From agriculture to antiques, the magazine’s first edition offered an assortment of articles to keep readers informed on the current issues affecting the county, and, no doubt, provided a necessary distraction from the realities of post-war Britain.
This article first appeared in the Wiltshire Life 75th Anniversary issue, a 116-page special with features exploring how life in in the county was 75 years ago - available to order HERE for £9.99.
When producing Volume 1, Number 1 of their new magazine, it is unlikely that the team at Wiltshire Life imagined that their publication would still be going to print, 75 years on. Whilst the magazine addressed difficulties including rationing, and the uncertain political landscape, an overriding sense of hope shines through, with the celebration of architecture that had survived the war, as well as pieces detailing the femininity of 1946 fashion. Even the advertisements – marketing clothes, cookwear and coaches – provided a spirit of optimism to a community emerging from six years of hardship and suffering.
The magazine had a dedicated agriculture correspondent, who covered the industry. At this time farmers were under immense pressure to produce the food needed to get the country back on its feet.
The magazine’s first fashion column describes how the new 1946 collections would celebrate women’s curves, with ‘low boat-shaped necklines’ and waists: ‘as small as you can make them’ instead of the slim, boyish figure of previous seasons. Women’s garments were smart, and inherently feminine, a likely pushback against the masculine trouser uniforms that women had worn in roles like the land army for the past six years.
Discover more in the 75th Anniversary issue:
We look back at the year 1946, sharing stories from across the county’s towns and villages, alongside fascinating features from museums, history groups and country estates. We re-visit the very first issue and discover life at the end of World War Two, and how the county has grown and evolved in subsequent years. We have a fun quiz, and Did You Know feature where you can test your knowledge or discover amazing and surprising facts about life in 1946 - from the price of bread to the latest hits at the cinema.
Check out our Welcome to Wiltshire guide with things to do, charity updates and more