The 1970s- marred by Andrew

Andrew Marr’s TV series, a modern history of Britain has highlighted just what a grim decade the 1970s was. I remember it well- the early 1970s was my formative period, and while I recall the music, culture and football with relish, it is clear that Britain was a relatively backward nation that was trailing behind its European neighbours. When I went to Denmark in 1971, I could not believe just how different it was to Britain. It was modern, bright, cheerful and overwhelmingly hip. We seemed downtrodden and sour compared to the ultra-trendy Danes. And they were all playing with Ker-knockers long before they came to Britain.
I recall doing my GCE O Level revision by candelight, I remember the damp, cold and depressing period where afternoons seemed to get darker because of the power cuts. The three-day week, the IRA, the sugar and bread shortages. Can you believe it? This was country that was supposed to be leading the way in the modern technological world. It’s hard to imagine now. As a kid, we had ice on the inside of our bedroom windows – no such luxury as central heating for us!
When TV programmes hark back to the 1970s, they portray us all as bouncing around on space hoppers. Or walking around in billowing flared trousers. They largely ignore the economic mess, the ineptness of Edward Heath and the greyness. Little wonder that David Bowie and glam rock came long to brighten up our day.