Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Mumsnet classics

Relive the funniest, most unforgettable threads. For a daily dose of Mumsnet’s best bits, sign up for Mumsnet's daily newsletter.

Original poster

Growing up in the 70's

712 replies

morethanpotatoprints · 01/02/2014 21:34

I bet there's been one of these before but who remembers stuff about the 70's, looking back to me it was all a bit weird.

So some of my memories.

Mary Mungo and midge, the music in the lift. my orange space hopper, gridsy marbles and clackers.
Dehydrated potato, free milk you had to drink at school.
Playing out from after breakfast until dark or tea.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
Sweetart · 02/02/2014 00:38

Chunky-heeled platform shoes [here they come again]
Dallas

Only1scoop · 02/02/2014 00:33

Rice paper....used to feel so grown up....and swizzels

Shaky · 02/02/2014 00:31

Yes, yes, I always wanted to be on the red team.

That show that was filmed at Alton Towers... Can't for the life of me think of the name Confused

Only1scoop · 02/02/2014 00:28

Cheggers plays pop Confused

Shaky · 02/02/2014 00:27

Rice paper 1p per sheet but it was a novelty to have paper you were allowed to eat.

Pint of beer jelly sweets = beer flavour Haribo (if only!)

Anyone remember Chris Tarrant narrating school programmes?

cece · 02/02/2014 00:20

Anyone said stand pipes yet?

Follyfoot · 02/02/2014 00:19

Some more:

Tinned Heinz (I think) beefburgers
Rise n' Shine powdered orange drink
Frozen concentrated orange juice
Scampi/chicken in the basket
I'll risk it for a Swisskit
Spong mincers which clamped to the worktop and were used to make a Monday curry from the Sunday roast
Hair lacquer in little pink or blue plastic bottles that your Mum got refilled
Look In magazine - it was 5p
Hairdryers with a long tube and a plastic hood which inflated
Plastic rain hats

grumpyoldbat · 02/02/2014 00:13

I had an orange space hopper too.

I'm glad someone mentioned banda machines because I was talking about them recently and everyone there told my I was imaging things that they never existed.

Original poster
morethanpotatoprints · 02/02/2014 00:11

Ifnot

You are clearly disqualified, maybe Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
morethanpotatoprints · 02/02/2014 00:09

Double diamond works wonders for you
Ronco presents
Pink and white paper bags for cheap stuff, brown paper for posher or more expensive and food.

OP posts:
IfNotNowThenWhen · 02/02/2014 00:07

I remember loads of these things, but from the 80's!

Having a massive TV with a dial
Buying singles in Woolies
Being outside all day playing
Everything closed on Sundays
Gas fires that had the mini explosion-we used to come down on a Saturday morning and light the gas fire with England Glory matches, and jump back when the it lit-at 6 or 7!(mind you my parents were negligent even by olden days standards)
No seat belts
My mums Renault 4
Panda pops, warm from the ice cream van
Bringing empty bottles of pop back to the shop for 2 p
glue sniffers in the park
finding pages of porn mags in bushes, and them having women with bushes!
Instant Whip
Cork floor tiles

Only1scoop · 02/02/2014 00:04

Sending in a picture to 'Take Heart'

mithofala · 02/02/2014 00:03

John Cravens Newsround and Jackanory. The reader was almost as important as the story.

Shaky · 02/02/2014 00:02

Sorry TheBuskersDog Flowers

Only1scoop · 01/02/2014 23:59

Bean
Yes blimey that number seems like yesterday Blush

NightLark · 01/02/2014 23:58

Long party dresses, made by your mum.

Every party - all the girls, always in someone's living room, playing pass the parcel or musical chairs or whatever, in floor-length velour skirted and broiderie anglaise topped dresses...

beanandspud · 01/02/2014 23:55

Calling Swap Shop on 01 811 8055.

Or, in reality, watching Swap Shop and being really envious of those children that were actually allowed to use the phone.

Chivetalking · 01/02/2014 23:53

A visit to Biba being a massive event. I still regret never making the effort.

Laura Ashley.

Darkesteyes · 01/02/2014 23:51

The "Highgate Vampire" and a feud which continues to this day.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highgate_Vampire

Chivetalking · 01/02/2014 23:50

Drinking in the pub at 16

Getting in to the cinema to see 18 films at 16

Nobody batting an eyelid at either

Diagonally · 01/02/2014 23:49

Hairdressers full of women sitting for hours under beehive contraptions while their hair set

Darkesteyes · 01/02/2014 23:49

Hammer Horror films were still being made Scars of Dracula. Dracula Ad 1972 which was partially inspired by the events in Highgate Cemetery in the early 70s.

toastedteacake · 01/02/2014 23:46

Calor gas fires; you had to turn the gas on and then press a button to create a spark to light it. Remembering not to stand in front as there was always a big bang as the cloud of gas exploded into life.

The white dot when the TV was turned off.

Old ladies with short, permed hair with either a pink or blue rinse.

Knee socks

Marks and Spencer made pleated woollen skirts attached to a nylon vest/ petticoat.

T-bar shoes

Pinafore dresses in orange or brown worn over the top of flared trousers. Always with a roll neck jumper.

Only one pair of shoes for all occasions.

Collectable Smurfs from the Elf petrol station.

Coal fires.

Coal men, milk men, bin men, that all delivered/ collected to/ from your back doorstep.

Diagonally · 01/02/2014 23:44

My DGM wore girdles

beanandspud · 01/02/2014 23:44

TheHouseCleaner I was desperately trying to remember that Rchard Digance link. Thank you - you made my night! Grin

Swipe left for the next trending thread