R2OK!

iwarburton · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 2133 Location: Northumberland

Richard Allinson started off this topic in the light of the return to TV this evening of Ashes to Ashes, set in 1983.

In 1983 I was working very hard as a Deputy Hospital Unit Administrator.

Away from work, we had 2 children and the 3rd and final was to follow in 1984. Mrs W was employed part-time, mostly working from home.

We drove a Mini Metro and had just started a long run of holidays in North Wales.

I presented a weekly programme of popular classical music on hospital radio (at the hospital where I worked) and sang in a church choir with my pal Tim.

What were you up to then?

Ian.

John W · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 3367 Location: Warwickshire, UK

I was two years married, first child born, working in a lab, commuting by train (not passed driving test yet) I think my wages were 80 quid a week then, bit below average then I think. Music? I was listening to a lot of old time classic jazz.
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John W

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19335 Location: Cheshire

A big upheaval for us that year as we moved from Newcastle to Cheshire in June 1983 as O/H got a promotion. First few months were spent house hunting and he commuted weekly back to the NE, the last few getting the house sorted.

I'd been working for an airline at Newcastle airport but changed to working for a different one in Manchester city centre so had the joys ( Wink

) of commuting during a red hot summer down there.

I drove a brown mini with gold 'go faster' stripes, my third one.

H
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Lord Evan Elpuss · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 3415 Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land

The 1980s was probably my least favourite decade. As for 1983, this was the year I was first made redundant when the factory I was working at was closed down. I was riding a Suzuki GS250T motorbike at the time. It went well at first, but then went wrong and thereafter spent more time off the road than on it. I was glad to see the back of it at a knock-down price to someone prepared to rebuild it. I wonder if he managed to get it going again.
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Minx · Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 1:48 pm Post subject:

I was working as HR Manager for an engineering company. After having struggled to get on top of the job for a year or so (it was an unsought internal promotion), I was just getting into my stride and beginning to enjoy my career.

I got my first company car that summer, a 1.6 Astra hatchback that could really go! And that was the start really of a great improvement in my financial situation. Once I stopped pouring money into rusting hulks, it was amazing how much spare cash I had!
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SantaFefan · Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 3:25 pm Post subject:

I was 31 in 1983 and enjoying life as I remember... ( text goes all swirly here with descending strumming Harp music .. Laughing

)

I remember feeling good after being very ill a year or so before with bad Asthma; brought about by my Dad's death. It's probably the closest I've ever been to being brown bread and made me appreciate life a little more!
My other half and I had managed to swing a deal with Lloyds and purchase a large house split into three.. the ground floor was great - large and with a big garden, so house owning was new and exciting to me then.
We had two 26" ex rental tvs and I think we'd owned a video recorder for a while then too... it was fascinating to record my favourite things from TV and watch them when I liked!
I was busy and confident at my architectural work and actually enjoyed going to work! I had an "A" reg Nissan company car.. or were they Datsuns back then? Confused

a Series 1 Landrover and my pride and joy 1971 Mustang convertible.
Most of all however, '83 is memorable for my first holiday to the USA.. West coast, thousands of driving miles, lots of trains and sights ( and smells ) I'll never forget.. I just loved it and still do

Breakaway - Tracey Ullman, "Heartache Avenue" - The Maisonettes, "Little Red Corvette" - Prince, "Should I Stay or Should I Go - The Clash, "Steppin' Out" - Joe Jackson and "Wishing On A Star" - Rose Royce stand out for me from that year.
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ColinB · Guest

I was running a media studio for a large company and on the cusp of taking the leap into the unknown of freelancedom. Once I did I was editing pop promos (as they were quaintly called) and having to putting up with pretentious primadonna young musicians and performers who knew everything despite having little talent (and subsequently went nowhere!). All good fun though, as long as the record companies paid up (which they often didn't).

I also worked on corporate media for some large branded companies like Kodak, VW, Audi, General Foods, etc. The conferences and conventions at major European venues were the best - especially given the size of the expense accounts at that time!

Come the late 80s/early 90s I'd come down with a bump as budgets dried up and I had to start working for a living again!!! Smile

aviddiva · Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2010 12:45 pm Post subject: What were you doing in 1983?

I was 2 years into studying for my B.A. Honours Degree in Fine Art at Leeds Polytechnic.

I liked the idea of it, but I couldn't cope with the crowds in town.
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Mark Mayhew · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 2897

The year I got married to my childhood sweetheart.

Rachel · Guest

Taking Norman's advice- getting on my bike.

tiny51 · Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 915

where did you end up R

Rachel · Guest

I'm still going, Tiny... Smile

ColinB · Guest

Actually, I've just realised we must have been quite busy making our second child, who was born in January 1984. It took a great deal of practice (hey - someone has to do it) but we got there in the end!!!

Toggy · Joined: 18 Aug 2008 Posts: 1239

Just leaving school.

Cherskiy · Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 7:28 pm Post subject:

I was in High School, had a 21-speed racing bike and the Atari VCS was still *the* computer game - although the Sinclair Spectrum was vying for my affections that year, ISTR.

Memories.
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Ian Robinson · Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 12:46 am Post subject:

I was at primary school. My favourite film was Return of the Jedi and I liked Doctor Who on television.

ColinB · Guest

Blimey, all this reference to school in 1983 is making me feel decidedly old. I left school after A Levels 10 years before that!!!

iwarburton · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 2133 Location: Northumberland

You should worry. I left school in 1967.

Ian.

Angela W · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 7202 Location: North Yorkshire

Quite by chance in the course of work I met a really lovely man and got married, we still are!
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littlepieces · Joined: 10 Jan 2010 Posts: 1098 Location: Lowestoft

i was just starting secondary sch and discovering 2 loves of my life.cricket and music.
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littlepieces · Joined: 10 Jan 2010 Posts: 1098 Location: Lowestoft

a few years later i discovered my 3rd love...women, they unlike cricket and music have drifted in and out of my life
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