A Celebration of
Life in the Sixties
A light-hearted look at a decade that marked huge changes
in 20th century life in Britain
Life in the Sixties
A light-hearted look at a decade that marked huge changes
in 20th century life in Britain
“If you can remember the Sixties, you weren’t really there.” (Paul Kantner) Clearly Goring Gap residents of a certain age can remember the Sixties, to judge by how promptly and enthusiastically they responded to the questions posed by Alan Winchcomb. This was in his talk on the Swinging Sixties at Goring Gap Local History Society’s Sixties Day at the Village Hall on October 1st. How much did a single cost in the 1960s? (Six shillings and eight pence (about 33p) or 6/8 as we would have written it then.) What hits was Chubby Checker famous for? (The Twist, and Let’s Twist Again). Can you remember what a copper, and tanner or a bob were worth? (1d, 6d, 1/-) All this got us in the right mood for a day of reminiscing and memories. Alan’s talk was followed by Mike Hurst telling us how transport was transformed in the Sixties. The era is particularly famous for the “Beeching cuts”, though Mike emphasised that Dr Beeching was simply doing what he was told – the real culprit was Ernest Marples, Minister of Transport. It was also the period when steam was replaced by diesel, a modernisation badly needed but still much regretted by many in Goring’s Transport History Group. Regarding other transport. Mike recalled from family experience what were common practices of the time, but might be regarded as a bit odd today – washing the car every Sunday, picnics by the road, and using a Calor gas stove to make tea. During the Sixties there were still trolley buses in Reading, but by the end of that era Concorde had made her maiden flight. Janet Hurst took us through the changes in Goring and Streatley that altered both the character and population of the village. She explained that the increase in housing was a result of mains drainage coming to the area, so that waste tanks were no longer needed. So houses in Grange Close, Lockstile Mead, Milldown Avenue and Holmlea Road were built, population grew and a larger school was needed.
The afternoon was a time for visitors to enjoy the many objects kindly lent by our members. A frequent cry was, “I had one of those!”, and we happily remembered what a vibrant period the Sixties became, with bright colours and stylish designs. The music reflected those changes, as we were reminded by Roger Selman playing some of the hits of the period on the piano, and by vinyl discs (and a couple of record players) which people have clearly treasured. However life was not all fun. Many of us were taken aback by looking at ‘O’ and ‘A’ Level examination papers of the time. The questions looked very hard – some of the mathematics ones I could not even understand! Another exhibit reminded us that slide rules were used in the days before calculators.
In the evening there was a party for members, with many ladies (and a few men) dressing up in period costume. Inevitably this led to exclamations of how lovely the clothes were - and indeed they reflected how Britain at that time was coming out of the dark days of the Fifties into something new, daring and exciting.
Many people contributed to the success of the day, but particular mention should be made of Janet Hurst, who masterminded the whole day, and also of Alan Winchcomb, Sue Winchcomb and Mike Hurst, all of whom made it into another glorious success for the Goring Gap Local History Society.
A video of the Sixties Day celebrations can be seen at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg4dnSU35KM
In the evening there was a party for members, with many ladies (and a few men) dressing up in period costume. Inevitably this led to exclamations of how lovely the clothes were - and indeed they reflected how Britain at that time was coming out of the dark days of the Fifties into something new, daring and exciting.
Many people contributed to the success of the day, but particular mention should be made of Janet Hurst, who masterminded the whole day, and also of Alan Winchcomb, Sue Winchcomb and Mike Hurst, all of whom made it into another glorious success for the Goring Gap Local History Society.
A video of the Sixties Day celebrations can be seen at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg4dnSU35KM