AT the April meeting of the Guild the Chairman, Julie Wacey welcomed a new member Carol Addison and presented her with her membership card.

The leisure group reported on a very nice visit to Croome Court, with an enjoyable walk around the grounds followed by the obligatory cup of tea and piece of cake. The walk this month is to Dymock to see the wild daffodils (hopefully).

The speaker for the day was Ray Sturdy who has spoken to the Guild on several occasions previously. His subject this month Remembering the Swinging Sixties.

In 1945 there was a population explosion, austerity had finished and there were lots of factors which increased the population.

Cinema prices were much lower than toady with seats in the stalls at 1/-d to 1/6d. 1954 still saw rationing and marbles and cigarette cards were some of the main games played by children.

Corner shops were on many a street corner since supermarkets were not in evidence. In these small shops customers could buy just two eggs or half a loaf whatever they could afford.

Television sets were on sale in 1953 for the coronation and in the 1960s life in the back streets of Manchester was shown, the programme everyone recognises now as Coronation Street.

Princess margaret got married to Anthony Armstrong Jones and in America John F Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier were married.

Ian Fleming became a multi millionaire when his famous James Bond books became very popular and were later made into films.

The cold war was in full swing and the Russians announced that they would put a man into space. President Kennedy and Mr Khrushchev were not very friendly as the Russian favoured Fidel Castro of Cuba. There was concern that a nuclear war would be started but fortunately talks took place and the war was averted.

Rock and roll music took the scene by storm with people like Bill Haley and the King himself, Elvis Presley. Juke boxes were in all the cafes and bars and played all the up to date music for a small sum. A group from Liverpool played at the Cavern Club and the Beatles had arrived and Beatle mania took place with screaming girls mobbing them wherever they appeared or whichever hotel they stayed in.

The Mini car was invented by Issigonis and became the car to have. Disposable nappies were invented, transistor radios and Dansette record players. The list goes on and on..

More events and inventions happened in the 1960s than ever before. There was no traffic congestion, pollution and ten shilling bought you lots of things with change to spare.

How times have changed!

What a very enjoyable morning we had and what lovely memories it conjured up for us all.

The next meeting will be held on May 19 when the speaker will be Ellie Targett talking about her father Another Man's Shoes. The meeting will take place at the URC Hall, Malvern Link at 10.15am. Visitors most welcome.