cold & clear. Didn’t go for drinks with Helen in the morning – just not in the mood. Mum gave some excuse about my back! In afternoon me, Robert, Dad & Tim go to see City 1 Swindon 1. Hard game, Warboys debut impressive. In evening me, Helen, Heather & Stuart go for a meal at the Positano in town. Lovely Italian food – prices revolting though!! Then drink back at Six Bells and on to my house for orgy and drink. Mum & Dad next door at Davieses having drinks. End of Boxing Day.

1971
SATURDAY DECEMBER 25th
Xmas day. Up at 8. I get mostly money & a few odds and ends. Tim gets a lot of good stuff. Clare & Tim arrived at about 11. Mum & Dad go up Potters. Clare, Tim, Tim & me go up Nans and have drinks. Then Xmas lunch – super. Wine & sherry. I sleep it off in the afternoon. Evening of telly and playing “Masterpiece”, Tim’s new game. We all watched the late film.
SUNDAY DECEMBER 26th
Dry & dull. Up at 12. Play around. Turkey lunch. Afternoon: Mum & Dad go out, Clare, Tim & I play records and talk. Robert popped around. In evening Monopoly (I win!), Masterpiece etc and Jigsaws. Late to bed. Happy, harmless days.