When the Second World War ended it didn't mean the end to all hostilities. Britain still had a commitment to provide military support in Germany, Palestine and India. Opponents struggled with the idea that young men, just returning from six long years of a terrible war, should be called on to serve once more. AndContinue reading "Serving our country"
Off to the flicks!
The 1940s were a golden time for cinema, with some of today's most loved films and revered actors emanating from that decade. Just look at this for a snapshot of what 1940s cinema goers could choose to see... Rebecca, directed by Alfred Hitchock, starring Joan Fontaine and Laurence Olivier and receiving an Oscar for bestContinue reading "Off to the flicks!"
Listen while you work
In 1940s Britain the wireless was one of the key sources of home entertainment and news. Since the 1920s - when the first musical broadcast was aired from the Marconi Research Centre in Chelmsford - the wireless radio provided the backdrop to family life. Once the BBC received its Royal Charter in 1926, becoming theContinue reading "Listen while you work"
Hooligan, vandal or just plain bored?
Before we look at what youngsters were getting up to during the 1940s let's consider some of terminology that we are so familiar with today - words that we tend to associate with young people... HooliganOrigin late 19th century, first found in British newspaper police-court reports in the summer of 1898, almost certainly from theContinue reading "Hooligan, vandal or just plain bored?"
Books that shaped a decade
For the first half of the 1940s Britain was in the grip of war, followed, once the war ended, by years of austerity and hardship. So what about reading habits during those years? Was there still an attraction in the escapism offered by a good book? It seems the answer was 'Yes'. Despite paper rationing,Continue reading "Books that shaped a decade"
A victory for the workers
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 toContinue reading "A victory for the workers"
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 smallerContinue 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 steelContinue 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 offContinue 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 toContinue reading "The air we breathe"
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