Ray’s Rants Life in the 1950s 1960s 1970s Great Britain girls England family UK work school British music night clubs pubs fashion pirate radio Caroline English holidays television

Crittal windows in the old days double glazing buying a fridge or dishwasher nightmare

Crittal windows were all the thing in the1950s. Then, double glazing came along with pushy salesmen entering our homes. Want to buy a fridge or a dishwasher these days? What a palaver! It was so easy back in the good old days. In this episode, I have a good old moan and rant! Join me, if you dare!

Midweek Message 216.

Do you find yourself making excuses when someone invites you out, say, to a certain restaurant you don’t like? Or are you the type who’s upfront and simply says it’s not your scene? Sometimes, a small white lie feels like the polite way out... but is it really the best choice?

Isle of Wight Trip May 2025

During our Isle of Wight trip this year we went on a boat trip, visited Osbourne house, Shanklin Chine, the Donkey Sanctuary, Quarr Abbey and much more. Please, join me for a look at the island.

Midweek Message 215.

School kids walk to school in the pouring rain wearing just a shirt or blouse with no coat. Do you remember being told... Go out in the rain and you'll catch your death of cold! Rubbish! In this Midweek Message, I won't be boring you with stories from the Isle of Wight... I'm saving that for Sunday.

Midweek Message 214.

I'm hoping that it will be a lovely day weather-wise when you listen to this Midweek Message. Because, I'll be on holiday! The sun will be shining, the sky blue, the real ale flowing... Haha, happy days!

Society Today versus the Good Old Days.

Society today is very different from the good old days. In this episode, I compare then and now and wonder whether things were better many moons ago. Please, join me.

Midweek Message 213.

Hello, I'm back from Milton Keynes. We had a great time looking around museums but we're pleased to be home.

Midweek Message 212.

Sunday roast dinner, Queen Victoria, oast houses. Queen Matilda and more... What a mixture this midweek message is! I hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed chatting.

Punishing Kids, teachers, parents, school caning,

Were you physically punished when you were young. I got the cane for bunking off school! Happy days!

Midweek Message 211.

Gardening, car washing, window cleaning, hat making... What? Hat making? A chap I in knew was a milliner. He laughed at me because I was a TV engineer and he made hats! Happy days!

From a Paper Round to a Saturday Job.

Did you have a Saturday job when you were at school? For many kids, a paper round was the first step which often lead to a Saturday job and, sometimes, something even more exciting. I’ve got a couple of stories about Saturday jobs that turned out to be quite special.

Midweek Message 210.

Did you have a paper round when you were young? It was a popular way of earning money back in the old days. I had to get to the paper shop at 6 in the morning... strewth! That was early! Happy days!

Hippies School Museums Girls and more

Do you remember school assembly? The head teacher would stand on the stage moaning and groaning about this and that before ordering us to sing a hymn. Were you a hippie? I remember coming across a load of hippies in the woods... happy days! Please, join me for a chat.

Midweek Message 209.

Bring back the old days! I hear people say, almost daily. People used to laugh at me when I said I wanted to go back to the 1950s. Now, they're saying it!

Midweek Message 208.

This is a noisy podcast episode! Sorry about that. But, I do manage to have a chat with you.