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HOMES FOR HEROES

Fascinating 1950s photos show how British home life transformed after the Second World War with brand new houses, TVs and cars for all

People were keen to show off their new-found wealth in the 1950s after the austerity of the 1940s

THE Second World War left Britain on the brink with people forced to tighten their purse strings and save any money they could.

But by the 1950s, new low-cost housing sprung up around the country as people moved into new homes, and bought personal cars and TVs.

Neighbours were able to chat over the fence in new style 1950s housing which was built after austerity ended following the Second World War
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Neighbours were able to chat over the fence in new style 1950s housing which was built after austerity ended following the Second World WarCredit: Media Drum World
Children would gather in the streets in the summer to play with plays and toy prams. Pictured is Gothic Street in Cambridge
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Children would gather in the streets in the summer to play with plays and toy prams. Pictured is Gothic Street in CambridgeCredit: Media Drum World
The street scene in Rockingham Way, Stevenage New Town shows how more people were beginning to own cars
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The street scene in Rockingham Way, Stevenage New Town shows how more people were beginning to own carsCredit: Media Drum World
Married couple Eric and Nora Phillips proudly display their Standard Vanguard car outside their home in Llanellu in 1955
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Married couple Eric and Nora Phillips proudly display their Standard Vanguard car outside their home in Llanellu in 1955Credit: Media Drum World

And people showing off their new-found wealth more than 60 years ago have been revealed in a series of fascinating images.

They show how austerity made way for a huge house building programme that was set up by the government of the day.

Other shots show children playing in the street in a new community, builders laying the foundations for the new homes and a hotel with tens of cars parked up outside it.

For many people, the 1950s was the first time ever they had gardens, and some people chose to grow their own veg
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For many people, the 1950s was the first time ever they had gardens, and some people chose to grow their own vegCredit: Media Drum World
Middle class people lived in much larger houses. Pictured is Hilda Parry and her daughter Hilary on her bike outside their home in Worsely, Lancashire in 1952
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Middle class people lived in much larger houses. Pictured is Hilda Parry and her daughter Hilary on her bike outside their home in Worsely, Lancashire in 1952Credit: Media Drum World
Gardens with bright colourful flower beds became increasingly popular in the 1950s
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Gardens with bright colourful flower beds became increasingly popular in the 1950sCredit: Media Drum World
A little girl plays with her dolls house in the 1950s. The toy was made out of an old orange box as wood and paper was in short supply
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A little girl plays with her dolls house in the 1950s. The toy was made out of an old orange box as wood and paper was in short supplyCredit: Media Drum World

The stunning pictures are included in a new book, The 1950s Home, by Janet and John Shepherd.

They wrote: "The 1950s was a highly significant decade when the years of austerity gradually turned into affluence based on full employment, welfare state services and the relative prosperity of a consumer society imbued with rising expectations.

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“The fortunate generation born after the Second World War, mainly in the 1950s, now known as the ‘baby boomers’, are currently reaching retirement age in the second decade of the twenty-first century.

“This book explores the homes into which they were raised during some of the most interesting years of change in post-war Britain.”

Many old houses were demolished in the 1950s to make way for new housing. Pictured is Emmanuel Street in Cambridge in the early 1950s
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Many old houses were demolished in the 1950s to make way for new housing. Pictured is Emmanuel Street in Cambridge in the early 1950sCredit: Media Drum World
Builders begin laying the foundations for a large estate of council houses in Melbourn, Cambridgeshire
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Builders begin laying the foundations for a large estate of council houses in Melbourn, CambridgeshireCredit: Media Drum World
A block of flats in Tony's Dell in Harlow, that included balconies and even central heating
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A block of flats in Tony's Dell in Harlow, that included balconies and even central heatingCredit: Media Drum World
High-rise flats also sprung up across the UK in the 1950s. Pictured are tower blocks on Brandon Estate in Southwark in 1959
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High-rise flats also sprung up across the UK in the 1950s. Pictured are tower blocks on Brandon Estate in Southwark in 1959Credit: Media Drum World

The post-Second World War years brought few changes for many people and indeed rationing didn’t cease until 1954.

Four million homes had been destroyed by enemy bombing during the war, particularly in the major cities.

During the 1950s, more than two million homes were built and two-thirds of these were local authority housing including large-scale new estates.

The authors, Janet and John Shepherd, were both brought up during the 1950s, an important and draw on their own experiences in their book.

Student accommodation was also transformed in the 1950s. Pictured is a bedroom at the University of Bristol with a modern gas fire with a heavy wooden fire surround
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Student accommodation was also transformed in the 1950s. Pictured is a bedroom at the University of Bristol with a modern gas fire with a heavy wooden fire surroundCredit: Media Drum World
Pictured in 1958, two models from Johnsons of Great Yarmouth stand on a very modern, open-plan staircase advertising sailcloth skirts
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Pictured in 1958, two models from Johnsons of Great Yarmouth stand on a very modern, open-plan staircase advertising sailcloth skirtsCredit: Media Drum World
Christine Watson sitting astride the family motorbike in 1953 outside a garage decked in bunting for the Coronation
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Christine Watson sitting astride the family motorbike in 1953 outside a garage decked in bunting for the CoronationCredit: Media Drum World
A little boy and girl sit on the garden fence with their tennis racquets after playing in the street
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A little boy and girl sit on the garden fence with their tennis racquets after playing in the streetCredit: Media Drum World

They added: "By the mid-to-late 1950s, with full employment bringing greater prosperity, a modern consumer society developed.

“By the close of the decade, the growth in car ownership meant that householders increasingly sought homes with garages.

“This volume, which draws on a wide range of oral, documentary and media sources, explores a fascinating range of key aspects of the 1950s home at a time of significant developments in British society.”

Previously we showed you fascinating black and white photos of life for British kids in the 1950s.

We also brought you vintage images revealing a vibrant pre-Blitz London in the 1930s.

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