Decimalisation

[Vienna_70]

Fifty years ago today, the UK's currency finally arrived in the 20th Century, when we changed over from Pounds, Shillings and Pence to a much simpler decimal system.

At 58, I reckon I am in the youngest age bracket that can remember the changeover.

For those, who don’t recall the time, we had weeks of a series of five-minute public information films to inform us of how the new currency would work.

The clips were introduced by this little ditty from The Scaffold, a group that included Mike McGear, Sir Paul McCartney's brother:

 

[waspish]

Now we out of Europe can we go back to feet and inches

 

[Magicpole]

Now we out of Europe can we go back to feet and inches

Hang about, we will be back to Dickensian times in jig time.

 

[Gabriel]

Always found it peculiar that so long after decimalisation, I’m still buying things by a dozen or a half-dozen.

 

[xgorton]

Now we out of Europe can we go back to feet and inches

Back ?

 

[PannickAtTheDisco]

Always found it peculiar that so long after decimalisation, I’m still buying things by a dozen or a half-dozen.

don't know how you'd sell 2.4 eggs...

 

[mancityvstoke]

Was a con......things doubled in price ...well sweets and comics did

 

[Vienna_70]

Always found it peculiar that so long after decimalisation, I’m still buying things by a dozen or a half-dozen.

We should have done what the Aussies did, and introduce decimal measurements and dropped all imperial units on a specific date, like we did the currency.

 

[Zubrman]

Was a con......things doubled in price ...well sweets and comics did

Yep, I remember that. A Mars bar that was 4d very quickly became 4p.

 

[mancityvstoke]

Yep, I remember that. A Mars bar that was 4d very quickly became 4p.

My shoplifting increased expone.......a lot