Happy Year of Jiving, Juke Boxes and Teddy Boys

Media: Nottingham Post {Main} Edition: Date: Monday 27, November 2017 Page: 18,19

BYG O N ES With Andy Smart [email protected] nottinghampost.com/bygones HAPPY YEAR OF JIVING, JUKEBOXES AND TEDDY BOYS According to a recent survey, British people think 1957 was the happiest year of the 20th century. So DAVID LOWE turns the clock back 60 years to recall events in Nottingham and nationwide in an era when Prime Minister Harold Macmillan declared ‘we have never had it so good’ N the face of it, 1957 on British television. By the end of February might seem an odd But it was not one of 1957, the religious and Ochoice for most modern history’s iconic years. factional differences on the people’s favourite No-one has ever written a Mediterranean island had ye a r. book celebrating the events claimed the life of the 100th Certainly there was plenty and achievements of 1957, as British serviceman. happening... skating star they have with landmark Around this time Jayne Torvill was born in years such as 1914 (the Nottingham was also Nottingham on October 7, beginning of the First World experiencing more than its 1957; Paul McCartney first War), 1945 (the end of the share of dramas. met John Lennon that year; Second World War) or 1989 Heavy snow at the end of Elvis had his first UK No1; (the end of the Cold War). February threatened to Stanley Matthews played his The main story dominating disrupt Forest’s home game final game for England; and the national news was the against Sheffield United. In Patrick Moore first appeared Cyprus troubles. the end it went ahead with l

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Forest losing 2-0. they jive?”he reflected. realistic expectations about a But 1957 turned out to be a Elvis Presley had his first happy life. very happy season for Forest UK No1 in 1957 but the best- After living through two fans. Reds supporters turned selling single of the year was world wars, it is believed up in their thousands at Paul Anka’s Diana. people had learned to count Bramall Lane on April 27 to The first “espresso bars” their blessings. see their team clinch were spreading across Dr Daniel Sgroi, co-author southern England and the of the report, said: “In 1957 promotion to the First first skiffle groups were memories of the Second Division with a 4-0 victory finding an eager audience. World War and the period of over the Blades. An application for a juke austerity that followed were It was a year of bizarre box at the Bulwell Café, in still fresh in the mind of the happenings. An earth tremor Cinderhill Road, was rejected nation, perhaps helping was page one news in the by Nottingham Transfer people to appreciate what Nottingham Evening Post on Sessions on the grounds that they had. Monday, February 11. “It may be that people in “Buildings were actually it would attract undesirables. the 1950s had a greater sense seen to move backwards and But Nottingham’s well- of realism about happiness.” forwards,” reported the Post. established milk bar, the Rationing was over by 1957. “In the Evening Post office, Farmer Giles, in Chapel Bar, The space age had begun with work was proceeding was granted a licence for a Russia launching Sputnik 2, normally when a general record player. carrying a dog named Laika. movement was seen. Teddy boys were big news Technology was coming “Panic seized a Nottingham in 1957 and fashion reflected into the home. By the end of cinema. A Post reporter told their passion for Elvis Presley, the decade three in ten how people had started rock ’n’ roll and jive dancing. working-class families owned running in all directions. They enjoyed wearing drape a washing machine and eight Women screamed and several jackets, drainpipe trousers, in ten owned a television. At people were knocked down in crepe-soled shoes and the beginning of the 50s the rush to the exit. Brylcremed hair with a quiff. virtually no-one owned either. Girls wore flared skirts with “The tremor was felt Traffic jams barely existed, a wide waistband and sported with only four million cars on throughout the south and pony tails. western part of the Post’s the road, compared with 37 One of the best-selling million today. circulation area, in Ilkeston books of the year was Bert and Loughborough, and also British motorists breathed a Weedon’s guitar guide, which sigh of relief on May 14, 1957, beyond, in Derby and as far helped the careers of many south-west as Birmingham.” rock legends. when petrol rationing ended. Three days earlier, the River It was an era when children It had been in force for five Leen burst its banks in enjoyed simpler pastimes – months following the Suez Basford following prolonged the most popular gifts for Crisis. rainfall. youngsters were yo-yos and I- Two of Britain’s best-selling So where were all the happy Spy books. cars in this era were the Ford stories? The frisbee was invented in Popular and the Ford Anglia. The jive was the dance 1957 and the hula hoop was Simply engineered, these craze in 1957 and it was the biggest-selling toy. robust models sold in huge sweeping the East Midlands. Although television was numbers. The Guardian Journal having a big impact on the But millions still went to newspaper reported that girls world of entertainment, work by bike. Field Marshal at St Helena’s School, cinema going was still Viscount Montgomery visited Chesterfield, “gathered popular. Around the World In Nottingham in September, around a record player after 80 Days, starring David Niven 1957 to open Raleigh’s No 3 lunch for one o’clock rock to and Shirley MacLaine, won cycle factory. Three thousand the 1957 Oscar for best film. “get hep” to the music of Elvis dealers were invited to the So why were people so and Bill Haley.” ceremony at the £5m plant. contented in 1957? Borough education officer Football pools were big Arthur Greenough did not Researchers at the business and 1957 was foresee any problems. University of Warwick, who certainly a happy year for Ivy “The girls are taught folk carried out the survey, put Howkins, a 51-year-old grand dancing. So why shouldn’t their findings down to more

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from Nuthall. She won a fortune on the pools, scooping £51,000 (equivalent to £1,151,000 today). ■ If 1957 was your happiest year, tell us why by writing to Andy Smart at Nottingham Post, City Gate, Tollhouse Hill, Nottingham, or emailingandrew.smart@ nottinghampost.com

A charming picture of Bert and Mary Elliott sitting in the back yard of their home in Dryden Street, Nottingham, in 1957. The terrace houses were later demolished and replaced by modern housing in the 1980s and 90s.

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The jive craze that began in 1957.

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King Street and Queen Street, Nottingham pictured in 1957.

No sign of any traffic in this 1957 picture of Wilford Lane and Main Street, Wilford.

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