# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
You smoked heavily. You missed out on university. You didn't take foreign holidays. You didn't have a car. You had a job in a factory. And you were likely to die at 68.

It sounds like a pretty grim picture nowadays, but hold on a minute. That was probably you - at least if you were a man - 40 years ago.

If you were a woman back in 1970, much of that catalogue might have applied to you too, and in addition, you were married and would have had your first baby before you were 25, and you were spending a fifth of the household income on food (whereas these days, your biggest expenditure will be on energy bills, probably for all those gadgets you own).

Such are the pictures painted by Social Trends 40, the 40th anniversary of the annual social report published by the Office for National Statistics.

It shows that during the course of four decades, our lives, while similar in broad outline, have changed in a myriad subtle ways: we are living longer, being educated for longer, being alone more, taking more holidays and are healthier in some ways (fewer of us smoke) but are less healthy in others (more of us are obese).

Life expectancy is perhaps the most notable single change. In 1970, when Edward Heath had just become Prime Minister and The Beatles were breaking up, for men it was 68.7 years and for women it was 75 years; 40 years on, these figures have shifted substantially. Male life expectancy is now 77.8 years, and for women it is 81.9 years. Doubtless the fall in heavy smoking has played a part in that. In 1974, 24 per cent of men and 13 per cent of women in Britain who smoked regularly were classed as heavy smokers, whereas in 2008 the figures were 7 per cent of men and only one in 20 women.

But not all of us have become more healthy as the years have gone by: many of us have piled on the pounds. Although figures recording obesity only go back 15 years, there is a clear increasing trend.

In 1994, 15.7 per cent of people had a body mass index of 30 or more, classifying them as obese, but that figure now stands at 24.5 per cent

Higher education is another area where there are significant differences. In the academic year 1970/71, there were 621,000 students in higher education; while in 2007/08 there were 2.5 million students in higher education in the UK.

The student lifestyle - or at least, independent living - has continued for longer, and the proportion of one-person households in Britain has risen from 18 per cent of all households in 1971 to 29 per cent in 2009.

This means that people are taking longer to settle down, a trend which is also visible in women's child-bearing ages: in 1971, 47 per cent of babies born in England and Wales had mothers who were under 25, but by 2008 that figure had dropped to 25 per cent.

We have also moved away from factory work. In 1978, the manufacturing sector accounted for nearly three in 10 (28.5 per cent) jobs around the UK, but this had fallen by 2009 to one in 10 (10 per cent), the lowest proportion since records began.

We are also much more mobile. In 1970, nearly half (48 per cent) of all households in Britain did not have the regular use of a car, while by 2008 that figure had fallen to just over a fifth (22 per cent).

Four decades ago, UK residents made 6.7 million holiday trips abroad, but by 2008 that figure was 45.5 million - although Spain and France are still overwhelmingly the most popular destinations for British holidaymakers. In 1981 the two countries accounted for 49 per cent of all destinations; by 2008 that had fallen, but by only a relatively small amount to 44 per cent.

1970s: Fewer cars but more smokers

*In 1971, UK residents made 6.7 million holiday trips abroad.

*In 1970/71, there were 621,000 students in the UK in higher education.

*In 1974, 26 per cent of men and 13 per cent of women in Great Britain who smoked regularly were classed as heavy smokers.

*In 1970, life expectancy at birth for males in the UK was 68.7 years and for females was 75.0 years.

*In 1970, there were 340,000 first marriages in England and Wales.

*In 1970, nearly half (48 per cent) of all households in Great Britain did not have regular use of a car.

*In 1971, the average household size in Great Britain was 2.9 people per household, with one-person households accounting for 18 per cent of all households.

*In 1971, the proportion of babies born to women aged under 25 in England and Wales was 47 per cent (369,600 live births).

*In 1970, food and non-alcoholic drinks was the largest category of expenditure, accounting for 21 per cent of UK total domestic household expenditure.

2000s: Longer lives and more holidays

*In 2008, UK residents made 45.5 million holiday trips abroad.

*In 2007/08, there were 2.5 million students in the UK in higher education.

*In 2008, 7 per cent of men and 5 per cent of women in Great Britain who smoked regularly were classed as heavy smokers.

*In 2008, life expectancy at birth for males in the UK was 77.8 years and for females was 81.9 years.

*In 2007, the number of first marriages in England and Wales was 143,000.

*In the second quarter of 2009, the average household size in Great Britain was 2.4 people per household, with one-person households accounting for 29 per cent of all households.

*In 2008, just over a fifth (22 per cent) of all households in Great Britain did not have regular use of a car.

*In 2008, the proportion of babies born to women aged under 25 in England and Wales was 25 per cent (180,700 live births).

*In 2008, housing, water and fuel was the largest category of expenditure, accounting for 21 per cent of UK total domestic household expenditure.

Reuse content

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
1970 vs 2010: 40 years when we got older, richer and fatter

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
You smoked heavily. You missed out on university. You didn't take foreign holidays. You didn't have a car. You had a job in a factory. And you were likely to die at 68. It sounds like a pretty grim picture nowadays, but hold on a minute.

# data[].attributes.body
BBC Article

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The traditional seaside holiday was under threat

The Magazine is compiling a people's history of modern Britain - featuring your written memories and photos. We continue with the 1960s.
Holidays in the UK were still popular, although there was fresh competition in the shape of package holidays abroad.

Here is a selection of your memories about the seaside.

Holidays were spent under canvas with picnics on the beach, we eventually progressed to rented caravans. Our picnic would consist of pork pie, Smiths crisps with the blue bag of salt and tomatoes, by the end of the holiday my brother announced he didn't want to see another pork pie ever! Our poshest holiday was at Butlins in Pwyllelli in north Wales being serenaded each night to the tune of "We all live in a yellow submarine"
Lynne Newbert, Farnborough Hampshire

I remember at primary school in 1966 I was eight and we went a coach trip to Hastings for the 1,000-year celebration of the Battle of Hastings. We went to the castle and caves and saw a recreation of the Bayeux Tapestry worked by local women. Of course one of the boys fell in the sea as boys were expected to then but all us girls behaved as we should. I also remember my first crush on a pop group when The Monkees were in the charts.
Martine Morton, Loughborough, UK
Sunday school outings to the seaside - we used to go to Margate in the third class carriage. My mum never used sun cream and I used to end up bright red and covered in calomine lotion. We went to Butlins for a holiday. I remember the plastic parrots above the swimming pool and the polynesian bar.
Elaine Holliday, Sittingbourne, Kent

Early 60s visits to grandparents (about 30 miles away)and taking all day to get there - walking to Horley station with my mother and brother in pushchair, then two different trains, the second one was sometimes a cattle train with livestock presumably going to or from market. Then a bus journey and finally a long walk at the other end. Same journey now is about 40 minutes by car. Holidays progressed to a week at Butlins, Bognor Regis and then Somerset when we acquired a car. I recall vividly the chalets and the early morning wake up music (Zip-a-dee-do-dah-Mr Blackbird on my shoulder?) piped into the chalets. Also remember the bedlam of the huge dining halls, and the incredible noise that hundreds of people eating and clattering crockery make. I can't imagine how parents coped, they must have needed a holiday to get over it! We kids loved it though. Total freedom to go anywhere in the holiday camp, no worries about safety or security, I'm sure the facilities were a bit basic but all I remember is the magic of all that entertainment especially for us kids.
Sue Bird, Horley, Surrey

I was born in 1963 and I remember when I went on a family holiday to Paignton in Devon when I was approximately five years old. I have a vivid memory of watching a group of Hare Krishna followers dressed in orange, riding on the back of a truck, chanting, singing and generally being very 'sunny'. I wanted so much to leave my mother's restraining grip and join in the fun. They were shaking tambourines, smiling and I have to admit years later thinking back on the experience- ' religion never looked so good!'
Sue Richardson, Leamington Spa UK

Being on a school cruise aboard the SS Uganda in July 1969 when we heard the announcement over the ships tannoy that man had landed on the moon "one small step for man a giant leap for mankind"
Karen Shrosbery, Woking Surrey

In 1961 we had a caravan holiday in Westward Ho! Compared to modern 'holiday homes' the caravan was tiny, just a kitchen and bedsitting room. The toilets were in a nearby building. There was no electricity. Everything ran on bottled gas, even the lights. My two brothers and I slept on banquettes (padded benches) in the bedsitting area and my parents had a fold-down bed. There was a canopy on the side of the caravan and some fold-up furniture so we had an extra room when the weather was good. As a five year old I thought it was all great fun but my parents must have found it too cramped as the following year we went back to Westward Ho! and stayed in a flat, which I have no memory of at all.
Anne Murray, Chester, UK

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
BBC NEWS | UK | Magazine | Your 1960s: Holidays

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The traditional seaside holiday was under threat The Magazine is compiling a people's history of modern Britain - featuring your written memories and photos. We continue with the 1960s. Holidays in the UK were still popular, although there was fresh competition in the shape of package holidays abroad.

# data[].attributes.body
Spain

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The Costa Blanca, the eastern seaboard of Spain has around 120 miles of soft, sandy beaches against a backdrop of crystal blue skies, and warm, tempting Mediterranean sea so you can imagine that coming from a small, cold and wet country, this appeals to the British like me!

The depth and diversity of the area doesn't just stop at great beaches next to traditional towns such as Denia (above) for example, because there's a whole range of places both on the coast, and inland, making the Costa Blanca one of Europe's top summer destinations.

When and where did our love affair with Spain actually start?

Contrary to popular belief, although mass tourism and package holidays are a fairly new thing, only making an appearance in the late 1950's, the British have had a strong presence in Spain, mainly for economic reasons, for centuries, and many of the country's railways, for example, were built by British engineers in the 19th century, as were many mines in both Asturias in the north, and the huge Rio Tinto open cast mines in Andalusia.

A prime example of this is the railway that goes from Algeciras next to Gibraltar, all the way to the beautiful hillside town of Ronda (below) and beyond, built by the British for officers in Gibraltar to escape the searing summer heat.

Moving back to the Costa Blanca, the British had a strong industrial presence for centuries and the narrow gauge tram railway that runs from Alicante, all the way along the coast and up to Denia, was largely built by the British to serve the various quarries in the area and also for the transportation of various fruits grown in the region, which were then taken to ports such as Denia and shipped to the UK.

In the 20th century, Spain was seen as a very glamorous, mysterious and exciting destination for the wealthy foreign traveller and this can be seen in many of the books by Ernest Hemingway amongst other luminaries.

So when did package tours to Spain start?

It would seem that the typical package tours to Spain, the sort we can all recognise from our younger days, were started around 1957 by British European Airways who started flights to Valencia, and very much on purpose, the name "Costa Blanca" was created by travel companies to help promote tourism.

This was also along with the other Costas such as the Costa del sol, Costa tropical and so on;' It's all marketing hype!

And who could resists the tempting offers of guaranteed sun, cheap drink and food, lovely beaches, and the promise of something new and exciting!

Foreign travel was very new back then, although the first real package tours from Britain were to Corsica, and organised by Horizon travel, who controversially went out of business, stranding holidaymakers abroad. This saw more regulation and organisation come into the travel industry, such as ABTA, largely to restore consumer confidence.

By the onset of the 1960's, regular charter flights for package deals, combining the trip, the hotel and transfers, were being offered by Euravia, operating out of Manchester and Luton airports, providing for many people, their first affordable trip out of the UK.

The range of holiday options was limited and was often the subject of criticisms and stereotypes of half built hotels and corrupt local police, some would say this was epitomised in the famous carry on film "Carry on abroad"!

The 1970's saw a decline in Tourism to Spain, and one incident that saw visitor numbers fall to Spain and to not recover for some time, was on 15 August 1974 when tour operator Court Line went bust, stranding a massive 50,000 people abroad, and a further 100,000 losing their holiday deposits.

After the death of the dictator General Franco, the country saw that one way of building the countries finances back up was to invest in mass tourism again, but on a larger scale, and this saw massive expansion of hotel building, especially noticeable in resorts such as Benidorm.

So what about tourism to Spain now?

Tourism still accounts for a very large percentage of Spain's national income, and each year several million embark on a weeks holiday in the sun, not just from the UK of course, but also Ireland, Holland, Germany, France and Scandinavia.

Many people still come here on cheap package deals, but they often miss out on the culture as they tend to stay only in the British focussed resorts, in British bars, watching British TV and eating British food. Perhaps that is why many people like it in Spain, but even more people are discovering a different Spain to what is in the travel brochures

Nowadays, especially with such luxuries as the internet, many people choose to put together their own package holiday, tailoring it exactly to what they need, where they want to go and their budget. The average holidaymaker now often books their flights with one of the low cost carriers such as EasyJet or Ryanair, and then once the flight times are confirmed, they can then book their hire car.

Once that is all done, often from the comfort of your own home, not a dank and dusty travel agency somewhere, then it is time to select the area that you want to book your holiday accommodation in, and the Costa Blanca has loads of choices as to where you can go, and of course Spain holiday have loads of great places to stay too!

So with all the details in place, what sort of accommodation you need would depend on your own situation. If you have kids, for example, then a beach side apartment in a family friendly resort like this example in Calpe.

Alternatively, and if money is not too much of a problem, this amazing luxury villa in Benitachell would do the job nicely. Just imagine your cold cocktail, your plate of tapas, and the view from the balcony out onto the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean sea.

Whatever type of holiday you are looking for this year, get in touch with us at Spain holiday, we are sure to find exactly what you want for a great summer vacation here in Spain.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The history of British tourism on the Costa Blanca

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Costa Blanca, the eastern seaboard of Spain has around 120 miles of soft, sandy beaches against a backdrop of crystal blue skies, and warm, tempting Mediterranean sea so you can imagine that coming from a small, cold and wet country, this appeals to the British like me!

# data[].attributes.body
8 so far

# data[].attributes.body
Tranport act 1980 1985

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
From 1948 to 1997, British Rail was solely responsible for the state railways of Britain, transforming a collection of exhausted, post-war steam operators into the modern network we know today. Read more of its story.

# data[].attributes.body
Proposal for 2023

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The government is planning a new high-speed rail network, from London to Birmingham and to Manchester and Leeds, known as HS2.

Ministers say it will improve the transport network and boost the economy, but there has been controversy about the exact route of the line and its effect on those living near it. Here are the key points that we know so far.

What is HS2?

The initial plan is for a new railway line between London and the West Midlands carrying 400m-long (1,300ft) trains with as many as 1,100 seats per train.

They would operate at speeds of up to 250mph - faster than any current operating speed in Europe - and would run as often as 14 times per hour in each direction.

This would be followed by a V-shaped second phase taking services from Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds.

The Department for Transport says there will be almost 15,000 seats an hour on trains between London and the cities of Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds - treble the current capacity.

What will the second phase involve?

In November 2016, the government confirmed the route for the second phase - from Crewe to Manchester and the West Midlands to Leeds.

A new HS2 station will be built next to Manchester Piccadilly, with a spur to take HS2 to another new station at Manchester Airport.

And in July 2017, the government said the line's north-eastern route, to Leeds, will run east of Sheffield, with some trains going into the city via a new spur and existing lines.

The Department for Transport said the full line would eventually connect Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield and the East Midlands in a Y-shaped network, with all of them being linked to London.

When will it open and how much will it cost?

The first phase of the £56bn railway is due to open in December 2026, with trains to travel at high speed between London and Birmingham before continuing on the existing West Coast Main Line.

But earlier this year, the Public Accounts Committee cast doubts on this deadline. calling it "overly ambitious".

The onward legs to Manchester and Leeds could start being built in the middle of the next decade, with the line open by 2032-33.

In June 2013, the government revised the cost of the project upwards, due to an increase in the amount of tunnelling required on the route. This took the estimated budget from £32.7bn to £42.6bn at present values - with the cost of phase one increasing from £16bn to £22bn.

Could the HS2 project be delivered quicker?

The scheme's chairman, Sir David Higgins, said building work on the northern section should be accelerated to reach as far as Crewe by 2027, instead of aiming for Birmingham by 2026.

In a report for the government, called HS2 Plus, he said the second phase of HS2 could then be completed by 2030 instead of 2033.

Sir David also called for a more comprehensive development of HS2's London hub, Euston station.

What does HS2 mean for passengers?

The Department for Transport says the project will cut Birmingham-London journey times from 1hr 21min to 49min.

Once the second phase is complete, Manchester-London journeys would take 1hr 8min (down from 2hr 8min), and Birmingham-Leeds 57min (down from 2hr). This would effectively reduce journey times between London and Edinburgh and Glasgow by an hour to 3hr 30min.

The government believes its creation will free up capacity on overcrowded commuter routes. It also estimates the new line could transfer 4.5 million journeys a year from the air and nine million from the roads, reducing the number of lorries on busy routes.

What about fares?

There has been no announcement on ticket prices. The government says its proposals "assume a fares structure in line with that of the existing railway" and that HS2 could generate sufficient demand and revenue without needing to charge premium fares. It estimates total fare revenues of up to £34bn over a 60-year period.

Who are the winners...

Old Oak Common in north-west London will be transformed from a rail depot to a 14-platform interchange station and will provide fast connections to central London, the City and Heathrow airport. The government expects the station to support some 20,000 new jobs

The northern cities served by the new line, which will be better connected to each other and to the south of England

Commuters on the West Coast Main line. Network Rail estimates the line will be full by 2024 and it's hoped HS2 will significantly reduce the strain

...and losers?

Places further away from the line, like Wales, aren't expected to see any economic benefits and could lose jobs as a result

Butterflies, bats and birds. The Wildlife Trusts say both phases directly affect nature reserves and wildlife sites which could lead to a net loss in biodiversity

The Chilterns, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire - here, historic buildings are at risk of damage or demolition, and remaining residents will face noise pollution

Some residents in Mexborough, South Yorkshire, will lose their homes. Sixteen of 216 homes on a housing estate in Mexborough will be demolished

Thousands of people living in Camden, north-west London, face years of disruption during phase one. Parts of the Regent's Park Estate will also be demolished

Why are ministers so keen on the scheme?

The government argues that Britain's rail network is reaching capacity, while infrastructure owner Network Rail says the southern section of the West Coast Main Line - currently the quickest rail route between London and Birmingham - will be "effectively full" by 2024.

Ministers claim the London-West Midlands section alone will create around 40,000 jobs.

Groups such as the Campaign for High Speed Rail say there will be added knock-on benefits, while some MPs believe it could be a catalyst for economic growth and help rebalance the economy between the North and South.

What about opposition to HS2?

HS2 will pass through around 70 parliamentary constituencies, and local groups opposed to the scheme are lobbying their MPs to vote against the plans.

There is political pressure on some Conservative MPs in particular, who will see the route pass through their constituencies, and some have indicated that they may vote against the government's bill when it reaches Parliament.

Pressure group Stop HS2 argues that England's north and Midlands will actually lose out to London, rather than benefit, and that projections for its success do not take into account competition from conventional rail.

Stop HS2 believes that once the high-speed railway is operating, existing intercity services to London will be reduced by up to two trains an hour.

HS2 Action Alliance claim more than 70% of the 30,000 jobs created around HS2 stations in phase one will be in London rather than the West Midlands.

Others object on the grounds that it will cut through picturesque countryside, impacting areas of natural beauty and the ecosystems they support.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The government is planning a new high-speed rail network, from London to Birmingham and to Manchester and Leeds, known as HS2. Ministers say it will improve the transport network and boost the economy, but there has been controversy about the exact route of the line and its effect on those living near it.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
© 2018 Time Inc. Affluent Media Group. All rights reserved. TravelandLeisure.com is part of the Affluent Travel Group. Travel + Leisure is a trademark of Time Inc. Affluent Media Group, registered in the United States and other countries. Travel + Leisure may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website.

# data[].attributes.body
The Making

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Movie about the channel La Manche with polish subtitles,Film o tym jak robiono słynny tunel z polskimi napisami

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The 737 series is the best-selling commercial jetliner in history. The 737 has been continuously manufactured since 1967: the 10,000th was rolled-out on 13 March 2018, a MAX 8 destined for Southwest Airlines, as over 4,600 orders are pending. Assembly of the 737 is performed at the Boeing Renton Factory in Renton, Washington.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.entities[].name
Greatest International Competition in Business

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Boeing vs. Airbus: Who's Winning in the Skies?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Jan. 17 (Bloomberg) -- Carol Massar looks at the different strategies employed by Boeing and Airbus for designing planes. She speaks on Bloomberg Television's "In The Loop." (Source: Bloomberg)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Take a good look at this Video, if Travelling to Kastrup. Or leaving kastrup *Copenhagen* Enjoy

# data[].attributes.body
Benidorm 2014

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Benidorm Levante Beach area. Walkthrough March 2014. Royalty free music by Kevin MacLeod and Sony vegas.

# data[].attributes.body
Benidorm 1962

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[].name
1962 spain holiday british beach bullfight matador

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Visiting BENIDORM, Spain,  fifty years ago in 1962

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A British couple decided to visit this even then popular bathing resort on the Mediterranian. Watch what this place looked like before the building boom began in Spain. See my other 1000 clips by searching YouTube with 'michael rogge' Website 'Man and the Unknown' http://wichm.home.xs4all.nl/

# data[].attributes.body
How mass market tour op began

# data[].attributes.body
Legislations

# data[].attributes.body
History

# data[].attributes.body
How Butlins became so sucessful

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Billy Butlin opened his first resort in 1936 to give hardworking families a little sparkle and delight. Learn more about Billy's beliefs and the history of Butlins.

# data[].attributes.body
History of UK Tourism