Category Archives: Uncategorized

Adverts on Sixties Britain

ISixties Britain Amazon Ad wasn’t happy with the scrolling advert from Amazon that Mike has had on this website for some time now. Also some other people had mentioned that they found it difficult to read the content with the advert scrolling endlessly past on the left hand side.

After some persuasion he has now changed the advert to one that is static. This advert is optimised for Vintage Fashion books from Amazon UK since we are, in essence, a UK site. A look on several occasions today shows that the books seem to be relevant and I was happy to see both some old favourites we have mentioned before and some new ones that even I had not seen. Like many other Vintage websites, we try to choose our adverts with care to be both relevant and useful to our visitors.

So, that’s what happened to the scrolling ad. I think that our website looks all the better now but if you have any comments please let me know.

Vintage Knitting Part 2

Part 1 of this series is here

Part 3 of this series is here

Back in the 40s, 50s and 60s so much of what was worn was knitted and today the inclusion of even a small knitted item of clothing represents one of the best ways to get that top-to-toe, authentic vintage look.

For us now, knitting patterns are a major source of both inspiration and guidance but for the most part the knitting patterns once found every week in woman’s magazines have disappeared. However, technology has come to our rescue and one of the best sources of patterns and knitting inspiration is the internet on which there is an apparently limitless wealth of knitting and craft websites. Add to this the fact that much of that information is free for the taking and you have another wonderful resource. Continue reading

Elvis In The Army

Elvis_PresleyIn the late 50s and early 60s a young American singer called Elvis Presley was just becoming famous in Britain when there occurred an event that was to thrust him into the public eye.

At that time the US was engaged in a war they would eventually have to relinquish in Vietnam and all able-bodied men were required to attend for military service. This was of two years duration and might have meant serving on active duty overseas. For a star like Elvis, service in the army would mean massive media interest and, right from when he joined in 1958 for basic training, until he was discharged in 1960 the media were fascinated by what he did, how he acted, how he was treated and who he saw.

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Classic Car Alfa Romeo 2600

sm_Alfa_Romeo_2600_01I like Alfa Romeos, I think I always have, and I like big cars too, ones with plenty of engine and some lively right foot action.  So, fifty years on, would I have liked this one?

Like today, in the 1950s Alfa Romeo had a reputation for building great cars and, although they were expensive in this country, they still sold well. They were also well liked and a parked Alfa would be sure to attract attention in the car park.

This Alfa was a development of the very successful Alfa Romeo 2000 of the late 1950s. In saloon form, it’s a large car with plenty of passenger room inside while as a drophead, it’s a fast, modern and sporty touring car.

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Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year

1960s_britainHappy Christmas and a good New Year 2011 from all of us here at Sixties Britain.

Next year we will continue the website with more article and reviews of Classic 1960s Cars and also 60s and retro Fashion articles. Now that the major Eurovision Song contest series has finished, we want to concentrate on creating more music content, so that will be something to look forward to.

What will we be doing? Well, it looks like it might be a cold and possibly even a white Christmas so we will be enjoying the cold and trying not to eat and drink too much!

Britain In The Eurovision Song Contest 1969

Eurovision_song_contestIntroduction

1960

1961

1962

1963

1964

1965

1966

1967

1968

Last year, 1968, was the year that we in Britain would rather forget when we were beaten at the post, as it were, so maybe we should let’s get on with the 1969 contest!

As Spain won, this year’s contest was held on 29 March 1969 in Madrid, Spain, at the Royal Theatre. You can see a picture of the venue by following this link here.

Incidentally, I have no idea why everyone on this photograph, taken in 2005, looks so sad. Maybe it’s me, but when I first looked at it, I was struck by the expressions on all the faces. Does anyone else think that, too?
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Watching TV In 1965

tv_1965Sunday was a lazy day (except for Mum) when, after morning church, almost everyone was at home for the rest of the day in the 1960s. It really was a day when you wore your ‘Sunday best’ and then sat quietly on the settee or pursued a hobby at the dinning room table after dinner.

Remember, there were no supermarkets open, no garden centres. So, for those who could afford one, what was on TV on a typical late summer Sunday in 1965?

By the mid-60s a good many people had taken the plunge, dipped into their saving and purchased one of the new TV sets. And what sets they were! In the early 60s we had a set that boasted a large wood veneered case complete with doors that would be unbelievable today. However, it was only a 12 inch screen and what my mother wanted was a 17 or 20 inch modern set made of plastic.

Eventually we did get one and I thought it was the most fantastic thing I had ever seen!

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