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Alexandra Morton

Born 15 Apr 1953

5 facts1 source

Living person. The family sees only the name, dates and photo; everything else stays private unless they choose to share it.

Facts and their sources

A life in time

  1. 15 Apr 1953

    Born

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During her lifetime

She has lived through 8 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like.

General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.

The 1950s · Alexandra is born

In the news1954

Food rationing ends in 1954

Food rationing, which began during World War II, finally ended in 1954.

What people wore

Sparking boots and mandatory school wear

Children's footwear included hobnail boots with metal studs that created sparks on pavements, later replaced by rubber-soled Tuf or Commando boots. For school, boys were required to wear short trousers with knee-length socks held up by elastic garters.

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 news1958

First motorway opens in 1958

Britain opened its first motorway, the Preston bypass, in 1958.

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

The European Economic Community

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.