The 1951 Festival of Britain: A Brave New World

00:00:06 60 years ago, an extraordinary national festival

00:02:51 I remember all the stone buildings were black in those days

00:05:32 I remember whale meat vividly. It was indescribably revolting.

00:07:50 On my floor I was in an office next to the Director of Exhibitions,

00:10:07 to show what they could do in the way of building and design.

00:12:28 at the time so they just didn't like the idea.

00:15:11 the Royal Festival Hall, was opened by the King.

00:17:28 in this damp miserable wet dawn were standing on the steps in our raincoats, collars turned up,

00:20:04 # The Government really done their best

00:22:18 and that was our centre piece, so it really went from the 17th century right up to modern times.

00:25:34 I think the Festival of Britain looks like a signpost to the 60s with its modernist look and the Skylon,

00:28:52 One was feeling one was living again.

00:31:43 The festival does give people a sense of taste, if you like.

00:34:40 And you see these red buses going all over the place, you know.

00:37:25 # I want the whole world to know

00:39:58 And a kettle or a pail or a bath put on it, and the bath was the old tin bath which you put by the fire.

00:41:56 Fantastic.

00:43:51 needs a bit of joy in it.

00:45:55 It seemed to be going at tremendous speed but of course it wasn't.

00:48:14 Jean Blurton was 19 years old when she met Tommy Miller for the first time.

00:51:08 'The story she tells is about Britain and her people.

00:53:36 'aroused by the exhibition at home and abroad.

00:56:12 to a much more new, and open, and mobile consumerist one.

00:58:41 E-mail [email protected]