 "Through the eyes of Constance
and Cyril Saunders"
By Lora Thomson, Year 6
Contents
Technology has changed a lot during the past fifty years. Medication has improved and so has engineering. Computers are more advanced and portable. Televisions have changed to colour and are now more common to have.
Constance says that medical, engineering, telecommunications and computerisation have been the most noticeable changes in technology in the past fifty years, as they have all been for the better. However she still thinks plastic has been the best invention because of its many various forms of usage.
Constance says that technology has made a big difference to her life. For example her husband had a heart failure several months ago and heart surgery saved his life. She says medical changes have been a big importance in the last fifty years as many lives have been saved.
Television also made a change in Constances life as more people stayed inside watching it rather than going out. She says that she was twenty-four when she watched her first ever television programme. She says it was thrilling to watch even though it was in black and white. In the 1950's not many people had televisions because they could not afford them.
Constance says she does not know what the computer looked like when it first came out but it made a difference to her life. She says they affected her life because of medical advances, computerised library systems and microprocessors in cars.
Transport has affected many lives over the last fifty years. The mini was invented and loads of young people flocked to buy them.
Cyril says that in his twenties and thirties he had to travel two miles each day to get to work. He did not approve of immigration, as it was only a small island and soon be overcrowded.
Cyril said that the first time he travelled in a car was in 1933. He felt very excited. He learned to drive when he was sixteen and shortly after bought his own car. It was a Green Hillman Imp. Cyril said the most exciting form of transport is the airplane. He first went on one in 1986. He says it was exciting because it was a long flight, and his first time going to Canada.
 
Cyril says he did not use the National Service nor did he own a mini. He says he mostly used buses to get to and fro from the town, as they were cheaper to use than running a car. Some times he would give the neighbours lifts to town when he got his first car.
Music and Pop bands were very popular in the last fifty years. ABBA started a new craze as The Beatles died away.
The pirate radio station, Radio Caroline, was popular amongst the young people. Elvis was also VERY popular as his music was described as 'Exciting'. Cyril said that he did not have a record player and that not many people did. They were too poor to be able to afford one.
The Beatles were really popular with teenagers, as their music was very appealing.
 
Constance said that the mini skirt was so popular with women was because it made them feel liberated.
Constance says that in the:
- 1950's - Females clothing was small waist and calf length skirts. Mens clothing was narrow, tight trousers.
- 1960's - Mini skirts were as short as 18'' in length. Men still wore pipe trousers with very pointed shoes.
- 1970's - The Maxi came in, dresses and boots that plunged to the ankles. Hot pants became popular.
- 1980's - No drastic changes except more women started wearing trousers.
Cyril said that fashion in the 1970's bordered on ridiculous, with high platforms, enormous flares and multi colours that clashed.
  
Even after the war rations were still going on. Power cuts were very common however people knew when they were going to be.
Cyril said that in the 1970's, the power cuts didn't really affect him because he knew when they would be and could plan ahead.
Constance said she felt disappointed when the rationing carried on after the war because after six years of war on very little rations she was looking forward to having some more food to eat.
Cyril said he felt brilliant to have England win the Football World Cup in 1966.
At the time of Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation Constance said that everyone seemed happy that they had a young queen, with great hopes that things would change.
Cyril said that he felt disappointed at losing their currency when it was changed to the decimal system.
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Constance and Cyril both lived in a country house
away from the city. However many teenagers and adults alike lived in the brand new high rise flats.
