People who can remember the 1970s and ‘80s often say that we had proper summers back then, and there’s probably something in that.
These days our summers tend to be - in-part due to climate change - dominated by wet weather and a few days of scorching temperatures/
Perhaps those of a certain age are guilty of looking back at summers gone-by through rose-coloured glasses, but it’s fair to say the months of June, July and August had a different feel about them decades ago.
This year marks 50 years since the famous summer of 1976, which possibly adds to the nostalgia.
A hot summer’s day in the 1980s was often enjoyed by spending as much time outside as possible, perhaps playing football or swimming.
Or perhaps you have fond memories of riding your Chopper bike to the newsagent to buy some water balloons and some penny sweets.
Here in Peterborough, many readers will have similar experiences of 1980s summers, including their sights, sounds and smells.
Using photos from our archive and a bit of creative thinking, we’ve come up with a visual reminder of how many people spent a summer’s day in Peterborough back in the 1980s.
Take a look below and let us know if you can remember following a similar routine:
5. 4pm - more swimming at Ferry Meadows
After you'd had enough at the Lido (or been kicked out), you'd head over to Ferry Meadows for a spot of wild swimming or sun bathing. Here you'd remain until you started to get a bit crispy. Photo: Midlands
6. 6pm - back into the city centre for a bite to eat
By now your stomach has started rumbling after all that swimming and sunbathing, so you head back to the city centre for a bit to eat. Spires bakery may well have been the establishment of choice. Photo: PT
7. 9pm - to the funfair
As darkness fell you might have enough energy left for the funfair at the Showground or Embankment. After that you'd head back tired, sunburnt, but with memories to last a lifetime. Photo: PT