This month Barry Cuff has chosen two postcards sent from 1960s holidaymakers at Kimmeridge Bay.
Postcard sent to London on 29th October 1972 – no visitor centre yet, of course, and judging by the pile of lobster pots, Kimmeridge is still a working harbour. I think we can all appreciate the (I’m going to presume local) man’s beach gear of a tweed cap and jacket – and in the background the determined daytrippers who have managed to erect deckchairs on Kimmeridge’s spectacularly rocky beach!
Having coffee in the Post Office stores here this morning, very grey skies too but lightening. We had a wonderful walk along Studland Bay and on to Ballard Down in the afternoon. Met one old Tory half way along Studland beach, & another in Fortes Cafe at lunch time! Have found another nice hotel for the last two days & will call you on Wed. Regards to Peter. Love from us both, Dad
The postcard was sent on 20th June 1968 – Labour MP Barbara Castle was Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity at the time, and in ‘68 she would have been much in the news as she intervened on behalf of the women sewing machinists on strike at the Ford Dagenham motor plant:
Thursday Swanage. Dear Jimmy & Gladys, Edith & I are thinking of you as we enjoy our holiday here, & must tell you @ once, we have had a spell of sunshine such as we have longed for, for years, & have been able to get around to view many outstanding beauty spots such as Blue Pool, St Aldhelms Head, Kimmeridge, Swyre’s Head, Durlston, Studland, Corfe Castle etc. All very lovely & all so different. It has also been lovely to see little children enjoying themselves to the full, not having a single care what Barbara Castle does!!! Our love to you both, from George & Edith
