1960's part 1
“May Your Home Know Joy. Every Room Hold Laughter. Every Window Open To Great Possibilities” – Unknown
Finally I get to share with you a tumultuous, amazing, exciting and impactful decade, the 1960s.
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Across the world, the 1960’s was full of contradictions and hypocrisy though in the early part, I didn’t fully understand what was happening. You know, the information we aren’t given, the underbelly of racial riots, the Vietnam War, The Bay of Pigs, USSR testing the hydrogen bomb, Cuban missile crisis, the Profumo Affair, spies in British government.
On the flip side, construction on the Aswan Dam commenced. OPEC was formed. Dwight Eisenhower signed the Civil Rights Act OF 1960. The classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird was published. Chubby Checker started the new dance craze, The Twist.
And so much more ……
Interestingly and shamefully we are still fighting social injustices, poverty and racism, 62 years later.
For our family we had no idea the adventures that the ‘60s would bring us.
But first what was it like in England in 1960 - 1961?
We used egg timers when on the phone, 6 minute calls cost 10 pence
Newspapers cost 2 & 1/2 pence
Posting a letter cost 3 pence (no email or internet)
Black & white tv’s cost 70 pounds
Bread, large loaf cost 1 shilling
Butter 1-2 shillings
Eggs 3-4 shillings
Tea, loose leaf 1 shilling & 4 pence
Our first taste of adventure was the move from Gillingham, Kent to Waterlooville, Portsmouth. Dad was transferred to Eastney Barracks, Portsmouth. Wait End Road was a cul-de-sac of 24 houses, we were the last at number 24, with a big back yard. Dad laid concrete so we could ride our bikes and built a shed.
(Interestingly I am in touch with Mandy who currently owns the house. The shed is gone but the outside loo is still there)
Next door was the Clarke family who owned two Alsatians, one would squeeze through the fence and stand at the kitchen cupboard where Mum kept the biscuit tin.
A new school for me on Stakes Hill Road. Mr. Young was my home teacher. We were all in love with Mr. Tutt (the Errol Flynn of teachers). I remember winter school lunches when potatoes were scarce. We had piping hot bowls of lamb casserole with hunks of fresh bread to mop up the delicious juices.
In the vast playground we played hopscotch, two ball, tucked our dresses in our knickers and did handstands. Did you play these too?
I made new friends, Ruth across the road and Glynis two doors up.
Summers were picnics in the garden on a blanket. Soft white ham or cucumber sandwiches with bowls of fruit salad and freshly baked current cakes.
I hope my trip down memory lane is interesting. If you have questions, do ask in the comments. So much more to come.
Do share with friends who have lived in these times.
Great story!