Derek Tait – författare

Do you remember glam rock, flares, cheesecloth shirts and chopper bikes? Then it sounds like you were lucky enough to grow up during the 1970s. Who could forget all the glam rock bands of that era, like Slade, Wizard, Mud and Sweet, or singers like Alvin Stardust, Marc Bolan and David Bowie? What about those wonderful TV shows like Starsky and Hutch, Kojak, Kung Fu and Happy Days?Fashion included platform shoes (we all had a pair), flared trousers, brightly patterned shirts with huge collars and colourful kipper ties. And everyone remembers preparing for power cuts and that long, hot summer of 1976?So dust off your space hopper and join us on this fascinating journey through a childhood during the seventies, with hilarious illustrations and a nostalgic trip down memory lane for all those who grew up in this memorable decade.

Plymouth has a long and varied history with strong connections to England’s most famous mariners including Sir Francis Drake, Sir Walter Raleigh and Sir John Hawkins. In 1588 Drake famously continued his game of bowls on Plymouth Hoe as the Spanish Armada approached, and in 1620 the Pilgrim Fathers left from the port on their journey to the New World.Much of the city was destroyed in the Second World War, making a vast expanse unrecognisable. However, many well-loved landmarks, old buildings and streets remain. Today Plymouth continues to change, although it is possible to discover the original buildings, some dating back to medieval times, and much history lies hidden away in the backstreets of the Barbican, the Hoe and scattered throughout the city.In Plymouth Reflections a fascinating collection of historic and modern pictures are individually merged to reveal how the city has altered across the decades. Each of the 180 images combines a recent colour view with a matching archive scene showing how the buildings, streets and the way of life have changed. Local author Derek Tait presents this engaging and evocative visual chronicle that reflects Plymouth past and present. It will appeal to residents, visitors and all those who know the city well.

Plymouth has been a major port for centuries. Famous Elizabethan maritime traders sailed from the port and its position on the Devon coast enabled it to benefit from the Atlantic trade during the Industrial Revolution at the same time that Devonport grew as an important naval shipyard and dockyard. The town absorbed other nearby settlements and in 1928 was awarded city status. Heavily bombed during the Second World War, the city was rebuilt and further areas such as Plympton and Plymstock were incorporated in the 1960s. It is now home to over a quarter of a million inhabitants.Plymouth still has a large naval dockyard, as well as a fascinating mix of old and new buildings. Plymouth in 50 Buildings explores the history of this city through a selection of its most interesting buildings and structures, showing the changes that have taken place over the years. This book will appeal to all those who live in the town or who have an interest in the area.

The 1960s, 1970s and 1980s were decades of significant 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 shifts 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 and leading to new road schemes.These changes in people’s habits and lifestyles were keenly felt in Plymouth on the Devon coast. The historic Royal Navy base and commercial port have remained open, but the city has changed markedly over the years. Reconstruction of the centre followed the devastation of the Second World War, and in a massive rebuilding programme of housing the city’s boundaries were extended to absorb nearby settlements in the 1960s. The transport network was transformed and redevelopment of Plymouth’s sporting and leisure centres continued through this period. Local author Derek Tait recaptures it all in this fascinating portrayal of the city and its people over the course of these most nostalgic decades.

Plymouth grew up round its sheltered harbour on the River Plym on the South Coast of England. The naval dockyard became an important employer in the city and although smaller still has a significant presence. Plymouth Gin has also defined the city for generations but today’s Plymouth has substantially changed in recent decades with much of the city centre rebuilt.Lost Plymouth presents a portrait of this corner of the South West over the last century to recent decades that has radically changed or disappeared today, showing not only industries and buildings that have gone but also people and street scenes, many popular places of entertainment and much more. This fascinating photographic history of lost Plymouth will appeal to all those who live in the area or know it well, as well as those who remember it from previous decades.

Very few buildings that stood in the centre of Plymouth before the War still remain. The city was devastated by enemy bombing especially during 1941. Many of the old, narrow, congested streets were destroyed completely, changing the face of Plymouth forever. After the War, a new modern City Centre was built with first class stores and spacious streets. Vast changes have also occurred in the areas surrounding the centre. Some areas are now totally unrecognizable but often a bit of old wall, post or fence will be exactly the same as it was a hundred years ago making it easier to work out where an old building, factory or farmhouse might have once stood. This book will prove appealing to both people who are interested in the history of the city and also to those who are interested in how the area has changed over the years.

Growing up as a child in Singapore and Malaya in the 1960s was an idyllic experience. Thousands of children of naval personnel will have the same fond memories of the time spent there, as Derek has. Who could forget the constant hot weather or the strange smells that you only seemed to find in the Far East? Who could forget the heavy monsoon rains, chit-chats or Tiger Balm Gardens? Other memories will include the markets, hawkers, amahs and snake charmers. Shopping was an experience in itself. Bartering was a way of life and anyone who lived there at the time would remember CK Tang's and Change Alley. Only going to school till 1.00 p.m. because of the heat and spending the rest of the day on boat trips or at the beach was wonderful, as were all the fantastic toys that were available at the time. This book will remind people of those far off sunny days of childhood, and will bring back many happy memories to those who shared in the experience.

With few TVs, children in the 1950s made their own entertainment: they played conkers, built dens and go-karts, climbed trees and re-enacted fights from the latest cinema blockbuster. Food was, for many years, still rationed and bought from the local corner shop. There was no pre-packed food, frozen food or many of the other luxuries that we take for granted today. Families would gather around the radio to hear the latest dramatizations such as the incredibly popular show Dan Dare, which was sponsored by Horlicks and was first broadcast in 1951. A trip to the cinema included a Pathe News reel, cartoons and a double bill featuring the latest movies. Much has changed for children over the years and this book shows what life was once like for the children of the 1950s including home life, school days, music and fashions.

This book describes just what it was like to be a child during the 1980s. It was a time before people had smartphones, and the last decade before work, society and social life changed forever with the introduction of the internet in the 1990s. There were very few 3D games, no streaming services or other consumer goods that we take for granted nowadays. For a time, Kevin Keegan was the world's most famous footballer, and Donald Trump was just a glitzy property developer.A 1980s Childhood combines memories, original documents and photos from that time. It covers the holidays children were taken on, popular books and hobbies of the time, how children got around, the range of shops and consumer goods they knew, what school was like back then, and the roles of men and women in parenting in this era - which have changed to a surprising degree.Together, they give the whole story of what it was like to grow up in the 1980s - an era in living memory but already so different to today.

Plymouth is steeped in history, from the prehistoric remains discovered at Cattedown, the Bronze Age trading settlement at Mount Batten and the Roman burial grounds at Stonehouse to the Pilgrim Fathers’ departure from the Mayflower Steps, the hard-fought battles of the Civil War and the Blitz during the Second World War.In A–Z of Plymouth local author Derek Tait takes the reader on a tour through the history of this Devon city. Here are the stories behind its notable streets and buildings, and the dark secrets of its hidden lanes and alleyways. The author highlights aspects of Plymouth’s colourful maritime heritage and introduces us to some of its famous sons and daughters. With strong associations to Nancy Astor, Sir Francis Drake, William Bligh, Lawrence of Arabia, Admiral Hardy and Charles Darwin, as well as tales of slavers, pirates, suffragettes, mutineers and executions, the city is rich in stories of discoveries, triumphs and disasters, all adding to its compelling history. Fully illustrated throughout, this book will be of interest to visitors, residents and all those with links to this port city.

When war was declared on 1 September 1939, the people of Devon pulled together in a way that they hadn't done since the Great War of 191418. This book covers the people of Devon's contribution to the war effort, from the commencement of the conflict in September 1939, to its end in September 1945. It features many forgotten news stories of the day and looks at the changes to civilian's everyday lives, entertainment, spies and the internment of aliens living within the area. Devon became vital as a base for troops and as a despatch point for the many men who left to fight in Europe. Several RAF bases were also established within the county to repel German attacks. Air raid shelters were erected in gardens and at public places and many children living in larger cities were swiftly evacuated to the countryside, as Plymouth and Exeter both suffered greatly from German bombing, with much of Plymouth being obliterated. Carrying a gas mask, rationing, the make-do-and-mend culture and the collection of scrap metal all became a generic way of life. Many of the jobs left open by men fighting abroad were taken up by women on the Home Front.The Women's Voluntary Service assisted with the evacuation of mothers and children to the country, carried out civil defence duties and provided food and clothing for the many refugees from occupied Europe. During the build-up to D Day, American troops were trained and stationed within the county before leaving for the beaches of Normandy. Slapton Sands, Dartmoor and Woolacombe were all used as training grounds with tragic loss of life at Slapton. Devon played a truly vital role in the war and its people contributed greatly to bringing the world changing conflict to an end.