Ray’s Rants - Growing up in 1950s 1960s 1970s Britain
Ray’s Rants UK 620 episodes Nov 8, 2026
Ray reflects on growing up in Britain during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. He covers the music of the era, from Jimi Hendrix to The Rolling Stones, as well as pubs, clubs, and popular drinks like Watney's Red Barrel and Babycham. The podcast also touches on pirate radio stations such as Caroline and Luxembourg, plus cars, school, work, television, and 1960s fashion. A nostalgic look back at British life across three decades.
Episodes
Family Life 1950s. Bonfire night. Blankets and eiderdown. Meal time. Fridge.
What was family life like back in the 1950s? No fridge, keep the milk
outside in buckets. You you remember sheets, blankets and an eiderdown
on your bed? Fireworks, fridges, freezers... Join me for a chat about
the old days.
Ray's Rants Podcast - I've been robbed! Thank goodness!
You've been robbed, your brand new car stolen... why would you be pleased? It doesn't make sense... or, does it?
Ray's Rants Podcast - CB Radio! My new shirt, Storm Austen, Mrs Dale's Diary. School's closed! Yay!
In this episode, I talk about the early days of CB radio. It was good,
it was bad, but most people loved it! Also, a hoax... school is closed,
go home! I have a note from my mum... Liar! Haha!
Ray's Rants Podcast - DIY disasters, plumbing, ceilings walls crumbling. Chimney breast collapsing.
DIY disasters! Plumbing cock-ups. Ceilings and supporting walls
crumbling. Chimney breast collapsing, nightmare. Central heating
radiator bodge. Join me for a few do it yourself stories of absolute
catastrophic proportions.
Ray's Rants Podcast - My son stole my house! Traditions disappearing, Isle of Wight, Christmas...
My son stole my house! Really? Traditions and values have gone. Curry
for Christmas dinner? Christmas Eve in the pub. Fading memory.
Bring Back the Birch. School discipline, the ruler, the cane, six of the best.
Have you heard the expression, Bring Back the Birch? It was an evil
punishment, not only for adults but school kids. School discipline, the
ruler across your knuckles, the cane, six of the best... Has school
discipline been lost these days? Also in this episode, speeding cars,
how to stop strangers talking to you, home haircuts, and more...
Are You A Mean Miserly Tight Fisted git? Plus, More Skeletons In The Cupboard!
In this episode, tight-fisted, mean, miserable, gits! Haha! Also, more
skeletons in the cupboard. Hiding money from your partner. Lying about
intentions. Keeping your cash a secret. Deceit. Lies.
Cheating.
Skeletons In The Cupboard!
Do you have skeletons in the cupboard. Apparently, most people do! Dark
secrets! Also, the small of home cooking, freshly baked bread, pies in
the oven, cakes... bliss! Plus, the fate of out cherry tree. How many
trips do you make to the rubbish dump? Join me this Sunday for a good
old chat.
Are You Getting Your Oats?
Are you getting your oats? Now, there's a question! Is your wife a
housewife? In the old days, she was a slave! Whose house is it, anyway?
We all hate politics! What was it like back then before social media?
A Shocking Village Secret
In this episode, A Shocking Village Secret! Crikey! Christmas adverts.
The Sunday tea trolley. Tales of the Riverbank. Andy Pandy. Bill and
Ben. The Wooden Tops. Rats in the undergrowth. Peyton Place and loads
more...
Board Games, I cheat! Love them or hate them?
Board Games, do you love them or hate them? Back in the 1950s when I was
a child, I used to cheat! Snakes and Ladders. Ludo. Chess. Draughts.
Monopoly. Cluedo.
Ray's Rants Podcast - Midlife Crisis, running off with young women! The dentist. Stealing by finding...
Have you experienced a midlife crisis? Have you left your wife and run
off with a younger woman. Have you left your husband and and run off
with a younger man? Oh, what a tangled web we weave! Also in this
episode, a visit to the dentist, finding treasure at a derelict house, a
haystack fire and more...
Who are you, really?
Who Are You Really? Do you ever put on a front, a facade, when you’re
around other people? Do you change your demeanor, the way you speak, or
even the way you express yourself depending on who you’re talking to?
Which version is the real you? Do you wash and polish your car
regularly?
Are You happy? What is happiness? What is vertical drinking? Should it be banned?
In this episode, I ask whether you're happy. What is happiness? Have you
lost the happiness? Also, vertical drinking in pubs to be banned??? Translated, standing up and having a beer! Stone the crows, there's another heatwave on the way... GRpmoiXm3ReweRK0KlsV
A shocking view from a tree!
A shocking view from a tree! You won't believe what I saw from the top of a tree! Stone the crows! Reading the room... some people just can't read the room. They put their foot in it again and again! Diving down rabbit holes... apparently I do that a lot! Please, join me for a good old chat.
Hi, how are you?
Hi, I've just popped in to see how you are.
Ray's Rants Podcast - My Wife Left Me! Gary Tortoise. Mini Greenhouse.
My Wife Left Me! No, I don't mean my wife! It was a friend's wife, many years ago. Gary the tortoise is out and about. I've now got a mini greenhouse. But, more importantly... I have an announcement to make.
Midweek Message 273. Where is the summer? Heatwave rain wind. Garden centres, nurseries, coffee...
Where's the summer? Where, indeed? Rain one minute, a heatwave the next minute... Crikey! Are garden centres not much more than restaurants these days? What happened to nurseries where plants were relatively cheap and you couldn't buy coffee? Happy days!
Liar Liar Pants On Fire! Lying Girl! House two up two down. Bad TV adverts. Life, what did I envisage?
Liar Liar Pants On Fire! A girl I knew lied and lied. She lies about her surname, where she lived, where she worked... Why? Who remembers the two up two down houses? Bad TV adverts are getting even worse! Life, what did I envisage? What did I think life would be like as I traveled through the decades? Join me this Sunday for a good old rant!
Ray's Rants Podcast - Midweek Message 272. Dreadful weather!
Runner beans, the dreadful weather, growing things at school, moaning and groaning... I hope you enjoy the Midweek Message.
Bloody Potholes! Grumpy old man, pink trousers, coffee in soup bowl, miserable people
Bloody Potholes! I'll tell you about bloody potholes! Grumpy old man, that's me! Wearing pink trousers in the pub? Coffee served in in soup bowls? Miserable moaning people... that's me again! And lots more to moan and groan about this Sunday!
Midweek Message 271. Rubbish dumps, stick insects, the old days.
Let's talk about rubbish dumps, vintage telephones, stick insects, the good old days and lots more...
Ray's Rants Podcast - Saturday Job Paper Round. Empty shops, littered streets, derelict buildings.
Did you have a Saturday job or a paper round? In this episode, I chat about the old days, empty shops, littered streets, derelict buildings. The world has changed, and I don't like it! The local far has gone, and the ponds with frogs and water boatmen, the pubs, the woods, the combine harvester... Join me for a good old moan!
Ray's Rants Podcast - Midweek Message 270. In the shade in the garden! Growing Watercress.
In this Midweek Message, I can be found in the shade in the garden! It's HOT! Growing Watercress.
The Dairyman's Daughter. Ghost story. Make do and mend. Your first house.
In this episode... The Dairyman's Daughter! Changes in our culture, Ekco Hostess, Isle of Wight Holidays, a motor home, comedians, a ghost story! Make do and mend, repairing things, a mouse in the garden! Your first house... and so much more! Wow, what a fun-packed episode!
Ray's Rants Podcast - Midweek Message 269 Back to the 1960s
Back to the 1960s! Why do I enjoy documenting and sharing so many recollections from the past? Because they were great days. The nightclubs, cars, television, shops, pubs, music... the 1960s were a fantastic time to be alive!
Ray's Rants Podcast - Emma's Secret Diary. She was a twenty-year-old girl, a plain, quiet girl...
Emma was twenty-years-old, a plain girl, a quiet, unassuming girl. She had a secret diary, which came into my possession. No one would have believed what I discovered about young Emma. There was far more to young Emma than met the eye! Also in this episode, do you remember The Likely Lads on television? Left on the shelf! Did you find yourself alone after all your friends got married? Lots to tal
Ray's Rants Podcast - Midweek Message 268. Children's radio and television in the 1950s.
It's that time again! Wow, what a busy week it's been. I have a good old chat in this episode. Children's television in the 50s. Children's radio in the 1950s. Pruning the cherry tree. Local elections... Crikey! There's a lot to talk about!
Ray's Rants Podcast - School Scandal! Miss Is Expecting! English Teacher Pregnant!
Chinese whispers, illicit affairs, school scandal, Miss is expecting, renting shops in the 1960s, 1950s kitchen gadgets... there's so much to talk about this Sunday! Please, join me for an hour of recollecting.
Ray's Rants Podcast - Midweek Message 267. Bugging the school staff room!
Welcome to another Ray's Rants Midweek Message. Public Transport Trains Busses. Listening in to the teachers in the school staff room. Inside information. Please, join me for a good old chat.
Exposing A Stalker! Favorite Smells. Mortgage Bank Loan. Village Dad's Army. 1950s 60s Poverty.
Exposing A Stalker! Have you ever been stalked, followed? What are your favorite smells? Getting a mortgage or bank Loan in the old days. The village Dad's Army. Poverty in the 1950s and 60s. What were the first words ever spoken? There's so much to chat about in this episode!
Ray's Rants Podcast - Midweek Message 266. The Village Green.
In this episode, I chat about the activities on the village green back in the old days. The village fete, classic car show, cricket match, snowmen in the winter, courting couples... Happy days!
Who did that? Who did it? It wasn't me!
Who did that? Who did it? It wasn't me! Have you been accused of something you didn't do? The injustice! The unfairness! Also in this episode, Hedgehogs, PE at school, cowboy outfits, spinning wool, couples unable to live together... This is an action packed episode!
Midweek Message 265.
In the 1950s, everyone had a tortoise! Hedgehogs were in abundance, foxes were only seen in the countryside... How things were different back in the old days.
Growing up in the 1950s
In this episode, I chat about growing up in the 1950s. What was it like for a young mother with a baby or toddler? How did she cope with looking after the child and doing all the housework, cooking, washing, ironing, shopping and more? Playpen? Cot?
Midweek Message 264.
What do you do with a small child when you're trying to get things done around the house? Playpen or cot? In this episode, I chat about little ones on the loose around the house.
Stair rods. Tea cosy. Horse hair sofa. Lino flooring. 1950s homes.
Stair rods. Tea cosy. Horse hair sofa. Lino flooring. 1950s homes. There's a lot to ramble on about this week. I hope you'll join me this Sunday.
Midweek Message 263.
The boat race, Cockney rhyming slang, shorthand and lots more on this week's Midweek Message.
Retro good old days. Marmalade renamed. Bent cucumbers. Storm Dave.
Retro good old days. Marmalade renamed. Bent cucumbers. Storm Dave. As usual, lots to talk about!
Midweek Message 262.
Back to the 1950s, again. No microwave, no air fryer, no automatic washing machine... How did we manage back then! Hard work, that's how! Please, join me for a good old chat.
Upper class, lower class. Posh, common. Baking bread. Feigning illness to get off school.
Upper class, lower class. Posh, common. Baking bread. Feigning illness to get off school. There's a lot to chat about this Sunday.
Midweek Message 261.
1950s kitchens. Woolen swimming trunks. Easter Eggs. Sunday best clothes. Pipe smoking. Join me for a good old chat about the old days.
A Creature of Habit, aluminum jelly molds, drainpipe trousers, bedpans, and more
Are you a A Creature of Habit? Do you remember aluminum jelly molds, drainpipe trousers, bedpans... Join me for a char about the good old days.
Midweek Message 263.
Brevity... there's a word! Some people talk too much. Some people never get ill. Healthy eating, exercise... and more.
Why don't I like people?
I've had an interesting email from Alan... He wonders why he doesn't like people. What it is about some people? I'm sure some set out deliberately to annoy others! Haha! Happy days!
Midweek Message 259.
Railway gates always closed. Drinking fountains. Doctors drinking and smoking. Creating a 1940/50s kitchen. There's a lot to get through on this week's Midweek Message!
Tradesman back then. Kids exploring. Pubs in Australia. Windmills.
Although I have a chest infection, I've put together a podcast episode. Tradesman back in the old days. Kids exploring are raid shelters and underground bunkers. Pubs in Australia. Windmills. Please, join me this Sunday.
Midweek Message 258
Oh, no! Half way through the Midweek Message... a disaster!
Someone else's problem becomes my problem.
In this episode, I bang on about someone else's problem becoming my problem. I try to help someone out and their problem becomes my problem... the whole thing backfires! Also, are there any architects today? Looking at new houses, you wouldn't think so! Cars, big or small? Which do you prefer? Please, join me this Sunday.
Midweek Message 257.
It's that time again. No one heard the deliberate mistake last Sunday! That's a shame. Not to worry. How are you? What have you been up to? The weather here is beautiful at the moment. Blue sky and sun!
Places to visit. University or apprentice. Dolls houses. The Toilet Museum. Train Sets.
Places to visit. University or apprentice. Dolls houses. The Toilet Museum. Train Sets. A walk in the country. So much to chat about in this episode. Please, join me this Sunday.
Midweek Message 256.
A visit to the dentist. Do we still write letters? Weird storms. There's plenty to chat about in this week's Midweek Message.
British Etiquette and good manners. Queuing properly in shops respecting elders.
British Etiquette and good manners. Queuing properly in shops respecting elders. Have those days gone? Opening a door for a lady. Offering a lady a seat on a bus or train. Do you still do that?
Midweek Meassage 255.
It's that time again. In this message, I talk about equality for women. Would you give up your seat on a bus or train for a woman? Do you hold doors open for women? Please, join me for a chat.
Furniture then and now. Train coaches with no corridors. Getting old. Experience of life.
Lots more to chat about in this episode. Furniture then and now. Trains with no corridors. Getting old. Experience of life. Deliberate mistake. YouTube shorts videos. Please, join me this Sunday.
Midweek Message 254.
We're getting well into February, spring is on the way! In this episode, I talk about modernising old houses and de-modernising (is there such a word?) new houses. Old kitchen sinks, fireplaces and loads of other stuff!
A look at houses in the 1950s. Fireplace Formica modern Supertaps
In this episode, I take a look back at houses and bungalows in the 1950s. The tiled fireplace and hearth rug in the lounge, Formica worktops in the kitchen along with stainless steel sinks with Supertaps... happy days!
Midweek Message 253.
Find the deliberate mistake in this week's Midweek message. Washing powder and carpet beaters in the old days, trains, clocks, sweet shops and loads more stuff. Please, join me.
Village Tales. Compulsive Liars. Railway Time Clocks.
Village Tales. Compulsive Liars. Railway Time Clocks. There's a lot to chat about in this episode. I hope you enjoy it!
Midweek Message 252.
Apologies for my many not deliberate mistakes! Speaking the King's English. Butlin's! Village tales and more...
Ray's Rants Podcast - Holidays back in the old days Lost villages. Bicycles cars on pavements & more
Holidays back in the old days. Fly to Spain or go for a caravan in the New Forest? Lost villages, no school, no police house, no vicar... No village! Bicycles and cars on pavements and more...
Midweek Message 251.
I remember a lot of rude old shopkeepers back in the old days. The Swap Shop was fun, swapping marbles for toy cars or whatever. Join me for this week's Midweek Message.
January Sales. Cashless Society. Gambling. Ice. Snow.
As usual, I have another packed episode for you. January Sales. Cashless Society. Old days bartering. Gambling. Ice in the school playground. Snow everywhere. Please, join me!
Midweek Message 249
You can choose your friends but not your family. Is that true? Also, look out for the deliberate mistake in this Midweek Message.
Happy New Year. Holidays in Devon. British Rail. Cars. Doctors. A&E Hospital.
Happy New Year. Holidays in Devon. British Rail. Cars. Doctors. A&E Hospital. Lots to talk about this week. Please, join me for a good old chat.
Midweek Message 248.
It's that time again. What shall we talk about? My grandmother back in the 1950s eating a chicken carcass covered in flies? A bowl of dripping with files all over it? No, no... Let's talk about deliberate mistakes, seagulls eating your sandwich on the seafront, the New Year, spring time and loads of other nice things.
Between Christmas and the New Year.
Between Christmas and the New Year. Christmas is over. We've done Christmas Eve, Christmas day, Boxing Day... Now, we only have the New Year to see in. And then, it's time to look forward to the spring!
Happy Christmas 2025
Happy Christmas 2025!
Midweek Message 247.
Christmas eve! We're almost there! Are you ready for the big day? I think we are. I shall be sitting by the coal fire this evening with Tricia. A glass of mulled wine and toasted tea cakes will be nice. Happy Days!
Ghost of Christmas Past. Stop smoking. Amberley Museum. New Years' Resolution and more...
In this episode, The Ghost of Christmas Past, how to stop smoking. A trip to Amberley Museum. New Years' resolution, good news for Marilyn and more...
Midweek Message 246.
The coldest city on Earth -71c. Crikey! I moan if the temperature drops to +3c. Are you keeping warm? All this will soon be over and we can enjoy the spring and summer.
Steam Engines. Haircut. School. Christmas. Adverts. Winter Summer. Deliberate Mistake and more...
As usual, there's so much to talk about in this episode. Steam Engines. Haircut. School. Christmas. Adverts. Winter and Summer. Deliberate Mistake. Yes, I've had my hair cut! Santa Klaus Father Christmas. Please, join me this Sunday.
Midweek Message 245.
Making cheese, churning butter, weather balloons, freezing cold Siberia, and much more.
Churning butter. Radio Sonde weather balloons. Stone age times. Puncture outfit. Happy days!
There's a lot to get through in this episode. Churning butter. Radio Sonde weather balloons. Stone age times. Puncture outfit. Building a bicycle. Happy days!
Midweek Message 244.
Let's talk about Christmas... how it was in the good old days. Home made decorations, real Christmas trees with roots. Home made presents... Happy days!
Christmas TV. Vintage Office Equipment. Village Magazine. Deliberate Mistake and more...
In this episode... Christmas TV repeats. Vintage office equipment, old duplicators and type writers. The village magazine, local gossip and more! There's a deliberate mistake in this episode, can you spot it?
Midweek Message 243
I'm late today! Crikey! I hope you're keeping well. It's cold here. 0c this morning with a lovely frost and beautiful sunrise.
Childhood memories. Village tales. Horse and cart. Spy radios. Milkman. Coal man.
In this episode... Childhood memories. Village tales. Horse and cart. Spy radios. Milkman. Coal man.Sayings from the old days. Kelly's directory and so much more...
Midweek Message 242.
Winter is approaching fast. It was -2c this morning! That's 35f. As kids, we used to love the winter. Snowball fights, ice slides... great fun! Although, a few of us ended up having stitches at the hospital. Happy days!
Villages revisited. Freight trains. Real ale. Music. Graffiti. Litter. Parish Council.
Another busy Sunday podcast. Villages revisited. Freight trains. Real ale. Music. Graffiti. Litter. Local policeman on a bike. Parish council. P lease, join me this Sunday.
