A gentle reminder that underlying dread is not a new thing

It’s been an unusually hectic week on Planet Bureaucrat, but I did manage to find time to join Ros at the launch of a new exhibition at the National Archives on Wednesday evening.

In many ways, it takes reminding that, just thirty years ago, the two superpowers and their allies faced off across the centre of Europe, nuclear weapons blatantly targeted at each other’s centres of population and industry. And, whilst by then, Mikhail Gorbachev’s attempts to reform the Soviet Union were interesting, there was little to suggest to most of us that the whole communist edifice was going to collapse catastrophically and suddenly any time soon.

I’m old enough to remember “War Games”, the programme too shocking (and truthful) to broadcast, which demonstrated in rather unnerving fashion the effects of a nuclear weapon dropped on central London. The fact that such an event seemed entirely possible, if not probable, hung over political debate, even if there was a general consensus that, if it really came down to it, surely nobody would be insane enough to actually push the nuclear button. It would be mutually assured destruction, right?

One of the most interesting exhibits was an extract from a speech drafted for the Queen in the event of an attack. Reading it, you could imagine her voice, stoic but slightly trembling, attempting to reassure - probably unsuccessfully. There was also a recreation of a shelter under the stairs, complete with tins of Fray Bentos and Vim because, as we all knew, in the event of a nuclear attack, Vim would be critical in restoring civilisation afterwards. Yes, we might all be glowing, but the smoking remains of our homes would be clean.

The National Archives are something of a hidden treasure, tucked away next to the Thames at Kew, but their exhibitions and events are fascinating, given the records and documents they hold. They’re a cracking research facility too, with devoted, enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff. 

So, if you’re in the area, do drop in, you’re bound to find something of interest...