A Sixties Time-Line
 
1960
Politics
Aldermaston marches continued. The Sharpeville Massacre took place in South Africa.
 
Arts
Sir Hugh Greene became Director General of the BBC. John Reith said that TV was ‘no longer a box in a corner’. in June, Nan Winton became the first female newsreader. In July, the Pilkington Commission on broadcasting was set up to consider TV for public showing’. The report was published in 1962 and a third channel was awarded to the BBC. In September ITV broadcast the first live football league match.
 
Education
In Berkshire 46 schools still had earth closets, 35 had no mains water and eight were still lit by oil. Teacher training courses were extended from two years to three. Sheffield’s first comprehensive, Myers Grove, was opened.
 
Science
The laser was invented
 
Fashion
‘Honey’ magazine was first published. The beehive hairstyle was developed in Illinois.
 
Music
Eddie Cochran was killed in a car crash
 
Family Life
The Government announced the end of National Service. The last trams ran in Sheffield.
 
Food and Drink
Mrs Mila Pond held the first UK Tupperware party, in Weybridge. Marguerite Patten published ‘Cookery in Colour. Birds Custard Powder produced Instant Whip in two flavours – raspberry and butterscotch. Leslie Wiggin designed the stainless steel ‘Connaught’ tea set for Old Hall.
 
Social Attitudes
Penguin Books went on trial, accused of ‘obscenity’ by publishing Lady Chatterley’s Lover. They were acquitted.
 
Sport
The winter and Summer Olympic Games were held. Burnley FC were Division One champions. Jack Brabham was world champion in Formula One racing. Maria Bueno was Wimbledon ladies champion.
 
1961
Politics
The Berlin Wall was erected.
 
Arts
The first episode of the BBC’s ‘Songs of Praise’ was broadcast from the Tabernacle Chapel, Cardiff. Most cinema-goers were getting a ‘wide-screen’ experience, improved colour techniques and sound. Westward TV, the first ITV franchise-holder in the South-West, goes on air.
 
Education
A campaign was launched to persuade 50,000 married women to return to teaching. The TES published a Billy Bunter story in Latin.
 
Science
Valium was developed.
 
Fashion
Audrey Hepburn wore a Givenchy black dress in ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
 
Music
Chubby Checker gave us the Twist.
 
Family Life
Britain applied for membership of the EEC.
 
Food and Drink
The first Cranks whole-food restaurant opened in Carnaby Street. The first motorway service station opened at Watford Gap on the M1. David Mellor designed the ‘Pride’ range of cutlery for Walker and Hall. There were 572 supermarkets in the UK.
 
Social Attitudes
The Suicide Act was passed – suicide ceased to be a crime. A Factories Act introduced health and safety measures. The contraceptive pill was made available on the NHS – to married women only.
 
Sport
Phil Hill was Formula One champion. Tottenham Hotspur FC were first division champions and Angela Mortimer won Wimbledon ladies.
 
1962
Politics
The Cuban Missile Crisis
 
Arts
Cigarette advertising was banned from children’s TV and only actors over 21 were allowed to smoke on air. Tv was broadcast live from U.S. Via Telstar and Goonhilly satellite earth station.
 
Education
The 1962 Education Act required local education authorities to provide student grants. It also placed a legal obligation on parents to ensure that their children received a suitable education. Brian Jackson and Dennis Marsden published ‘Education and the Working Classes’.
 
Science
Breast implants were invented. The first successful hip transplant was achieved.
 
Fashion
The Beatles made their first live TV appearance wearing the ‘Beatle Suit’.
 
Music
The Beatles released their first single, ‘Love me Do’.
 
Family Life
There was thick smog. James Hanratty went on trial for the A6 murder and was hanged on 4 April.
 
Food and Drink
Elizabeth David published ‘French Provincial Cooking’ and we learned how to make coq au vin. Robert Welsh designed the ‘Alveston’ range of cutlery for Old Hall.
 
Sport
Brazil won the football world cup, Graham Hill was Formula One champion, Ipswich Town were first division champions and Karen Susman was Wimbledon ladies champion.
 
1963
Politics
There was a Civil Rights march on Washington. US President John F Kennedy was assassinated.
 
Arts
The BBC introduced a globe as its symbol – this remained until 2002.
 
Education
The Robbins Report recommended a massive expansion of higher education for all with the necessary ability. The HE participation rate was ~7% at that time – it had doubled by the end of the decade. The Newsam Report ‘Half Our Future’ , relating to children of average and below average ability, was published. London and Manchester abolished the 11+ exam and in the West Riding CEO Alec Clegg championed middle schools.
 
Science
The lava lamp was invented
 
Fashion
The shift dress became popular.
 
Music
Ready, Steady, Go was launched. The Beatles appeared at the Gaumont, Doncaster, as part of the Helen Shapiro tour
 
Family Life
January-April 1963 was pronounced the worst winter since 1947, due to snow and cold. The Great Train Robbery took place in August. Sindy Dolls were first marketed.
 
Food and Drink
Katharine Whitehorn published ‘Cooking in a Bed-sitter’.
 
Social Attitudes
The Government commenced a five-year survey into race relations.
 
Sport
Everton FC were first division winners, Jim Clark won Formula One and Margaret Smith was Wimbledon ladies champion
 
1964
Politics
Harold Wilson’s Labour government was elected, inheriting a budget deficit of £800 million.
 
Arts
BBC Wales was launched. BBC 2 was launched – the first programme was ‘Playschool’. The ‘Watershed’ was introduced as part of the 1964 Television Act.
 
Education
The Labour Party manifesto promised to abolish selection for secondary schools. The Boyle Act allowed for the creation of middle schools.
 
Science
The computer language ‘Basic’ was developed.
 
Fashion
Barbara Hulanicki opened Biba. Courrèges showed a miniskirt over a body stocking.
 
Music
The first edition of Top of the Pops was broadcast.
 
Family Life
The average weekly wage was £16.
 
Food and Drink
Terence Conran opened the first Habitat shop on the King’s Road, Chelsea. The electric handmixer was invented in France. David Mellor (Sheffield designer) was made a Fellow of the Society of Industrial Artists and Designers.
 
Social Attitudes
The Married Women’s Property Act gave women some rights to joint property.
 
Sport
Winter and Summer Olympic Games. Liverpool FC were first division champions, John Surtees won Formula One and Maria Bueno was Wimbledon ladies champion.
 
1965
Politics
In Rhodesia Ian Smith made a unilateral declaration of independence. Barbara Castle was appointed the UK’s first woman secretary of state.
 
Arts
A new TV service for Asian Immigrants was put in place.
 
Education
A new Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE) was introduced in England and Wales. Bachelor of Education courses were introduced. A Government White Paper outlined plans for the Open University.
 
Science
Smoke detectors were invented.
 
Fashion
Diana Rigg played Emma Peel in the Avengers, wearing a black leather catsuit. Courrèges introduced white leather ‘go-go’ boots.
 
Music
Bob Dylan went ‘electric’. Folk Rock made its debut.
 
Family Life
Prescription charges were abolished. Mary Whitehouse of the National Viewers and Listeners’ Association began a ‘Clean Up TV’ campaign
 
Food and Drink
Pizza Express opened on Wardour Street, London.
 
Social Attitudes
A series of Immigration Acts from 1962 limited the extent of immigration from the Commonwealth which had been granted in 1945. The death penalty was abolished except for treason. A race relations act made discrimination in housing illegal.
 
Sport
Manchester United FC were first division winners, Jim Clark won Formula One and Margaret Smith was Wimbledon Ladies Champion.
 
1966
Politics
 
Arts
BBC Northern Ireland was launched in June and BBC Scotland in July. There was a full colour service on BBC2. July saw the introduction of the first test card – 8 year-old Carol Hersee plays noughts and crosses on a blackboard with a clown. The test card was developed by her father, George.
 
Science
Fibre Optics were invented
 
Fashion
Twiggy modelled Leonard’s new ‘crop’ hair cut. Afghan coats were first imported to UK. Patterned tights came in. Yves St Laurent designed ‘Le Smoking’ tuxedo-style trouser suit for women. Disposable paper dresses were created in the US. Mary Quant was awarded the OBE.
 
Music
The first recordings were made by US Underground bands, e.g. Mothers of Invention.
 
Family Life
The Aberfan disaster killed 116 children and 28 adults. A wage and price freeze was introduced and unemployment rates started to rise.
 
Food and Drink
The 12th Little Chef opened
 
Sport
Liverpool FC were first division champions, England won the football world cup, Jack Brabham won Formula One and Billy Jean King was Wimbledon Ladies Champion.
 

1967
Politics
There was a 6-day war in Israel. The troubles in Northern Ireland escalated. The Civil Rights Movement was very active in the US. The pound was devalued.
 
Arts
New franchise changed to ITV regional map. The popularity of BBC’s ‘Forsyte Saga’ caused some
churches to shift their services to avoid a clash!
 
Education
There was a student sit-in at the London School of Economics. The Plowden Report promoted child-centred education and advocated the expansion of nursery schooling.
 
Science
ATMS were introduced. The first heart transplant was attempted though the patient survived for only 46 days.
 
Fashion
Paper dresses went on sale in the UK. The cover of the Sergeant Pepper album set a military trend.
 
Music
The Beatles released Sergeant Pepper.
 
Family Life
‘Just a Minute’ started on the radio.
 
Food and Drink
Birds’ Angel Delight was introduced to the market. Captain Birds Eye made his first appearance in the advert for fish fingers.
 
Social Attitudes
The NHS Family Planning Act encouraged birth control advice regardless of marital status and the contraceptive pill was made available through the NHS (though arrangements were patchy until 1974). The Abortion Act legalised abortion under certain conditions. The Sexual Offences Act (England and Wales) decriminalised homosexual acts in private between two men, provided that both were over 21. The Criminal Justice Act introduced suspended sentences and majority verdicts.
 
Sport
Billie-Jean King won Wimbledon, Man United FC were First Division champions, Denny Hulme won Formula One. QPR were the first third-division club to win the League Cup.
 
1968
Politics
War raged in Biafra and refugees started to arrive in UK. In April Enoch Powell gave his ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech in Birmingham. In May students rioted in Paris. In August Russia led an invasion of Czechoslovakia. There were sit-ins at Hornsea School of Art and a major demonstration in Grosvenor Square, home of the US Embassy, against the Vietnam War.
 
Arts
The TV Licence cost £5 with a £5 supplement for colour.
 
Education
The first middle schools opened in Bradford. In February the last 11 plus exam was held in Sheffield. The Newsam Report on public schools called for integration with state schools and an assisted places system.
 
Science
Maiden flight of the supersonic airliner – the TU-144.
 
Fashion
The hippy look came in. A man and wife textile team in US started to create high-end tie-dyed fabrics.
 
Music
The musical ‘Hair’ opened on Broadway.
 
Family Life
Prescription charges were re-introduced
 
Food and Drink
Free School milk was abolished in secondary schools. 50% of families owned a fridge.
 
Social Attitudes
Women Workers went on strike for equal pay at Fords, Dagenham. The Trades Descriptions Act legislated to protect consumers, the Theatres Act abolished the Lord Chamberlain’s censorship role and the Maintenance Orders Act increased maximum payments to children.
 
Sport
Winter and summer Olympics were held. Man City FC won the English first division championship, Graham Hill was Formula One champion and Billie-Jean King was Wimbledon Ladies Champion.
 
1969
Arts
In March the 385 metres high station mast at Emily Moor collapsed because of ice. There was a full colour service on BBC1. At 10.50 p.m. on 20 July Neil Armstrong made the first transmission from the Moon, watched by 720 million viewers.
 
Education
The Open University was founded. The first three colleges to be designated Polytechnics were Sheffield, Hatfield and Sunderland. The Children and Young Persons Act gave LEAs responsibility for children not receiving education or in need of care and control. Sheffield went fully comprehensive – there were 31 comprehensive schools, of which 13 had sixth-forms. Leicestershire was the first English county to abolish the 11+. A NUT conference called for the abolition of selection for secondary education.
 
Science
The first Moon landing.
 
Fashion
Mary Quant designed ‘hot pants’.
 
Music
Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones drowned. Many deaths and injuries occurred at the Altamont Speedway Free Festival in Northern California. By comparison, the 1969 Woodstock festival became the emblem of peace, love and rock ‘n’ roll.
 
Family Life
Housing charity ‘Shelter’ reported that 3 million people were in need of rehousing due to poor living conditions.
The Family Law Reform Act reduced the age of majority from 21 to 18.
 
Food and Drink
There were now 3,400 supermarkets in the UK. David Mellor designed ‘Shape’ cutlery for Viners.
 
Social Attitudes
The Divorce Reform Act allowed divorce for the ‘irretrievable breakdown’ of marriage.
 
Sport
Leeds United FC were First Division champions, Ann Jones was Ladies Wimbledon Champion and Jackie Stewart won Formula One.
 
1970
Margaret Thatcher became Secretary of State for Education and Science. She was to abolish all free school milk in 1971.
136 hormonal herbicides were available for use on food crops.
The first Women’s Liberation March was held in the UK.
The Equal Pay Act and the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act came into force.
Glam Rock started