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 becoming 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.
