Standpipes and Sex Pistols: Remembering the long hot summer of '76

Neil Mach


Region:
South East
Notice Period:
Emergency (maybe less than one week's notice)
Type:
author
Fee:
Expensed: the speaker would appreciate a reasonable contribution towards his travel expenses
Category:
History
Updated:
5th July 2025

The Surrey author Neil Mach, who has already demonstrated the success of his well-received community history talk about “1969: The Year Britain Launched into the Space Age,” now offers two new slideshow presentations, each focussing on a significant and unforgettable year in our community’s recent history.

The second of these light-hearted yet interesting presentations is “Standpipes and Sex Pistols: Remembering the long hot summer of ‘76’” released in time for the fiftieth anniversary of that scorching year!

1976 saw one of the warmest, driest, and sunniest summers ever recorded! A heatwave seared from mid-June to late August, following an unusually dry winter. August’s severe drought necessitated emergency water rationing legislation from Parliament—the Drought Act.

The Clash’s song ‘White Riot’ and the Sex Pistols hit ‘Anarchy in the U.K.’ were inspired by a confrontation between Black youth and the police at the 1976 Notting Hill Carnival.

Bill Grundy, a seasoned host on Thames Television’s ‘Today’ programme, interviewed the Sex Pistols. Grundy urged the young musicians to curse- which they did- as he attempted to flirt with Siouxsie Sioux, a Sex Pistols fan who'd come along to support the band.

You’ll love the nostalgia of this talk if you remember singing along to “Mamma Mia” and dancing to “Save Your Kisses for Me.”

If you can recognise Starsky from Hutch, or if you know why David Wilkie and Brenda Foster were in the news, and if you remember eating your first egg McMuffin or a Belly Jelly Bean, or if you know what “Four Candles” represents... you'll love the nostalgia of this fun talk!

  • Pivotal moments of 1976

  • Foods we consumed in 1976

  • What we watched in 1976

  • The music we listened to in 1976

  • Transportation in 1976

  • What we wore in 1976

Depending on audience size & requirements, the speaker will tailor this talk to either 30 minutes, or 40 minutes.

The speaker will bring along souvenirs & artefacts from the period that can be shared around groups, and will help facilitate discussion and aid memory collection.

All age-groups will benefit from this enlightening and thought-provoking content.

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About Neil Mach

Neil Mach is considered highly skilled in the art of public speaking.

It doesn’t matter how big or small your audience is! The author has delivered speeches to audiences of various sizes and ages, ranging from theatres to living rooms, and from care homes to first schools.

With over 20 books written, Neil is not only a published author but also a multi-time NaNoWriMo champion. Neil describes himself as a ‘hippy grandad!’’

His home is located in Surrey, England, by the River Thames.

In National Novel Writing Month, he guides new writers in a well-structured mentoring initiative.

After retiring from public service, Neil became an internationally recognized author/journalist in the music industry. He founded the ‘Rock Pen’ school to nurture aspiring music writers and has made valuable contributions to various esteemed publications, newsletters, and blogs.

During 2021, he curated an exhibition that was highly acclaimed and delivered a talk on the ‘Coronation Charts’, which marked the beginning of pop charts in British music history.

In 2024, he arranged a temporary exhibition focused on Led Zeppelin in 1969. He later conducted presentations on the same subject.

Neil makes regular appearances on TV and is a frequent guest on radio and podcasts.

Don’t miss Neil’s fascinating 45–60 minute illustrated talk exploring the question, “What is Fantasy Fiction?” In his entertaining talk, the author explores the “need” for fantasy creation in humans and explains the fundamental definitions of the genre. He delves into questions like: What makes up the key element of fantasy? What is fantasy fiction? What is liminality? What is a liminoid experience? What’s the difference between myth and fairytale? What is the definition of magical? What is the difference between high fantasy and low fantasy?

The author is delighted to offer engaging & meaningful slideshow presentations to associations, care homes, book groups, schools, libraries, community centres, and societies across Surrey and Thames Valley area. If you need him quickly, the author is often available at short notice.

The author is aware of the financial constraints of small community groups and associations, so offers his illustrated talks for free, but would appreciate a reasonable contribution towards his travel expenses.

Neil brings mementos, artifacts, and ephemera with him to aid in triggering audience memories. He also provides his own equipment.

+++++++++++++++++++++++ Links:

https://www.facebook.com/author.neilmach

https://www.neilmachauthor.com/

+++++++++++++++++++++++

Significant podcast episodes:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/josiane-fortin7/episodes/80-Where-Fantasy-Authors-Ought-to-Begin-e1igc4n/a-a2ks2ah

https://www.spreaker.com/user/tomreaoch/neil-mach-author-so-you-want-to-write-fa

TV appearances:

The Repossible Show

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fStjDjkV9M&t=114s&pp=ygUJbmVpbCBtYWNo

The Self Publishing Queen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMmaTR7SSZ0&t=16s&pp=ygUJbmVpbCBtYWNo


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