When Britain entered the Second World War in September 1939 the country was governed by a National Government, a coalition of all the political parties, as well as a number of individuals who belonged to none of the parties. Conservative politician, Neville Chamberlain, was Prime Minister but by spring 1940 he bowed to pressure toContinueContinue reading “A victory for the workers”
Category Archives: 1940s
A ticket to ride
Ever since the first steam locomotives of the early 19th century, the UK railway network benefitted from extensive expansion. By 1923 most of the railways were grouped together to form the ‘Big Four’ – namely, the Great Western, the London and North Eastern, the London, Midland and Scottish, and the Southern Railway companies. Other smallerContinueContinue reading “A ticket to ride”
The importance of making things
With the dawn of the Industrial Revolution in the late 18th century, Britain morphed from a society dependant on the land for work and income, to a burgeoning working class who clocked in for daily shifts in factories. For a time, Britain led the way across the world, with the textile industry, iron and steelContinueContinue reading “The importance of making things”
75 years of gardening know-how!
If you tune in to BBC Radio 4 this afternoon at 3pm you will have the chance to listen to a panel of experts answering gardening questions as diverse as whether it’s possible to plant a tea plant in the UK from which to make a cuppa, through to tips on how to let offContinueContinue reading “75 years of gardening know-how!”
The air we breathe
When we think of city smog, we might think of the days when the new Victorian factories choked city air with thick smoke. Many times during the 1800s in the East End of London, in particular, it was barely possible to see from one side of the street to the other. It was hard toContinueContinue reading “The air we breathe”
More than a day out
Nowadays, for many people, an annual holiday – or even several annual holidays – are not just welcomed, they are accepted as the norm. Indeed, when the Covid pandemic meant that we were restricted to our home territory, at times even to our home town, then we felt hard done by. On the top ofContinueContinue reading “More than a day out”
Time to get creative!
Just in time for Easter, best-selling children’s author, Lexi Rees, has launched this wonderful activity book for busy little fingers! A bumper book of Easter themed colouring pages. · Ideal for children aged 3-5 years. · 52 single-sided images to keep children entertained for hours. · Practise the alphabet with special Easter themed pages.· Enjoy the cutestContinueContinue reading “Time to get creative!”
A newcomer in the family
From the 1920s onwards the wireless set provided an increasing number of families with an opportunity to listen to music, drama and news broadcasts. Around half of the British population were able to settle down in the evening and enjoy a musical variety show, a comedy, or a play, while reading the paper, or doingContinueContinue reading “A newcomer in the family”
Feeding the nation
During the Second World War years there was a critical need for Britain to find ways to be self-sufficient in terms of food. With enemy blockades around our shores many of the goods that were usually imported were unable to reach us. By January 1941 the usual food supply coming from overseas had fallen byContinueContinue reading “Feeding the nation”
More than housework
With most men of working age being called up to fight during the Second World War there were numerous industries that found themselves in desperate need of people to fill the vacancies. As a result women stepped out of the home into the workplace. Of course, prior to 1939, some women had taken up employment,ContinueContinue reading “More than housework”
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