THIS week’s Life Through a Lens focuses on local happenings of December 1969.

Protesters marched in support of better pay for nurses. Banners were also hung at Southampton General Hospital as well as Bargate.

A large Christmas tree was erected at the Civic Centre and a ceremony saw the towering behemoth lit-up in all it’s twinkling glory.

While these events were unravelling locally, this is what was taking place nationally:

December 15

Martins Bank was purchased by Barclays.

December 18

The abolition of the death penalty for murder was made permanent by Parliament.

December 18

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service – the sixth James Bond film – was released in the UK.

December 26

A fire at the Rose and Crown Hotel, Saffron Walden, claimed eleven lives.