The sixties, seventies and eighties were decades of great change. Many towns and cities were redeveloped with projects that dramatically affected the character of the place. Peoples shopping habits were altered as supermarkets took over from traditional stores and corner shops. Leisure habits were changing too, as cheap air travel led to the arrival of the foreign package holiday and a new range of leisure facilities were developed at home. Fashions, as ever, were changing in this period, reflecting radical changes in society and the ways in which we viewed ourselves. Transport also evolved, with a move away from the railway and buses creating a strain on the roads, leading to new road schemes.
These changes in peoples habits and lifestyles were keenly felt in Newport as the citys traditional industries based around its docks declined. Much of the old dock area, including homes, has been swept away in recent regeneration, but local author Jan Preece recaptures it all in this fascinating portrayal of the city and its people over the course of these most nostalgic decades.
