Posted on 06/02/2012 1:08:38 AM PDT by I still care
With all eyes on the Jubilee, these enchanting photographs give an insight into what life was like 60 years ago when our Queen came to the throne. Discovered in a photographic agency’s archives, they show a world which moved at an entirely different pace. As L. P. Hartley wrote: ‘The past is a foreign country, they do things differently there.’ So true.
Crime levels were a tenth of today’s. There were only 2.5 million cars on the road, as opposed to 25 million now. Few homes had phones and only a tenth owned fridges. But storing food wasn’t a problem as rationing did not end until July 1954. Shopping was a daily trail around the butcher’s, the baker’s and the greengrocer’s.
Televisions were rare — there was only one channel — but sales rocketed before June 1953, so the nation could tune into the Coronation.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Blitz Britain: Amazing colour pictures of London under siege from Nazi bombers during World War II
GREAT comment on the “Blitz Britain” page:
“Hitler’s bombers may have done a lot of damage to British buildings, but the previous 13-year government did far more to destroy Britishness. Buildings can be rebuilt; our society, however, is probably beyond repair. - MancMan, Manchester, UK, 20/7/2011 17:40
Here are a couple of the many good comments:
Idylic. Fantastic pictures. Sure, people went without a lot but most appreciated what they had. I know my parents did, they never understood this ‘new’ world. A close knit family, love, laughter & fun. Hard work, self respect. I was lucky being born in 1957, I have great memories of my safe & loving childhood, I was lucky. So much has changed, some for the better but mostly materially, that alone doesn’t bring love, security or discipline. The culture & ethics in this Country has changed beyond recognition & for me, not for the better. So, if I could go back in a Time Machine to the simplistic days of old England & the people & characters that made it Great, I would.
- Julie , Leicester UK, 02/6/2012 12:36
Everyone that says it was lovely back then - they are the same people that have voted parties that have allowed it to change beyond recognition and stood by and done nothing whilst it has changed so drastically. It was the older generations that made all the changes since the 50’s and 60’s and yet still talk about the good old days, whilst often moaning and slating younger generations. It did not change overnight. It happened under your watch and with your backing in elections. Take a look at the education system, for example, it was changed by the older generations and younger generations have and are paying the price. If it was all so great, why did you allow it to change?
- Susie, London, 02/6/2012 12:31
I don’t know—every time I go to the dentist I wonder why it seems to have advanced so little compared to the rest of our world.
My earliest memories of of the mid-1960s and I can still remember what my neighborhood looked like back then. I used to ride my tricycle around the block as a 5 year old and I remember postman, milkman and even the ice cream truck making the rounds. Strangers would hand me lollipops and other candies. These days, that would get you arrested as a pervert!
And they'd be much happier.
That was wonderful. Thanks for posting.
Hey there “Great Britain” how is that “Gotha-Saxburg” thing working out for you? This “Queen” and her Spawn are NOTHING more than GERMAN Interlopers!
“Sometimes I wonder about modern technology. Has it hurt us in the long run?”
No, I think I’ll take unfettered immigration and the welfare state for $500 Alex.
But we still make butter the good old way....One of God's magnificent gifts.
Thank you so much for posting....bumping
Thanks very much for posting this! My husband was stationed in Suffolk and Norfolk for 11 years and we traveled all over and so this was very interesting to both of us and our (adult) kids!
If you like this sort of thing I recommend that you read the Miss Read books, the Thrush Green Series and the Fairacre Series.
Back when people had class.
The present House, in real terms, has been on the throne since 1714.
If they aren’t English or British by now, how long do you think it will take?
Incredible! Thanks!
Try these also:
http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/2010/07/26/captured-america-in-color-from-1939-1943/
Hmmm. It’s popping up for me. Check my post 39, also. Maybe some of them will work - they are also great photos of the past.
Whoops, that’s 36. Can’t count today...
I have seen the NYC one I was looking for my Great Grandparents LOL.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/expresident/most-powerful-photographs-ever-taken
Think I’ll post this to the thread also. And then I’ll bookmark it. Some great photos here!
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