1946 - the wonderful year of beginnings
Neil Mach SpeakerNet Sponsor
- Region:
- South East
- Notice Period:
- Emergency (maybe less than one week's notice)
- Type:
- author and social historian
- Fee:
- Expensed: Speaker would appreciate £20 towards his travel expenses
- Category:
- History
- Updated:
- 19th January 2026
- Tagged:
- 1946 | Postwar Britain | British Social History | 1940S
1945 saw victory in Europe and Japan, but the subsequent year introduced a new era... an era of nervous peace.
In 1946, Britain assessed its losses and potential gains. 1946 saw fresh beginnings, a hopeful mood, and the possibility of making new international partnerships. The year also saw a focus on peacetime prospects as British society considered how emerging technologies and innovations would affect the national post-war shift.
In his interesting & entertaining slideshow presentation, the community historian Neil Mach unwraps some of the perspectives and developments that, although they began in 1946, still influence and shape our decisions now... eighty year later.
In 1946,
- The United Nations was established - the General Assembly convened for the first time
- The U.N. Security Council was formed
- The International Court of Justice was instituted
- The World Bank began operations
- The Council of Europe was invoked (by Winston Churchill)
- The U.S. offered to purchase Greenland from Denmark
- The Treaty of Dunkirk was developed, and led to the formation of N.A.T.O (in 1949)
- The world's first general-purpose electronic computer was powered-up
- The distance between the Earth & Moon was calculated, launching the Space Age
In 1946, Britons survived on a sparse, rationed diet of basic essentials like bread (rationed in July), potatoes, margarine, sugar, and tea, plus items bought with points, such as tinned foods. Luxury imports were scarce, and post-war shortages continued.
Some rationing rules were tougher in 1946 than they were during wartime. Bread was rationed because rainfall had ruined Britain's wheat crop. Whale meat and snoek were not subject to rationing but were viewed suspiciously by the general public.
In 1946 UK, people watched the BBC Television Service as it resumed post-war broadcasting. Viewers watched Muffin the Mule, newly produced plays, interesting documentaries, and the BBC introduced the first live television coverage of the FA Cup Final and Remembrance Sunday commemorations.
In Neil's amusing + informative presentation, he describes:
- What we ate in 1946
- How we dressed in 1946
- What films we watched in 1946
- What music we listened to in 1946
- How we got around in 1946
This slideshow presentation is 50 minutes, to allow for questions (it can be trimmed to 40 minutes if required.)
This Speaker does not charge for his attendance at community centres and charitable associations but would appreciate a contribution toward his travelling costs.
Views: 4 | Enquiries: 0About 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.
Neil has given his entertaining slideshow presentations to community groups, Probus clubs, W.I. meetings, U3A groups, care homes, schools, colleges, and other neighbourhood associations big-and-small.
With over 20 books written, Neil is not only a published ethical author but also a multi-time NaNoWriMo champion. He describes himself as a ‘hippy grandad!’’
His home is located in Surrey, England, by the River Thames but he's willing to travel in the South-East and Thames Valley and has given slideshow talks in Leicester, Birmingham, South Kent, and North Bedfordshire.
In his popular 'penniless writer series' he guides new writers in ways they can achieve their writing ambitions with minimal outlay.
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 this 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?
If you need him quickly the speaker is often available at short (less than a week) notice.
The author 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, 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
Other Talks on SpeakerNet by Neil Mach
- What is Fantasy Fiction? - with English fantasy author 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
- How to get a book started: How to Write Your First Book with author Neil Mach
- 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
- The penniless writer series: why you should start writing your book today.
- How we lived on the brink... Life in Britain during the Cold War 1957-1967
- The penniless writer series : how you can publish your book on a shoestring
- What is Steampunk fiction?
- The penniless writer series: how to increase sales by positioning your book for free
- The Only Way Is Up : How 1988 shaped the contours of world history
- The year that changed its mind —1936
Send a message to the speaker
If you are interested in this talk and wish to contact the speaker, please complete the following form: