Girls' Fun - Part One

The first page of the Girls' Fun Annual, 1952 reads thus:

The Jolly Jays, by Catherine Nicolle.

"There's been another burglary near the school. That makes the third in just under a week."
So declared John Denvers as he looked up from the newspaper he was reading and ran a hand through his tousled black hair.
"Wouldn't it be thrilling if we could catch the burlgars?" said Jill Easton, eagerly.
"Wouldn't it just! What a feather in the cap of the Jolly Jays if we could. Let's hear what Jenny has to say when she gets here," added Jill's twin brother, Jack, just as excitedly.
The trio were seated in one corner of the common room of Chelmdene Camp School, and were waiting for the fourth member of their little band. That was Jenny Blake. Tea was over and they were wondering how they could fill in the rest of the evening. Jenny should have been with them, only she had had to take some lines to Miss Chalders. That was Jenny all over!
If red hair has anything to do with pluck and daring, then there was no one in the whole school to compete with her. Not only did she have a mass of flaming red hair, but also she had all the qualities which go with it. Jenny Blake was the acknowledged leader in any scrape that was going, and also the shining light of the four Jolly Jays.

Turn the page, though, and you find this:



The first entry in the diary:

Thurs 27th Dec 1984 (Clare is 15 years old)

Dear Diary - I haven't written to Alice Moore* for ages but you can replace her and I won't say Dear Diary every day cos it looks silly, gets on my nerves and I can't be bloody bothered.

Had a reasonable Xmas. First one where I didn't get terribly depressed and rush off somewhere for a cry. But did get v. depressed at one point and had to go out in garden to calm down. Was v. nice, quiet and peaceful, but v. dark and rather frightening. Didn't cry. Just stood outside the front door with a torch and lots of gloves and stuff.
I missed Philip.
Had some interesting philosophical arguments with Uncle D. I reckon he respects you more if you argue with him. Mum reckons I was too cheeky.

Sat 29th Dec 1984

Rang Philip about playing our piece at J&S's on NY Eve. My heart kept overbeating and it was only the phone!
TAKE NOTE:- Philip Dorman is NOT my boyfriend (yet)

Sun 30th Dec 1984

I'm wasting this holiday very talentedly. Have done nothing but lase around all day and NO WORK DONE!

Mon 31st Dec 1984

NEW YEAR'S EVE

Duet at J&S's with Philip.
Philip rang in afternoon to say he would only stay at J&S's for an hr then go on to a NY party. Wasn't surprised.
J&S's: Was nice to see Philip. Rest of evening was boring. Played murder in the dark. Drank champagne at midnight and everyone kissed everyone. YUK!
I made one resolution out loud: To pass my O-levels. But I also made one privately: I RESOLVE TO KISS PHILIP BEFORE THE END OF 1985.

Tue 1st Jan 1985

3.40pm. Nothing has happened yet today.
4.05pm. I am a bit happier now. Before I was depressed cos I was thinking about Matthew. But I won't let him depress me any more. He doesn't deserve to succeed in conquering me that well, and anyway, I'll see him in a fortnight.
12.30am. Nothing has happened since 4.05, except I've started doing the patchwork I got 4 Xmas. Quite good. Queer noises coming from stereo. Whole family investigated. Has now disappeared.

Wed 2nd Jan 1985

Went into town. Had hair cut in bob. Looks v. great! Bought a new D. Bowie album: HUNKY DORY. Played it. It's v. great too! Saw Matthew twice. He giggled and hid behind a friend. I ignored him and crossed the street.
Didn't do any revision.

Fri 4th Jan 1985

Anyone reading this diary will think I'm obnoxious. I've just read some of it and I sound awful!
I LOVE PHILIP
Wish I hadn't seen Matthew on Wednesday. Makes me dread seeing him next Thursday even more. Mum had a piano lesson. Paid me 25p to keep out of the way. P teacher was 1 hr late so I hid away in my room and wasted a whole hr for nothing.

[Adrian Mole says "I don't want to die an unqualified virgin"]
Me neither, but that's no reason for Matthew to take liberties and then pretend I didn't even exist.

Sat 5th Jan 1985

Kirsty met Mac, her boyfriend in town but quarrelled with him straightaway and so was depressed all day and we didn't go round town wiv him so I didn't get to meet his fantastically good-looking friend wot woz wiv him. Kirsty really cares about Mac, so I got 'em back together again just before I went home.
Did most of my history project. Mum is v. pleased.

Sun 6th Jan 1985

Yesterday I saw a gorgeous bloke on TV ever so like Andrew Harris; made me pine over Harris, and wonder about asking him out. I really did like him, Philip's wrong about me hating him, but Philip thinks that we had it off, and we didn't. But what we did do I enjoyed. He's the only boy I know who's been so gentle and considerate and understanding and undemanding. But I can't tell Philip that. I'VE JUST REALISED! PHILIP MUST BE GOING SKIING EVER SO SOON! GOD, I'LL MISS HIM! I HOPE HE SENDS A POSTCARD LIKE LAST TIME.
Rang Philip. He was v. friendly, as usual. Arranged to call for him Tues to take him to CND at this girl's wot he doesn't know, but I do.
School again tomorrow and I've done hardly any work!


* Alice Moore was my fictional friend. My letters to her are a whole other story.

[I'm transcribing edited highlights of a diary I kept when I was 15 / 16 years old, in 1985. Index here.
I'm going to post edited** highlights from this diary once a week, I reckon. I'll do a week at a time.]

** I've removed the boring bits about hair, clothing and exam revision. There's also a lot of personal stuff in the diary about one of my best friends Sally, but I've edited it all out. I know she reads this blog, and I didn't want to violate her privacy.