Yes, I think I am circling generational change, even when I don’t name it outright. That photo feels like a seam—between the world my parents inherited and the one they quietly opened up for us. There’s something in their faces—pride, maybe, or relief—that feels like both a summit and a handoff.
What changed for me—and for my brothers—was education. That was the doorway. Both of my parents had to leave school at 14 to help put food on the table. They were smart, capable, but choice wasn’t part of the equation. We got to stay longer, go further, imagine more.
But I still carry echoes of their caution—especially around authority. My parents held back around headteachers, policemen, people in ‘good standing.’ The accountant who stole their savings looked the part, and I think they didn’t feel entitled to question him. That kind of deference runs deep.
For me, it softened over time—but not fully until I left the UK. Reinventing myself in the US gave me more room to lean into who I wanted to be, without the weight of being "well-behaved" or knowing my place. It took distance to see what was mine to keep, and what I could let go of.
They chose stability over show—a house with strong foundations, a shop where my dad came alive behind the counter. That groundedness gave us lift. So much of what they did was quiet, practical, unsung. But it changed everything.
I’m remembering now one time we did talk about it—when the BBC TV movie SPEND, SPEND, SPEND came out in 1977. It told the story of Viv Nicholson, who won a huge Football Pools payout in the early '60s, and how it ultimately unraveled her life and family.
Like my parents, Viv and her husband were pressured to go public. That part really stayed with me. I remember watching it with my mum and dad, and I could feel how much it stirred up. There was one scene—Viv reading through all the begging letters and hate mail—and my mum just said, quietly, “That’s exactly what we got.”
She told me the Pools company’s advice was simple: burn them.
It really was a staggering amount. When I checked it against the Mars Bar Index (and RPI/CPI), the £75K they shared would be worth about £2.7M today. Enough, back then, to buy a whole street—especially when you factor in how far house prices have outpaced inflation.
I didn’t talk to them much about it. But I got the sense that once the crooked accountant vanished, they didn’t really chase it. Too much shame, maybe. Too much silence. Life just... moved on.
I do remember, after Mum died and we were packing up to move somewhere smaller, finding all the letters and paperwork—fading typewriter ink, earnest promises, numbers that didn’t add up.
Still, they were better off than most. They never had a mortgage. And because of that, I don’t think they ever carried the same weight around bills or emergencies. That was the real windfall.
This is an amazing story Robert. That was an enormous sum back then. I remember my dad always saying if he could win £25k on the pools it would set him up for life!! I’m so sorry your parents were cheated like that. They must have been an easy target for a shyster like that, with so little experience on how to manage money. Did they ever catch him? I don’t suppose you know if it wasn’t spoken about. Brilliant read. ❤️
If you ever get a chance to see it, you would love the TV movie that I mentioned in one of the other comments - SPEND, SPEND, SPEND. I've searched everywhere, but I can't find any options to stream it, but if I ever find it, I will let you know. Back in the 1960s and 1970s had a weekly series called Play For Today (a precursor to TV movies) and they were exceptionally well done.
The difference between their story and that of my parents is that Viv and her husband weren't really grounded, and they went rapidly off the rails. I know watching it brought back a lot of memories (and not all good ones) for my parents.
I tried 9 years ago, but didn't get very far. Before I saw your comment, I'd already reached out to a different contact at BFI.
After seeing your comment, I decided to try again, and I've had some success. I have located the film in their collection, and they have 3 copies that are available for viewing on their premises. I will be back home in the UK next month, so I've just put a request in to see whether I can arrange a viewing!
I’m hoping my brother continues to be oblivious to my scribblings on Substack. That way, if I can pull it off, it will be a really big surprise for him.
My father's family were a coal family from the area, with similar education because that's what everyone had. They would have had enormous challenge coping with such a win. I can imagine them trying to work out how to accommodate the changes, and making similar decisions.
In reviewing the photo so often, are you reflecting on generational changes? It's rare privilege to have enough information to do so, and perhaps the people who see it most are migrants because their changes are conscious, deliberate and have clear external markers.
What do you think changed for your opportunities? How does it change the way you view your life? How do you think the region has changed culturally and how well did your parents' decisions help anticipate those changes?
Thank you, Ruv.
What a generous and thoughtful response.
Yes, I think I am circling generational change, even when I don’t name it outright. That photo feels like a seam—between the world my parents inherited and the one they quietly opened up for us. There’s something in their faces—pride, maybe, or relief—that feels like both a summit and a handoff.
What changed for me—and for my brothers—was education. That was the doorway. Both of my parents had to leave school at 14 to help put food on the table. They were smart, capable, but choice wasn’t part of the equation. We got to stay longer, go further, imagine more.
But I still carry echoes of their caution—especially around authority. My parents held back around headteachers, policemen, people in ‘good standing.’ The accountant who stole their savings looked the part, and I think they didn’t feel entitled to question him. That kind of deference runs deep.
For me, it softened over time—but not fully until I left the UK. Reinventing myself in the US gave me more room to lean into who I wanted to be, without the weight of being "well-behaved" or knowing my place. It took distance to see what was mine to keep, and what I could let go of.
They chose stability over show—a house with strong foundations, a shop where my dad came alive behind the counter. That groundedness gave us lift. So much of what they did was quiet, practical, unsung. But it changed everything.
I’m remembering now one time we did talk about it—when the BBC TV movie SPEND, SPEND, SPEND came out in 1977. It told the story of Viv Nicholson, who won a huge Football Pools payout in the early '60s, and how it ultimately unraveled her life and family.
Like my parents, Viv and her husband were pressured to go public. That part really stayed with me. I remember watching it with my mum and dad, and I could feel how much it stirred up. There was one scene—Viv reading through all the begging letters and hate mail—and my mum just said, quietly, “That’s exactly what we got.”
She told me the Pools company’s advice was simple: burn them.
Thanks, Kate.
It really was a staggering amount. When I checked it against the Mars Bar Index (and RPI/CPI), the £75K they shared would be worth about £2.7M today. Enough, back then, to buy a whole street—especially when you factor in how far house prices have outpaced inflation.
I didn’t talk to them much about it. But I got the sense that once the crooked accountant vanished, they didn’t really chase it. Too much shame, maybe. Too much silence. Life just... moved on.
I do remember, after Mum died and we were packing up to move somewhere smaller, finding all the letters and paperwork—fading typewriter ink, earnest promises, numbers that didn’t add up.
Still, they were better off than most. They never had a mortgage. And because of that, I don’t think they ever carried the same weight around bills or emergencies. That was the real windfall.
This is an amazing story Robert. That was an enormous sum back then. I remember my dad always saying if he could win £25k on the pools it would set him up for life!! I’m so sorry your parents were cheated like that. They must have been an easy target for a shyster like that, with so little experience on how to manage money. Did they ever catch him? I don’t suppose you know if it wasn’t spoken about. Brilliant read. ❤️
I'd love to see a movie made about this event. Would be really fun to watch.
If you ever get a chance to see it, you would love the TV movie that I mentioned in one of the other comments - SPEND, SPEND, SPEND. I've searched everywhere, but I can't find any options to stream it, but if I ever find it, I will let you know. Back in the 1960s and 1970s had a weekly series called Play For Today (a precursor to TV movies) and they were exceptionally well done.
The difference between their story and that of my parents is that Viv and her husband weren't really grounded, and they went rapidly off the rails. I know watching it brought back a lot of memories (and not all good ones) for my parents.
I’ll def look for it, too. Would love to have met your parents.
The BFI could probably trace the clip:
BFI National Archive | BFI https://share.google/y63hcpKL4F4emMrGz
Graham,
I tried 9 years ago, but didn't get very far. Before I saw your comment, I'd already reached out to a different contact at BFI.
After seeing your comment, I decided to try again, and I've had some success. I have located the film in their collection, and they have 3 copies that are available for viewing on their premises. I will be back home in the UK next month, so I've just put a request in to see whether I can arrange a viewing!
https://collections-search.bfi.org.uk/web/Details/ChoiceFilmWorks/150063634
Thanks for the encouragement to keep trying!
That's brilliant, I know I have watched documentaries on the BFI it's amazing the size of their archive.
Yay big win for perseverance!
Thanks, Lori!
The photo album I have is really wonderful, and it looks like the captions that are in there are lifted straight from the script.
All of my body parts are now crossed. I should hear within 5 business days.
Adding my best vibes to the effort 🤞🏻
Thanks!
I’m hoping my brother continues to be oblivious to my scribblings on Substack. That way, if I can pull it off, it will be a really big surprise for him.
Thank you, Robert.
My father's family were a coal family from the area, with similar education because that's what everyone had. They would have had enormous challenge coping with such a win. I can imagine them trying to work out how to accommodate the changes, and making similar decisions.
In reviewing the photo so often, are you reflecting on generational changes? It's rare privilege to have enough information to do so, and perhaps the people who see it most are migrants because their changes are conscious, deliberate and have clear external markers.
What do you think changed for your opportunities? How does it change the way you view your life? How do you think the region has changed culturally and how well did your parents' decisions help anticipate those changes?