Sigh of relief as wartime rations end
At last , nine years after the end of World War II the ration books were abolished. There was still a good deal of unease about and Aneurin Bevan resigned from the Shadow Cabinet when the Labour Party supported the re-arming of West Germany. A strike by dockers halved our sea trade.
The Comet air-liner was having problems and after 49 people died in two separate crashes, one off Elba and another off Naples, the whole fleet was grounded. Thorough tests proved that metal fatigue had caused these accidents. New developments were planned to make Gatwick London's second major airport.
There were no breathalyser tests in those days and suspected drunks were just required to walk in a straight line or recite a tongue twister. Doctors therefore demanded much tougher tests. Flashing indicator lights were made compulsory on all new motor vehicles, and parking meters were planned for all large towns and cities.
Many of our fields and meadows revealed the devastation caused by Myxomatosis with the bloated corpses of rabbits lying everywhere. This dreadful disease took away 90% of the rabbit population.
The new 35 mm camera was introduced and this revolutionised photography. The so-called 'flying bedstead' was the first vertical take-off aircraft and the Pope was the first person to appear on a new Eurovision link.
A million people attended American Evangelist, Billy Graham's campaign at Haringay arena.
Around the world the Queen and Prince Philip made a Commonwealth Tour; 700 suspected Mau-Mau terrorists were arrested in Kenya; Pierre Mendes-France became the French Prime Minister; America launched the 'Nautilus', the first nuclear-powered submarine: French troops finally withdrew from Indo-China and General Nasser seized control in Egypt.
The USA continued to lead the world in scientific advancement and they now tested a hydrogen bomb at Bikini Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. This weapon was 500 times more powerful than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima.
Famous literary works of 1954 were Tolkein's 'Lord of the Rings'; William Golding's 'Lord of the Flies' and Kingsley Amis's 'Lucky Jim'.
At the cinema audiences watched 'Rear Window' with William Stewart and Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye in 'White Christmas'. Other films were 'Dial 'M' for Murder', 'An Inspector Calls'. 'The Bells of St Trinians', 'Hobson's Choice', 'Doctor in the House,' 'Father Brown' 'The Million Pound Note' and 'Animal Farm'.
In classical music circles Vaughan Williams brought out his 'Tuba Concerto' and Malcolm Arnold introduced his 'Harmonica Concerto'.
Pop songs of the times were 'The Happy Wanderer', 'The Deadwood Stage', 'I see the Moon', 'Friends and Neighbours', 'Three Coins in the Fountain', 'Shake, Rattle and Roll' and Max Bygraves was singing 'Gilly-Gilly Ossenfeffer Katzen Ellen Bogen by the Sea'.
Pace makers, Chris Chataway and Chris Brasher aided Roger Bannister as he ran the first officially recorded under four minute mile in 3 minutes 59.4. seconds.
West Bromwich Albion beat Preston North End 3 - 2 in the FA Cup and Surrey completed a hat trick of County Cricket Championships. Singles winners at Wimbledon were Jaraslov Drobny and Maureen (Little Mo) Connolly. Lester Piggott rode Derby winner 'Never Say Die' and Australian, Peter Thompson won the British Open Golf contest.
Next week in Part 18 - Enter Cliff - Exit Errol. Lester Piggott rode Derby winner 'Never Say Die' and Australian, Peter Thompson won the British Open Golf contest.
Next week in Part 18 - Enter Cliff - Exit Errol.
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Weather for Epworth
Friday 18 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North
