The sixties, seventies and eighties were decades of great change. Many towns and cities were redeveloped with projects that dramatically affected the character of the place. People’s shopping habits were altered as supermarkets took over from traditional stores and corner shops. Leisure habits were changing too, as cheap air travel led to the arrival of the foreign package holiday and a new range of leisure facilities were developed at home. Fashions, as ever, were changing in this period, reflecting radical changes in society and the ways in which we viewed ourselves. Transport also evolved, with a move away from the railway and buses, creating a strain on the roads leading to new road schemes.These changes in people’s habits and lifestyles were keenly felt in Bournemouth on the south coast of England. As the town grew in size, the traditional seaside resort also became a conference centre. Areas of the town and landmarks were redeveloped, sometimes controversially, and the town’s service and financial industries expanded alongside the wide range of cultural activities on offer. Local author John Needham recaptures it all in this fascinating portrayal of the town and its people over the course of these most nostalgic decades.
