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

England, now a different country.

So many things have changed over the years that England doesn’t always feel like England anymore. Plus, do you use too many words to describe something? Brevity is lost! Please, join me for a good old chat this Sunday. 

Midweek Message 219.

Dinner parties in the 1980s, dens of iniquity, boring podcast episodes and more... please, join me for this week's Midweek Message. 

Relationship breakup, losing possessions, pressed flowers...

In this episode, I bang on about relationships breaking up where people lose possessions, very often including their home. Pressing wild flowers, collecting things and more. Please, join me. 

Midweek Message 218.

What have you lost during a relationship break-up? A house? A car? That's something I might talk about next Sunday. Trespassing in the woods, fishing, politics... no, not politics! Stone the crows! Join me for a chat about this and that.

Car salesmen, Hi-Fi equipment, it was all about the bass in the 1960s!

Car salesmen, transistor radios in the good old days, Hi-Fi equipment… do youngsters today know what quality audio sounds like? It’s all about the bass! The 1950s and 60s when teenagers wanted a TV in their bedroom, a transistor radio and a record player. These days, they want the latest iPhone.  How sad. Join me for a good old chat.

Midweek Message 217.

The Highway Code back in the 1930s, a cat deterrent, the weather, your emails and more. Please, join me for a chat. 

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!