Summer Of 76

frankp57By
Jul-10-2018
Chester Today, Have Your Say, Memory Lane
1 Comment.

It seems that whenever we get some really nice weather someone will make reference to the Summer of 76. That’s not a bad thing as the Summer of 76 held so many fond memories for so many people.

Only this morning I spoke to somebody who remembers it as well as I did. So, while we are still (not for much longer by the looks of it) enjoying nice weather, let’s take a trip down Memory Lane and relive some of the moments from the Summer of 76.

The below is what I wrote two years ago when we had a particularly nice summer. It’s worth having a read of it again methinks. Don’t you?

My Original Post From 2018

This fabulous summer has been great hasn’t it? Sustained, continuous lovely weather for how long now? Have we had a summer like it ever before? Certainly not in recent and not so recent years really. How many years have we been moaning about how wet our summers have been? It seemed that whenever we enjoyed a bit of a sun, it only lasted a day or two at most. Or, not even a full day. Sunny in the morning, raining later in the day. Or vice versa. A few of us were talking in the pub the other day and we were saying how different it is to be able to see the sun in the morning and be confident that this weather will remain for the rest of the day. And, as a result, be confident to dress accordingly. People of a certain generation thought that those of us from another, older generation either imagined or made up the stories of the summer of 76.

Summer Of 76

Yes, the summer of 76 was real. Now we’ve enjoyed this rare sustained spell of beautiful weather the summer of 76 is now more believable for any doubters. For those old enough, what do you remember about the summer of 76? If this weather continues for a bit longer, we all also be talking about the summer of 18. Wow, 42 years between the two.

The summer of 76 went on for ever it seemed. The heatwave went on for about three months in all. Everyone old enough have their own memories of the summer of 76. I certainly have mine. One major event for me was one non-weather related occasion. Sadly, my father died that summer, in August.

But with regards to memories of the weather and the intense heat, it was a lasting memory of a happy nature.

Working In A Bakery

Well, I say lasting happy memories and in the main they certainly were. Having said that working during this spell wasn’t particularly joyful though. I was a teenager who, like other teenagers at the time, was looking for summer employment to provide myself with a bit of spending money.

What better way to earn some beer tokens than to be working in a bakery!!!

In all, I probably worked in the bakery for about 5 years in total on and off, during school and college holidays and at weekends. As a result, I got to work in every department.

My favourite? Working in bread despatch. Loading the vans in a nice cool despatch loading bay. Sorted!! Also, a favourite was going out on the vans on a Saturday morning on van run 41 (are you reading Kevin Gatrell?). What a great laugh that was. Apart from the “silly o’clock starting time”.

Ideal. Working in a cool loading bay and earning some much needed wonga, or travelling as a ‘van lad’ with arm out the passenger window taking in the sights!! So, great news. Or was it?

There’s Hot And There’s Hot

I wasn’t so lucky to enjoy those ideal bakery jobs all summer unfortunately. For the most part I was working in the Bake House. As you do!! Does the title “Bake House” sound as hot as it seems? Not really. It was so much hotter than that. It was hotter than hot!! I mean, unbelievable temperatures.

Looking back, the powers that be must have earmarked students for a good chunk of the “crappy” jobs when things were unappealing to the full-time regulars.

That was the case in the summer of 76. I was given the task of working on, not one, but two ovens. There was a few feet gap between these two ovens and about 4 metal trays at a time would be moving along the conveyor belt inside the oven. You had to time it so none of the trays reached the end and fell off onto the floor. So, you had to reach in and drag some of the trays as soon as they were within arms reach.

That was fun!!! Not!!!

Having pulled a row of 4 out of one oven, and placing the trays in a metal rack I then had to turn round and do the same with the other oven. Not to worry though, I was provided with all the necessary protective equipment. Not!! To protect hands, I was given two, square pieces of sackcloth with a hole cut out of each to slide your hands in. A sort of homemade, improvised, pair of sackcloth gloves really.

Sorry About The Language

The number of times I caught the edge of my improvised gloves on the bottom of the metal tray just as I was about to place my hand underneath. The sound of metal tray hitting ground followed by shouts of, “Oh dear me, that hurt!!”……or words to that effect was a frequent occurrence.

To add insult to (considerable) injury, above the ovens there was a perspex skylight. Closed of course. So, you had the heat of the ovens on either side of you and above, and the heat from the summer’s searing heat pouring down on you. Health and Safety nowadays would have a field day. Not so in 1976.

Luckily the 12 hour shift pattern was bearable in that you and your sidekick worked a half hour on, then a half hour off. As a recognition of the intense heat and the almost unbearable working conditions, the bakery provided free, cold drinks in the canteen. So, for the first 15 to 20 minutes of your break you didn’t move from the drinks dispenser as you poured cold drink down your throat followed by cold drink.

All in all, today’s Health and Safety would have a field day!!!

On The Bright Side

Looking back and looking on the bright side, you managed to keep your weight down though. No idea how much weight I must have lost during each shift. Luckily as well, I’ve managed to keep my svelte size, shape and weight the same ever since…..cough…splutter….choke…choke….!!!

Not so lucky was a good friend of mine who also worked on the ovens. He started the summer 6 feet 2 inches tall. He’s now only 5’6″!!!

Socially

On the social scene though there was such a feelgood factor throughout that summer. Everyone seemed to be out with a smile on their face. Also there seemed to be an abundance of places to go to and things to do. A great summer socially. The music all seemed to be feelgood music. Not only during the summer months only to be fair. The music of 76 generally was good. As this video will testify…..

I’ve also got a confession to make (hanging my head in shame!!). It was that hot that summer I did sometimes drink lager!! I know, I know…..what was I thinking!!!

A Short Video With Details Of The Summer Of 76 Heatwave

On the downside of the weather we had was that there was drought throughout the UK. Watch this short video for more details of the summer of 76 heatwave……the good and the bad.

What Are You Memories?

So, what are your memories of the summer of 76? Let’s hear them. I know some of my regular readers are of “that certain age” to remember the summer very well. What did you think?

Look forward to hearing from you. In the meantime, long may this fine weather continue.

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