50 Years Ago

After the AGM in November 1999, W.I members were asked what they could remember about living in England in the immediate post-war period. Thirty-three members were present, 25 of whom could remember the 1950's fairly well. Their ages ranged from 50 - 80 years.

Many people were in the same situation, in that husbands were beginning to be demobbed and were still establishing their careers or finishing a belated education, whilst at the same time finding and furnishing homes for their families.

"Ice on the inside of bedroom windows" was a common memory to all - no central heating - and swift dashes along freezing indoor stairs, halls and passageways between rooms in order to get to the next coal fire. Wax polish was a familiar smell.

Most families had help in the house, but household conveniences such as washing machines and refrigerators were only just coming in. Some had gardeners. Most used carpet sweepers, did washing by hand, or in dolly tubs with a posh to agitate the waster and a mangle to wring the clothes. The kitchen usually had a coal-fed boiler and also burnt other miscellaneous rubbish, and clothes hung on ceiling airers or clothes horses after the family had gone to bed. Fire guards were essential. Fruit was bottled, beans were salted and food was kept in large well-ventilated larders. The whole family sat down to meals together. Together they listened to the wireless, whilst mother darned socks and father smoked. Food rationing did not stop until 1952/3, but groceries were delivered. Petrol rationing stopped in 1950.

Hairdressers had curtained cubicles and perms were fearsome affairs producing a riot of tight curls. Home perms had arrived - and so had Biros. Nylon stockings became more common, although schoolgirls were still wearing lisle stockings attached by suspenders to fleecy-lined liberty bodices. We wore high heels, the New Look arrived in 1947, skirts were full and feminine. Most of us made our own clothes - and very well too!

Most had bicycles and it was safe to walk anywhere at night - provided you took a torch to avoid tripping over kerbs. Holidays, when taken, were in this country although the first package holidays were just starting. Some families attended church three times on Sundays. If you did not go to the cinema, entertainment tended to be community led. So far as women were concerned, in villages the W.I. initiated or organised events. In the towns, the Townswomen's Guild. Both were strongly supported.

Writing of Monkton Combe in 1951, A.V.Owen a former teacher at the school commented "The period of deadly dull winter evenings, with the pub as the only resort, is dead and gone and Monkton has plenty of entertainment and activities provided by the Women's Institute and other bodies. "

50 years ago: page 7 - page 8 - page 9

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