Hello Dear reader. Firstly, let me introduce myself. I’m Mike Longley and I have been working on radio since 1968. It’s possible some of you may remember me from Severn Sound Radio Gloucester or BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

I also worked as resident compère/DJ at Tiffanys, Cinderellas, Snobs, The Roundabout and KC’s. Phew that was a lot of work! For 17 years I was Head of Music at BBC Radio Wales. Nowadays you can hear my strange banter on Dean Radio.

The purpose of this column is to reflect on the Hit Parade (singles charts these days), Potpourri of Pop and also local news bits from yesteryear. This week – 1970.

January
200 tractors drove through the City of Gloucester as a protest by local farmers who were demanding higher prices for their products
Pop group Edison Lighthouse released their first single Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes, which eventually peaked at No. 1 in the singles chart and remained there for five weeks.
Local group Zachary Boot appeared at the Matson Rugby Football Club dance.
In Stroud, Blues band Chicken Shack were at the Stroud Subscription Rooms
Gloucester Water rates were increased by 4d (4 pence).

February
On 3^rd February, English actor Warwick Davis (Willow, Professor Flitwick in Harry Potter films), born in Epsom, England.
Local actor Simon Pegg – who I appeared with on stage a few times at the GODS Theatre in Kingsbarton Street, Gloucester – was born on Valentine’s Day.
The movie Paint Your Wagon, starring Lee Marvin and Clint Eastwood, had been a huge hit at the Odeon cinema in Gloucester.

March
One of the songs from Paint Your Wagon brought the music business to its knees. Why? Well, the whole industry had put money on the new band of brothers from America, The Jackson 5, being No.1 with their first single I Want You Back, so when Lee Marvin peaked at No.1 with Wanderin’ Star it upset a few people – especially Joe Jackson, the band’s father.

April
The footbridge over Cole Avenue in Gloucester was declared unsafe after being damaged during an accident when it was hit by a lorry. It was eventually demolished.
Four year old Louise Byrgham of Southfield Road was attacked by a jackdaw protecting its young chicks. Fortunately, Louise walked away with a small scratch on her face. The bird, however, flew away to attack someone else.
Swimming lessons at Gloucester Baths were 35/- (35 shillings).
Gloucester boxer Dave Simmonds was the city’s first boxer to reach the finals of the ABA Championships.

May
English model Naomi Campbell was born on 22^nd May.
The UK Top five singles were:
1. England World Cup Squad – Back Home
2. Norman Greenbaum – Spirit In The Sky (was No.1 the previous week)
3. The Moody Blues – Questions
4. Frijid Pink – House of The Rising Sun
5. Eurovision Song Contest winner Dana – All Kinds Of Everything

June
The foundations for the Senior Citizens flats in Archdeacon Street were being dug.
Local night spot The Library held a disco most Sundays with Bristol DJ Adrian Jay. I remember going in there – it only held about 45 people.

July
A national dockers’ strike began in mid-July, leading to a state of emergency being declared to deal with the disruption.
Mungo Jerry’s In the Summertime was a number one hit and the best-selling single of 1970.
Demolition began in Queen Street, which ran parallel to Brunswick Road. The street was ultimately changed beyond recognition, impacted by the building of the Bell Walk Shopping Centre. It was the birthplace of the poet and composer Ivor Gurney.

August
The new Pelican crossings were put into operation – the firsts in the city were on Eastgate Street, London Road, Northgate Street and Great Western Road.
Seventeen year old local teen Freda Reeves of Tuffley was crowned Miss West of England.

September
Mr and Mrs Wiggins of Slimbridge were celebrating after winning a holiday for two in Paris.
Petrol prices at the pumps:
• 2 Star – 5/11 per gallon (30p in today’s money)
• 4 Star – 6/3 per gallon (31p in today’s money)
• 5 Star – 6/5 per gallon (32p in today’s money)

October
The month began with the aftermath of the June 1970 General Election, which resulted in a Conservative government.
American soul singer Freda Payne was at No.1 with Band of Gold and remained there for six weeks, eventually being replaced by Matthews Southern Comfort with Woodstock.
American blues singer Janis Joplin died at age 27 from an a drugs overdose. Her body was found in room 105 at the Landmark Motel in Hollywood.

November
A bottle of whisky cost 50/- (50 shillings), gin was 51/- (51 shillings) and rum was 55/6p.
Rehearsals were in progress for Cheltenham’s Everyman Theatre’ pantomime Dick Whittington starring TV funnyman Peter Goodwright.

December
Council house tenants living on Tennyson Avenue in Podsmead threatened to stop paying rent unless action was taken by the council to prevent flooding that winter. The council said, “We are looking into it”.
The Double Delight restaurant on Northgate Street (above Sainsbury’s) opened on 8^th December, hoping to cash in on the Christmas market.

Christmas Day Top Ten
1. Dave Edmunds – I Hear You Knocking
2. McGuinness Flint – When I’m Dead and Gone
3. Neil Diamond – Cracklin’ Rosie
4. Glen Campbell – It’s Only Make Believe
5. The Jackson 5 – I’ll Be There
6. Clive Dunn – Grandad
7. Andy Williams – Home Lovin’ Man
8. Gilbert O’Sullivan – Nothing Rhymed
9. Gerry Monroe – My Prayer
10. Chairmen of the Board – You’ve Got Me Dangling On A String