25 December From GDP/6 AJ AJ was born in 1964. Here, she describes a childhood Christmas. 25 December 1978 Fantastic day. Lots of stuff. Disco dancing fantastic. Orange game. Wokeup at 8:30 got stocking had breakfast. Took 2hrs opening presents. 2 pairs legwarmers shoes Indian jacket shirt [illegible] + lots of other stuff. Went B’s drinks gd. Big lunch. Games in evening.

20 December (post 20 Dec) From GDP/1 AM AM was born in 1937 and grew up in Cumbria. She kept a detailed diary during her teenage years and her early twenties, covering her final years at school, and her first job doing secretarial work in Edinburgh. 20 December 1952 My report came today and seems pretty hopeful regards the prefect business. “AM is making good progress in every way” written incidentally by the C [a teacher]. I think it’s about the best report I’ve ever had – even games was quite good! J, S [friends of the diarist] and I [...]

11 December From GDP/8 John Leeson John Leeson (1803-1865) owned and rented out property in London. In his diaries, he regularly recorded a mixture of his business dealings, family news, and politics. 11 December 1847 Mother got worse on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday + Wednesday. We had Sir James Clark to see her on Thursday who said there was great danger. She was very quiet + composed all day and wished all of us to go to bed at ten of’clock. She also made Nurse go to bed, who got up at 11 of’clock to give her the medicine when she [...]

From GDP/8 John Leeson John Leeson (1803-1865) owned and rented out property in London. In his diaries, he regularly recorded a mixture of his business dealings, family news, and politics. The regular arrivals and departures of servants pepper these diaries. 4 December 1847 Monday – Jane Plours left Mother’s service + she was without a servant on Tuesday + Wednesday and had to do all the work of the house. Wednesday evening – Ann Brown, Uncle Day’s old servant came to live with us. Thursday – Mother taken ill with a cough + cold – kept her bed on Friday, [...]