May 1982

I was fourteen at the time. In those days, at least, fourteen was the age where girls were their most hormonal, rebellious, sulky, moody and bitchy

On the Falklands front, Britain have bombed Port Stanley airfield. United beat Southampton with a goal from Scott McGarvey!!!!!!!
There was a newsflash which said that there is a full-scale air and sea battle in Falklands area.

I watched Match Time! (Followed by three sides of match analysis – or rather, player analysis).
I went to bed with Dave Ward for clarification, I listened to this geezer on the radio- but it was known across Gtr Manchester as 'going to bed with', the Robert Redford lookalike.

We drove out and had our lunch in Ellesmere. Then we came home. I didn't want to go and I sulked for the entire day

At nine o’clock we set out by coach to Llandudno for Retreat ie enforced religion. It was a most boring journey. Once at Llandudno we sorted out the rooms. After lunch we went for a play on the sands and a paddle in the sea. We also went on the playground. Then we went back and had a film strip which we discussed in groups. Then we made a poster and discussed them. We sang hymns and had tea. We went down to Llandudno and bought crisps from the pub The Snowdon. We prepared a Mass for tomorrow and had a Mass for today.

Then we had a party and a prayer by candlelight. Fr B informed us that a ship has been sunk. On the midnight news during the midnight feast we learnt that it was the HMS Sheffield, and up to thirty have been killed, plus a Harrier pilot.
We had a feast, crisps and drinks, and I was in and out of people’s bedrooms like a yoyo. Then I fell asleep at about 0110.

We had a short morning prayer and did some acting in roles. After lunch we went to town. I lost 70p in the amusement arcade. Then we went down to the beach and paddled in the pools (the sea was miles out).

At Break I went to sit next to Magda – long term. In chemistry we talked about kinetics, and we had the bunsens on to keep us warm. So I melted my ruler, and Clare her pen. Andrea J. just laughed.
I went to orchestra and turned over for Ria.
I watched Top of the Pops. The England World Cup squad sang England We’ll Fly the Flag. Then Glenn Hoddle and Ray Clemence did something that not even The Beatles did – sing on Top of the Pops on two completely unconnected records ie Tottenham Tottenham by Tottenham Hotspur. Then Steve Archibald did what only Ray Clemence and Glenn Hoddle have done – sing on two records – ie I Have a Dream – The Scottish World Cup squad.
Then Paul and Stevie sang Ebony and Ivory. But, best of all, Paul was chatting to Simon Bates. He’ lovely! And that voice…!!! I would love to have been in that audience this evening. But trouble is, two things. His bitch of a wife was there, and I noticed a bit of middle aged spread.
I listened to Dave Ward until 0015. It was terribly boring – all about local elections. No brain teaser, no Terry the Tug, no under the bedclothes and no earnibbling.

At lunch I did Magda and Andrea Bu’s Music homework. I didn’t go to the music lesson – instead I had a percussion lesson.

I watched Football Focus. They showed the goals of the FA Youth Cup final and mentioned one of United’s players – none less than Pete Doc son of a rather famous ex-Manchester United manager..., or known to 3M, as the lad who always walks Sarah D home from the bus stop. Norman Whiteside is in N. Ireland’s squad of 40 for Spain. This is utterly amazing. I wonder if he will be in the 22. I think Pele made his World Cup debut at 17. So, Pele the second!

I went to orchestra. We played three dances by Delibes; a Russian dance by someone; and Invitation to the Dance by Weber. Then I caught the bus to the opticians and got my new glasses (ugh). blue NHS specs. Not nice!

In Geog we went over our tests 14½ on 30 was my mark I wasn't thick, bu tI was dropping Geography which I hated and I couldn't e bothered to revise for the test. In English we discussed the Falklands. In PE we did the 800m. I managed to get round 400m non-stop, and get a final score of 4 mins 27 seconds.
I listened to Cuddly Dave, the Steve Davis lookalike.

Andrea M told me that when St Hugh’s won the Ciba-Geigy Seven-a-side tournament, Arthur Albiston and Denis Tueart presented it.
In the Sale and Altrincham Messenger there is an enormous feature on The Robins, Altrincham were in the FA Trophy final...those were the days and there’s the usual ‘Good luck at Wembley’ etc from loads of local firms. One said ‘Good luck to Altrincham at Wembley from Manchester United Football Club’. Nothing from Shitty City, though.

At lunched I messed around with Bobby (Ria). We were stood on the corridor when Ray L percussion teacher, although by then I had moved onto Paul P walked past, dressed in tight blue canvasses and a tight blue and white checked shirt. Ooh!
In English, we were chucked out of the classroom there was a new storey being built above us, so we went on the Broadwalk, and read. Ray drove past. We waved to each other and Mrs L’s eyes popped out! I spent all lunchtime sunbathing.
I went out with Mummy to see Gregory’s Girl and Chariots of Fire, and met up with Clare and Magda. The former was excellent – very funny and very modern – whilst Chariots was excellent in a different way. I think it WAS the better.

I watched Get Set for Summer. Simon Le Bon sang Lonely In Your Nightmare still my fave DD song with great expression. Duran Duran sang Hungry Like the Wolf. My goodness, Simon Le Bon is GORGEOUS! huh? I don't remember fancying him...Anything in trousers, I expect...
I listened to Simon Cole live from Old Trafford. His special guest was George Best, who was reading out requests and dedications. He read my request!!!!!!!!!! George Best said my name on the radio!!!!! United beat Stoke.
I read while contemplating the beautiful storm. I watched Val Doonican, whose guests included Sky.

I watched the Snooker Final. Alex Higgins won against Ray Reardon.

At Break I chatted to Andrea and Judy about United v Stoke, and Higgins v Reardon

In French we had to write some sentences in rough without consulting anything. Needless to say I checked like mad. God, the lies me and Clare made up.
No more United matches until August. I don’t know how I’m going to cope. And if the season begins the same weekend as it did last year I’ll miss the first home match (I presume United’s first match will be at Old Trafford this year) cos we will be coming home from Suffolk.
The highest New Entry is Goody Two Shoes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (No, I must stop this. I mean, when it gets to number one I will have to fill at least three lines with exclamation marks).

In Geography we did farming in Norway. In History we did more of the French Revolution. Mrs Mc had to bring Tomas in cos the babyminder was ill. He’s lovely!
I got a letter from Susanne. When she went to the Spurs match, her brother had a nose bleed, and had to go the First Aid room. To get there you have to go through private gates, and also past the players’ lounge. At the end of the passage nearby, just coming out the door was……Scott. He gave her a grin. Then they had to go through the players’ tunnel, and just behind were Glenn Hoddle etc going out to check the pitch

I watched TOPT. Adam Ant sang Goody Two Shoes. It was absolutely magic. The Adam we know of old was there, with his fabulous war dances. I was really impressed. My goodness, he is LOVELY, FIT, GORGEOUS, ACE, BEAUTIFUL, COOL, DARLING, ETC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I adore him. He’s marvellous, gorgeous amazing. I was so WOWED. I didn’t think he could be so good! And this is a loyal Antperson speaking! He was actually in the studio. He was very very good – very professional, yet looking as though he was enjoying himself. Too many women around him for my liking though! I was blown out of my mind, wowed! Oh, Adam! d'ya think I was a fan?
I went to bed with Dave Ward, the Bryan Ferry lookalike.

Whilst we were waiting for Assembly, Andrea informed me that she KISSED Steve Davis on Wednesday. At Break she told me all about meeting Steve Davis. I do envy her!
In English Mel, Finola, Kerstie and Clare did their speeches and poems. We had a vote on them, and Clare won overwhelmingly.
I had a game of football with Math. He won 13-10. I watched the news. We have invaded the Falklands.

Cup Final – Spurs 1 QPR 1
I watched Val Doonican. His guest included Keith Harris and Orville and Marti Webb.

The Infant 3s made their First Communion. They looked dead sweet.

I finished reading The Pursuit of Love and started Love In a Cold Climate.

In PE we did tennis. Clare and I beat Kathy and Magda 2 games to love. The only points were won by me. In Maths we did yet more transformations (is this possible, I ask myself)

In Maths we did the same as bloody usual. We got our homework back. I got ten on ten! Swot!
Instead of most of English we had a fire drill and then we read a poem. In PE I played tennis, ran 200m, played tennis, ran 200m. played tennis and ran 400m shome mishtake shurely . -this must have been my term of being into PE. How sad...
At tea, Pauline And Math were calling me names – Stephanie Coppell, Briony Robson, Georgina Best and Frances Stapleton, for example, so I asked Daddy what the feminine of Scott is. He said it’s probably Pict.
I listened to Newsfile. Another Type 42 destroyer (similar to HMS Sheffield, and I presume, HMS Manchester) has been sunk. Her name is HMS Coventry.
I watched Villa v Bayern Munich (European Cup). In the ads beforehand, there was a brill as for Pomagne using Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. The commentator was Brian Moore with inane comments from Brian Clough.
The second half was magic, beautiful, brilliant, particularly when in the 22nd or 23rd minute of the half Peter Withe scored. We won!!!!!!!! We being a) an English team in time of War and b) Aston Villa, the favoured team of Clare, daughter of a Brummie

Once at school Clare went mad over Villa. At Break she graffitied the board about Villa the blackboard, with chalk. We did it a lot .
In Chemistry we had a most interesting time. I told Mr D that Ria is very upset, cos she likes him so much, and he keeps shouting at her, so he said he wouldn’t shout if she behaved herself.
I watched the FA Cup Replay. It made me cry to see Ricky Villa doing a pitch inspection with Keith Burkinshaw. He received an exceedingly warm reception. When he was sat on the bench, he looked a sad sight – this VERY talented footballer, having to miss such an important match through no fault of his own. He has kept his mouth shut, kept his opinions to himself, and is made to suffer, while Ardiles (Lieut. Ardiles, the Guardian call him) shows, not political bias, but pure hatred for the country which made him so welcome, and okay, he also missed the Final, but at least he has the World Cup. Spurs won.

Until lunch we watched the Pope’s Mass at Westminster Cathedral.

I watched the Pope in Canterbury. Leaders of various churches placed a lighted candle for modern day martyrs. The Pope for a priest who starved in Auschwitz to save the life of a fellow prisoner; Archbishop Runcie for Archbishop Oscar Romero who was killed in San Salvador Cathedral; somebody for a Lutheran Monk who was killed in Germany for opposing Hitler; the leader of the Presbyterians for Martin Luther King; The Dean of the Chapter for all the unknown martyrs; and the Cardinal of Kampala for an archbishop who was killed in 1975 by Idi Amin.
Daddy, Mummy and Pauline were watching the Pope so Math and I played Gyro Tennis. I watched Cannon and Ball, the only reason being that their special guest was Adam Ant. Tommy and Bobby covered themselves with war paint, and on walks Adam in a suit and only a little make up. I played Gyro-tennis again and watched the Val Doonican Music Show, with guests Charlene, David Soul and Wall Street Crash.
I watched the highlights of England winning 1-0 at Hampden.

The Pope was on the telly but I found it very boring so I played badminton in the garden with Math. Then I sunbathed. They were watching the Pope at Speke airport so Math and I played football in the garden. The Goodyear Airship came over, presumably on its way to Heaton Park. We got a lovely view.

They were watching the Pope at York, so Math and I played Gyro tennis and then backgammon. I think it was terribly Christian of me to keep my seven year old brother amused whilst the religious nuts watched The Pope, don't you?