In the news1958
First motorway opens in 1958
Britain opened its first motorway, the Preston bypass, in 1958.
Born Camberwell, 1 Mar 1950
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1 Mar 1950
Born in Camberwell
He has lived through 8 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Camberwell.
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
National school system and gendered subjects
The 1944 Education Act created a national school system, including the Eleven Plus exam which determined secondary school placement. In secondary schools, boys often learned woodwork and metalwork, while girls were taught home economics and needlework.
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 Europe1957
Six countries signed the Treaty of Rome, the start of what became the European Union.
Getting around
Walking remained common for everyday travel
Walking remained a primary mode of transport throughout this period, serving as the main way to commute for one-third to one-fifth of people in smaller towns and cities as late as the 1970s.