New Hoard My Lovelies
We have had an unexpected and generous visit from a benevolent benefactor, he has presented us with 15 diaries by 15 different characters. And by golly do they differ. To read more come and visit.
Oedipus
From GDP/44 DM DM (born 1921) was married to a former Naval officer and lived in Hampshire at the time this diary entry was written. 24 August 1974 P [the diarist’s husband] kept me in bed for breakfast, which was gorgeous luxury. I had a bath when I got up, gave our bedroom a dust and hoover, then came downstairs to get a cooked lunch, which we had outside, and also did one tubful of washing. I peeled a lot of apples, then stewed them with the blackberries we’d picked yesterday to go in the freezer. Began mending the raspberry [...]
New Patron: Michael Palin
Dear Diarists, We are very pleased and proud to announce our new patron: Michael Palin. This iconic gent has - in between becoming an internationally acclaimed and well loved star - kept a diary. He is about to embark on a nationwide tour which is based on the life-record he has diligently and lovingly kept over the years. Expect a fun time. you can find information on his website : www.themichaelpalin.com. Diary lovers might like this link in particular: http://www.themichaelpalin.com/write_it_down/ Thank you, Love the GDP
Exciting Diary Event
The Poetry School Workshop Location TBC London, 27 June 2015, open to all, with Julia Bird and Laura Barnicoat During this event we will take you on a guided tour of the collection’s highlights in search of inspiration, discussing the varied impulses and styles of the diaries that have been building over the past couple of years. Then you’ll work on a series of diary-related reading and writing activities. Expect to be leafing through Larkin, MacNeice, Olds, Nin, Borodale and other diary-lovers, and bring a favourite published diary to work with (real or fictional, anything from Pepys to Bridget Jones). [...]
It’s a Dog’s Life
It really is. This is possibly the only personal narrative from the paws of a profound pooch. The GDP are proud to announce this wonderful addition from the dearly beloved and exceptionally erudite Shaka.
All My Favourite Books
Diaries have been kept on diets, dogs, driving, droving, digging...but this has got to be one of my favourites: BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS! The carefully crafted entries read like a bibliographic reference worthy of any dictionary of literature. The diarist who recorded his reading material between 1942 and 2005 was meticulous and mercurial : from Thatcher to the Water Babies, Disraeli to Somerset Maugham, there is a definite favouring of the classics but an occasional 'pulp fiction' raises its grubby little face to the diarist's smile and praise.
Another Gem: Remembering the Sun
Madeira, My Dear? This lady's detailed account of a holiday in the sun seems, on first glance, a beautifully laid out and colourful collection of your standard holiday observation All is forgiven, however, when one clocks eyes on her fabulous bikinis, her people-observations and the mysterious photographic spectre of Roland.
A Gem: ‘Camping Days 1st Crockenhill Camp Log Book 1927’
This truly fabulous example of diary flair -a joint effort - is screamingly funny, beautifully illustrated and a golden shot of nostalgia reminiscent of girlhoods' halcyon days...sort of St Trinian's under canvas. GDP 150
Happy New Year 2015 Diaroids
We are reading this rather wonderful new book for all interested in diaries.Click here to take a peek: http://unbound.co.uk/books/the-private-life-of-the-diary.
Happy Christmas from GDP
From GDP/44 DM At the time of writing this entry, DM was in her early 40s and lived in Southern England with her husband, who was a Naval officer, and four children. Here, she describes the family’s Christmas. 25 December 1963 C [the youngest of the diarist’s three daughters] and R [the diarist’s son and youngest child, aged 11] came to open their stockings in our bed – positively the last appearance of Father Christmas we have told them. Usual clear-up after breakfast then all went to Matins at Warblington, which was very full. Home to get cold lunch for [...]