Essex people talk about their experiences of food and drink in the 20th century. The flavour of a changing diet is described from the same pattern of meals every week and the grocer selling foodstuffs loose, to the huge variation of the modern supermarket.

There is also a taste of the impact of rationing during and after the Second World War and how farming methods have changed is discussed.

The programme also features the increased choice of places to eat out, with the introduction of Chinese, Indian and other cuisine.

Produced and broadcast by BBC Essex in 1999.

Original title: A Square Meal.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Essex people talk about the effect of changes in technology on their home and working lives.

There are examples from the shop floor at Marconi, the Ford car assembly line and the printing and publishing industries. Contributors describe their offices from the strict regime of the 1950s typing pool to the first huge computers.

People also speak about the introduction of home computing, video recorders and automated telephone answering.

Produced for BBC Essex and originally broadcast in 1999.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Essex people talk about positive and negative aspects of old age. They describe the experience of alzheimer's disease and express views on euthanasia. Contributors share their energy and enjoyment of retirement and the twilight years. There are also thoughts about grandparents.

Produced for BBC Essex and broadcast in 1999.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.