End of term again. I did not go on the S.B. today as the Choir had to meet in Edgbaston Church at 9.15 for a rehearsal. We were back however for House Meetings at 10.10 followed by break, after which we assembled in Big School for the breaking up ceremony. I had to go up to receive my K.E. Scholarship medal [one of six awarded when I passed the admission exam three years ago — the others were G.T. Bruce, A. Derbyshire, P.R. Janney, P.J. Riley and J.E. Rivers].

   I got home for 12.15 then I went to the Birmingham City v Newcastle United match. Result 0–2 [a disappointment after winning their last three home matches. Birmingham City:— Merrick; Badham, Jennings; Boyd, Atkins, Ferris; Stewart, Berry, Dailey, Brennan, Roberts. 30,000 were there]. Dad came with me to the match.

   Tonight after I had cycled to the Library I read until nine o’clock.

   Before breakfast this morning Dad, Bob and I took Ginger for a run in the park.

   As arranged, [John] Winrow called for me at 11 o’clock and we went for a cycle ride together. It was a windy morning and showery as well. We went to Widney Manor and back though.

   This afternoon there was the School service held in Edgbaston Parish Church. Mam & Dad went. The Sermon was given by The Rev. Ronald Allen, M.C., M.A., Vicar of Edgbaston.

   After I had blancoed gaiters and belt I looked out for the Total Eclipse of the Moon. Unfortunately the sky was clouded over but I had just one good view during totality from 8.29 to 8.59pm.

   Today all “B” Company took Cert. A, Part 1. We started about 9.45pm [sic], having been split up in sections. First we did individually, units of measure & judging distance followed by “Lying load”. Then we described how to clean a rifle. After this we did drill, then after dinner [sic].

   In the afternoon we did various items of map reading, message-writing, duties of sentries, and sniping. The latter consisted mainly of taking cover etc. All the examiners were new to us. We had to wait some time for the result; fortunately I passed but six failed. I have got my badge.

   Tonight I started to bind my Meccano Magazines.

   Apart from going down the village this morning I continued binding my M.M.’s. Having removed the staples and advertisements & having sewn the twelve issues together I put the cover on, end-papers included. I still have to obtain some materials for the spine but I have sand-papered the edges.

   This afternoon I sorted out all the waste paper [and took it to the salvage bin in the front drive of the house in Olton Boulevard East].

   This evening I went to Cubs as usual. I have been asked to take charge of six cubs who will compete for the District Championship on May 6th.

   This morning John Winrow and I went cycling to Knowle canal locks and back.

   This afternoon we took Ginger Brownhound along the canal for a walk.

   Tonight I completely read a book.

   I have had my school report again:—

ENGLISH   He has maintained a very high standard throughout this term. (Mr. J.P. Vaughan)

HISTORY   A slight improvement, he must keep trying (Mr. R.M. Osborne)

GEOGRAPHY   Regional. He has worked hard during the term and done quite well. (Mr. J.F. Benett)

   General. Good. (Mr. W.L. Whalley)

FRENCH   Very good progress. (Mr. A.C. Gosling)

MATHEMATICS   A good term’s work. (Mr. A. Hurrell)

PHYSICS   His work is always well done, but his knowledge of the fundamentals is weak. (Mr. A.J. Gess)

CHEMISTRY   Has worked steadily & made some progress. Science Posn. 22nd (Mr. A.J. Gess)

FORM MASTER    Has worked exceptionally well and is making progress. (Mr. A.J. Gess)

HEADMASTER   This is splendidly encouraging after last year. T.E.B.H. (Mr. Howarth)

   Today Winrow and I spent at Kenilworth. We started off on our bicycles at 10.15 and it was about midday I suppose when we arrived. We had a Choc-Ice first then we went into the castle grounds and ate our sandwiches in the Keep which dates from 1180. (The Keep that is).

   The next three hours or so we spent exploring or chasing each other round. The castle is an interesting place. It was founded about 1120 by Geoffrey de Clinton & passed to Simon de Montfort in 1234. John of Gaunt added two towers & banqueting hall.

   I spent nearly all this morning [Good Friday] cutting the front lawn [as always with a pair of shears as we have no lawnmower]. The grass is in quite good condition & shouldn’t look too bad when it is finished.

   This afternoon we all went to Cannon Hill Park [on the 1A ’bus from the village] and so Ginger Brownhound naturally came with us. It was again quite warm out in the sunshine.

   Birmingham today won their first away game of the season beating Man. Utd. [at Old Trafford] 2–nil. Manchester were top of the league as well, so perhaps they [Birmingham City] will stay in Division I after all. We shall know better after playing Everton tomorrow and Man. Utd. at home on Monday.

   I stayed in nearly all this morning and got my [Ian Allan] ABC Loco books up to date [underlining the numbers and names of any locomotives I have not previously scene, and crossing out the numbers and putting an “s” by locomotives which have been scrapped.

   This afternoon I helped Dad in the garden.

   Tonight I went to the Warwick Cinema [at the bottom of Westley Road in Acocks Green village]. I had to wait over an hour before I finally got in. There were two films — I Shot Jesse James (A) was not too bad, but the main film was Dick Barton Strikes Back. This was a super film. Part of the filming was done in Blackpool. The Tower figures prominently.

   The first week of April has brought quite varied weather. It has been mostly showery but strong winds have been blowing for the past two days.

   This morning I spent reading as it was raining outside. After dinner I looked at my bird books.

   This evening I tidied up my tallboy drawers, amongst other things, and listened to “Variety Bandbox”.

   The gales which have been sweeping the coasts are dying down now in some parts. It is windy enough in Acocks Green though.

   We all took advantage of the [Bank] holiday by getting up late again today. It rained most of the morning so I brought the trolley indoors and repaired the trolley, which seems to have fallen into an amazing state of decadence.

   After dinner I cycled to Grandad’s and went to the match. B’ham were playing Man. Utd. Blues’ side was:— Merrick; Duckhouse, Jennings; Boyd, Atkins, Ferris; Berry, Brennan, Trigg, Evans, Warhurst. The result was a goal-less draw. The high wind spoilt a good game.

   After tea we went to the Warwick & saw Abbott & Costello in Pardon My Sarong and Always Another Dawn.

   I got up first this morning and made the fire. After breakfast I took Ginger for a walk down the village. Later I cycled into Widney Manor.

   The birds are very busy at this time of the year; in the rookeries the Rooks are repairing their nests. I saw a lot of birds, Blue Tits, a Great Tit, Bullfinches, Chaffinches, Magpies and a Yellow Hammer. I found five nests. A very neat little nest in a bush was a Chaffinch’s I think, but it was deserted. In a tall tree I saw a Magpie’s nest with a “roof” on top. The other three were in tall trees, probably Crows’ nests.

   I helped Dad in the garden after dinner.

   This morning I went down the village twice shopping. I went to Tyseley on Bob’s bike.

   This afternoon I cycled to John Winrow’s house [16 Bourne Close] in Kings Heath. It took me well over half an hour to find it from my guide book’s directions but it can be reached in 12 minutes (on a bicycle, of course).

   It has been another unsettled day, showery and generally dull.

   This morning we went up town with Mam, but Clarice and I came home at 1.30.

   During the afternoon I looked through my railway books and took Ginger for a walk.

   This evening I went to the Library and ordered two books. I spent the rest of the evening reading my library book.

   Mam went to hospital today so I had to look after Clarice and Julia. I finished reading my book and took Ginger for a walk during the morning.

   In the afternoon I went for a walk with Ginger down the village then read today’s Champion.

   Mam and Dad have gone to the pictures this evening as usual [to see Judy Garland in Easter Parade (U) at the Warwick]. I have listened to the last of the present series of “Dick Barton” and “Up the Pole”. I am going to bed soon. It is 8.30pm now.

   This morning I took Ginger for a walk then cut more of the front lawn.

   I went to the Birmingham City v Middlesborough match. The result was again a goal-less draw. Blues:— Merrick; Green, Jennings; Boyd, Duckhouse, Ferris; Berry, Brennan, Trigg, Evans, Warhurst.

   This evening Bob & his girl friend took me to the Speedway at Perry Barr where the “Brummies” were playing Harringay “Racers”. It was very thrilling I thought. There were 20 heats; the best was the last one in which Duggan & Waterman were 1st & 2nd while Warren was 3rd. Result B’ham 65, Harringay 55. Scorers:— Warren 12, Payne 12, McLachlan 12, and “Racers”: Vic Duggan 15, Waterman 13.

   [A special bus runs to Perry Barr from the city; No.1744 is in the photo.]

   After breakfast Bob and I went for a ride to somewhere in Solihull. We went into a wood and then went in some fields where Bob found a nest which someone had put on the ground. It is an old one made of rootlets, hair & grass, somewhat like that if a Blackcap.

   After dinner I blew up my football [using a bicycle pump] and Bob and I had a game in the park. After tea I cut more of the lawn.

   As we put the clocks forward last night it was not dark until 8.30pm. I managed to finish the lawn just before nine o’clock.

   It has rained continually all today. This morning I went shopping for Mam and took Ginger for a walk. While I was out I saw a Sparrow fly into a garden with a piece of straw in its beak.

   [John] Winrow called this morning but could not stay.

   After dinner I wrote a letter then went down the village on Bob’s bike [to post it]. Mrs. Lee came [she lives in Chaucer Grove off Greenwood Avenue].

   Tonight I have read the newspapers as usual, as well as listening to the radio.

   This morning I went shopping and then took Ginger for a walk to Tyseley and back. On the Olton Boulevard East I saw a Mistle Thrush flying to its nest in the fork of an oak tree.

   This afternoon John Winrow called but did not stay long so I again took the Hound out and saw a Carrion Crow plucking a sprig of twigs from a Silver Birch. It rained heavily just after I got home.

   Tonight I went to Cubs & I took Games and then the team for the “Flag”. I took Ginger for her evening run.

   Today “Winny” and I went to Stratford. We left Acocks Green at 10.45 and we passed through Henley-in-Arden about fifty minutes later. It was 12.10 when we arrived in flag-bedecked Stratford. (I learned later that the King and Queen would be there tomorrow).

   We had dinner on the bank of the Avon. Nearby there was a Mute Swan sitting on its nest. Later we went through Ann Hathaway’s Cottage & saw Shakespeare’s birthplace before leaving at 3.0pm.

   We saw Mary Arden’s House at Wilmcote & came back via Wootten Wawen, Oldberrow and Tanworth-in-Arden. I got home at 6.10 having ridden 50 miles; the first journey at 14 m.p.h., the return journey at 9½ m.p.h.

   I stayed in bed this morning until 10.0am. Before breakfast I took Ginger for a walk down the village and I got this week’s Rover. This I read later. I also went shopping.

   After dinner I washed up and went to “Winny’s”. We took Hound for a run in the park.

   Tonight I spent some time doing the front garden. Then I took Hound for her evening walk.

   After a spell of unsettled days the weather for the past two days has been fine and warm. Yesterday we had 9.8 hours of sunshine and the temperature reached 57 degrees. It has been hotter today.

   Winny and I went to Bittell today mainly [to] watch birds. It was after midday when we arrived. There is one large reservoir and several smaller lakes. At the one lake there was a Mute Swan on its nest and we had to keep at a distance as the other swan followed us around, especially if we were anyway in the vicinity of the nest.

   We saw also Swifts and Swallows, arrived in England about ten days ago. A rather unusual bird was a rabbit, but we saw a Reed Warbler, a Great Crested Grebe (from a distance) which was a [space left] I think. We walked a good twelve miles & lost count of the time: it was after 7.15 when I got home.

   After breakfast today I washed up, read, and fetched my this week’s Listener.

   I spent all this afternoon turfing the part of the lawn between the top and bottom beds. I got the turf from off Wetherby Road and a bit from our road [Circular Road — wherever a small clump of grass is growing through the pavement or horse-road]. In the new bed most of the seeds have come up now.

   Today Dad took Ginger to Hinckley where she ran in the 1st race. She was 4th from trap 6 in 30.50 secs.

   As B’ham City lost 2–nil to Charlton today, they are practically sure of relegation to Division II next season.

   After breakfast this morning we took Ginger for her run in the park, then Bob and I cycled into the country. While walking in some fields I saw a Skylark, the first I had seen this year.

   This afternoon I read the newspapers then helped Dad make a new cycle shed.

   I stayed in bed until ten o’clock this morning. After breakfast I went down the village on Bob’s bike to do some shopping for Mam. When I got back again I took Ginger for a short walk.

   This afternoon I took down the latest weather readings and sorted out the waste paper, and completed my records for 1948. These I finished off tonight.

   At 8.45pm I took Ginger for her evening run to Tyseley and back. I ran all the way. I am listening to the British Middleweight Boxing Championship fight between Dick Turpin (holder) and Albert Finch (challenger).

   Postscript: Finch won narrowly on points.

   Mam and I went to town this morning .

   This afternoon Aunt Greta came. I called for “Wimmy” but there was no one at home.

   Tonight I went to Cubs as usual. We had a game of football first then I took [charge of] the cubs who will represent the pack in the District Championship on Saturday week. After Cubs I went down to Scouts and played table-tennis until 9.30.

   Snow lay on the ground this morning and more has fallen today.

   I went shopping as usual this morning.

   After dinner I completed all my weather records. I have written two books on the weather of 1947 and 1948, as well as one for last year.

   Tonight I went to Scouts. I have rejoined so long as it does not interfere with my schoolwork. I started on the Tenderfoot badge & I know it all very nearly. There are now about twelve scouts in the troop.

   What a month! Sun, rain, snow and gales so far. It has snowed on and off for the past three days.

   After I had done some shopping today Ginger and I walked to Winny’s. On the side of the River Cole I saw three tree-creepers. I was only a yard from one so I had a chance to study it closely.

   I have been keeping watch on the Mistle Thrush’s nest on the Boulevard. The hen bird has been sitting on the nest for nearly a fortnight now. I saw her fly off for a few seconds this evening. I should like to have a glimpse of the eggs.

   This afternoon I called for Bryan Peters but he could not come out so I cut the back “lawn”.

   Tonight I minced some bread [for Ginger’s meals].

   I got up at nine this morning. After breakfast I went down to the Co-op Grocers [on Warwick Road in the village]. Ginger came with me and created no little disturbance in the shop, resulting in my being served quicker than usual.

   Winny came. Mam went to hospital.

   In the afternoon I got some more turf for the lawn and I have now finished the section between the front and back beds. I cut the one side of the front hedge later & then took Ginger to the park where she chased a Crow which has its nest there.

   Mam and Dad have gone to the cinema to see East of Java (A) and Calamity Jane & Sam Bass (U) at the Warwick]. I have been reading my B.O.P.

   Nothing much happened this morning but this afternoon I went to see Blues’ last home match v Aston Villa. Villa scored first after 43 mins. through Ford, rather against the run of play. Trigg equalised & then put Blues in the lead, but ten minutes from time Ford got Villa’s equaliser.

   It was Fred Harris’s last match at St. Andrews & Blues’ last Div. I match for at least 16 months.

   At Wembley Arsenal beat Liverpool in the Cup Final, Lewis scoring both goals. Arsenal:— Swindin; Scott, Barnes; Forbes, L.Compton, Mercer (Capt.); Cox, Logie, Goring, Lewis, D.Compton.

   It has rained nearly all day.

   The Mail today published my letter “Robbing the Nests”.

   I have been out all day helping Dad. We have converted the cycle shed into a coal shed, having “highered” the roof & put down a platform on which to put the coal. The new cycle shed will be over the drain. This is all being done so that we can convert what is now the coalhouse into a pantry or perhaps a cloakroom. Certainly indoor coalhouses are most unsatisfactory and most un-hygienic.