What life was like in Stoke-on-Trent in 1982 – the last time the inflation rate was this high

The Eighties was one of the greatest decades in human history. A time when the pop charts were ruled by electronic dance music and new wave and fashion was just awful (big hair and leggings).

It was the time of the Rubik’s Cube, VHS tapes and Walkmans and remember when you could get a Freddo or a litre of petrol for less than 10p – hard to believe, right?

Last month, the inflation rate reached 10.1% which, according to the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) was the biggest jump in the cost of living since February 1982.

READ MORE: 12 pictures that sum up the 1980s in the UK

Here, we look back at was happening in the Stoke-on-Trent and the rest of the country in that year:

– Toys

In Stoke-on-Trent – just like the rest of the UK – the Stomper truck was the toy to have. A battery powered 4 x 4 electric toy car whose axles were driven by an electric motor this was a popular choice for kids in the early eighties.

The Rubik’s Cube – which was invented in 1974 but came out in 1980 – was also a popular choice for kids before mobile phones came along.. It seemed there was almost always a spotty teenager on Blue Peter who could complete a Rubik’s Cube in less than 30 seconds, whereas most other kids managed to complete the puzzle simply by taking off the stickers and rearranging them.

– Shopping

Shopping in our city centre and the surrounding towns was actually a thing in 1982 (no online shopping then).

Many people would pop out to shops for a browse, while others had a specific thing in mind they were shopping for.

In 1982, a pint of milk cost 20p while a pint of beer would set you back 61p. The Daily Mirror would cost 14p while four cans of Kestrel lager was £1.39 Butter was priced at 44p, while you could pick up a ten pack of Smith’s crisps for just 69p.

For those that could afford a new car or TV during this inflation-busting time then a two-door Ford Cortina would set you back £4,232 while a 22″ Siemens colour TV from Dixons was £299.99.

– Politics

Margaret Thatcher’s priorities in the early 1980s included tackling inflation, aiming to reduce the amount of money in circulation by cutting spending and raising indirect taxes.

Inflation did start to come down, but not before the UK economy spent the whole of 1980 and early 1981 in recession – hindering support for the Conservative Party.

Mrs Thatcher had been almost three years into her first term as prime minister, but her party was averaging around 31% in the opinion polls, putting it behind Labour (32%) and the Alliance (34%) – a recently formed pact between the Liberal and Social Democratic (SDP) parties.

– Business

Large shops had to be closed on Sundays by law, with many shutting for half a day on Wednesdays or Thursdays – remember half day closing in Hanley, Longton, Fenton, Burslem?

The UK’s gas, electricity, coal and water industries were all public-owned, along with Royal Mail, British Rail, British Airways, British Steel, BP, Rolls-Royce and British Leyland (later known as the Rover Group).

– Strikes

NHS staff went on a three-day strike over pay in September, with nurses campaigning for a 12% pay rise.

In June, miners in South Wales downed tools in support of health service workers, while in Stoke-on-Trent, the North Staffordshire miners’ leader urged pitmen to reject strike action and accept the NCB pay offer in January.

Meanwhile, at Hem Heath, Florence and Silverdale pits, thousands of tonnes of coal had to be stockpiled as the train drivers dispute continued.

In February train drivers throughout Staffordshire staged a 24 hour-strike leaving the Coal Board with a massive £7m loss.

In March, Arthur Scargill – the president elect of the NUM – paid his first visit to Stoke-on-Trent when he visited a packed Hem Heath colliery social club.

What was life like for you in 1982 – and the eighties? Let us know in the comments section.

– War

In April, the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands took place, overpowering 80 Royal Marines and local volunteers.

Over a few months, the British forces would fight back and regain control of the territory.

The conflict cost 255 British lives, while about 650 Argentines died.

READ MORE: Dad ripping out cupboard finds letter written by girl in 1982

– Culture

There were just four UK-wide radio stations and three television channels, with Channel 4 launching later in the year.

Four million were still watching black and white television, despite colour sets being in around 14 million households.

TV programmes This Is Your Life and Coronation Street – both on ITV – were attracting audiences of around 17 million.

Only Fools And Horses was still in its infancy, having first aired the year before.

Come On Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners was among the popular songs that year, while Barbra Streisand and Tight Fit would top the charts in March.

Among the top grossing films in the UK were E.T. The Extra Terrestrial, Annie and Rocky 3.

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