New exhibition looks back to the austere fifties

Thanks to George for sharing details of this upcoming event. We love this photo of onlookers in the 1950s watching yacht racing from below the Royal Yacht Squadron’s Cowes Castle. Ed

In the wake of the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations this year, Cowes Heritage has chosen ‘Cowes in the Fifties’ as the theme of its latest annual exhibition, which opens to the public this week.

Subjects highlighted from that decade include weddings, ship and boat building, shops, carnivals, farms, schools, and the railway.

“Our members have worked hard trying to bring the fifties alive through pictures, written material and artefacts,” said Cowes Heritage chairman John Groves.

“This was a period of post-war austerity, with rationing still operating early in the decade. The displays are a reminder of just how many changes have taken place in Cowes, Northwood and Gurnard since then.

“This was a time when the men, returning from war service, were finding it difficult to adjust back into civilian life, and women could earn money instead of being tied to the kitchen sink.”

For full details see Events On The Wight.

The exhibition will be open daily, 10am to 4pm, from Saturday 20 October to Sunday 11 November, at the Cowes Regatta Centre, Bath Road, Cowes.