In the news1958
First motorway opens in 1958
Britain opened its first motorway, the Preston bypass, in 1958.
Born Clarence House, 15 Aug 1950
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15 Aug 1950
Born in Clarence House
She has lived through 8 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Clarence House.
General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.
In the news1958
Britain opened its first motorway, the Preston bypass, in 1958.
What people wore
Everyday wear and voluminous party skirts
Women wore floral pinafores as everyday house wear and favoured full-skirted dresses with stiffened petticoats for special occasions. These skirts were sometimes so voluminous that they made it difficult for women to pass through doorways.
Daily life
Manual housework and outdoor facilities
Many homes lacked modern appliances, so housework was manual and time-consuming, and people often stored food in larders instead of fridges. Outdoor toilets and washing in tin baths in front of the fire were common for some families during this time.
In the news1954
Food rationing, which began during World War II, finally ended in 1954.
Music
Popularity of Dance Halls and Instruction
In the 1950s, dance halls like the Palais were popular venues where people learned the foxtrot and waltz to the music of dance bands. These halls were essential social spaces for meeting others, supported by numerous local dance schools and instructors.
In Europe1948–1952
American aid of some $13 billion rebuilt the ruined economies of Western Europe.
Getting around
Work commute times remained stable
The average time for a work commute in Britain remained remarkably stable, averaging roughly 33 to 34 minutes during the 1950s and 1960s.