Gransnet forums

TV, radio, film, Arts

Remember the heatwave of 1976?

(192 Posts)
Chestnut Mon 18-Jul-22 15:20:20

There is a wonderful programme on Channel 5 about the great heatwave of 1976.
Channel 5 - Heatwave Summer of '76
You need to watch on a TV because it's 90 mins long (with adverts) not on a mobile phone.

Meanwhile, what are your memories of the heatwave of 1976?

Grandiosa Wed 20-Jul-22 19:19:24

Yes! A holiday job after my A-levels, picking non-stop strawberries in that long hot summer meant that my trainers were stained pink, and I was as brown as a berry and I earned enough to have a glorious holiday with friends in Pwllheli and Abersoch afterwards - Fabulous memories!

Mallin Wed 20-Jul-22 20:08:45

Went camping with a group of other single parents, using a couple of old scouts tents formerly used by army in WW11. Great time Then. Thunderstorm. Tents pitched on beach. Everyone’s blew down. Couldn’t find my 4 kids but one appeared from under a tent saying it’s brothers were curled up asleep around the only tent pole left standing. Remembered that last year when the same kid told his grandchildren that when he was young he could sleep anywhere!

CarrieAnn Wed 20-Jul-22 20:09:58

We went on holiday to Budleigh Salterton right at the beginning of the heatwave.When we left home it was snowing and my 13 month old was bundled up in jumpers and long,thick trousers and all we packed were winter clothes.When we went to our room the sign in the bathroom said please use only six inches of water in the bath.When we asked what the problem was we were told no rain for six weeks.We went into town to buy some lighter clothes,but we were told'we don't have children In Budleigh madam',so it was a trip to Torquay!

Grandyma Wed 20-Jul-22 20:36:45

My Dd1 was born in September 1976 ? as soon as I brought her home it rained ??‍♀️

Newquay Wed 20-Jul-22 20:50:34

DD1 was born in January so I was at home with her-happy days, she was such an easy baby after an easy pregnancy and confinement-at home. On a new estate making friends with others in the same boat.
DH used to tell me which plants I was to our washing up water on during the day ?

emtra86 Wed 20-Jul-22 20:59:51

This was the year I left school and started my very first job in a sewing factory. Can still remember having cold drinks brought to us every half hour.
The weeks between leaving school and starting work were spent sunbathing with friends.

Yiayia4 Wed 20-Jul-22 21:09:05

My 2 year old tried to give his 4 month old twin brothers an ice lolly?

Nusgranny Wed 20-Jul-22 22:21:02

I was working in Boots before starting Teacher Training. Our uniform was a cotton blouse and polyester pinafore! We had to wear tights and shoes. The only concession our manager made was to send around strong orange squash in the afternoons.
No air conditioning in the store, just 2 double doors at the front and one at the back. At 18 you can put up with a lot if you are making money.

ourjude Wed 20-Jul-22 23:07:13

I remember the wildfires coming down the country lane I lived on. Took out all the farmers' crops and the hedging along the banks. Thankfully, no one's house was affected.

Nusgranny, I remember the Boots uniform - and the rule about always wearing tights. So glad I didn't work there then!

rubysong Wed 20-Jul-22 23:17:54

Like many others, I was pregnant in 1976. We went on holiday to Jersey in August. I was six months pregnant and quite large. I would have loved to have a bath each evening but we were told to be very careful with water and only flush the loo when really necessary.

FarawayGran Thu 21-Jul-22 00:15:39

I remember the ladybirds. There were thousands of them. My wrought iron gate was painted blue, but it looked as if it was rusty. And when we unfolded the folding garden chairs dozens of them fell out of the tubular frame.
We couldn't walk down the street without stepping on them.
Then, next year it was back to normal. Where did they come from? Where did they go?

JackyB Thu 21-Jul-22 07:14:06

I was working in a solicitor's office in Cambridge prior to möving to Germany permanently in the autumn. We didn't have aircon in the office but it was an old building with small windows and I don't remember it being particularly hot. I think we were less bothered by the heat when we were younger, except, of , course, those who were pregnant.

DiSam Thu 21-Jul-22 12:16:37

Working 12 hour shifts on a Geriatric Ward???

Daysy Thu 21-Jul-22 14:13:22

Thank you, Chestnut, for that link. I wasn't in the UK in 1976 but have often heard about it. That documentary really was an eye-opener!

effalump Fri 22-Jul-22 17:31:26

I would've been in my late teens, so I lived through it but to be honest, a lot of summers seemed to be hot and long so 1976 doesn't particularly stand out to me.

Washerwoman Sat 23-Jul-22 16:42:06

Someone mentioned the 10cc song I'm not in love.I vividly remember lying on my bed,windows open, as a 16 year old on a boiling hot night hearing that song as they were in concert at our local football ground .I only need to hear that song to be instantly transported back to that evening.