Saturday 27 April 1963
The Minister of Works has refused to allow Colin Jordan’s Neo-Nazi party to hold a rally at Trafalgar Square on Sunday, May 19. “In view of the likelihood of serious disorders, a rally would not be in the public interest,” said the Ministry yesterday.
The population of England and Wales is expected to rise by a third by 2002, a government report forecast yesterday. An additional 17,000,000 people will raise the number in Britain to 63,774,000.
Seven hundred hospital nurses have been told not to wear eye-shadow on duty. The order, at Hammersmith Hospital in London, came from the matron. Medical Superintendent Donald Mackay explained, “Some of the nurses were going around the hospital looking like Guy Fawkes, so the matron had to put her foot down.”
American scientists blasted another secret satellite into orbit yesterday. It is believed to be a “Ferret” eavesdropper packed with super-sensitive electric gear which picks up top-secret communications messages.
Unconfirmed reports of the first cuckoo singing in Britain in 1963 reached us in mid-March from Cheshire and Yorkshire. Most letters confirm that the earliest birds were indeed heard in the north of the country.
Television highlights: Grandstand. Juke Box Jury. That Was The Week That Was – last in the current series.
Radio highlights: Shanty Time. Ted Heath Show.
Weather: dry and mainly sunny. Outlook – little change. 14c, 57f.
Sunday 28 April 1963
Today’s colour is brown. Even Buckingham Palace has got the message. The Queen has chosen Honourable Bamboo – a brown pattern on white – for the walls of her bathroom. The experts agree that this is a good choice because people who live hectic lives need a monotone room to relax in.
Housewives in the country house belt of Berkshire are furious – David Grieg Ltd, provision merchants, have stopped home delivers and customer credit. Now their lords and ladyships send their butlers or chauffeurs to collect their meat. Many are shopping elsewhere. However, Mr V S Greig, managing director of David Grieg Ltd, is not worried. He said, “It is all part of the changing social scene. The gulf between the so-called different classes is disappearing, and it will continue to do so.”
The milk ration for prisoners in Britain’s gaols is to be increased to half a pint a day.
Eggshells in Los Angeles are turning green. Farmers are blaming the smog.
Bongo drums are in fashion. Helped by the popularity of the Bossa Nova, sales are shooting up. Bongos cost £5 a pair, complete with tutor.
Cars. Seat belts are now in. A year ago they weren’t. Record players in cars are very with it. And for motorists who have everything, burglar alarms are now all the rage.
FA Cup semi-finals: Leicester City 1 Liverpool 0. Manchester United 1 Southampton 0.
Television highlights: Songs of Praise. The Cliff Richard Show. Bob Monkhouse.
Radio highlights: Gardeners’ Question Time. Star Parade – Bernard Cribbins.
Weather: warm and sunny. Outlook – similar. 18c, 65f.
Monday 29 April 1963
Crime fighters from twenty-two nations will meet in Canberra to discuss “the role of the police in the protection of human rights”. Wire-tapping, lie-detectors and third-degree methods will be among the subjects.
It is predicted that the number of self-service shops – 11,850 with 996 of them supermarkets – will double in three years. It’s believed that by 1970 about 5,000 supermarkets will be doing half the country’s grocery trade.
The record books will state that Graham Hill won the Aintree 200 at the weekend, but the man who captured all hearts was Jim Clark, who finished third. Seconds before the start of the race, Clark pressed the starter button on his Lotus and found that the battery was flat. Despite starting a lap and a half behind the leaders, and swapping cars, Clark achieved third, driving magnificently, using every inch of the road.
Pele, the world’s number one footballer, gave Brazil their first win on their European tour with a hat-trick against France in Paris yesterday. Brazil beat France 3 – 2. Pele snatched the winning goal five minutes from time.
Frank Muir and Denis Norden, the BBC’s famous two-man team of writer-performers, are joining ITV. They will earn around £20,000 between them.
Television highlights: Blue Peter. Panorama – Britain in the 70s. World in Action – the petrol war in Britain.
Radio highlights: WHACK-O! Desert Island Discs – George Chisholm.
Weather: mainly dry with sunny intervals. Outlook – dry and warm. 18c, 64f.
Tuesday 30 April 1963
Engineers battled last night to tame a “gusher” pouring deadly gas into a moorland dale. One spark could have turned the escaping natural gas into a giant blowtorch just 300 yards from Aislaby, Whitby, Yorks. An American company, drilling on the site, struck the gas pocket unexpectedly.
The Last Post has sounded on one of Britain’s most famous brass bands. Soon Ford’s Motor Works band, winner of countless competitions, is to be scrapped. A company spokesman said, “The brass band has outlived its usefulness.”
Britain’s shop assistants have demanded a £1 a week pay rise and a five day 40 hour week. Current pay rates are below £10 a week. The Union of Shop, Distribution and Allied Workers is making these demands, and is sure to face opposition.
Pat Moss, rally driver and show jumping sister of Sterling, fitted her new caravan with a shower, fridge and television. However, thieves have stolen the caravan. Pat said, “I wish I could find out who nicked it.”
Howard Winstone of Merthyr beat Frenchman Gracieux Lamperti in eight rounds at Sophia Gardens tonight. The contest was as one-sided as a two-headed penny and it was a relief when the referee stepped in to save the Frenchman from further punishment.
Television highlights: Animal Magic with Johnny Morris. Bookstand – writers and writing. Crane – adventure series with Patrick Allen.
Radio highlights: Pop Inn. Piano Recital.
Weather: mainly dry, sunny intervals. Outlook – changeable. 15c, 59f.
Wednesday 1 May 1963
Tory MPs staged a revolt last night over the Beeching rail plan. Many were upset about the proposed savage cuts to railway services. Minister of Transport Ernest Marples faced cries of “Resign! Resign!” There was general agreement amongst MPs that Mr Marples should be moved in a Cabinet reshuffle.
Lew Grade, the managing director of Associated TeleVision, said that the proposed levy in the Television Bill would mean no more film production for television in this country. Mr Grade has sold Fireball XL5 and The Saint to overseas broadcasters. He said, “If the levy goes ahead, these may be our last exports.”
Today’s young people are the best Britain has ever had, said education chief Mr H S Magnay. He told a Baptist Union assembly in London that, “It is we older people who are not fully meeting the challenge of the times.”
A gunman with an American accent raided the United States Navy store in Hammersmith yesterday and escaped with 300 dollars. He fled in a taxi. A check is being made on American forces deserters.
Pablo Picasso, the artist, said that he was the co-inventor of a picture-painting machine. The machine, he said, projected pictures on to a canvas at the touch of a key.
Television highlights: Cricket – Worcestershire v West Indies. Roving Report – the fish war. The Roaring 20s.
Radio highlights: Japanese Poetry. Parade of the Pops.
Weather: rain then scattered showers. Outlook – showery. 14c, 57f.
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