Busy all day. Annual general meeting at Newcastle and Mr Lawson at the office. We got through the work very well. Went down to choir practice. But Mr Blaikie didn’t turn up. I played the tea† time through once and then Willie went on.
Yearly Archives: 2014
13 July 1914; Monday
Got up about 7.45. In good time for work. Took over and typed summary. Got through all right. Warm day. Went down to Grandmother’s at night Ned Smith came in for drink. Did a bit writing and got diary up to date.
12 July 1914; Sunday
Got up about 9 o’clock. Didn’t go to chapel but had early dinner. Hurried over to Osborne Street to the funeral. Charlie and I were in the cab. Very quiet and orderly funeral. A girl fainted at the grave side. Rev Mr Burt, junior minister in Dock Street circuit conducted the services. We stayed to tea and then came over in the car1 with Lily. Met some of the Gurneys including Ernie Gurney who had been at the paper works. My turn for children’s service at night. Our Charlie helped me. We had pretty good meeting. Mr Hunter preaching and was fair but I didn’t like his manner. Had short walk and talked to Mr Blaikie until late. Uncle Ned buried.
“Car” means “tram-car”, as usual. ↩
11 July 1914; Saturday
Walked up to the town with Charlie in the morning. Met Edward Hodges in Crowtree Road and talked with him for a long time. Called at Grandmother’s on Saturday afternoon and went with Charlie and Jack to Caslaw Tate1 stall and spent most of the afternoon waiting for Jack outside the shops. Went to Roker at night and heard Lucas’s band. It was very good and there were a good many people down. Came home fairly late.
If “Caslaw Tate” is correct, it is possibly Caslaw, Hayter & Tate, the principal local men’s and boys’ draper. ↩
10 July 1914; Friday
Got up about 9 o’clock. Got luggage packed. I called at station and arranged for it to go. Had dinners and went up to the moors and read until train time. Left Bowes at 3.18. Arrived Sunderland about 7.30. Met Mr Whittaker at Durham and came down with him in the train. Had short walk at night with Charlie. Father and Mother went down to see Grandmother. Charlie and I met Willie and Lily in the town at night.
9 July 1914; Thursday
Went nowhere particular. Walked over the moors to Bowes in the evening. Went down to Gilmonby in the afternoon and read there. Fine day after the storm. Had short walk about the village at night. Moors very fine last thing. I wrote long letter to Ernie and told him all the news.
Received postcard from Jack and letter from Joe (per bus-train†) telling us of the death of Uncle Ned. We altered our plans and arranged to leave tomorrow.
8 July 1914; Wednesday
Got up rather late again. Family went to Barnard Castle. Charlie and I walked over the moors to Cotherstone and train to Middleton. We went in the motor bus to High Force1 and stayed there a short time. It rained shortly before we left. Heavy thunder shower and some thunder as we crossed the moors. Rather an experience. Moors very wild and the clouds very low. We were drenched and had to change all our clothes. Had short walk about the village at night.
Uncle Ned2 died. He took very ill early Monday morning and had to be taken to the infirmary at once to be operated upon. He never recovered but gradually sank and was in terrible pain.
High Force: A waterfall on the river Tees, location marked on map. See also Bowes map. ↩
As noted earlier, Uncle Ned was Edward Beauman Linfoot, father of Charles Edward Linfoot. ↩
7 July 1914; Tuesday
Got up late as usual. Took Father round by Rokeby and Greta Bridge. Inclined to thunder but got out fine. Called at Egglestone Abbey again. Got 5.47 train back to Bowes. Had walk at night and looked for more flowers.
6 July 1914; Monday
Got up about 6.20. Walked in to Barnard Castle with Joe. We mistimed ourselves and had to hurry. Joe left us near to Barnard Castle and ran to the station. We were terribly hot and tired. Sat in the Bowes Museum grounds and read a bit and then walked out to Egglestone Abbey1 and had lunch there. Fine day. Crossed Abbey Bridge and paid our toll. Had lemonades and a ginger beer. Got 3.45 train back to Bowes. Had short walk at night. Fine day.
Received flower books from Ernie and sat a bit at night.
5 July 1914; Sunday
Got up late. Had walk by Spital Way with Father and Charlie. Stayed in in the afternoon and read and wrote up diary. Rather dull. Went to Wesleyan chapel at night. Better services but much smaller choir and congregation. Preacher not so talkative and apparently more sincere. Had short walk afterwards. Fine night.