Five Signs of an English Baby Boomer - Nostalgia is not what it used to be.

 

1) We would often have sugar sandwiches for tea, usually because we had run out of jam — or money to buy jam. White bread, margarine, and sugar. 

It kept the dentist in business.

2) You had an aunt who would cut your hair. 

My aunt Carol cut my hair. 

“What style? Who do you want to look like?” She would ask. ‘David Bowie or David Essex?’ was my reply. They seemed to do well attracting girls; perhaps it would work for me? It didn’t. Well, I don’t think it did.

3) The local library was the internet. 

It really was. 

There was no Google back then. Or A.I. You actually had to do some work to find out anything. It often began with legwork. Real legwork, because to find out anything meant a trip to the library, and you had to walk to get there. 

4) You are old enough to remember when England last won the World Cup. 

A thriller against Germany. 

Actually, I don’t remember this World Cup at all. I was probably too young to care. I do remember the 1970 rematch, when Germany got their revenge. Muller’s goal sticks in my memory. 

It was also the World Cup where Bobby Moore, England’s captain, was arrested. Brazil won the World Cup. Great team with Pelé ruling the world. That’s how football should be played.

5) At home, you had to put money into a coin meter to get electricity. 

It was probably a shilling each time, and like today, the money didn’t last long before the lights went out. The meter needed to be fed regularly.

 

Also published on Medium, 19/08/25.