As Britain bakes in record-breaking temperatures, much mention has been made in the news and on social media of the long, hot summer of 1976.
Nearly five decades on, those scorching eight weeks of unbroken sunshine reside in the collective memories of everyone who lived through the time. The sun blazed in cloudless skies over Britain from the last week in June, right through July, until the final few days of August.
Millions of us soon began flocking to the seaside and the countryside, and sunbathing in parks and back gardens. Newcastle ice cream firm Mark Reay took on extra staff and upped their order of ingredients to cope with the rocketing demand for ice cream and lollies.
READ MORE: Tyneside in the 1960s - 10 photographs
But there was a downside. With daily temperatures nudging into the 30s by the end of June, our sister title the Daily Mirror urged Britons to keep their cool amid reports of a rise in the number of pub brawls and family punch-ups. The newspaper suggested, like our European neighbours, we should consider taking “sensible siestas”, “stop rushing to the seaside like lemmings”, and “change our nonsensical licensing laws so it’s possible to get a refreshing pint at four in the afternoon”. (At the time, pubs closed from mid-afternoon to early evening).
The Chronicle reported in July how “hundreds of adults and children have been flocking to seek hospital treatment for sunburn and sunstroke”. The following advice was issued: “Cover up and drink up is the maxim to anyone going out in the sunshine for long spells.”
With some areas having no rain for two months, the headlines brought news of drought, forest fires, hosepipe bans, and rising food and beer prices, with the Cabinet even considering imposing a three-day week. And then, finally and almost mercifully, at the end of August the weather broke and ferocious storms lashed Britain.
According to the Met office, figures show it's gradually been getting even warmer, and nine out of ten of the hottest days ever recorded in the UK have been since 1990. One heatwave arrived in July 2003, with Newcastle temperatures soaring to the upper 20s compared to a normal average of 19C.
The Chronicle reported: "The Mediterranean-style weather saw people strip off, slap on the sun cream and head for the region’s beaches. Events throughout the region enjoyed massive attendances. Sales of ice cream and ice lollies soared along with the temperature at Tynemouth.
"The Longsands was packed as sun-worshippers took a dip in the sea to cool off and children brought out buckets and spades. Cullercoats saw a similar scene as children swam, built sandcastles and splashed each other with the cooling water. At South Shields crowds sat out in deck chairs to listen to a music concert at Bents Park." Once again, the whole thing was brought to a crashing end by thunderstorms.
Historically, as well as 1976, the summers of 1959, 1949, 1930, 1915 and 1911 were some of those that had Britain truly sweltering over the last century and more. In the final few days of August 1930, extreme high temperatures hit the towns and cities of Britain, including Newcastle. The Chronicle reported a rocketing demand for ice cream as Tyneside sweltered in Mediterranean conditions.
It was also revealed that Geordie womenfolk had taken to wearing sleeveless dresses, and “‘No stockings’ was reported to be the vogue in Jesmond". But it wasn't all fun in the sun. The Times reported many heat-related deaths as the mercury soared to a record high of 34.5C on August 29.
Read more ChronicleLive coverage on the current heatwave here.
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