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: 60
- Category:
- History
- Updated:
- 30th May 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: 197 | 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, 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
- How we lived on the brink... Life in Britain during the Cold War 1957-1967
- What is Steampunk fiction?
- The Only Way Is Up : How 1988 shaped the contours of world history
- The year that changed its mind —1936
- Discoveries from 1960s children’s television. Lessons learned from Sixties children’s telly!
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