Monday 27 May 1963
Interference to BBC television reception got worse yesterday. Some people heard French voices when they switched on. A BBC spokesman said that heavy atmospheric heat layers could cause strong signals from the Continent to interfere with their wavebands at this time of year. He added that it was a good omen for a fine summer.
Yesterday was the finest day of the year. Sun-starved Britons headed for the coast and countryside in droves. At Southend, Essex, the temperature reached 75f, the highest anywhere in Britain so far this year.
The cost of a large loaf will increase by 1/2d today. New price: 1s 1d unwrapped, 1s 2d wrapped.
Fact: Britain leads the world in newspaper readership and the publication of literary works.
Football: Teeside League – Cargo Fleet 3 Britannia Rovers 5. One of the Britannia Rovers goals was scored by a collie dog who leapt and nodded a wayward shot into the net. Despite protests from Cargo Fleet, the referee allowed the goal to stand.
Ten days before the First Test, the West Indies tourists are suffering. Willie Rodrigues has a displaced kneecap, Lance Gibbs has a broken bone in his left hand, Alf Valentine has strained a hamstring, Seymour Nurse has also strained a hamstring, Frank Worrell has a knee strain, Conrad Hunte has stitches in his head, and wicketkeeper Allen has the flu.
Television highlights: Men of 1862 – Napoleon III, lecture series. Fireball XL5. Man From Interpol.
Radio highlights: Whack-O! Ballads.
Weather: sunny periods. Outlook – warm, thundery rain. 18c, 64f.
Tuesday 28 May 1963
Britain’s new hover-bus will start £1 a head pleasure trips on the Thames next month. It will ply between the Festival Pier, the Tower and the Houses of Parliament. Over £300,000 has been spent on the development of this hover-bus, and they will sell at £75,000 each.
The latest fashion craze – choose a lipstick to match your mood. Ya-Ya Yellow is a “real Yes colour”, Yum-Yum Pink is for when you are in your sweetest mood, and the Palest is for when you are feeling frail. If you don’t know what mood you are in you could try 63 Pink or 64 Rose.
In a daylight raid, a gang of safe-breakers stole 150lbs of explosives from an army store in Netheravon, Wiltshire. Enough explosives were stolen to blow 2,000 safes.
The number of pet budgies is on the decline in Britain. A spokesman for the PDSA said that the popularity of pet budgies may have passed its peak.
Questions in the House of Commons: what is the name of the wonder drug that turns brunettes into blondes? Health Minister Enoch Powell refused to answer. It was a clinical matter and not his responsibility, he said.
Despite the current measles epidemic, Health Minister Enoch Powell said the Government would not be recommending vaccines for general use at present.
Television highlights: Bookstand – sex in literature. Background – the colour bar. Living Today – cooking a Chinese meal.
Radio highlights: Say it With Music. The Canterbury Pilgrims.
Weather: mostly dry and sunny. Outlook – similar. 19c, 66f.
Wednesday 29 May 1963
Jill Kennington is a typical 1963 model. She is 5 foot 8 inches, 34-23-35, may look like a waif suffering just the teeniest bit from malnutrition, but give her a zany job, and she’ll do it. She said, “I don’t ask for danger money. I don’t mind doing anything crazy because I know it will produce a marvellous, exciting picture.”
Soho is now regarded as the “most disreputable place in Europe”. In the House of Lords steps are being considered to control strip clubs, “clip joints”, back room clubs and naughty film clubs. Lord Morrison said, “Something should be done for the good name of Britain.”
MP Leslie Hale is to challenge a law that forbids housewives from taking fish and chips home on a Sunday. They can take home pies, peas, puddings and mash, but because of a law made in 1936 and consolidated in 1950, they must eat fish and chips inside the shop.
The new totting up law aimed at dangerous drivers comes into force today. Under the law any driver who is found guilty of one of twenty motoring offences will have his convictions totted up against him. Three endorsements within three years will lead to an automatic ban of six months.
Economy drive: mechanics in the US forces will now have to make do with 235 kinds of screwdriver instead of the present 526 kinds.
Television highlights: Football – Czechoslovakia v England, the last 25 minutes. The Des O’Connor Show, first in a new series. Let’s Dance with Marion Ryan.
Radio highlights: Classic Language of Architecture. Evensong.
Weather: cloudy with a chance of rain. Outlook – heavy showers. 14c, 57f.
Thursday 30 May 1963
A petrol bomb was hurled through the window of a London betting shop last night. This is one of more than a dozen similar incidents over the past few months. Protection gangs are thought to be responsible.
Crime is rising so steeply in Britain that there is a danger of going back to mob rule, like the Gordon Riots of 1780, so said Mr H Rutherford, Chief Constable of Surrey. He added, “I am not blaming the young people of the country. I think on the whole they are jolly good. But something must be done. Attitudes must change in homes and schools.”
From the British Medical Journal: an ideal husband would have a sense of humour, good manners, tolerance and intelligence. An ideal wife would have a sense of humour, intelligence and be physically attractive.
Agony Aunt: Sophisticated Paula writes, “I’m going out with a very dominating man. I obey him, but wonder if I’m being a fool” Jane Adams’ advice, “Dominating men grow weary of women who give in all the time. They yearn for a woman with spirit.”
Agony Aunt: Susie writes, “One of our flat mates is so untidy, she is driving us wild.” Jane Adams’ advice, “Untidiness is a chronic disease and it can only be kept under control by constant nagging and bullying.”
Television highlights: Rag, Tag and Bobtail. Moonstrike – World War Two Resistance drama. Science in the Shadows – scientific resources in Britain.
Radio highlights: Berlin in the 1920s. Saludos Amigos!
Weather: sun, cloud and rain. Outlook – same. 15c, 59f.
Friday 31 May 1963
The average housewife spends 365 hours a year washing dishes and 160 hours washing clothes. Despite the criticisms from Which? magazine, dishwashers are set to become the next “must have” labour-saving device in the home.
Figures from last year reveal that, for the first time, more people travelled by air than sea between Britain and the rest of the world – 7,675,000 people travelled by air, 7,223,000 by sea.
A new £400,000 computer – a kind of robot forecaster – is to be used by the Meteorological Office. A spokesman said, “This should lead to improvements in the forecasts, though it will be a gradual process.”
The outgoing Conservative run council in Walsall has announced that no more coloured people will be hired as bus drivers or conductors. However, the incoming Labour council has announced that it will reverse that decision.
Selling the family silver. Lord Brownlow’s collection of family silver sold for a record £141,600 at a Christie’s auction yesterday. Meanwhile, a pair of cake baskets fetched £15,500 at Sotheby’s.
Too many plays these days have unhealthy and sordid themes, says a report by the Rev D.F. Strudwick, chairman of the Public Morality Council. He added, “It’s high time the public insisted on different entertainment.”
Television highlights: The Victorians – new drama series. The First Australians with David Attenborough. Let’s Imagine – spending a million pounds.
Radio highlights: Break for Music. Public Service Announcements.
Weather: sunny and warm with scattered thunderstorms. Outlook – similar. 24c, 75f.
Cover reveal for Runaway, book three in my Swinging Sixties Mystery Series. Inspired by my research, and the people themselves, this story will feature a young woman who cannot hear or speak. She will become a series character.
Available for pre-order, Songbird, my novel set in the winter of 1962-63
https://books2read.com/u/bMqNPG
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