We saw the start of the launderette. This was totally alien to the British. We had never washed our dirty linen in public before.

In the 50's one of the biggest sins was to have a dirty door step. First thing every morning women would be out cleaning and polishing!? The polish was called 'Cardinal Red'.

In March 1953 Dr. Jonas Salk announced success in tests of his new vaccine against the child-killer disease, polio or 'infantile paralysis'. This year saw the mass vaccination of children.

Along with sweets clothing was now off ration. Some thing else to wash. For those who can't work it out the suit cost £11.66p about a weeks wages.