Historical (Pre-Covid) Lockdowns In UK, Any memories?

[Lencoboy]

I'm currently wondering if anyone on here remembers any past occasions (between the years 1945 and 2020) where lockdowns (local or national) of any sort were imposed, and for what reasons?

My most recent recollection is Tuesday 9th August 2011 when our town centre was locked down as a precautionary measure at the height of the riots when both Birmingham and Wolverhampton city centres were being turned over, though both our town, and the county of Staffordshire as a whole (even the Stoke area) luckily escaped said disturbances unscathed.

Any other instances anywhere, for whatever reason?

Just curious?

[Fishmanpa]

On 9/11, everything pretty much stopped here in the US. It wasn't a "lockdown" per se' (although NYC did) but more of a voluntary hunkering down of the country. It was a Tuesday and we were sent home a little after Noon and off for the rest of the week. I went camping and was one of two people in the entire campground! I remember how quiet it was because there was no air traffic and very few cars on the road or people out and about.

Positive thoughts

[dorabella]

I remember local 'lockdowns' in the 1970s in West Bromwich - every Saturday that the local football derby (Aston Villa, Wolverhampton or other Midlands clubs) came to West Bromwich the whole town used to shut early before the end of the match day to escape the running riots after the Hawthorns chucked the fans out. It was quite scary...

[NoraB]

I'm currently wondering if anyone on here remembers any past occasions (between the years 1945 and 2020) where lockdowns (local or national) of any sort were imposed, and for what reasons?

My most recent recollection is Tuesday 9th August 2011 when our town centre was locked down as a precautionary measure at the height of the riots when both Birmingham and Wolverhampton city centres were being turned over, though both our town, and the county of Staffordshire as a whole (even the Stoke area) luckily escaped said disturbances unscathed.

Any other instances anywhere, for whatever reason?

Just curious?

Someone mention Stoke?

Mind you, I'd emigrated further North by 2011...

I love the 'even the Stoke area' comment.

[Lencoboy]

Someone mention Stoke?

Mind you, I'd emigrated further North by 2011...

I love the 'even the Stoke area' comment.

My 'even the Stoke area' comment is down to it being the largest settlement in Staffs and a 'conurbation' in its own sense, and probably the most vulnerable to 'incidents' of any kind, but fortunately, like the rest of the county, the August 2011 disturbances passed it by.

[NoraB]

My 'even the Stoke area' comment is down to it being the largest settlement in Staffs and a 'conurbation' in its own sense, and probably the most vulnerable to 'incidents' of any kind, but fortunately, like the rest of the county, the August 2011 disturbances passed it by.

It was genuinely thought that riots might have broken out this summer due to the effects of the pandemic - like closing the oatcakes shops and anywhere which sells Wright's pies - but the closest I've ever been to seeing riotous behaviour in my 38 years in Stoke is when the Teenage Mutant Turtles first went on sale at Toys R Us.

[Lencoboy]

I remember local 'lockdowns' in the 1970s in West Bromwich - every Saturday that the local football derby (Aston Villa, Wolverhampton or other Midlands clubs) came to West Bromwich the whole town used to shut early before the end of the match day to escape the running riots after the Hawthorns chucked the fans out. It was quite scary...

That was obviously the heyday of footie hooliganism. Plus the Baggies ground being in fairly close proximity to the Handsworth area of Birmingham, which in those days especially was notorious for racial tensions and aggro in general, which inevitably added to the often futile atmosphere in that particular neck of the West Mids conurbation.

Wasn't there also a geezer with a bit of a screw loose who went on a shooting rampage in a residential street in West Brom around 1978 or so, then went on to Nuneaton in Warwickshire to continue his trigger-happy madman antics, where he was finally caught and arrested?

[MyNameIsTerry]

The recent riots wouldn't affect Stoke as we are very different to those in London railing the government. Unlike London we are used to being outside of the places anyone cares about.

Besides it would paltry compared to the football running battles with the police that held with some pride going back in time before the 90s.

But take away our oat cakes and you have better bring the army in to stop us! Nora will understand

Even when Farage's lot tried to win a seat around here they had to bus in 'metro' types. We've got better things to do...

[NoraB]

But take away our oat cakes and you have better bring the army in to stop us! Nora will understand

I miss my 'chaise' and bacon oatcakes, Terry. They sell Staffordshire oatcakes in our big Tesco but it's not the same as standing in the oatcake shop on a cold winters day - listening to the sizzle of the batter hitting the hot plates and the shrill of the, 'What d'yer want on em duck?'

[MyNameIsTerry]

I miss my 'chaise' and bacon oatcakes, Terry. They sell Staffordshire oatcakes in our big Tesco but it's not the same as standing in the oatcake shop on a cold winters day - listening to the sizzle of the batter hitting the hot plates and the shrill of the, 'What d'yer want on em duck?'

My brother has moved to Yorkshire and says the same. He works with another ex-oatcake so when he visits us he takes a stash back for both of them.

I remember seeing something about ex stokies living in the US who made their own as so many of them missed it.