Illustrated by Elizabeth Baker-Bartlett A unique insight into life in a South Wales Valleys town in 1979 through the eyes of an 11 year old girl. A nostalgic and amusing account of the social and cultural history at the end of the 1970s. Everything from John Noakes and Soda Streams to C60 tapes and K-Tel.
My Diary 1979 will take you on a nostalgic and amusing trip down memory lane, a glimpse of life back then, through the eyes of an 11 year old schoolgirl living on a farm in the South Wales Valleys town of Abertillery. Those born in the 60s and 70s will delight in memories of Alba cassette players, chipmunk crisps, spacedust popping candy, dunkie jackets, cheesecloths, Blue Jeans and Bunty comics, John Craven's Newsround and weekly updates of the number one chart singles.
1979 was the year Margaret Thatcher became Prime Minister, the news was full of the Yorkshire Ripper, the Skylab fell into the Indian Ocean, and Lord Mountbatten was assassinated by an IRA bomb. It was also a time of Kenny Everett, Gary Numan and Ian Dury & the Blockheads. All these and much more is detailed within this diary.
Those living in and around Abertillery will be reminded of Ty'r Graig school and life 'up the comp'.
Extracts from the diary were first released on Facebook last year, and built up a devoted following. Reactions to it included: 'My husband and I have laughed aloud, shed the odd tear and been reminded of things we thought were long forgotten.' 'It's been such a pleasure to walk down memory lane with you and your diary.' 'Have laughed a lot and commiserated ... Brilliant!' 'Thanks for a lovely reminder of days gone by.' and 'Can't stop laughing!'

Books by Pamela Jayne