At chapel and class as usual. Mr Riddell preaching in the morning and didn’t do it so very badly. Mr Best preached at night. I managed pretty well at Sunday School. Had usual walks. Tried to sell tickets for the social, but not much excitement.
14 March 1914; Saturday
Got up about 8 o’clock. Fine morning. Busy at work. Finished in good time. Walked over to Roker with Joe. Big tide on the sea washing up. Road at seaside last†. I went down to Briggs’ and practised a bit. Had short walk with Charlie afterwards. Mother got wash-leather for the boxing gloves.
13 March 1914; Friday
Got up about 8 o’clock. Busy all day. Finished about 5.30. Mr Pike in at night. I got Susie Robson’s songs and tried them over. Had short walk last thing. Went to bed about 11 o’clock. The doctor in and he is not coming until next week. Father downstairs in the front room.
12 March 1914; Thursday
Got up shortly after 7 o’clock. Drilled. Wrote a bit. At work in good time. Not much to do. Mr Briggs came at night. We played until after 9 o’clock. Charlie sang a few songs. Went down to see Mr Morley afterwards and arranged with him for a few “darts†”1. Posted letter for Joe last thing about a job at Newcastle.
“Darts” is a possible reading, but being in inverted commas, it evidently had some special meaning at which it is now impossible to guess. ↩
11 March 1914; Wednesday
Not very busy at work. Finished early. Played a bit. Went to see Mr Morley with regard to the Band of Hope1 social. He was not in but I saw his wife. Read a bit.
Sunderland beaten by Burnley by 2 – 1. At church meeting whether an invitation should go to Mr Chadwick to stay another year2.
“Band of Hope”: See note on 13 January. ↩
Methodist ministers were appointed, for fixed terms of office, by the meeting of members of their chapel. ↩
10 March 1914; Tuesday
At work as usual. Went to choir practice at night. Not much done. Directors’ meeting. I called at the dock and was rather late in getting back. Harry came along for me on Reg’s bicycle. I helped Tom Brake all the afternoon. Rather late in finishing.
9 March 1914; Monday
At work as usual. Busy all day. Played the piano at night. Did a bit work. Read a bit. Went to the post last thing.
8 March 1914; Sunday
Missionary Anniversary. At chapel and School as usual. Mr Baker preached in the morning. A meeting in the church in the afternoon. Mr Shepherd and a Mr Clark spoke. Pretty good meeting. Collections slightly up but no chairman’s donation. Didn’t have usual walks. Night very fine. I stayed to prayer meeting †afterwards to† get collections and square things up. Played the piano. Father improving. I called at Fred Waggott’s1 at dinner time to see about the School. James told Charlie the sketch for the social is off.
Fred Waggott: the family had a long-established butchery business, and were members of the Methodist chapel. ↩
7 March 1914; Saturday
At work as usual. Some excitement through football match. Sunderland 0 versus Burnley 0 for the English Cup. I walked to Roker and back in the afternoon and again with Willie at night. At the lecture at Trinity1 and slipped down the steps and split my trouser knee. Called in at Mr Chadwick’s and made final arrangements with regard to the service tomorrow. Willie in with me and he insisted on his work scheme. Mr Whittaker had Dr Prowse *, and he gave the same verdict as Dr Blair.
“Trinity”: possibly Holy Trinity Church, Bishopwearmouth. ↩
6 March 1914; Friday
Got up rather late. Busy all day. Went for Willie at night and practised for a short time at the organ. Played ping pong until 10 o’clock. I was no use at the game at all.