Thursday 2 May 1963
9,000,000,000 bangers! Britons eat about 568,000 miles of sausages every year. That would stretch right to the Moon and back, leaving plenty over for a good fry-up. Housewives spend £3 out of every £100 on sausages.
A new invasion of Britain is predicted. Heat ‘em and eat ‘em – pre-cooked dinners are all the rage in America, and soon they are expected here.
Barbara Cartland, novelist mum of a countess, has well-known views on love, marriage and families. She believes that a dutiful wife needs to take up to twenty-six vitamin tablets a day if she is to love fully.
In fashion, white is the colour for the summer of 1963. Synthetics have made whites practical, plus the detergent ads have convinced us that we can wash our whites clean.
A word of advice for parents of beatniks – accept their black stockings gracefully next autumn and be thankful that they are not wearing ginger, prune or putty stockings. Mary Quant, that way-out darling of Chelsea, showed her first mass-produced collection in London yesterday and ginger, prune and putty dominated her range.
The chequered flag has come down on the motor racing career of Sterling Moss. He has announced his retirement because his “judgement and dexterity are just not good enough”. He said, “I think it would be dangerous – endangering myself and others – if I went on racing.”
Television highlights: Perspective – roast beef of Old England. Bootsie and Snudge. Adventures of Tintin.
Radio highlights: Star Parade with June Whitfield. Science Review.
Weather: sunny intervals, scattered showers. Rather cold. Outlook – unsettled. 12c, 54f.
Friday 3 May 1963
The last remnants of political freedom in South Africa were destroyed yesterday by the coming into force of the “No Trial” law. From now on, political suspects can be detained indefinitely by the police, without trial, without appeal to the courts, without proof of guilt.
Canada’s new Premier, Mr Lester Pearson, flew into London yesterday for a three-day official visit and talks with Prime Minister Harold MacMillan. He said he wanted to “strengthen the economic and political co-operation between our two countries.”
Elizabeth Hardaker, 20, of Shipley, Yorkshire was given a truth drug by a psychiatrist. While under the influence of the truth drug, Elizabeth told how she forged cheques for more than £2,000 to give to her boyfriend. She has been sent to a detention centre for three months.
Sales of fresh crusty loaves are soaring on Saturdays. The reason – more people are enjoying freshly buttered bread and jam with their afternoon tea. During the week, biscuits are popular, but on the weekends we have time for a real tea.
Music: top three – From Me To You – The Beatles, How Do You Do It? – Gerry and The Pacemakers, From a Jack to a King – Ned Miller.
Football: European Cup Semi-Final, Second Leg – Dundee 1 Milan 0 (Milan won 5 – 2 on aggregate). European Cup Winners’ Cup Semi-Final, Second Leg – Tottenham Hotspur 3 OFK Belgrade 1 (Spurs won 5-2 on aggregate).
Television highlights: Hobbies Club. Millicent Martin Sings. It’s a Square World with Michael Bentine.
Radio highlights: Ladies Choir. Improve Your German.
Weather: Rain, rather cold. Outlook – rain then sunny periods. 12c, 54f.
Saturday 4 May 1963
It arrived two and a half years ago and was said to be too abandoned, too uninhibited, too sexy for the British. We are talking about, of course, the Twist. It was said that no “nice” girls would do the Twist. But today, the Queen Twists. She was taught by Princess Anne, who picked it up at her dance classes.
A customs officer searched a man at London Airport and found that he was wearing a woman’s roll-on and body-belt, a court was told yesterday. The belt contained 28 bars of gold. The man, Mark Woolf, pleaded not guilty to smuggling.
Britain’s homes, even the 1963 models, are among “the most uncomfortable in the world”, an expert told the Royal Society of Health Congress, yesterday. Improvements are needed including double-glazing, a garage, self-coloured finishes requiring no maintenance, soundproofing and draught-proofing.
A rugger playing curate brought down a man outside his church with a flying tackle. The curate, the Rev Michael Smith of St Mark’s Church, Marylebone Road, London made the tackle after a man snatched a handbag from a pew.
A Leonardo Da Vinci drawing will go on display at London’s National Gallery today. The drawing will be protected by inch-thick Perspex and a magic eye beam.
Ivor Novello Award winners – The Tornados, Steve Race, Ron Grainer, Acker Bilk and Matt Monro.
Television highlights: The Harlem Globetrotters. Saturday Sport – the Scottish FA Cup final, Celtic v Rangers. Checkmate – detective series.
Radio highlights: FA Amateur Cup Final – Sutton United v Wimbledon. Disc Break.
Weather: becoming cloudy with rain later. Outlook – sunny spells and showers. 13c, 55f.
Sunday 5 May 1963
‘Your publication of Lionel Crane’s article “How to spot a Possible Homo” was long overdue. I believe the public should know the facts.’ – Mrs R Crawford-Rivers, Bournemouth. ‘Surely these people are hounded enough.’ – J.B., London NW6.
Judgement in the Argyll divorce case is expected this week. It is expected that Lord Wheatley will spend an entire day, Wednesday, delivering his judgement. The Duke of Argyll has accused the Duchess of multiple counts of adultery.
The secret medical histories of 150 married women who have been taking new British birth control pills since 1960 will be published soon. The Family Planning Association has given its approval for the Pill to go on sale.
Out of every five people who get fibrosis and similar diseases in Britain three are women. A major cause is the constant companion of every woman – her handbag. Dr William Copeman, Chairman of the Empire Rheumatism Council said, “Women are more subject to fibrosis than men. And this is largely because they are placing an unnatural strain on their shoulder muscles by carrying heavy handbags and overloaded shopping baskets.”
Personal ads: Top recording star needs a secretary. Some typing. Good appearance essential. Chandau hairspray a must.
Television highlights: Football – Germany v Brazil direct from Hamburg via Eurovision. Songs of Praise from Milford Haven. Space Patrol.
Radio highlights: Your Hundred Best Tunes. The Roots of Prejudice.
Weather: sunny spells with showers, rather cold.
Monday 6 May 1963
Advice for the youth of today from their parents…Don’t play bingo, keep out of brothels, and don’t go anywhere near Brighton. Also, avoid air-raid shelters, striptease shows and all-night jazz dances. Films to avoid – Room at the Top and Frankenstein. Plus, do not read Lady Chatterley’s Lover.
The BBC is cutting out the chimes of Big Ben. Yesterday, the chimes of the world’s most famous clock were missing from the Home Service at 8am. In their place the BBC used the impersonal pip, pip, pip of the Greenwich time signal. A BBC spokesman said, “We have dropped Big Ben for a trial period.”
Prince Philip opened the new Hillman Imp car factory last Thursday. Today, workers will go on strike. Draughtsmen at the plant in Linwood, near Glasgow are demanding an extra £1 10s a week, to match the wages of their colleagues in Cowley, Oxford.
The F-Plan aims to end tooth decay amongst children. The plan aims to add fluorides to local water supplies. Critics say the fluoride plan is tampering with pure water. The British Dental Association says that no water is pure. “More than twenty chemicals are used to treat it.”
Squid used to be thrown away by west Wales fishermen, but now the trade is booming. The reason? The growth of Chinese restaurants has entirely accounted for the demand.
Television highlights: Table Talk with Larry Adler and Erskine Childers. Tonight with Cliff Michelmore. Ballroom Dancing- World Championships from the Royal Albert Hall.
Radio highlights: Jazz Scene. Strictly For the Judies.
Weather: sunny intervals, scattered showers. Outlook – mainly dry. 15c, 59f.
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