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1963

Social History 1963 #37

Tuesday 2 July 1963

Former British diplomat Harold “Kim” Philby was officially named yesterday as the “Third Man” who tipped-off his Foreign Office colleagues Guy Burgess and Donald Maclean that the Security Services were on their trail.

Philby vanished in January, and it’s now believed that he is in Russia. This revelation, made by Mr Edward Heath, the Lord Privy Seal, follows twelve years of official denial that Philby was the “Third Man”. MPs want an inquiry. They also want to know if there is a “Fourth Man”.

Glamorous tennis star Pat Stewart, the 29 year old fashion model American-born wife of England Test batsman John Edrich, said angrily at Wimbledon last night, “I want to deny these dreadful rumours. I am not the girl behind any ticket syndicate. I am not “Miss X”. I shall take action if these rumours continue.”

Twelve suitcases containing 11,000 watches were taken from a private plane, a court was told yesterday. This consignment was part of a smuggling racket involving private planes and Jaguars, which were used to bring Swiss watches into England. The racket involved the evasion of £500,000 in customs duty. The case continues.

The number of typhoid cases in South Shields, Co Durham has now reached 42. So far this year there have been 125 cases of typhoid in Britain, excluding the cases traced to Zermatt, Switzerland.

Television highlights: Adventures in Learning. No Hiding Place. The Bodkin Club.

Radio highlights: The Last Outlaw. The Hippolytus of Euripides.

Weather: outbreaks of thundery rain. Outlook – showery. 20c, 66f.

Wednesday 3 July 1963

A bit more peace and quiet – this is what Britain needs the most. A committee looking into the problem concluded that mental health is not affected by excessive noise. However, sleep can be affected, and that is injurious to health. The committee recommended a crackdown on vehicle noise, aircraft noise and heavy industrial machinery noise. The noisiest part of Britain is around London Airport.

Six motor racing drivers took tests organised by psychiatrist Mrs Berenice Krikler. The drivers were Stirling Moss, Graham Hill, Jack Brabham, Innes Ireland, Bruce McLaren and Jim Clark. The tests were designed to measure reaction times, in particular in relation to Stirling Moss, who is still recovering from a serious head injury. Moss made nine times as many mistakes as the others. He is now considering retiring from motor racing.

Thought for the Day: “One may smile, and smile, and be a villain.” – William Shakespeare.

A tennis player at Wimbledon has told organisers, “I know the identity of “Miss X.” “Miss X” is believed to be the leader of a ticket syndicate. If identified, the player, a “star”, will be hauled before the organisers.

Wimbledon Ladies Semi-Finals:  Miss Margaret Smith v Miss Darlene Hard. Miss Billy-Jean Moffitt v Mrs Ann Haydon-Jones.

Television highlights: Stars and Garters featuring Kathy Kirby. Coronation Street – Ena Sharples insists on her rights. Look – a hare’s life.

Radio highlights: Topical Tunes. The Fight Game – a radio ballad of boxing.

Weather: bright spells and showers. Outlook – mainly dry. 20c, 68f.

Thursday 4 July 1963

There was a gasp of surprise in court yesterday when society osteopath Stephen Ward was released on £3,000 bail. Mr Ward, a central figure in the Profumo scandal, had been arrested for living off immoral earnings. Mr Ward grinned when he heard the magistrate’s decision. He left in a taxi, which was then involved in a collision. No one was hurt.

Mandy Rice-Davies, who gave evidence at the Stephen Ward trial, plans to register her name as a limited company. She said, “That’s the only way I’ll avoid heavy tax now that I’m in the money. I reckon I’ve negotiated ten grand already – and that’s just the start.”

There was a twist in the horse doping case yesterday when striptease dancer Elaine Grande was accused of “interfering” with a prosecution witness. Miss Grande shouted from the public gallery, “That’s not true at all!” The magistrate told her to remain quiet. Five men have been accused of conspiring to dope race horses. The case continues.

Four skeletons were found on a beach in Devon, yesterday. Four hours earlier, four other skeletons were found on the same beach. The police believe the remains were of sailors shipwrecked in 1760.

Wimbledon: Men’s Semi-Final Results – C. McKinley beat W. Bungert in three straight sets, F. Stolle beat M. Santana in three straight sets.

Television highlights: Gallery – Commonwealth immigration. Sir Lancelot. The Epilogue with the Rev Michael Hollings.

Radio highlights: Thanks For the Melody. Lawn Tennis and Rowing.

Weather: sunny spells and showers. Outlook – little change. 21c, 70f.

Friday 5 July 1963

After studying the ever-changing English language, our columnist Marjorie Proops complied this glossary – see below.

Soccer star George Eastham, 26, yesterday won his High Court fight for footballers “freedom” – and his victory will lead to one of the biggest upheavals ever seen in British sport. The judgement means that players are now free to negotiate their own contracts and if they are worth £125,000 or more on the transfer market they can walk out at the end of their contracts without their club getting a penny.

Dame Irene Ward has called for a probe into “black market” tickets sold by touts at “exorbitant” prices for sporting events. At Wimbledon, an investigation has so far failed to identify “Miss X” a tennis star alleged to be the leader of a ticket syndicate.

Wimbledon: Ladies semi-final results – Miss Margaret Smith beat Miss Darlene Hard 6 – 3, 6 -3. Miss Billie-Jean Moffitt beat Mrs Ann Haydon-Jones 6 – 4, 6 -4.

Cricket: England are in the Test dust cart! When rain arrived at teatime at Edgbaston, England were 157 – 5 in the Third Test against the West Indies. The pitch bestowed lavish help on the bowlers. Left uncovered to the elements, it could become unplayable tomorrow.

Television highlights: Ivor the Engine. Sunday in August – Italian film. Roving Report – the Grand Tour.

Radio highlights: Go Man Go with the Hollies. Welsh Music.

Weather: sunshine, showers and thunder. Outlook – similar. 21c, 70f.

Saturday 6 July 1963

Should Wimbledon abandon its all-white clothing rule? There was no colour at the tournament this year, of any kind. Attendance figures were down and the crowd lacked atmosphere. Top fashion designer, Ted Tinling said, “The dresses didn’t project the players’ personalities. It was like a scene out of Emergency Ward 10.” However, Pat Stewart, the 29 year old fashion model American-born wife of England Test batsman John Edrich, said, “Tennis, white and tradition go together. I thought there were lots of pretty dresses in white, and colour is not really necessary.”

At present, any money saved on housekeeping legally belongs to the husband. However, a new Bill presented to Parliament aims to give housewives a half share. However, Lord Boothby, a bachelor, spoke against the Bill. He said, “The temptation will be for the housewife to serve ghastly food from a tin, and not fresh food from the market.”

The production of cards given away free with bubblegum has halted – for the time being. The cards – Illustrating the invasion of Earth by Martians – were criticised in the House of Commons by Sir Edward Boyle, Minister of Education. He called them “horrific, absolutely deplorable”. A spokesman for the manufacturers, based at Harold Hill, Romford, Essex, said, “The drawings were made for us by a famous American artist. We commissioned them because of the tremendous interest in Space travel and the likelihood of inter-planetary travel in the near future. The cards are not horrific. They merely show the bestiality of war.” 

Cricket: England closed the second day of the Third Test at Edgbaston on 216 all out. The pitch is very lively and tomorrow’s play should be very interesting indeed.

Tennis: in a one-sided match, Chuck McKinley beat Fred Stolle 9 – 7, 6 – 1, 6 – 4 in the men’s final at Wimbledon yesterday.

Television highlights: Music of the World – in aid of UNICEF. Rave! Danger Man.

Radio highlights: Test Match Special, including motor racing and athletics. Harp Recital.

Weather: sunny spells then rain. Outlook – rain then sunny spells. 22c, 72f.

Sunday 7 July 1963

Two men were accused yesterday of “wilfully worrying ducklings in a pond”. The men told the magistrate that they were feeding the ducklings with bread and splashing water over them. The park patrol man said the men were trying to catch hold of the ducklings. Despite the men’s suspicions behaviour, the magistrate dismissed the case.

A company in America, Surprise Records, has issued an LP, Music to Strip By. The cover is decorated with a genuine stripper’s g-string. Tip for the top: If I Ruled the World by Harry Secombe and True Love by Dr Kildare himself, Richard Chamberlain. 

Agony Aunt: “Yorkshire Woman” writes, “My husband talks in his sleep and sometimes he curses me. What should I do?” Jane Adams’ reply, “Stop worrying. It’s what he says when he’s awake that counts.”

Rain was the only winner at Wimbledon yesterday. For the first time since 1927 the programme was not completed within the scheduled fortnight. The committee informed the spectators that money taken at the turnstiles would not be refunded.

With 28,000 spectators present, only 2 hours 40 minutes of play was possible in the Third Test Match at Edgbaston. Scorecard: England 216 all out. West Indies 110 – 4. Tomorrow is a rest day.

Television highlights: Robin Hood – The Devil You Don’t Know. Music of the World with Marlene Dietrich. The Other Man’s Farm.

Radio highlights: Family Favourites. Juke Box.

Weather: cool with showers and sunny intervals.

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Maid Marian and Robin Hood

Maid Marian and Robin Hood #2

The Adventures of Robin Hood

The Making of a Television Series

Beginnings: The Stage, 21 April 1955

More details about the actors in future posts. 

Ralph Smart (pictured) was an influential figure in ITC television, producing, directing and writing a number of television series including The Adventures of Robin Hood, The Adventures of Sir Lancelot, William Tell, The Invisible Man, Danger Man and The Protectors.

In 1954, Ralph joined producer Hannah Weinstein to direct The Adventures of Robin Hood. In February 1959, he told The Stage, “I like having my own way. I longed to be a producer. Then I became one. But I found that frustrating because, as executive producer, Hannah had the last say!”

Ralph retired to Queensland, Australia. He died there on 12 February 2001 aged 92.

August 1955

An insight into the making of The Adventures of Robin Hood

Kinematograph, December 1955

Another insight into the making of The Adventures of Robin Hood, from Sidney Cole, associate producer on the television series.

“The basis of good storytelling is always to present the narrative in the clearest and most direct way.”

The television series The Adventures of Robin Hood was produced by Hannah Weinstein (pictured), an American-British journalist, publicist and political activist. Fleeing political persecution, Hannah left America and settled in Britain. In London, in 1952, she established Sapphire Films. With the support of Lew Grade, Sapphire Films made series for the ITV network, including The Adventures of Robin Hood.

With the McCarthy Witch Hunts in full swing, Hannah Weinstein commissioned Robin Hood scripts from blacklisted America writers. The writers adopted pseudonyms and great care was taken at the time to keep their identities secret. A series about outlaws was effectively written by “outlaws”.

Despite the McCarthyites hating Hannah, Sapphire Films, and everything she stood for, The Adventures of Robin Hood was a great success in America. In the television series, good triumphed over evil, and that was reflected in real life.

Available for order and pre-order, my Swinging Sixties Mystery Series

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Categories
1963

Social History 1963 #36

Wednesday 26 June 1963

Cricket: The Second Test at Lord’s yesterday, on its fifth and final day, achieved the incredible, the nigh impossible. With nerves already on edge, the game boiled to a mighty crescendo. England needed 234 runs for victory. Came the last over with eight runs the margin. Hall to Shackleton. A scrambled single off the second ball – seven wanted for victory.

Allen, a single to leg. Six wanted. Shackleton swipes, misses, starts late for the bye. The ball is hurled to Worrell who whips off the bails. Shackleton run out for four. Enter Colin Cowdrey with his broken arm in plaster. A word to Allen – play safe; I can’t face a ball. Allen jabs at the penultimate delivery. Still six runs to win for England, one wicket to win for the West Indies. 

Worrell tells Hall – don’t bowl a no-ball. Hall tears in and puts his heart and soul into the delivery. Allen defends. A draw. A glorious draw. Overcome with excitement, the crowd invades the field. The result was a draw, but the game of cricket was the winner. 

A court heard yesterday that toffee bars were used to dope racehorses. One of the doped horses, St Paddy, ran at Ascot. The intention was to slow the horse down, but he won by twenty lengths. Giving evidence, “Michael” said, The dope must have been a goer, not a stopper.” The case continues.

The prices of almost all “pop” records are to go up from Monday. EMI have put up their “single” prices by 5d to 6s 8d. Extended-play records will jump by 8d to 10s 9d. “Pop” long-play discs will go up by 1s 1d to £1 12s. EMI said the increases are due to rising costs. The Pye company is not increasing prices at the moment.

London Transport is now short of 3,000 bus drivers and conductors, despite a 10s wage rise in March. Currently, there are 27,000 busmen in Greater London.

Television highlights: President Kennedy in Europe – four programmes, four hours. Men of Our Time – Mahatma Gandhi. Glamour ‘63.

Radio highlights: Scandinavian Dances. Postal Bingo Show.

Weather: sunny intervals and showers. Outlook – similar. 18c, 64f.

Thursday 27 June 1963

Charles Houghton, the head porter who was coshed when bandits stole £250,000 worth of gold bullion from a London warehouse four weeks ago, has been sacked. Mr Houghton, his wife and two daughters must also leave their flat above the warehouse. They must be out by tomorrow. 

Wives who work should think twice about accepting promotion because the additional responsibility makes them irritable. Dr Amy Cohen said, “Over-conscientious women at work take their business worries home with them – and take their home worries to work.”

There’s been a five percent drop in cigarette smoking. Britons now consume 3,000,000 lbs of tobacco a year. This is the first significant drop since 1950. However, cigar and pipe smoking has increased.

After the thrill-packed Lord’s Test Match, a West Indian cricket supporter appeared in court in north London, accused of being drunk and disorderly. The magistrate, Mr Frank Milton told him, “You had reason to celebrate. There has not been a Test Match like this in a hundred years, so you are discharged.”

Is Elvis on the slide? His new disc, Devil in Disguise, will either confirm or deny it. Highest new entry this week – number nineteen, Da Doo Ron Ron by the Crystals.

Television highlights: Don’t Say a Word – gameshow with Michael Medwin and Maxine Audley. Alfred Hitchcock Hour with Robert Redford. News, weather and road-works report.

Radio highlights: Listeners Answer Back. Swinging UK. 

Weather: sunny intervals and showers. Outlook – similar. 19c, 66f.

Friday 28 June 1963

Nearly one-third of all households in Britain had the use of a car in 1961. And seven in 100 had the use of two or more cars. The average mileage over one week was 135 miles according to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Transport.

The Conservatives have pledged that the channel ITA 2 will be on the air by 1966. The BBC’s second channel is due on air in April next year, in the London area, and will probably extend to the Midlands by the following year.

The typhoid outbreak has spread to St Thomas’ Hospital, Waterloo. Further cases were also confirmed in the North East and Norwich.

Twenty women in Rome’s telephone exchange fainted yesterday when temperatures climbed into the mid-90s.

Englishmen in their holiday togs are an embarrassment. They should realise that baggy flannels went out with silent films, and tweed jackets and braces are not a sight for the beaches. Undone shirt buttons revealing string vests are also off-putting, and don’t get me started on knotted handkerchiefs worn on sun-sensitive heads.

The New Musical Express’ half-yearly poll places Cliff Richard at number one followed by the Beatles, the Shadows, Gerry and the Pacemakers and the Springfields. Elvis Presley has dropped from number one to sixteenth place.

Stirling Moss, one of the greatest motor racing drivers of all time, failed his motor scooter driving test yesterday. He said, “I am not so much disappointed as frustrated.”

Television highlights: Wimbledon. Robin Hood. Dad, You’re a Square.

Radio highlights: Play – The Mating Season. Continental Melodies.

Weather: showers or rain. Outlook – probably dry. 18c, 64f.

Saturday 29 June 1963

Scientists are trying to talk with dolphins. The scientists claim that the dolphins can say the words “no”, “okay” and “food”. If we learn to talk with dolphins then the scientists believe it will be easier to communicate with any creatures we might find on other planets.

Giving evidence at the Stephen Ward trial, Mandy Rice-Davies told the court that Ward said they ought to get married sometime. She also said that at Ward’s suggestion she entertained gentlemen and, by accident, she broke a two-way mirror that looked into a bedroom from the lounge.

Exclusively for Women: Win an Hillman Imp de Lux. Six new super mini-cars, taxed and insured for a year, to be won. In Balmoral grey this super car could be yours. Details on Monday.

Tennis: this year’s Wimbledon has been the dullest for years. The seeding committee botched their job and seeded the wrong players; the matches, bar the odd exception, have been one-sided, and now the weather has intervened bringing rain, which has descended like a plague on the Championships.

Ruptured? Start a new life with Myo-Plastex the modern appliance that brings unique “as with the fingertips” relief without fixed pads or springs. Thirty-day money back guarantee.

Television highlights: Juke Box Jury featuring John Lennon. The Winifred Atwell  Show. Lucky Stars Summer Spin with the Beatles.

Radio highlights: It’s Latin. Motoring and the Motorist.

Weather: sunshine and showers. Outlook – probably little change. 16c, 61f.

Sunday 30 June 1963

In the Stephen Ward trial, Mandy Rice-Davies told the court that she had “relations” with Lord Astor. Mr James Burge, defending Ward, said to Miss Rice-Davies, “Do you know that Lord Astor has made a statement to the police saying that these allegations of yours are absolutely untrue.” The crowd erupted with laughter when Miss Rice-Davies replied quickly, “Well, he would, wouldn’t he?”

Lord Hailsham angrily lashed out yesterday at the people, who he said, were filling London with “the most extraordinary rumours” associated with the Profumo scandal. London, he said, “Has been filled with the filthiest rumours, seemingly systematically spread, affecting all manner of persons”. He added, “I am neither the man without a head (this was a reference to the Duchess of Argyll divorce), the man in the iron mask, the man who apparently goes about clad only in a Masonic apron, or a visitor to unnamed orgies.”

Housewives who want to aid Britain’s tragic thalidomide babies can now do so by collecting Green Shield Stamps. The Green Shield Stamp Trading Company will give £10,000 in cash in exchange for 15,000 full books of stamps. The stamps are available from a growing number of shops with one stamp given for every sixpence spent.

Music: the sick disc season is here. Following the American trend, the British charts might soon be invaded by songs about brides stranded at the alter because their fiancés have been killed in an accident. Tin Pan Alley has discovered that ghoulish death is a big money-maker.

Television highlights: Coronation of Pope Paul VI. The French Grand Prix from Rheims. Lorna Doone – serial with Jane Merrow as Lorna.

Radio highlights: Music Magazine. The Countryside in June.

Weather: cloudy with heavy rain and thunderstorms.

Monday 1 July 1963

A new do-it-yourself wine craze is sweeping Britain. The are now 164 wine-making clubs. Members are making wine from bananas, primroses, broad beans, marrows, spinach and rose petals. Wine-making sets are selling at 35s.

A female tennis player is being linked with a “black market” ticket racket at Wimbledon. “Miss X” is believed to be the key player in a five-strong syndicate. Players get free books of six tickets. It’s alleged that “Miss X” has bought twenty books at £10 a book, then sold them on to spivs who, at a higher price, sell them to spectators.

London’s most with-it pub is the Thomas a Beckett in the Old Kent Road. There, people like Stanley Baker and Richard Burton drink side by side with taxi drivers and dockers. However, the “Knees Up Mother Brown” days are over. Landlord Tommy Gibbons has installed a swinging band and a juke box which, for a shilling a time, also shows appropriate films.

Handwoven tweed ties with fringed ends are the top neckwear for German men.

Cut Your Own Hair. Penn’s Easytrim is easier and quicker than clippers. It cuts as it combs. For use with either hand. Suitable for gents and ladies. Send 7s 6d to Penn Ltd, Finchley, London.

Personal advertisement: Ursula – I know what has happened. I wish to help you. Write to your old address, Gordon.

Television highlights: Destiny 63 – play about neo-Nazis. The Choice is Yours – popular melodies. What’s New? Inventions and ideas.

Radio highlights: Housewives’ Choice. Top of the Morning.

Weather: showers and bright spells. Outlook – little change. 18c, 64f.

Anticipated pattern of future blog posts: Marian and Robin – every six days, 1963 newspaper digests – every six days.

Available for order and pre-order, my Swinging Sixties Mystery Series

https://books2read.com/u/bMqNPG

For Authors

#1 for value with 565,000 readers, The Fussy Librarian has helped my books to reach #1 on over thirty occasions.

A special offer from my publisher and the Fussy Librarian. https://authors.thefussylibrarian.com/?ref=goylake

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Maid Marian and Robin Hood

Maid Marian and Robin Hood #1

I’m developing a series about Maid Marian that will, naturally, also feature Robin Hood. My posts here will focus mainly on British productions of the legend, simply because I find them more interesting – I’m not a big fan of “Hollywood does medieval”.

My main focus in these posts will be on the 1955-59 British television series, The Adventures of Robin Hood. However, other productions will also feature.

Over twenty actresses have portrayed Maid Marian in film and on television.

Josée Richard (pictured) played Maid Marian in the 1953 BBC mini-series Robin Hood. She was married to broadcaster Robert Robinson for over fifty years.

Josée Richard, below, pictured in The Sketch in July 1953.

In 1953 Patrick Troughton starred as Robin Hood in a six-episode television series, the first television production of Robin Hood. The thirty minute episodes were transmitted live, and only eight minutes from the second episode, The Abbot of St. Mary’s, survived.

The cast included Josée Richard as Maid Marian, Wensley Pithey as Friar Tuck, Kenneth Mackintosh as Little John and David Kossoff as the Sheriff of Nottingham.

The Episodes:

  1. Gathering the Band (17 March 1953)
  2. The Abbot of St. Mary’s (24 March 1953)
  3. Who Is Robin? (31 March 1953)
  4. The Silver Arrow (7 April 1953)
  5. A King Comes to Greenwood (14 April 1953)
  6. The Secret (21 April 1953)

Richard Greene thought long and hard – for three months – before accepting the part of Robin Hood in the television series The Adventures of Robin Hood (1955-59). An established screen and stage actor, he was aware of the risks of “stepping down” to make a television series. Had the scripts and production values been poor, the decision would have severely damaged his career. However, the scripts and production values were excellent, and Robin Hood became the defining role of his distinguished career.

Anticipated pattern of future blog posts: Marian and Robin – every six days, 1963 newspaper digests – every six days.

Available for order and pre-order, my Swinging Sixties Mystery Series

https://books2read.com/u/bMqNPG

For Authors

#1 for value with 565,000 readers, The Fussy Librarian has helped my books to reach #1 on over thirty occasions.

A special offer from my publisher and the Fussy Librarian. https://authors.thefussylibrarian.com/?ref=goylake

Don’t forget to use the code goylake20 to claim your discount 🙂

Categories
1963

Social History 1963 #35

Friday 21 June 1963

England v West Indies, Second Test at Lord’s. The West Indies closed the first day on 245 – 6. Rohan Kanhai top-scored with 73 while Fred Trueman took 5 – 64. The green pitch was tailor-made for England’s bowlers, so both sides will be pleased and disappointed.

A startling rise in convictions for drug offences in Britain was revealed yesterday. The number of people ending up in court for drug offences is six times higher than it was six years ago. In 1962 there were 675 convictions for offences involving dangerous drugs. In 1957 the figure was 100. The main problem is an increase in the trafficking of Indian hemp.

More cases of Typhoid have been confirmed in Harlow, Essex. However, Harlow’s Medical Officer of Health said, “I can confirm that the outbreak is now over.” The outbreak was caused by a 6lb can of corned beef. A South American firm is being investigated.

The pound is now worth 13s 9d in purchasing power compared to 20s in October 1951.

Salad prices are down this weekend and strawberries are plentiful too. Fruit is also plentiful, although oranges are in short supply. Lamb is cheaper and it’s the best week of the year so far for trout. 

Television highlights: Out of Town with John Hargreaves. Hobbies Club – areomodelling. It’s a Square World with Michael Bentine.

Radio highlights: Test Match Special. Xerxes – opera by Handel.

Weather: sunshine and showers. Outlook – similar. 21c, 70f.

Saturday 22 June 1963

Guitarist John Lennon, 22 year old leader of the Beatles “pop” group said last night, “Why did I have to go and punch my best friend? I was so high, I didn’t realise what I was doing.” He sent a telegram apologising to 29 year old Liverpool “rock” compare and disc jockey Bob Wooler, who was nursing a black eye, bruised ribs and torn knuckles.

The higher a man’s place in the peerage, the greater the risk of divorce. A debate in the House of Lords revealed that 3% of Life Peers divorce, 15% of Barons, 21% of Viscounts, 22% of Earls, 26% of Marquesses, and 30% of Dukes.

A bedroom raider stole £4,000 worth of jewellery from the ladies of the fashionable Landsdowne Club in Mayfair. Scotland Yard detectives are questioning the 3,600 members to determine exactly what was stolen.

What a Test Match! What a great day’s cricket! Resuming at 245 – 6 the West Indies were bowled out for 301. England closed on 244 – 7. During their innings England scored 82 runs off 14 overs in one hour. Ken Barrington scored a patient 80 and Ted Dexter a swashbuckling 70. Day three promises more excitement.

The king of tennis fashion design, Teddy Tinling, has criticised Wimbledon’s ban on coloured clothing. He said the white clothes only rule was “outdated”. He added, “I’ve done everything with white that it’s possible to do.” The fashionable focal point this season is the cleavage, which is causing some consternation amongst the members of the All England Club.

Television highlights: Juke Box Jury featuring Jane Asher. Ballroom Dancing from Belgium. Morecambe and Wise with Acker Bilk.

Radio highlights: BBC Music Festival 1963. Recent Releases.

Weather: showery. Outlook – unsettled. 20c, 68f.

Sunday 23 June 1963

What is the best test to discover if you have enjoyed your Sunday lunch? Royal Chef Harry Allen has an answer to that question. “If people feel ready to doze, and don’t have indigestion, that’s a sign of a good lunch.”

Fashionable in France: Bermuda shorts in bright, clingy fabrics; single stockings – in case you only need to replace one; camping – the French are preferring tents to luxury hotels; a drink called the Elephant – one third iced tea, one third dark rum, one third light rum, plus mint leaves.

For your beach bag: loafing shoes with leather trimmings; Face Savers – absorbent linen to wipe your face; big towels decorated with “paintings” of the seashore, water skiers and palm trees.

Cricket: High Drama at Lord’s. With the gates closed and thousands shut out, England scored 297 in reply to the West Indies 301. In their second innings the West Indies are 150 – 5 with the cream of their batting back in the pavilion. If England can dismiss Basil Butcher early in the morning, he’s 86 not out, they will fancy their chances of levelling the series.

Petula Clark is to become the BBC’s first disc jockey with a roving commission. She will spin Continental discs to Britain from just about every European capital. She will also have complete freedom to select the discs.

Pop Music: prediction spot – two for the top twenty – Just Like Me by the Hollies and Da Doo Ron Ron by the Crystals. This week’s number one – I Like It by Gerry and the Pacemakers.

Television highlights: Fireball XL5 – Space City Special. Robin Hood – The Loaf. Motor Racing – the Dutch Grand Prix.

Radio highlights: The Ballad of Reading Gaol. Serial – The King Must Die.

Weather: hot and sunny. Outlook – showers. 21c, 70f.

Monday 24 June 1963

Rumours are circulating that Christine Keeler, a central figure in the Profumo Scandal, was involved with a member of the Royal Family. The rumours mention Prince Philip by name. The Daily Mirror is able to announce today that these rumours are utterly unfounded.

Rival gangs armed with iron bars, bottles and knives clashed in Petticoat Lane Market, East London, last night. Several people, including bystanders, were injured during the running battle. The most serious injury required 20 stitches. Four youths were later arrested.

The Rev John Cotgrove of St Michael’s, Bromley-by-Bow has suggested that couples should marry in cinemas converted into “marriage theatres”. Instead of hymns the organist could strike up something like “Lucky Lips”. And outside the names of the lucky pair could be displayed in bright lights. The Rev Cotgrove said he fully supported church weddings, but he added that people should also have an alternative.

Jim Clark, the 27 year old Flying Scotsman, jumped into the lead in the drivers’ world championship. Driving a V-8 Lotus, he led the Dutch Grand Prix from start to finish. At the end of the 208 mile race, he was more than a lap ahead of the rest of the field. Clark’s average speed was 97.53 mph. He also set a lap record of 100.1 mph.

In the Second Test Match at Lord’s, the West Indies are 218 runs ahead of England with five wickets left. They recovered from 104 – 5 to 214 – 5 thanks to Basil Butcher, 129 not out, and Frank Worrell, 33 not out. England captain Ted Dexter injured his knee, but will bat in the second innings. Dexter also announced that he hoped to stand for parliament as a Tory candidate in Cardiff.

Personal advertisement: June, I apologise – C.

Television highlights: Tennis from Wimbledon (on BBC and ITV). The Men From the Bush – suspense series. Men of 1862 – Karl Marx.

Radio highlights: Desert Island Discs – Beryl Reid. Hit Parade.

Weather: sunshine and showers. Outlook – changeable. 17c, 63f.

Tuesday 25 June 1963

Cricket: Second Test Match, England v West Indies at Lord’s. Because of bad light only 190 minutes of play was possible. The West Indies second innings closed at 229 with Fred Trueman taking 5 – 52. England replied with 116 – 3. England need another 118 to win, a task that should be within their grasp. On another day of high drama, during a fiery spell Wes Hall broke Colin Cowdrey’s left arm. Will Cowdrey bat tomorrow? If England need only a few runs to win, he might have to.

GB of London writes: “Why can’t we have ‘Gents Only’ compartments on trains? We men could then have peace on the early morning trip to work. The ladies’ chin-wag energy so early in the day amazes me.”

The “Ladies” at the Green Man pub in Cambridgeshire is temporarily out of bounds because it is occupied by five baby swallows. If anyone tries to “spend a penny” the fledglings’ mother swoops above their heads.

However wild “pop” music might get there is always Eric Robinson to represent British middle of the road broadcasting. To watch this rounded “square” playing the Merry Widow Waltz, and beaming farewell over his shoulder, is to know that the BBC still respects the respectable.

Britain’s dynamic Mike Sangster announced that he will quit tennis and marry if he won Wimbledon. He believes that tennis and marriage do not mix. However, his girlfriend Pauline Goodrich will have to wait another year at least because Mike lost in the first round, in straight sets.

Television highlights: Wimbledon and Cricket. Opera with Geraint Evans. Emergency Ward 10 – Sarah Smith has a taste of ward discipline.

Radio highlights: Pop Go the Beatles. The Archers.

Weather: rain then showers. Outlook – changeable. 17c, 63f.

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