How We Used to Live

- Season 5

(1981)

The Hodgkins family lives in a new suburb of a Yorkshire manufacturing town. Arthur, a railwayman, is buying the semi-detached house on a mortgage, having moved from rented accommodation in a terrace during the building boom of the early 'thirties. His wife, Mabel, devotes herself to the home and their family of four children, Jimmy (14), Patricia (12), Avril (8), and Edward (2).

With four children to bring up, every penny counts in the household. Jimmy starts work as a telegram messenger boy.

The law has changed and the family can enjoy a holiday without Mr Hodgkins losing pay.

War is on the horizon - gas masks and air raid shelters are distributed to the residents of Bradley. Closer to home, health issues are worrying the Hodgkins and Levinson families, but there's a silver lining for Patricia on her birthday.

With war on the horizon, children from a nearby city are evacuated to Bradley.

Air raids and the blackout come to Bradley as the war takes hold.

American soldiers are stationed in Bradley. While the residents make them feel welcome, the soldiers aren't all the best of friends with each other.

As the war goes on, shortages continue. Creativity is needed to keep everyone fed, clothed, and warm.

With thousands of young men away fighting the war, women are called on to enter the workplace. Mabel Hodgkins returns to teaching for the first time since she married.

The family are determined that the war will not dampen their Christmas spirit.

The war ends, and everyone starts looking towards their future. Patricia's life is about to change forever.

Life starts to return to normal as the Hodgkins family visit the cinema.

The winter of early 1947 sees record low temperatures and widespread persistent snow, causing disruption across the country.

All the young women across the country aspire to Dior's New Look, but the cost is out of reach for most. Mabel is sure she can create a home-sewn version for Avril, who is struggling to find her way in adult life after her schooling was disrupted by the war. Meanwhile, the men in the family find it's harder to avoid the temptations of the black market than they thought.

It's a big change for the nation - and Arthur - as Britain's railways are nationalised.

The National Health promises healthcare free at the point of access for everyone, but it comes too late for Laurence's elderly aunt.

The family may be growing up and moving on, but it's not going to stop Arthur from buying the Hodgkins' first family car.

It's 1951 and the grown-up Hodgkin children take a train ride to visit the Festival of Britain.

King George VI led the nation through war into peace, but after years of failing health he dies peacefully and a nation mourns.

Like many families in Britain, the Hodgkins get their first television set in time for Queen Elizabeth II's coronation. The whole family gather to watch the broadcast, including Patricia and her family, visiting from the USA, and next-door neighbours the Birketts.