We have to remember that in, ''the good old days'' whatever was good about them? Incomes were small and related to that time period. In 1961, I got married. As a young traffic cop, my wages were £17.00 per week. I used to use Power petrol @3/2d a gallon. Wages for most folk remained low well into the 70's. My dad ended up being medically retired from the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, his wage was £7 /10 shillings a week 7/50p todays rate. The Civil Service has always paid lower than the private sector. The attraction was, the sick pay, 26 wks full then 26 wks half pay, finally a non-contributory pension. So for the majority, to buy anything a bit pricey it was on the never never.
I purchased a collection of roses. Six HT's and six standards. I remember the standards cost £1/29 each. I still have two of the HT's Rose Gaujard and possibly, Paul's Scarlet. So most things were probably costly. However the price hike to which this thread relates, is IMO taking the proverbial. Some nurseries / growers have increased their prices 100% plus.
