http://www.retrowow.co.uk/retro_britain/70s/summer_of_76.html
extracts
Like some previous comments, I am overcome with nostalgia at the memories. I remember that there was a plague of ladybirds - they were EVERYWHERE. I was 16 in September of 1976. My last year of true innocence, before getting a serious boyfriend & the heartache & life changes that all of that entails. For me it was the longest, hottest & best summer ever.
alison
I was 14 in the summer of 76 this was the end of the glam rock era. I see someone mentioned the Ladybird invasion, but that was the summer of 75. In the 76 drought, we spent most days over the Tottenham lido trying to keep cool in the water, and remember getting bad sunburn, even in the shade it was stifling hot, and I recall several fires starting by the sun scorching the grass and setting it ablaze. I have many happy memories of those far off days.
Ray
WOW, what a summer 1976 was, the best summer ever ! We lived in Birmingham and I left school that year at 16. I have wonderful memories of that glorious hot summer. There was something so special about that year. I sometimes listen to those great songs that stick in your head from that year, you know, Abba, Elton John, Candi Staten etc, and it always brings a smile to my face. Sometimes I close my eyes, and can even smell it! It was that good!
I left school in May '76, I applied for my first job and got it, but it didn't start until the end of August. This was also the year of my first love, we had three memorable summer months together, clear blue skies, temperatures in the 90's plus, and ladybirds everywhere, even in brum! She's someone I'll never forget. I remember ringing her from the phone box down the road from where we lived, it was like an oven.
I also remember my John Travolta cream flares, side pocket trousers, loafer shoes, Tiswas, Radio Luxemburg, hey, that was great, Dads Army, Chopper bikes, 'sure' deodorant, Brut aftershave, 45's and 78 LP's, James Hunt 1976 F1 Champ, Jaws, 'Charlie perfume', Dentine bubblegum, the list goes on. Oh, how I wish I had a Time Machine!
Would love to hear from anyone to share our memories and reminisce of that 'Hot summer' I'm at
[email protected] - or Friends reunited, check it out. Have fun.
Robert Emerson
What a great summer! - I remember the great cracks that opened up in our garden at Irwell Close in Melton Mowbray during the summer heatwave - but most of all I remember the biblical plague of ladybirds during our family trip to Hunstanton. I was 7 years old and my sister was 10, my dad drove us in his metallic blue Escort Mk I and he had the wipers going to clear the ladybirds that were as thick as rain! Walking around the town later I remember the great pools of ladybirds gathered around the base of every sign post. It seemed like the summer would never end and I stayed out playing with my best mate Stuart "Jeppo" Jepson for hours! A great memory of more innocent times.
Paul Saddington
I was 4 and have vague memories of being on a beach, possibly West Wales or Cornwall, and being surrounded by swarms of ladybirds. We had to run to the car to eat our lunch as they were getting into all the sandwiches! Caz
strange but true
