Back to the future

This may not be a new phenomenon, but have you noticed just how big a business the nostalgia industry has turned out to be? It may well be that all those clever marketeers are aiming much of this stuff at forty- and fifty-something people like me (and some of you), but there’s no denying its appeal.

We have seen the success of TV programmes like Life on Mars set in the 70s-era of sideburns and smoking. Apparently, there was a recent surge in sales of Smash powdered mashed potato! And, if like me you have a youthful fondness for moody electronic 80s pop music, how could you fail to be thrilled by the reforming of OMD and Ultravox, or even seeing Human League, Heaven 17 and ABC all on the same stage after long absences. There’s something for everyone – even Cliff Richard and The Shadows have just announced (and sold out) a concert tour after a 20-year break. [Don’t forget Take That’s recent success, Ray! Ed]

Maybe it’s the passage of time that dims the reality, but those funny dance steps, flared (and later narrowed) trousers, bad haircuts and kohl-stained eyes don’t seem too bad, after all. And isn’t it interesting how some things which were once just good old common sense are being rediscovered and seen in a new light for a new era. Let me give you a couple of examples.

I kid you not, but one of the major banks (probably better that I don’t mention it by name) has just launched a savings account with a higher rate of interest for first time buyers under the slogan ‘save before you borrow’. How novel is that? That you should save a bit of money in the bank before it will provide you with a mortgage facility. Or indeed, that the banks should only lend in relation to the money they have available. Anyway, it’s made a comeback – saving before we borrow.

Closer to home, I have had the opportunity to get involved in a new community initiative here in Yorkshire. SURE Energy is an embryonic social enterprise seeking to campaign and deliver practical projects that advance energy efficiency, reduce fuel poverty and promote renewables. The site of one possible scheme, very much an aspiration at the moment but with possibilities, is situated on the banks of the River Wharfe: Presently (and a sad sign of the times), a redundant paper mill on the river is slowly becoming neglected as its redevelopment prospects look shakier as a result of the economic downturn. Paper production was transferred from the site to a mill in Gujarat, India, a couple of years ago, following the migration of specialist paper production eastwards.

However, inside the buildings are two dormant hydro turbines, which, with a bit of work, could be back into use generating green electricity for community benefit and carbon reduction. The potential of the 22-acre site, as a truly sustainable development of hydro energy, social eco-housing, habitat creation, community, sporting and cultural facilities and even a ‘Yorkshire Centre for Alternative Technology’, is exciting and enormous.

It feels like a big new idea. But it isn’t really. The very reason the mill was located there in the first place was to utilise the natural power of the river, the first renewable engine of the Industrial Revolution! But that doesn’t matter – it just shows that nostalgia can be powerful and can be harnessed for good.

Indeed, if this ‘back to the future’ approach means more renewable energy generation closer to home, more opportunities to live and work without using too much carbon, and more local jobs and sustainable communities, then bring it on in 2009. We need it.

But please don’t ask me to wear the flares again.