How we lived on the brink... Life in Britain during the Cold War 1957-1967
Neil Mach SpeakerNet Sponsor
- Region:
- South East
- Notice Period:
- Emergency (maybe less than one week's notice)
- Type:
- author and social historian
- Fee:
- Expensed: 60
- Category:
- History
- Updated:
- 30th May 2026
- Tagged:
- Cold War | 1957 | 1967 | British Social History
When the author Neil Mach talked about the Cold War with his wife, who was born in the 1950s, she said she didn’t know much about the period. “Didn’t it have something to do with America?” she asked.
For individuals like Mrs. Mach who experienced the Cold War, the period is simply a closed book. But it’s an important part of our shared social history, and some of the experiences of the 1950s and 1960s still resonate with us... and around us… even now.
Without recognising it, people like Neil’s wife lived alongside the atom bomb.
Symbols of impending doom were everywhere in British culture in the 1950s and 60s. Daily existence was touched by wartime creativity, a wartime mentality, and war’s structures and architecture. People suppressed the unsettling truth by using allegory and symbols to comprehend the imminent threat of disaster. They dealt with the calamity that loomed everywhere in Britain by 'making light' of it or looking away!
In this engrossing and informative slideshow presentation, the talented speaker and social historian highlights some of the most notable cultural happenings, 1957-1967,
The speaker will share many funny & nostalgic memories despite the subject’s seriousness because everyday life during the Cold War was filled with escape, adventure, and wonder!
Why don’t we talk more about living during the Cold War? Perhaps the answer is blowin’ in the wind!
If you've ever hummed along to What Have They Done to the Rain? Or ’thought about the lyrics of A Hard Rain’s a-Gonna Fall or you’ve asked yourself Where Have All the Flowers Gone? Or you watched Emergency Ward 10 or saw Adam Faith on the Six-Five Special. And if you know who Lenny the Lion is! And you think you know who Captain Pugwash might be... And if you remember ‘people have never had it so good' you’ll love to share these bittersweet memories!
Defining events of 1957-67
The foods we ate during Cold War years
What was on TV 1957-67
Our musical choices during the Cold War
Getting around 1957-67
Fashion styles 1957-67
Book this presentation if you lived during the period and want to share memories, or you want to learn more about life in Britain at the height of the Cold War, 1957–1967.
Views: 534 | Enquiries: 3About 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, this speaker has delivered his entertaining illustrated presentations to audiences large & small, from theatres to living rooms, from care homes to first schools!
Neil has given his amazing presentations to community groups, Probus clubs, W.I. meetings, U3A groups, care homes, schools, colleges, and neighbourhood associations big-and-small for over five years.
With over 20 books written, Neil is a published ethical author and he describes himself as a ‘hippy grandad' and 'community historian.'
His home is Staines by the River Thames but Neil is willing to travel in the South-East and the Thames Valley and has given his slideshow talks in Leicester, Birmingham, South Kent, and North Bedfordshire.
After retiring from over 35 years in 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 made valuable contributions to various esteemed publications, newsletters, and blogs.
During 2021, Neil curated a highly acclaimed exhibition on the ‘Coronation Charts’, which marked the beginning of the pop record charts in British music history. In 2024, Neil arranged a temporary exhibition that focused on Led Zeppelin in 1969. He later conducted presentations on the same subject, and wrote a book on the 'history of suburban rock 'n' roll'.
Neil hosts his own podcast show (now in its fifth year, with over 125 episodes broadcast) and he makes regular appearances on TV and frequent guest appearances on radio and podcast.
If you need him quickly Neil is often available at short notice (less than a week).
Neil is aware of the financial constraints of small community groups and associations, so he offers his illustrated talks for free, but he'd appreciate a reasonable contribution towards his travel expenses.
Neil brings mementos, artifacts, costumes (!) and ephemera with him to aid in triggering audience memories. He also provides his own equipment.
What audiences are saying...
"Grateful thanks for your entertaining and informative presentation on Wednesday. It really was enjoyed and much appreciated!"
- Mole Valley Stroke Club
"Thank you so much for your talk today. It was just what we wanted..."
- Wadhurst Probus
"Lots of great feedback today Neil. We’d love to have you back..."
- Time2Meet, Carshalton
"I just wanted to thank you again for your talk. I had some great feedback, everyone found your talk interesting & entertaining..."
- NHS Retirement Fellowship, Reigate
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Links:
https://www.facebook.com/author.neilmach
https://www.neilmachauthor.com/
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Other Talks on SpeakerNet by Neil Mach
- Rocking Surrey: History of Suburban Rock and Roll with music journalist Neil Mach
- The Fiction of Romani Culture: Exploring the way Gypsy people are depicted in literature
- Reflecting on 1969: Britain Thrusts into the Space Age
- Surrey Farmland Girls - Triumph on the Land: the story of the Women's Land Army
- Clickety click - life in ‘66: the year that Britain became the envy of the world
- Standpipes and Sex Pistols: Remembering the long hot summer of '76
- What is Steampunk fiction?
- The Only Way Is Up : How 1988 shaped the contours of world history
- The year that changed its mind —1936
- 1946 - the wonderful year of beginnings
- Discoveries from 1960s children’s television. Lessons learned from Sixties children’s telly!
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