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

Quality Built by Craftsmen before the days of Chipboard, MDF & Plastic.

In this episode, I look back at the way furniture and other items were built by craftsmen. Sadly, the use of chipboard, MDF and plastic has replaced quality materials. Dovetail joints in furniture have been replaced by wood glue and staples. I also chat about cars, 1960s girls, music... Please, join me this Sunday.

Midweek Message 175.

We've had some lovely weather... 23c - 73F at 7 o'clock in the morning! Excellent! Summer has arrived, albiet very late. I can feel an outside broadcast coming on if this weather holds. I hope you're keeping well. Happy days!

A Typical Day In The 1960s. Off To Work!

In this episode, I recall a typical day back in the 1960s. There was a transistor radio in the kitchen but no morning television to watch during breakfast. Leaving the house, you only needed your car keys and your wallet and perhaps a packed lunch... no mobile phone, laptop or other electronic devices. Also, Chinese whispers, rumours, malicious lies and more! Please, join me this Sunday.

Midweek Message 174.

It's that time again! How are you? Keeping well, I hope. This week I'm chatting about the old photos of me in the 1960s that have been lost over time. Such a shame! The weather... it's raining. My new Union flag and much more. Please, join me.

Why are people so loud? The shops we loved and lost, and more...

In this episode, I'll ponder on why some people have such loud voices and laughter that can be heard over vast distances. They not only deafen everyone around them, but practically maim the inner ear... even at 30 yards! Also, the shops we loved and have lost. So many high street shops have gone, and we miss them! Foxes, hedgehogs, package holidays... Join me this Sunday for another good old-fashioned rant about anything and everything!

Midweek Message 173.

Hello, I hope you're keeping well. Loud people, loud music... Yes, I'm off on another rant about my poor ears. In fact, next Sunday's episode will cover loud people, as well as lots of other stuff. If you've nothing to do then, pease, join me.

English Villages, Sundays When The Shops Were Closed and more...

In this episode, I’ll be returning to a village where I once lived. Unfortunately, many villages have been absorbed by expanding towns, but a few have managed to escape the encroachment of the urban sprawl. Some haven’t yet been eaten up by the concrete monsters! I’ll also talk about Sundays, back in the day when the shops were closed and the roads were empty. Join me this Sunday for a chat.

Midweek Message 172.

Later this week, I'm off to visit my old village. I'm sure there will have been many changes since I lived there almost 40 years ago. I'll tell you all about it on Sunday. It's nice to be home after my week away in Bognor. Have you had a holiday this year? Are you planning to go away? What's the weather doing where you are? It's been awful here! Still, I mustn’t grumble!

Timeline Britain 1950s plus Bognor Butlins!

In this episode, I look back at the various events over the 50s 60s and 70s. In 1953, The first James Bond book, Casino Royale, was published. The Great Train Robbery of 1963. In 1961, the construction of the Berlin Wall begins. Plus, I’ll tell you all about my week at Bognor Butlin’s! Please, join me this Sunday.

Midweek Message 171.

Welcome to another Midweek Message. Daft adverts, The Mysterons, the weather, post codes, zones and lots more stuff!

Further Education, Technical College, Adult Classes in the 1960s

Back in the 60s, many people who had left school were keen to go back to college to learn a trade. Women wanted to learn secretarial skills such as typing and shorthand. Men could learn bricklaying, car mechanics or many other trades. It was a great way to become qualified. Please, join me this Sunday.

Midweek Message 170.

The weather outside is frightful, but the fire is quite delightful... That's a Christmas song, and you'd think it was winter here. Rain, wind, cold... Stone the crows! No point in moaning about it, but I will!

Trip to Pulborough Brooks.

In this episode, Tricia and I visit the RSPB reserve at Pulborough in West Sussex. Visit their website here. Also, what were pubs like back in the 1960s? Were they just boozers? Or, were they an integral part of the community? Plus, remembering the old record shops, hiding money beneath the mattress... Please, join me this Sunday.

Midweek Message 169.

Do you remember recording music from Pick of the Pops on a Sunday evening? The old reel to reel tape recorder whirling away, recording your favourite tracks. More on nicknames, gardens, the doctor... and more!

The Great Storm of 1987 plus What's In A Name?

Do you remember the great storm of 1987 here in the UK? What a shock it was! The National Grid sustained heavy damage, leaving thousands without power. It was astonishing that the weather reports failed to predict a storm of such magnitude.

Old names, new names, double-barrelled names—how many Christian names do you have? Are you known by your first name or your middle name? Do you have a nickname? Join me this Sunday as we explore the fascinating evolution of names over the centuries.