Tag: Fiction

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1963

Social History 1963 #59

Saturday 30 November 1963

How to identify a “with it” girl. She wears white fishnet stockings, knickerbockers and heavy round spectacles, does the Shake instead of the Twist, uses glycerine on her nose, and only makes up one half of her face. She also eats pickled onions.

Fascinate the girls! The “Beetle Wig” – only 15/11, post etc 1/7. Genuinely lifelike. It can be combed into the authentic style. Jet black. So realistic, it looks like real hair. No special haircut needed – just put on your Beetle Wig. Two or more post free.

“In June, our tortoise laid four eggs. We are thrilled because these have now hatched out and the babies are thriving well. We have named them after the Beatles.” – Mrs I Patching, London.

105 toys for 17/6. Ideal for parties. Toys include: hilarious jumping spider, running mouse, jumping crabs, parachutes, cap bombs, bow and arrow, handcuffs, conjuring tricks, catapult and genuine flying saucer.

Roast chicken is challenging roast beef for first place on the nation’s Sunday dinner tables. Mutton and lamb, one time favourites, are losing their appeal. Beef and veal are in demand, but the call is for chicken. Rapid expansion in the broiler industry means that chicken is no longer in the “luxury” class of meat.

The Air Ministry begin their long-range weather forecasting service today. The forecast for the month of December will be broadcast at 11.10 pm after That Was The Week That Was on BBC television. Mr Howarth Freeman, assistant director of the Met Office, will present the forecast.

Television highlights: Dr Who – science fiction series, episodes one and two. The Avengers – The Grandeur That Was Rome. The Sentimental Agent – adventure series.

Radio highlights: Motoring and the Motorist. Pop Track.

Weather: sunshine, showers, drizzle. Rather cold. Outlook – rain at times. 6c, 43f.

Sunday 1 December 1963

Britain’s first long-range weather forecast: no White Christmas; instead, freezing fog and severe cold. The very wet weather in November is expected to give way to drier weather in December with rainfall below average. Severe cold spells will alternate with milder interludes.

Colin Jordan’s British Nazi Party is receiving secret funds from abroad. They are also receiving Nazi propaganda publications. It is believed that cash is sent instead of cheques. Colin Jordan believes that his views are popular in England and not subversive.

Beatlemania has infiltrated into trad jazz. Bob Wallis has a new record out – Pavanne – on which he defies tradition by including an electric guitar! This will offend purists, no doubt, and could put a nail into the trad jazz coffin. But it should be a hit for this popular young trumpeter.

Number one with a new entry – I Want to Hold Your Hand by the Beatles. Number two – She Loves You by the Beatles.The Beatles are also at number fourteen with The Beatles Hits EP and number seventeen with their Twist and Shout EP.

“Wednesday night and millions of soccer-loving working men were looking forward to the tele-recording of the Spurs-Manchester United European Cup game. Alas, it was postponed. Never mind, the BBC will show us a consolation. But what did we get? A documentary on work!” – John Griffiths, Bridgend, Glamorgan.

Football Results: First Division – Blackburn 4 Arsenal 1, Blackpool 3 Leicester 3, Liverpool 2 Burnley 0, Sheffield United 1 Manchester United 2, Spurs 1 Sheffield Wednesday 1. Top three – Liverpool, Blackburn, Spurs.

Television highlights: Memorial Service for President Kennedy from St Paul’s Cathedral. Fireball XL5. The Saint – The King of Beggars.

Radio highlights: The Rum ‘Um – Portrait of Hawker of Morwenstow. Family Favourites.

Weather: dull, misty and rather cold.

Monday 2 December 1963

Mrs Rosina Lewis, the blonde wife of the licencee of The Bull at Hornchurch, Essex, has a broomstick hung on the wall in the saloon bar. She claims that the broomstick helps to cure customers’ hangovers through witchcraft. “My great-grandmother was a witch in Essex,” she said. “And she passed many of her secrets on to me.”

Britain is the world’s largest exporter of farm tractors. We export three times as many as Western Germany and five times as many as the United States.

The Royal National Institute for the Deaf are once again holding their Deaf Children’s Party at the Seymour Hall on January 7th. Can you please spare a toy or donation? RNID, Gower Street, London.

A rescue team used a new type of inflatable plastic splint when they brought down an injured climber on Snowdonia yesterday. He was Peter Leyshon of Tonypandy, Glamorgan, who broke an ankle when he fell ten feet.

“Your assertion that Wales is musically illiterate is rubbish. Haven’t you heard of Ivor Novello, Harry Secombe, Ivor Emmanuel and Shirley Bassey?” – Dai the Pencil, Salop.

Commercials will be added to records played on Juke Boxes in 300 of London’s coffee bars. A spokesman explained, “Teenagers are an elusive and difficult market, even though they spend nearly £1,000,000,000 a year. They don’t really watch tv or read the newspapers. This way we can catch them in their own environment.”

Television highlights: Come Dancing with Peter West. The Royal Smithfield Show. Discovering Japanese Art.

Radio highlights: Paul Temple and the Jonathan Mystery. Screwballs and Iron Bars.

Weather: cloudy, rain in places. Outlook – dry and rather cold. 9c, 48f.

Tuesday 3 December 1963

It is estimated that there are 40,000 fruit machines in Britain’s 24,000 social clubs. And between them they are gobbling up sixpences to the merry tune of £200,000,000 annually. This is nearly a quarter of the nation’s gambling bill. When the machines leave the factories, they have been adjusted to return four-fifths of the takings in prizes to the players. However, it is possible for an operator to rig a machine so that the jackpot never comes up.

Mirror Newspapers fundraising for Christmas 1963: Sunshine Homes for Blind Babies, Fireside Fund (a sack of coal) for old folks, Dr Barnardo’s Homes and the Muscular Dystrophy Group of Great Britain.

At the Kinross by-election, won by the Tories, once again the opinion polls were wrong. They over-estimated the Labour vote and under-estimated the Liberal vote. Substantially. They forecast Labour second and the Liberals third, but it was the other way around. This begs the question: is there a deliberate distortion of opinion to influence the voters?

Drivers of Post Office supply vans have been awarded pay rises of between eight and ten percent.

“As a milkman, I was grateful for the suggestion that milkmen should be given Christmas Day off. However, how can we let the cows know that we want a “double issue” for Christmas Eve delivery.” – G.A Hulme, Leicester.

Football: Everton drew 1 – 1 with Glasgow Rangers last night and won the “Unofficial British Championship” 4 – 2 on aggregate. However, the game was marred when a bottle was thrown at a linesman. Both Everton and Glasgow Rangers have been troubled by crowd violence this season 

Television highlights: World in Action – Dallas, city of violence. Here and Now – London’s fashion scene. Fascinating Facts with Kenneth Kendall.

Radio highlights: Bristol Fashion. Keep Up Your French.

Weather: cloudy with sunny intervals. Outlook – mostly dry with night frost. 7c, 45f.

Wednesday 4 December 1963

Detectives have arrested John Thomas Daly, who is wanted for questioning in connection with the Great Train Robbery. The police found Daly and his wife Barbara, who is expecting a baby, in a lavishly furnished basement flat in Belgravia. Members of Parliament, peers and privy councillors also live in the area. This is the twentieth arrest in the Great Train Robbery case.

In connection with the Great Train Robbery, police are still seeking to interview Bruce Reynolds, Roy “The Weasel” James, Ronald “Buster” Edwards and his wife June, James Edward White and his wife Sheree. 

Mr Hugh Carleton Greene, the BBC Director General, denied that the satirical show That Was The Week That Was was ever censored. However, he admitted that when asked for advice, he sometimes said “no” to an item.

Women motorists have been told, if you want to drive well and safely don’t wear tight bras or girdles. Turn-back cuffs, dangling jewellery and high-heeled shoes are also hazards. To lose their bad reputation on the road, women should dress to drive, and should feel comfortable.

Trading stamps with petrol: to get enough stamps to claim a television set, a motorist would have to drive from the Earth to the Moon. Five times around the world would win him a watch, and twice around the world a road atlas of Europe.

Agony Aunt: “Can you put me in touch with a man who does not drink, smoke or swear, and who is thrifty, kind and sensible, and has no bad habits.” Jane Adams’ reply, “Come off it.”

Football: European Cup Winners’ Cup, Second Round First Leg – Tottenham Hotspur 2 Manchester United 0. 

Television highlights: Stalingrad – epic German war play. 14-18 – the story of the First World War. Sportsview – soccer and rugby.

Radio highlights: Parade of the Pops with Dusty Springfield. A Book at Bedtime.

Weather: cloudy, rain at times. Outlook – rain at times. 7c, 45f.

Thursday 5 December 1963

Extra police will be on duty today to control crowds outside the Old Bailey, where Christine Keeler will face trial with two other women and a man. All four are accused of conspiring to obstruct the course of justice. The three women are also charged with perjury. 

Tory MP Henry Price told women Tories at Sydenham, “We have got to beat the Beatles.” He added that the Beatles’ music is hypnotising teenagers and that these teenagers are “being sent”. They are becoming “addicts”, but Mr Price hoped that they would grow out of it.

Two people in Bedford have typhoid fever. The cases are linked to an outbreak six weeks ago.

Rebels attacked the home of the British Ambassador in Venezuela. No one was hurt.

Historic Woolwich Arsenal Royal Ordinance Factory is to close in 1966. The Arsenal produced the shot for the Battle of Waterloo, turned out 20,000,000 shells to beat the Kaiser and 5,000,000 bombs to smash the Nazis. Future guns manufacture will be concentrated at the Royal Ordinance Factory in Nottingham.

An incident in Gloucester resulted in a mini car being written off. Mr T Poole of Worcester was driving along a country road when a horse ran out from behind a gate. As if in play, the horse sat on his car, shattering the windscreen and crumpling the roof. The horse did not appear hurt.

Housewives may be paying as much for potatoes this winter as they did last winter, but there will be no shortage. Crop acreage is up 28,000 and unless there is a series of sharp frosts, current supplies should see us through.

Television highlights: Gallery – the public ownership of steel. It’s a Square World with Michael Bentine. Weather and road works report. 

Radio highlights: Dylan Thomas Recollections. The Beat Show.

Weather: sunny spells, rather cold. Outlook – little change. 5c, 41f.

Friday 6 December 1963

Britain is set for its biggest ever spending spree. The Bank of England revealed a £40,000,000 jump in banknote circulation to £2,495,000,000. This is £124,000,000 more than Britons had in their purses and pockets a year ago. There is a big demand for £5 notes. They account for about half the value of notes now in circulation.

Debates in the House of Commons will not be televised. Prime Minister Alec Douglas-Home dismissed the idea of an experimental period to see if debates were suitable for public transmission.

A bus shelter in Ash, Kent has become a “cesspool of iniquity”. Parish Councillor Frank Jenner said that people are using the shelter as a “lust shelter” and that a police sergeant and two constables are urgently needed to restore order. Mr Sidney Gilby, who manages a nearby cafe, said, “There are all sorts of goings on in the shelter.” The bus shelter is in the centre of the village and is capable of accommodating fifty people.

A turkey weighing 60lbs 13oz won the Heaviest Turkey of 1963 at the International Poultry Show at London’s Olympia. The turkey came from a farm in Cheshire and contains enough meat for 200 Christmas dinners.

Can television cope in an emergency? Since President Kennedy’s death the obsession with Dallas has lingered too long. Many of the original views and comments are merely being repeated. Furthermore, caught by a major tragic event, television showed that the straitjacket of planned programmes is its master, and was thrown right off balance.

“Surely your reader from Salop cannot be really serious when he describes Harry Secombe and Shirley Bassey as singers. They are no more than music hall turns. But Wales has certainly produced more singers of world class than has England.” – J Ahearne, Swansea.

Television highlights: A Hundred Years Underground – London’s Tube. Friday Night Drama – Plastic Mac in Winter. Ready, Steady, Go! with Marty Wilde, Adam Faith and Ted Heath.

Radio highlights: New Names Making News. La Traviata. 

Weather: cloudy, mainly dry. Outlook – colder, cloudy. 4c, 39f.

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

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Maid Marian and Robin Hood

Maid Marian and Robin Hood #8

The Adventures of Robin Hood

Episode 6: A Guest for the Gallows

Introductory minstrel song: “Old Will Stuteley cannot pay, and into prison he is cast; the Sheriff is the very one, who turns him loose at last!”

Regular Cast

Sir Robin of Locksley – Richard Greene

*Maid Marian – Bernadette O’Farrell

The Sheriff of Nottingham – Alan Wheatley

Little John – Archie Duncan

Friar Tuck – Alexander Gauge 

*Joan of the Blue Bull Inn – Simone Lovell

*Didn’t feature in this episode 

Original air date: 25 December 1955

Screenplay: Eric Heath (pseudonym of Ring Lardner Jr.)

Director: Ralph Smart

Plot: The poor people can’t pay their taxes. The Sheriff’s solution – let’s hang one of them.

Health and Safety was clearly not a thing in Sherwood Forest to judge from the number of arrows flying around, bearing messages. To be fair to the television series, many of the Robin Hood films used this communication system as well.

Maid Marian doesn’t feature in this episode and Robin has an enjoyable time kissing “Lass”, played by Jan Miller. Although she appeared previously, Maid Marian is yet to make her mark on the series.

To save Will Stutely, Robin goes incognito as a market trader. The Sheriff of Nottingham meets him and fails to recognise him, a scene that requires the audience to suspend a fair amount of disbelief.

Standout scene: the exchange of Will Stutely for the Sheriff of Nottingham, followed by the Sheriff’s inevitable betrayal, and Friar Tuck’s cunning intervention.

Sword fights – 1. Bow fights/bow skills – 1.

Running total: Sword fights – 6. Bow fights/bow skills – 6.

Robert Desmond, pictured, played Will Stutely. He appeared opposite Richard Attenborough three times in his career, most notably as Griffith the Tailor in The Great Escape. Later, he established roles in soaps such as Compact and Crossroads, plus the obligatory appearance in The Avengers. 

Robert Desmond’s final film role, in 1967, is one for trivia fans. He appeared as Auctioneer in Calamity the Cow, which featured a young Phil Collins of Genesis fame.

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Will Scarlet – Fact or Fiction?

🖼️ Will Scarlet by Louis Rhead, 1912

In a later ballad, Robin Hood and the Newly Revived, Will appears as a finely dressed young man shooting deer in Sherwood Forest. He offers his name as Young Gamwell and is renamed Will Scarlet by Robin Hood when he accepts an invitation to join the outlaw band.

Traditionally, Will is depicted as being younger than the other outlaws. A skilled swordsman, he loves fine clothes, particularly garments made from red silk. 

There is nothing in the historical record to suggest that Will Scarlet was based on a real person. His character has evolved as balladeers and writers have developed the Robin Hood legends over time.

Using red as the signature colour for Will Scarlet, my character will have Welsh origins, and go by the name Gwilym Goch. Also, because as we all know Welshmen can sing, my character will be Robin Hood’s musician, taking on aspects of Alan-a-Dale character from the legends.

Numerous actors have portrayed Will Scarlet in films and on television. This list is far from exhaustive – it merely offers my personal highlights.

Anthony Forwood in The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men, 1952

Ronald Howard and Paul Eddington in the television series The Adventures of Robin Hood, 1955-59

Douglas Mitchell in A Challenge for Robin Hood, 1967

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Coming soon, my Adventures of Maid Marian series

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For Authors

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

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Categories
1963

Social History 1963 #44

Sunday 18 August 1963

Police are hoping that people throughout Britain will go on a massive treasure hunt today. They feel sure that the train gang have hidden some of their loot in woods and fields. If someone finds £100,000 they will receive £10,000 reward. Meanwhile, after a tip-off, teams of Flying Squad officers are searching the Chiswick-Isleworth area for the gang’s headquarters.

Australia wants 45,000 Britons, tradesmen as well as professional people, in the next twelve months. Prospects for migrants look good – the Australian government have announced tax concessions and big housing plans.

Strait-laced laws restricting entertainment on a Sunday look like remaining in place for some years to come. A committee looking into the matter is making extremely slow progress. The seven men and one woman on the committee hope to report next spring.

Three months ago the Hollies were earning £2 a night in the Manchester area. Tonight, they are cruising down the River Thames from Margate on a jazz junket. Their fee – £200, their usual wages these days. Also listen out for the Hollies’ new disc, Searchin’, which should go spinning into the charts.

Football: Charity Shield. Everton gave Manchester United a footballing lesson and emerged 4 – 0 winners. Everton opened the scoring on 37 minutes and their defence remained untroubled throughout the match. Attendance – 50,000.

Television highlights: Lorna Doone – part ten. Play – Living Image. Summer Spectacular with Robert Morley.

Radio highlights: In Pursuit of Neptune. Top Twenty.

Weather: sunshine and showers.

Monday 19 August 1963

Scotland Yard detectives hunting for the £2,600,000 train gang believe they have found the headquarters where the great ambush was planned. The house is in West London, but the address is being kept secret. The detectives found twelve chairs, cigarette butts, tins, bottles, glasses and teacups.

Police are encouraging people to go out and find the £2,400,000 that is still missing. Police want to receive reports of any big spending, especially in fivers, and any strangers seen in the countryside. Some of the gang are likely to be mingling with seaside holidaymakers.

There is still two weeks to go in the Daily Mirror Treasure Hunt. Treasure chests and medallions by the hundred have been buried in the sands by Mirror Pirates at leading holiday resorts. Keep an eye open too for the Mirror Girl. There’s a £50 prize for the holidaymaker who can guess her age, height and weight.

Footballers from Lincoln City, Oldham Athletic, Scunthorpe Town and Sheffield Wednesday have been named in association with an investigation into match fixing. However, currently there is no plan to further investigate these allegations.

Snow fell on the Pyrenees yesterday, a fortnight earlier than usual.

Personal advertisements: Ronnie, come home quickly – telephone George. Rube, phone Farnboro 1390, Wednesday, 8pm.

Television highlights: Outlook Europe – Germany. Genius in Barcelona – Picasso and Gaudi. A Journey Through Wales.

Radio highlights: In a Sentimental Mood. Desert Island Discs – Graham Hill.

Weather: sunny intervals. Outlook – changeable. 20c, 68f.

Tuesday 20 August 1963

Mr Bernard Rixon, owner of “Banknote Farm”, the train robbers’ hideout, plans to open the building to the public – at 5s a look. He said, “I want to get whatever I can out of it. I’ve had a very unfortunate time trying to sell it.” Meanwhile, detectives believe the stolen loot from the train robbery is still in Britain.

The BBC will extend its current closedown from 11.15pm until midnight. BBC studio productions are restricted by the Postmaster General to 50 broadcast hours a week. The daytime programmes for women will be scrapped to allow the evening viewing to be extended. A new science fiction serial, to run for a year, will be screened at peak-viewing time.

A gang got away with £13,000 after spending eighteen hours to cut through a six-inch steel strongroom door. The raid took place in Sheerness, Kent. Evidence suggests that the gang camped on the premises and ate meals while they worked.

Five people were injured in a car accident at Mirfield, Yorkshire. Satan, a crocodile, and Peter, a monkey, were also involved in the accident. Peter went to hospital, but was not detained. Satan continued his journey to the mountain zoo at Colwyn Bay.

At 2s 3d each, wooden parquet panels are now available. They interlock and do not require nails or glue. A flooring specialist who makes the panels said, “More than one woman has succeeded in laying the floor herself.”

Television highlights: Chips With Everything – scenes from the Arnold Wesker play. Compact – serial. No Hiding Place.

Radio highlights: The Canterbury Tales. The Beggar Student.

Weather: sunny periods, showers. Outlook – similar. 17c, 63f.

Wednesday 21 August 1963

Detectives hunting the £2,600,000 train robbers are now looking for an attractive woman, aged between 30 and 40, who played a big part in the planning of the raid. She is a natural brunette, but often wears a blonde wig. The woman is known to detectives, and Scotland Yard hope to locate her in the next 48 hours.

Here’s what the robbers left behind at Banknote Farm: 100 tins of food – baked beans, corned beef, tomato soup, pork luncheon meat – condensed milk, tea, sugar, coffee, sleeping bags, a first aid kit, eating utensils, and 17 packets of Ozo toilet paper. The police also found a tea strainer, which makes them believe that a woman was involved.

Following a tip-off, police have pounced on a caravan at Dorking. Scientific and fingerprint experts have searched the caravan thoroughly. Detective-Superintendent Malcolm Fewtrell, head of Bucks CID said, “We have found something in the caravan that convinces us that it is connected with the mail train robbery.”

Brunette Sally Alford, one of three girl tv announcers banned from reading the news because they distracted viewers, was back last night – reading the news. A male announcer is ill and has been sent to bed, and other announcers are on holiday, so Sally has been recalled. Sally said, “I will do my best not to distract the viewers. I’ll wear a quiet beige suit and simple hairstyle.”

Five long-serving prisoners at Nottingham jail joined a session of cricket coaching. During the coaching, they scurried through a hole in the wire fence, ran into a nearby housing estate and, it’s believed, escaped in a blue Austin Cambridge car.

Television highlights: Sportsview – preview of the Fifth Test Match, England v West Indies, and the forthcoming football season. Fascinating Facts. Here and Now – a man, his dog and his village.

Radio highlights: The Changing Face of Soccer. Topical Tunes.

Weather: sunny spells, showers. Outlook – Cool, rain at times. 19c, 66f.

Thursday 22 August 1963

Another £30,000 of the stolen train loot turned up yesterday. The money – in fivers – was found hidden in the panelling of an empty caravan in Box Hill, Surrey. The caravan site’s owner reported that a woman was with the man who bought the caravan. She had a six-month-old baby girl and a poodle. The woman was attractive with short dark hair. She wore a brown jumper and tight blue slacks. Meanwhile, more than 1,000 clues have been found at “Banknote Farm”, the robbers’ roost.

Four of London’s most hardened criminals are top-of-the-list suspects in the Great Train Robbery hunt. The four men have been missing from their usual West End haunts for two weeks. Two are brothers, a third is a safe-breaker and the fourth just came out of prison. 

Meat condemned months ago by food inspectors has found its way into butchers’ shops in Surrey, Kent, East Anglia, Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. More than 6,000 cartons of condemned meat were made into sausages and pies. A spokesman said that butchers involved in this practice had not committed an offence.

Mrs Erika Finger of St John’s Wood, London is suing the owner of a restaurant in Nice. During a mock bull fight, she was attacked by a cow. Mrs Finger said, “They prodded the cow with sticks. It got mad and charged through the restaurant. Everyone started to run, but I was trapped. The cow tossed me, but there wasn’t enough room, so it kicked me. My husband dragged me away and the cow escaped.” The cow was recaptured three days later.

Exhibitions: Thrale’s Japanese Ex-Prisoner of War story presented by War on Want at St Paul’s Churchyard.

Sam Cooke’s updated version of Frankie and Johnny mentions a famous British car, which means it’s likely to receive a BBC ban.

Television highlights: Rag, Tag and Bobtail. Boxing from Liverpool. Don’t Say a Word – mime game with Sheila Hancock and Clive Dunn.

Radio highlights: Swinging UK. World of Song.

Weather: cloudy with rain and drizzle. Outlook – little change. 18c, 64f.

Friday 23 August 1963

Just before midnight last night dozens of teams of detectives in London and the Home Counties were given special stand-by orders. They were told: move in on all train robbery suspects. Police are also looking for a young woman named Sheree who has a six-month-old baby and a poodle called Gigi. The woman was recently seen in Dunfermline, Fife.

A cricket match at Alexandra Park, Wood Green was stopped yesterday when twelve sticks of gelignite were found in a nearby river. The players sheltered behind the pavilion while army experts exploded the gelignite. Then the players resumed their game.

Manufacturers are producing double beds with separate mattresses, zipped together. One of the mattresses will have a built-in board. The design has developed to aid double-bed devotees, one of whom has a slipped disc.

Bad debts have soared since high street betting shops opened. A study found that £1,000,000,000 is gambled on horse racing each year and that the total Britons spend annually on betting is equal to 65% of the country’s defence budget.

The Automobile Association dealt with 1,422 breakdowns on the M1 during July.

In the Fifth Test Match at the Oval, the West Indies dismissed England for 275 with Charlie Griffith taking 6 for 71. Did Griffith bowl too many bumpers? Umpire Syd Buller thought so because he had a word with captain Frank Worrell. Tony Lock was dismissed when he dropped his bat on to his wicket while trying to avoid a bouncer. Now, England’s bowlers must show some offensive spirt. 

Television highlights: Bowls – Amateur National Championship from Mortlake. Ivor the Engine. Ready, Steady, Go! with the Rolling Stones and Hayley Mills.

Radio highlights: Arthur Haynes Show. The Organisation of Crime – an investigation.

Weather: mainly dry with sunny periods. Outlook – cloudy with rain. 21c, 70f.

Saturday 24 August 1963

Scotland Yard detectives are on the lookout for a racing driver – Roy John James, aka The Weasel. Detectives believe that Weasel James can help them with their inquiries into the Great Train Robbery. Meanwhile, Yard men raided 61 houses, warehouses and factories in London. They are also looking for a blonde woman, her baby and her poodle, Gigi.

Great Train Robbery slang: poppy = money, ricket = mistake, blagger = a thief, nark = an informer, stoppo driver = getaway driver, blag = to rob.

The Edinburgh Festival is in danger because of a lack of cash support. In the seventeen years that the Festival has been going it has never showed a penny profit. Last year’s loss was £115,000. Yet, Edinburgh is packed with tourists. Hotels and restaurants are full. An estimated £3,000,000 is made in trade, but only £18,000 of that money is donated to the Festival fund.

The Conservatives, worried about their prospects at the next General Election, may call in the help of a fantastic brain machine. The machine will predict the public’s reaction to any situation – provided it is fed the right information. Other parties have been offered the machine, but they haven’t showed any interest.

Agony Aunt: “When I kiss my boyfriend, should I keep my eyes open, or shut them?” Jane Adams’ reply, “Depends on whether you like what you see.”

Fifth Test, the Oval. The West Indies have thrown this match away. In reply to England’s 275 they were 165 for 3. But they closed on 231 for 8. England are now favourites to level the series. Conrad Hunte top-scored with 80, while the wickets included two run outs.

Television highlights: Grandstand. Francis Durbridge Presents. Dick Emery Show.

Radio highlights: Saturday Club. Play – The King of Soho.

Weather: showers. Outlook – continuing changeable. 19c, 66f.

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

https://books2read.com/u/bMqNPG

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Categories
1963

Social History 1963 #40

Sunday 21 July 1963

Screaming Lord Sutch, pictured, says he is to stand as an independent candidate in the forthcoming Stratford-on-Avon by-election. Screaming Lord Sutch, who often wears horns and a leopard skin, said, “It’s time the young people of this country had a say in the government.” Mr Sutch is single.

Put some zip into your sausages! A sausage manufacturer is experimenting with a new type of banger. He explained, “Some people like to eat sausages with the skin on, some don’t, so we are experimenting with a sausage skin with a thin gut zip on the side.”

A Paris fashion designer is working on “hostess gowns for the capsule.” This means that when your turn comes to be shot into space, and find yourself upside down, you’ll still be impeccably dressed.

Because of freak weather conditions, television pictures from Czechoslovakia and Hungary were available in Whitby, Yorkshire yesterday.

The Drop Dead Company of Montebello, California has changed its name to the Paramount Chemical Co.

Latest on the football match-fixing scandal. Three players have been accused of receiving inducements to play badly. The summonses concern players from Mansfield Town and Bristol Rovers.

A new 45 – the theme music to Sid James’ new TV series Taxi! This disc could go places.

Television highlights: Circus from Great Yarmouth. Land of Song with Ivor Emmanuel. The Scarlet Pimpernel.

Radio highlights: How to Like Americans. Top Twenty.

Weather: dry, mostly sunny and warm, some showers.

Monday 22 July 1963 

Haircuts are to increase in price. The National Hairdressers’ Association announced that men’s 3s 6d haircuts will go up by 6d and women’s 6s 6d hairdos by one shilling.

Clearer labelling is being urged for aerosols to avoid the confusion of fly spray being used for hair lacquer.

Ieda Vargas from Brazil won the Miss Universe contest. Miss England, Susan Pratt, withdrew from the contest after a car accident. She was cheered as she was pushed on to the stage in a wheelchair.

Loose false teeth? Poli-Grip is a cream fixative, three-ways better than any powder. It’s so firm, you can eat foods you haven’t tried for years. It’s so firm, you can laugh and sneeze without fear of any embarrassing accidents.

Another horse has been named in the doping scandal. At 5 – 1, Parnear won the Swafftham Handicap at Newmarket in April.

Personal advertisements: Lil, please come home. The children and I miss you – Teddy.

Music: look out Liverpool, the Brummies are on your tail. EMI have signed seven groups from Birmingham. No discs are available yet. Decca have also signed The Redcaps from Birmingham. Their first record, Shout, will enter Discville soon.

Television highlights: Panorama – London’s nightlife. Tennis – Inter-County week. University Challenge.

Radio highlights: The Archers. Meet Yourself.

Weather: dry, sunny and warm. Outlook – similar. 20c, 68f.

Tuesday 23 July 1963 

Tory and Labour MPs clashed in the House of Commons last night over the Labour claim that South Paddington is Europe’s “biggest brothel” run by racketeers and “slum emperors”. Thugs were on the rampage, extorting money from renters who had already paid, and beating up people, including elderly women. The Tories questioned Labour’s sources and insisted that only they could rectify the problem.

Princess Alexandra’s husband, Angus Ogilvy, was elected a director of the Guardian Assurance Company. Mr Ogilvy now has over fifty directorships. Meanwhile, London’s bus drivers have been offered a pay rise of 6s a week.

Christine Keeler gave evidence at the Stephen Ward trial today and spoke of the occasion when Ward introduced her to “reefers”. Miss Keeler was asked about numerous men and payment for her favours. She admitted that, under Mr Ward’s arrangement, such events took place, but she said angrily, “I am not a prostitute. I never have been.” Mr Ward is accused of living off immoral earnings. The case continues.

Swiss beauty expert Micheline Lugeon, 26, was arrested by Flying Squad officers in connection with the horse doping scandal. She will appear before Brighton Magistrates in the morning.

A vulture escaped from Belle Vue Zoo and spent three hours perched on a Manchester chimney pot. The bird tried to settle on a television aerial, but the aerial would not support its weight. Last night, the vulture was still free.

Television highlights: Watch With Mother. On Safari – frogs and lizards. Royal International Horse Show.

Radio highlights: Listen With Mother. Pop Go The Beatles.

Weather: dry and particularly warm. Outlook – cooler with rain likely. 25c, 77f.

Wednesday 24 July 1963 

ITV was flooded with complaints last night after the broadcast of End of Conflict, a play about soldiering set in the Far East. The play contained such expletives as “bloody”, “bleeding” and “bastard”. Mr George More O’Ferrall, who directed the play, said, ‘The words were used in context. I did, however, cut out a great number of “bloodies”.’

Ninety thousand teenagers a year are now fitted with false teeth. Only 29,000,000 toothbrushes, out of a population of 52,000,000, were sold in 1962. Toothbrushes only last three months, so the conclusion reached is that not many people in Britain use a toothbrush.

Swiss beauty expert Micheline Lugeon, 26, arrested in connection with the horse doping scandal, said yesterday, “I’m innocent.” Her father is a cemetery keeper in Switzerland. Six men have been sent for trial in connection with the scandal.

If Christine Keeler’s entrance into the Stephen Ward trial yesterday had been dramatic, Mandy Rice-Davies’ entrance today was atomic. Mandy was asked about having sexual relations with Lord Astor while Stephen Ward looked on. There were gasps from the public gallery when she replied, “Oh yes, it is quite normal, isn’t it. There is nothing wrong with it.” The case continues.

Gadzooks, “The Provok’d Wife” is a lusty and high-speed romp at the Vaudeville Theatre. This Vanbrugh play, 266 years old, is well worth its present-day airing in the West End. Many of the lines are a joy, well delivered by an excellent cast. Slap me vitals, I enjoyed it.

Television highlights: Talking Sport – Cricket with Brian Rix, Charlie Drake and Ian Carmichael. Take a Letter – crossword game with Robert Holness. Professional Wrestling from Bradford.

Radio highlights: Honour Your Partners. Protest USA – a report on the race riots.

Weather: cloudy with rain or drizzle. Outlook – changeable. 20c, 68f.

Thursday 25 July 1963 

In the Stephen Ward trial, Mr Ward’s solicitors are looking for model Sylvia Parker whom they believe could be a vital defence witness. Meanwhile, hundreds of people are queuing for a seat in the public gallery every day. One of the people queuing, singer Julie Gulliver, a friend of Mr Ward, fainted. The trial continues. (The trial was receiving four to six pages of newspaper coverage daily).

Shock news that Dumbarton shipbuilding and hovercraft firm William Denny and Sons is to go into voluntary liquidation. Over the past three years the company invested £300,000 in developing a passenger hovercraft. Its hoverbus is now in service on the Thames in London. However, last night a spokesman said, “It did not reach the commercial stage soon enough.”

A plan to standardise the size markings on women’s clothes was agreed yesterday. Size 14, for instance, will mean a 37 1/2 to 39 inch hip size, with a bust size of 35 1/2 to 37 inches. The letter S will indicate garments for short women, and the letter T for tall.

Mr Brian Epstein said, “This time last year, I was trying to get the Beatles off the ground.” He succeeded. They are now one of the biggest disc properties in Britain. This week, their extended-play record Twist and Shout entered the top thirty at number 14, after an advance order of 100,000 copies.

Television highlights: The Good Old Days – old time music hall. Promenade Concert with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Here and Now – home brew.

Radio highlights: D-Day With the Stars. Ballads.

Weather: sunny spells and showers. Outlook – dry, sunny at times. 22c, 72f.

Friday 26 July 1963 

The strange crater in Roy Blanchard’s potato and barley patch was caused by a Thing From Outer Space. The Thing was as big as a cricket ball and weighed half a pound. The Thing was a meteorite, and it was discovered buried eight feet in the ground. (Update on the “meteorite” tomorrow).

Anti-smoking films will be shown on television. However, there is a big fear that tobacco revenue will decline if the smoking habit falls off sharply. Therefore, cigarette advertisements will continue.

Agony Aunt: H.T. and M.T. from Guildford write, “How can I stop my wife from painting her nails in bed?” “How can I stop my husband from smoking his pipe in bed?” Jane Adams’ reply, “Are you two husband and wife? Let me know before his pipe sets fire to your inflammable nail varnish and you both go up in flames.”

The House of Dior has spoken – hemlines will remain as they are this season. Skirts will still be worn short. Legs will be displayed. Common sense has won the day.

Cricket: despite a septic finger, Gary Sobers scored 102 for the West Indies against England in the Fourth Test Match at Headingley, yesterday. Sobers was well supported by Rohan Kanhai, who scored 92. The West Indies closed on 294 – 5. England entered the match as favourites, but now they have their work cut out.

Television highlights: Giants of Steam. Miss Universe 1963. Dad, You’re a Square.

Radio highlights: Round Europe in Song. The Lost Letter – satirical comedy.

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

Saturday 27 July 1963 

In an outburst during his evidence at the Old Bailey yesterday, Stephen Ward said, “If Vicky Barrett is telling the truth, then I am guilty.” However, he denied Miss Barrett’s claim that whipping and caning took place involving numerous men at his flat. He added that Christine Keeler had not told the truth and that Mandy Rice-Davies had also lied. Fashion model Sylvia Parker said that Miss Barrett’s evidence was “a complete load of rubbish.” The trial continues on Monday.

The mystery of the crater in Mr Roy Blanchard’s potato and barley patch deepened yesterday. The Thing recovered from the crater was not a meteorite, as initially thought. The Thing has trident markings on it, and is made of ironstone. Experts are investigating.

Mr Angus Ogilvy, husband of Princess Alexandra, has become a director of yet another company – Provincial and Suburban Investments. Mr Ogilvy now has well over fifty directorships. 

Threepenny Lucky Bags are not so lucky these days. My friend’s son came home with a Lucky Bag that contained a balloon with a hole in it, a racing car with one wheel, a sweet and a card.

Cricket: the Fourth Test at Headingley and England are on the ropes. In reply to the West Indies’ 397 all out, England were teetering on 93 – 8. Charlie Griffith was the chief destroyer. In one spell he took four wickets for only six runs. A West Indies victory within three days now looks like the most likely result.

Television highlights: Summer Grandstand. Big Night Out with Gerry and the Pacemakers, and Vera Lynn. Supercar.

Radio highlights: Polish Music. It’s Latin.

Weather: sunny and warmer. Outlook – similar. 23c, 73f.

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Categories
1963

Social History 1963 #39

Sunday 14 July 1963

A mystery woman holding a screwdriver has been caught trying to get into Buckingham Palace. The woman asked to sign the visitors’ book inside the Privy Purse Door. Three questions remain unanswered: Who was the woman? What did she really want? And where is she now?

Soon, there may be small telephones that we can carry about. Not only will you be able to ring from anywhere, you will also be able to see the person you are talking with. The big question is – will this new technology diminish loneliness or increase it?

The postman’s knock or ring is to finish. The Post Office plan to amend regulations so that the knock will only be used when mail cannot be pushed through the letterbox.

Ice cream vans in Gorleston, Norfolk will have quieter chimes in future. The residents have complained that the current chimes are too noisy.

Book of the Week: Sword at Sunset by Rosemary Sutcliff. It’s historical. It’s massive. It’s about King Arthur. It will supply your weekend reading until Christmas! And you won’t regret it.

Maureen Evans from Cardiff is one of the few singers who can convince the BBC that the classics can be put into pop form without offending long-haired music lovers. Check out Like I Do and Tomorrow is Another Day, classically influenced tunes that are sure to be hits in Discville.

Television highlights: Fireball XL5. The Roy Castle Show. This Nation Tomorrow.

Radio highlights: Your Hundred Best Tunes. In Search of the Truth.

Weather: bright, then cloudy with rain.

Monday 15 July 1963

A wife obtained a divorce on the grounds of cruelty after her husband insisted that she should tickle his feet for hour after hour. When the wife refused, the husband rigged up a machine with a milk bottle and an umbrella to tickle his feet, but it did not work. The judge said the tickling was harmless in itself, but because it was causing the wife distress he found in her favour.

Tattoos are back in favour, but they can be expensive, so Mr Ron Austin of Peterborough, Northants has started a service with a difference – tattoos on hire purchase. Any tattoo over five bob can be paid for at half-a-crown a week. 

In Barnsley, Yorkshire a 41 year old coal miner put his false teeth on a conveyer belt and started to eat his sandwiches. The belt accidentally reversed – whisking his false teeth away. He’s been told that he must pay £5 for a replacement set.

A storm blew up last night after Dr Alex Comfort gave a talk about the Facts of Life on BBC television. After the programme, forty-four viewers phoned the BBC to complain that Sunday evening was the wrong time for such a programme. Four viewers phoned in to praise the programme.

Found in the foundations of an old building – a bottle embedded in the concrete containing a copy of the Daily Mirror dated 31 July 1908.

Personal advertisement: Elaine, you’re needed – JNW.

Television highlights: Hiss v Hi-Fi – a look at records and record machines. County Cricket – Lancashire v Sussex. Pit Your Wits – quiz with Kenneth Kendall.

Radio highlights: Concert Hour. Improve Your German.

Weather: cloudy, rain, bright spells. Outlook – unsettled. 19c, 67f.

15 July 1963 Postscript


Tuesday 16 July 1963

New York stripper Dior Angel (pictured) insists that she will marry British baronet Sir Charles Musgrave even if “she has to use her father’s shotgun”. Sir Charles advertised for a wife, Dior replied, but Sir Charles said she was not his type. However, Miss Angel is not taking no for an answer. She said, “Please refer to me as the future Lady Musgrave. The wedding will be no later than Christmas. I intend to take a plane to England and find Sir Charles.”

A carpet racket has been smashed by the Good Housekeeping Institute. Door-to-door salesmen have been selling cheap, shoddy carpets marked with the Institute’s seal of guarantee. But the seals were forgeries. Now the Institute has withdrawn all its seals. A spokesman said, “Our problem now is to find a seal that is impossible to copy.”

A parcel containing equipment from a rocket fired at Woomera, Australia turned up at Stockport, Cheshire today. The parcel, missing for a month, was addressed to Jodrell Bank, Cheshire.

Three people are to be prosecuted for football league match fixing. Inquiries started two months ago after Bristol Rovers drew 2 – 2 at Bradford. It’s alleged that some of the players involved were bribed to “fix” the match.

Advertisement: women, get more out of life – become a catering manager.

Television highlights: Commander Cousteau – The House Under the Sea. The Sky at Night. Here and Now – an opera school.

Radio highlights: Marching and Waltzing. Pop Go the Beatles.

Weather: sunny spells, showers. Outlook – bright with scattered showers. 20c, 68f.

Wednesday 17 July 1963

Paul McCartney, a member of the Beatles singing group, was fined £17 for speeding and for failing to produce a driving licence. He explained that he put his foot down when he and the three other members of the band were chased by fans. Mr Brian Epstein, who manages the Beatles, said, “I will ask them to travel by coach on future tours.”

The number of known drug addicts in Britain has risen again. Last year’s total was 532. The previous year’s total was 470. The addicts listed do not include opium or hemp. The number of women listed – 270. The number of men – 262.

There is no longer any overcrowding in Slough, Buckinghamshire – the local council has abolished it. In future, crowded houses will be referred to as “multiple occupation”. 

As soon as a woman becomes pregnant she should keep a daily diary of everything she does for three months. This advice comes from the British Medical Association. She should record any medicines taken, what she had for breakfast, and everything else, including whether she watched BBC or ITV.

Mr Ricardo Zzyzz has lost his position of last place in the Los Angeles telephone book. He has been replaced by the ZZZZZ Wake Up Service.

Letters: Listening to the cricket commentary, I heard the commentator say that one of our bowlers had two short legs. Are such personal remarks really called for?

Television highlights: Taxi! with Sid James. Cricket – MCC Australia XI v The Rest from Lord’s. The City – documentary about London.

Radio highlights: Enchanted Evenings. Date With a Disc.

Weather: rain at times. Outlook – changeable. 20c, 68f.

Thursday 18 July 1963

Action against the “Faceless Men” behind inhuman property rackets was demanded in Parliament last night. Intimidation of tenants, as practised by the dead “slum emperor” Peter Rachman, friend of Christine Keeler and Mandy Rice-Davies, is still going on. Tenants are being evicted and beaten up by these thugs. Labour has demanded immediate action. A spokesman for the Tory Government said they would look into the matter and see if “sharper teeth” were needed to strengthen the law.

Petula Clark’s performance on the ABC television programme Lucky Stars was wiped clean when an engineer pressed a wrong button. From Paris, where she is recording another programme, Miss Clark said, “I’m not upset. I think the whole thing is rather funny.”

Every morning, wise women do this – they drink a glass of hot water because it helps keep sluggishness at bay. And for an extra boost they add Juno Junipah Health Salts. Juno Junipah – specially recommended and formulated for women.

Agony Aunt: Alf writes, “My girlfriend’s mother is already going fat at forty. Will my girlfriend go the same way?” Jane Adams’ reply, “There is some truth in the saying that to look into a girlfriend’s future you should take a look at her mother, but your attitude towards your girlfriend will ultimately determine whether or not she goes to seed.”

A man in uniform walked into a Hammersmith post office and walked out with a bag of mail. Staff later discovered that he was bogus. The police are hunting him.

Music: “This is Merseybeat” is a throbbing long-player featuring nine different Liverpool groups. This week’s number one – Confessin’ by Frank Ifield. New entries – Walkin’ Tall by Adam Faith and I’ll Cut Your Tail Off by John Leyton.

Television highlights: The Gondoliers – Canadian production of the Gilbert and Sullivan classic. Try Out Your French. Glamour ‘63.

Radio highlights: Lunchtime Prom. Music From Scarborough.

Weather: sunny spells and showers. Outlook – continuing changeable. 20c, 68f.

Friday 19 July 1963

“There’s a cheetah on the prowl.” Or maybe it’s a leopard. More than 200 troops, police and dogs went on safari through four and a half miles of parkland at Shooters Hill, near Woolwich, SE18, yesterday. The jungle cat scare began when a long-distance lorry driver thought he saw a leopard leaping from the road into a park. Four policemen also spotted a “large golden animal” on the loose. The animal might have leapt from a boat on the Thames. Trackers are following footprints and large hams have been placed around the search area.

Is the bird you fancy suitable to be your wife? This clothing guide will help you decide. If she’s mad about frills and petticoats and nipped-in waists, she’s feminine, but potentially fussy. If she likes beatnik clothes – jeans and sloppy sweaters – she’s telling the world that she’s big, brave and non-conformist. If she’s neat and tailored, she’s self-reliant and practical, and maybe a little prudish. If she’s mad about tight pants and mannish shirts – surprise, surprise – she’s very feminine. If she wears tight, short skirts she’s saying, “Here are the goods – any offers?” As for the sexiest women of all, they choose dark and sombre colours. 

Anthony Burcher flew with the RAF’s 617 Squadron on the famous Dambusters raid. His plane was shot down and he was the only member of the crew to survive. He was beaten up by the Gestapo, but told them nothing. But yesterday Burcher was sentenced to two years in prison for conspiring to defraud a hire purchase company. The fraud mainly involved juke boxes and vending machines.

A full scale inquiry is ongoing into the suspicion that Relko, winner of this year’s Derby, was doped-up to win. A 5 -1 favourite, Relko won the Derby by six lengths to collect £35,338 in prize money. However, a well-known bookmaker said there was nothing suspicious on the markets to suggest that Relko had been doped-up.

Television highlights: Adventure – Journey to Patagonia. International Film Season – The Knife, a Dutch film. Space Patrol.

Radio highlights: Non Stop Pop. As Others See Us.

Weather: cloudy with rain and drizzle. Outlook – unsettled. 19c, 66f.

Saturday 20 July 1963

The country’s Billy Bunters are being encouraged to change their diet. Out – cream buns and donuts. In – crisp breads, fruit locust beans, nuts and celery. The new diet will benefit the nation’s teeth too.

A new sensation shook the horse racing world last night. It was alleged that Tudor Treasure, 100 – 7 second favourite, was pepped up with dope to win the Victoria Cup at Ascot in May. Tests after the race indicated that he had received a stimulant.

London’s serious crime figures increased by nine percent last year. The number of serious offences reached a record 214,120, up from 196,854 in 1961. For the first time there were more than 1,000 hold-ups. A disturbing trend is that gang members, and not just their leaders, are carrying handguns.

Sylvia Willerton of Peterborough, Northants devised a love test between her husband and her lodger. She awarded points for kindness, good behaviour and cookery. The lodger won so Mrs Sylvia Willerton, mother of nine, is now Mrs Sylvia Watson.

Angry Motorist writes, “Car park charges are becoming preposterously high. Are all drivers considered to be millionaires?”

It seems as though the knee-revealing era might be nearing its end. Hemlines are creeping down in London. However, we will have to wait until the Paris fashion shows next month to see what skirt lengths will be this season.

Television highlights: Juke Box Jury with Joan Sims and Kenneth Williams. First Night of the Proms. Motor Racing from Silverstone.

Radio highlights: Recent Record Releases. Sports Service including sailing and rifle shooting.

Weather: sunny spells. Outlook – mainly dry and sunny. 21c, 70f.

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