Since running Curious British Telly, I've developed somewhat of an obsession (in the best possible way) with the 1980s. In particular, I'm intrigued by exactly what life was like as we all know it wasn't all pastel pinks, leg warmers and oversized mobile phones. Now, I was alive for 8/10ths of the decade, but I was really too young to truly take in society and culture for most of it. However, it is possible to go back in time and revisit it, so that's what I've been doing for the last few years.
I haven't, of course, developed a time machine, but I have cultivated a passion for looking back and trying to re-experience what life was like in Britain during the 1980s. This has mostly involved tracking down obscure recordings of society and trying to introduce products from the decade into my everyday life. Yes, to a degree, it's barking mad but you only live once.
I've been doing this for a few years now, but it started to feel more and more like a missed opportunity to not share it with a wider audience. That's why, several months ago, I started Ephemeral 80s - a website dedicated to the obscure, the humdrum and the little discussed areas of the 1980s. So, for example, I've written up a love letter to the delightful 1985 St Michael dressing gown I own. And I've peeked into the curious world of a parish magazine from 1984. Oh, and there's also a change to gaze longingly at my Parker pen from 1986.
Progress is slow, but I'm gradually building up an intriguing look at life in Britain in the 1980s, one which is rarely remembered, let alone discussed. It's a niche project but one that I believe the readers of Curious British Telly would be interested in, so please head over and take a look.
Oh, and don't worry, the Curious British Telly website isn't being mothballed as a result, it'll carry on as normal.
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