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 ofContinue 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 cutestContinue 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 doingContinue 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 byContinue 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,Continue reading "More than housework"

No place like home

After the euphoria felt when the Second World War finally ended, the country was confronted by the challenge of enabling families across Britain to return to something resembling a normal life. When the new Labour government was elected in 1945 they had a whole host of problems to tackle, all needing urgent resolution. One ofContinue reading "No place like home"

The voice of the people

If you are fascinated by social history, as am I, then having a chance to listen to people's voices from past decades is more than enlightening - it's inspiring. Such must have been the thinking behind a social research project, initiated in 1937, called the Mass Observation Project. Three former students from Cambridge University -Continue reading "The voice of the people"

Rebuilding communities

1945. After six years of war Britain had suffered in so many ways. A generation of men had been lost to the fighting, few towns and cities had escaped bombardment and the country was in debt to the tune of billions. So where to start? Britain and its Allies had 'won' the war, but atContinue reading "Rebuilding communities"

Expanding horizons

Prior to the Second World War millions of British people had rarely strayed far from their hometown. Travel was expensive. There was just one commercial airline offering to take passengers to far-flung countries, such as South Africa, India, Australia and the Far East. But the cost was something that only wealthy businessmen or colonial administratorsContinue reading "Expanding horizons"