70 mph Speed Limit at 60!

 

Introduction of the 70mph Speed Limit on British Roads

60 years ago, on 22 December 1965, the UK government introduced a temporary maximum speed limit of 70 mph (112 km/h) on previously unrestricted roads, including motorways. Initially introduced for a trial period, it was intended to reduce accidents.

Before the mid-1960s, many UK roads, especially motorways, had no national maximum speed limit. Drivers could legally go as fast as conditions allowed, and this was the legal situation on motorways for several years after the M1 opened in 1959.

However,after a series of serious motorway crashes in 1965, particularly in foggy conditions, the UK government decided to act to improve road safety.

The trial limit was initially planned for four months, but as data was collected and analysed, it was extended several times through 1966 as the authorities evaluated its effects.

Following research showing a reduction in casualties during the experimental period, the then Minister of Transport made the 70 mph limit permanent in 1967.

In 1977/1978, the broader National Speed Limit system was formalised, keeping 70 mph on motorways and dual carriageways and setting 60 mph on single carriageways — arrangements that largely persist today.

The principal reason for introducing the 70 mph limit in 1965 was road safety. Motorway crashes, especially under poor visibility, were increasing, and studies at the time suggested that capping top speeds would reduce the number and severity of collisions.

1975 OPEC Siege (the Vienna Hostage Crisis)

Carlos the Jackal

50 years ago, on December 21, 1975, six militants (self-titled as the “Arm of the Arab Revolution” group), led by the Venezuelan militant known as Carlos the Jackal (Ilich Ramírez Sánchez), attacked the OPEC (Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) headquarters in Vienna, Austria. 

In a politically motivated operation, with demands tied to Middle Eastern politics, particularly the Palestinian cause, they took more than 60 hostages, including oil ministers from major producing countries. 

OPEC HQ, Vienna.

After long negotiations, the militants obtained a plane and flew with selected hostages to several destinations, including Algiers and Tripoli. Ultimately, most hostages were released, though three people died—two security guards and a Libyan delegate. 

The incident increased Carlos’s notoriety and highlighted vulnerabilities in international organisations.

The 1975 OPEC siege showed how energy politics and terrorism intersected during the 1970s, intensifiying global concerns about the security of political and economic institutions. It also influenced later anti-terrorism and diplomatic security policies.

Today Marks the Tenth Anniversary of Football Pundit Jimmy Hill's Death.

Jimmy Hill, the well-known English footballer, manager and TV broadcaster, died on 19 December 2015 at the age of 87 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He passed away peacefully with his wife by his side.

One of the most influential figures in English football, Hill is remembered for achievements both on and off the pitch — from campaigning to abolish the maximum wage, managing Coventry City, to presenting Match of the Day on BBC television over many years. 

Born on 22 July 1928, he was a Crystal Palace supporter as a boy and played as an inside forward for Brentford, Fulham, Coventry City and Newcastle United, amongst others.

As a player in 1957, he became the PFA Chairman and pushed for the end of the £20 minimum wage, which happened in 1961. 

After retiring as a player, at the age of 33, he took over the reins as manager of Coventry City, leading them to promotions, before leaving the club to pursue a career as a TV pundit.

As a broadcaster, he became a pioneering football TV pundit and presenter for both the BBC and ITV, famous for his outspoken views and innovative analysis. He popularised modern football coverage on TV, including tactical discussion along with his iconic big chin caricature.

25 Years Since Kirsty MacColl Was Killed.

English singer-songwriter Kirsty MacColl died in a tragic accident, 25 years ago today on 18 December 2000, while on holiday in Cozumel, Mexico.

She, her partner, and her two teenage sons were diving at the Chankanaab reef, which was off-limits to boats.

A powerboat entered the restricted zone at high speed as the group surfaced from a dive, and Kirsty saved her son from harm by pushing him aside.

Tragically, she was then struck by the boat itself, suffering severe chest and head injuries, and died instantly, at the age of 41.

Her body was later returned to the UK and cremated following a service at Mortlake Crematorium in Kew.

The accident resulted in a culpable homicide conviction for local deckhand José Cen Yam, but under Mexican law, he was allowed to avoid prison by paying a fine and damages.

However, he was seen as a scapegoat by MacColl's family, who believed the boat's wealthy owner (Carlos González Nova) was actually driving and should have been held responsible.

Kirsty MacColl is fondly remembered for her distinctive voice and songwriting, and particularly at this time of year for her vocal performance on The Pogues’ Christmas classic “Fairytale of New York.”

The Death of Venezuelan Dictator Juan Vicente Gómez.

Juan Vicente Gómez, the long-time dictator of Venezuela, died 90 years ago today, on December 17, 1935, in Maracay, Venezuela.

Gómez, who ruled for 27 years, died aged 78, of natural causes after a prolonged illness.

His death marked the end of a 27-year authoritarian regime and opened the way for cautious political reforms under his successor, Eleazar López Contreras. Gómez’s rule was characterized by political repression, but also by state consolidation and the early development of Venezuela’s oil economy.

After the 1914 Lake Maracaibo oil discovery, President Gómez cut Venezuela's huge debt by giving foreign oil companies concessions. Consequently, he gained backing from the US, Europe, and financial stability.

Jane Austen - 250 Years On.

Today is the 250th anniversary of the birth of British novelist Jane Austen.

Famous for writing Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey & Persuasion, she was born on 16th December 1775 in the village of Steventon, close to Basingstoke, Hampshire. England.

Austen wrote about marriage, money, class, and morality, often with irony and subtle humour. She was a major figure in the shift from 1700s literature to today's novels, and she wrote about bright women dealing with societal limits.

She passed away at the young age of 41 in Winchester, Hampshire, on 18th July 1817.

Her work remains widely read, adapted into films and series, and influential in literature and popular culture.

Ernie Wise - 100 Years On

Today, Thursday, November 27th, marks a century since Ernie Wise was born.

Morecambe and Wise

Ernest Wiseman, (known by his stage name of Ernie Wise), was half of the British comedy double act Morecambe and Wise, who were a national institution on UK TV.

Born in Leeds, he met Eric Morecambe (then known as Eric Bartholomew) in 1940, when touring in the Jack Hylton show "Youth Takes a Bow." 

Following a successful audition, the 14-year-old Eric was invited to join the cast of the touring show "Youth Takes a Bow" at the Nottingham Empire.

Ernie Wise (then Ernest Wiseman), aged 13 and already an experienced performer, was also a cast member, having been a protegee of Hylton for some time. 

They formed a close friendship and subsequently became a comedy double act, going on up until Morecambe's death in 1984.

Their Christmas TV shows were legendary and became a staple of BBC's Holiday schedule.

Ernie Wise commemorative statue in Morley, West Yorkshire

Ernie died from heart failure in March 1999 at the age of 73.

August 20th - (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction by the Rolling Stones

The song (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction by the Rolling Stones was released 60 years ago, on this day in the UK. (USA: 6th June. It was their first #1 hit in the USA.)

Written by Keith Richards and Mick Jagger, in the UK it was initially played only on Pirate radio stations as the lyrics were considered too sexually aggressive.

It became the band’s 4th UK  #1.

Performed live in Ireland, 1965

August 18th - Death of Scott McKenzie (2012)

It's been 13 years since the American singer/songwriter, Scott McKenzie, passed away.

He's best known for singing "San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair," which was written by John Phillips of “Mamas and the Papas”. That song was originally used to promote the Monterey International Pop Music Festival..

Released in May 1967, the song immediately became popular, reaching No.1 in the UK and Ireland, though it only got to No.4 in the US. Phillips claimed that he completed the song in just 20 minutes, and it is credited with bringing thousands of young people to San Francisco in the late 1960s.

Scott McKenzie, born Philip Wallach Blondheim III in January 1939, lived in North Carolina and Virginia, where he and John Phillips became friends. He passed away in Los Angeles, having had Guillain-Barré syndrome for two years..

Also on this date:-

1940, Battle of Britain: Air battle known as "The Hardest Day" occurs; the Luftwaffe loses approximately 69 aircraft and the RAF 68 in one of the largest ever air battles.

1960, The Beatles make their first public performance at the Indra Club in Hamburg, Germany

2008, Belarusian weightlifter Andrei Aramnau breaks three world records in the snatch, clean and jerk, and total on his way to winning the men's 105 kg gold medal at the Beijing Olympics

August 17th - Belinda Carlisle’s Birthday

Former lead vocalist of the Go-Go’s and solo star, Belinda Carlisle, celebrates her 67th birthday today.

The Go-Go's

Raised in Southern California, she co-founded the Go-Go’s in 1978, and the group sold over 7 million records worldwide. After they split up 7 years later, Belinda went on to have a very successful solo career, boasting many radio hits.

Her signature song is “Heaven is a Place on Earth,” but my personal favourite is the follow-up single, the Diane Warren written “I Get Weak,” which reached no.10 in the UK chart. Warren originally had Stevie Nicks in mind for the song, but producer Rick Nowells felt it would be a better fit for Belinda.

Also on this date:-

1945, Korea was divided into North and South Korea along the 38th parallel.

1964, Geoffrey Boycott scored his first Test cricket century: 113 against Australia at The Oval.

2008, Four years after winning Olympic silver in the rowing quad sculls in Athens, Briton Rebecca Romero became only the second woman to earn medals in two different sports at the Summer Games when she won the pursuit track cycling gold in Beijing.

“A Thousand Miles,” by Vanessa Carlton

American singer/songwriter and pianist Vanessa Carlton celebrates her 45th birthday today.

Released in 2002, her debut single "A Thousand Miles" is what she's mainly known for, and it was her biggest hit in the US and worldwide. Originally titled “Interlude,” Vanessa wrote it for her "Be Not Nobody" album.

With piano and orchestral strings, the pop song was based on her feelings for a student (now a well-known actor) during her time at the School of American Ballet.

Despite the song's popularity, the album received varied reviews.  

Beatles at Shea Stadium - August 15th, 1965

Today is the 60th anniversary of the Beatles' concert in front of approximately 55,000 screaming fans at New York’s Shea Stadium.

The deafening crowd noise in the stadium meant that nobody there could hear much of anything, let alone the "Fab Four."

As was typical of the era, the tour was a “package” presentation with several artists on the bill. The Beatles played for just 30 minutes at each show, following sets from support acts including Brenda Holloway, the King Curtis Band, Cannibal and the Headhunters and Sounds Incorporated.

1965 Tour Booklet

It remained the highest concert attendance in the US until 1973, when Led Zeppelin broke the record playing in front of 56,000 people in Tampa, Florida.

The set list for the show was….

Twist and Shout

She’s a Woman

I Feel Fine

Dizzy Miss Lizzy

Ticket to Ride

Everybody’s Trying to be My Baby

Can’t Buy Me Love

Baby’s in Black

Act Naturally

A Hard Day's Night

Help!

I’m Down

“Almost Cut My Hair,” by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.

David Crosby

"Almost Cut My Hair," from the 1970 CSNY album "Déjà vu," discusses a common hippie issue: whether to cut their hair and conform.

Written by David Crosby (left), who would have been celebrating his 84th birthday today, it features his vocal alone with the rest of the band joining in on instruments only. A distinct variation to the more melodic harmonies made famous by the band.

Remaining one of Crosby’s more political offerings, he admitted that it was one of the most juvenile sets of lyrics he had ever written, but it had a certain emotional impact….

Writer James Perone wrote, More than any song of the entire era, “Almost Cut My Hair” captures the extent to which the divisiveness in American society has boiled over into violence and terror.

Almost Cut My Hair (extended version)