Figure 1.--Candy (sweets) were the big food item for the kids. Cny was finally taken off rationing (February 1953), more than 8 years after VE Day. These kids were priobably given a few pennies, so they had to make their choices judiuciously. Yiu can see the boy in the right has three poennies. British oennies st the time were huge. The wheels in his little girl's head are clearly spinning overtime. .

The British de-rationing process began (1948), but only slowly. The rationing of bread ended (1948), r, clothing (1949), and petrol (1950). Britain was so weakened by the War, that food and clothes continued to be rationed for such a long period after the War. Faced with postwar shortages and the problems of reconstruction, Attlee's government encountered severe financial difficulties, despite American assistance. Rationing continued to be a necessity, economic recovery was slow, and the cost of rearmament increased the strains on the economy. Rationing was still in effect when Elizabeth II came to the throne. In one village, where every Coronation since perhaps the 13th Century had been celebrated with a community Ox Roast, special dispensation had to be obtained for the 1953 event! Here we see children in front of a 'ration free' candy shop in 1949 (figure 1). This was was an sbirted effort to de-ration sugar (1949). It only lasted for 4 months. Demand swamped supply. Manufacturers were allocated an increased quantities of sugar –- which remained rationed – to meet the expected demand They still had only half of their pre-war sugar supply. Candy (sweet) rationing was not finally ended until (February 1953). It was announced well in advance. The children began emptying out their piggy-banksin preparation for the big day. On the big day, the kids made straight for the nearest sweet-shop when the unrationed sweets went on sale. The newspoapers reoorted that toffee apples were the biggest seller. We were surprised that chocolates did not top the list, perhaps price was a factor. Nougat sticks and liquorice strips were also popular. There were special acelebration. A Clapham Common gave 800 children 150lbs of lollipops during their midday school break. A London factory opened its doors to give awayfree sweets. Adults joined jn as well and chicolates were high in their list. Sugar rationing was ended a few months kater (Seotember 1953). Meat was the last food item to remain rationed. It only became freely available until the following year (July 1954). Actually, rationing was resumed (late-1956). Petrol rationing was re-introduced during the Suez Crisis. It finally ended (May 1957).

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Created: 3:55 PM 12/25/2020
Last updated: 3:55 PM 12/25/2020