The 1970s: Those Were the Days

The UK embraced the credit boom which opened up opportunities for buying your own home and accessories for the new 70s way of life. Adults discovered home brewing, new time-saving gadgets, duvets and the joy of a waterbed - all a welcome distraction from the mass strikes, blackouts and the Three Day Week that dominated the news.

From the red, white and blue street parties of the Silver Jubilee and the explosion of punk to kids' essential viewing Grange Hill, and the birth of Saturday morning TV with Multi-Coloured Swap Shop, life was a kaleidoscope of colour – though food was largely brown, despite the best efforts of Fanny Cradock and Delia Smith to inspire us to new culinary heights. The arrival of the fridge freezer made Mum's life easier, and family dinners found new focus with the frozen chip!