art was beautiful

poetry rhymed

pop music still had notes

(this used to read, "pop music still had tunes")

religion was faith

sex was love

dancers touched each other

policemen were like George Dixon

politicians were statesmen

governments did more than run the economy

cars were British

trains were powered by steam

cyclists used lights after dark

footballers did not kiss

referees were allowed to stay on their feet

the umpire's decision was final - even at Wimbledon

cricketers wore white not helmets

it mattered who won the test match

rugby pitches were marked out in yards

cider came in quarts and petrol in gallons

bread was spread with butter

apples were not plastic

toys were made of wood

the theatre included Shakespeare

James Bond was an English gentleman played by Sean Connery

children had to learn their twelve times table

Latin was taught in schools

Christmas was something to do with religion and started in December

Sunday was a day for relaxation

there were alternatives to television

letters arrived the day after posting

things could be repaired rather than having to be replaced

car parks were free

cheques did not need a guarantee card

£1 was a lot of money.

a £5 note was a contract which the Bank of England had to honour

telephones were answered by PEOPLE

history was not a matter for self-denigration.