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Nostalgia: Scenes of Bournmouth

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Bournemouth Trolley Bus

For the holiday resort of Bournemouth, on the South Coast of England, the 1950s and 60s were a vibrant time in the town’s history. The country was recovering from the ravages of the Second World War, rationing had ended in 1954 and, with the gradual rebuilding of the town throughout the next few years, many visitors returned to the once popular holiday destination.

Tourists and visitors to Bournemouth came to take in the sea air, unwind in the Victorian gardens and promenade along the Pine Walk and behind the bandstand ending up by the Pier, ready to enjoy the beautiful sandy beaches of Bournemouth which run for miles along the South Coast from Poole all along to Hengistbury Head.

 Through the early part of the 1950s there were still signs warning the public of mines from the war being washed up on the shore line, but that did not deter the visitors who took in the summer sun whilst staying in one of the many hotels. They would send home postcards telling the reader how much they were enjoying Bournemouth and what the town had to offer and always telling the reader what the weather was like, which as you read in the messages, was not always sunny and warm.

The great pier at Bournemouth was rebuilt in 1946 after having the centre section blown up during the war, a fate many piers suffered throughout the country. Later on, in the 1960s the new Mermaid Theatre on the pier opened its doors. It attracted many famous people to the stage including Dick Emery who appeared on stage in 1967, along with many of the top entertainers of the time. Similarly, The Beatles appeared at the Winter Gardens in 1964.Westcliff and Sands, Bournemouth

From the pier you could take a pleasure cruise either around the bay on the Bournemouth Belle or further afield to Swanage on the paddle steamer The Waverley. This is something that we can still enjoy today.

But even Bournemouth was to experience the changes of the times with the meeting of the Mods and Rockers one Whitsun in 1964 which turned into a fight on the beach. Thankfully occasions like this were rare in Bournemouth’s history.

Bournemouth Square and Central Gardens

Bournemouth had so much to offer visitors, from the beaches to the gardens and the shops in the town, with Bobby’s the department store (now Debenhams) all ready to sell you a memento of your visit to Bournemouth. Bournemouth was a place to escape from the struggles of day-to-day life and to be able to enjoy a holiday in comfort and style.

Bournemouth in the 1950s & ’60s offers a rare glimpse of life in the town during a fascinating period, which started with post-war austerity and ended with Britain becoming the music and fashion capital of the world. This volume – featuring a superb collection of colour images of Bournemouth’s holiday heyday – focusses on Bournemouth as it is most fondly remembered: as a great seaside resort. 


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