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    • Nov 28, 2011
    • 2 min read

In its 21 birthday year, Church House looks back at a different time – when Vanilla Ice was in the c


In the year that

Church House Conference Centre celebrates its 21st birthday, it has decided to reflect back on some of the differences between now and 1990.

Church House Conference Centre, general manager, Robin Parker said: “Looking back at the events that made the news and influenced our lives is always nostalgic.  Church House was opened to the public as an events venue in 1990.  Strategically located in the heart of Westminster, adjacent to the Houses of Parliament, we have always felt the impact of great events, and this year, as we celebrate our 21st birthday, we thought it time to look back at what was going on in the world 21 years ago.”

In 1990…

World

* The Cold War finally came to an end in 1990 after the fall of the Berlin Wall the previous year. * Nelson Mandela was released from prison after 27 years, marking the end of apartheid in South Africa.

In the US….

* The economy entered a major recession. * The US declared war on Iraq , which later came to be known as Gulf War 1.

Meanwhile back in the UK…

* The UK Poll Tax Riots resulted in riots across British towns and cities. By far the largest occurred in central London on Saturday 31 March 1990, shortly before the tax was due to come into force in England and Wales. * Margaret Thatcher resigned as Prime Minister. * 40 meters below the English Channel – Britain met France in a tunnel that was due to open in 1994.

In the world of entertainment…

* The most popular films were Goodfellas, Home Alone and Pretty Woman. * ‘Ice Ice Baby’ by Vanilla Ice became a hit. * The Simpsons was launched in the UK and Baywatch hit US screens for the first time.

Facts and figures:

* Petrol was just 40p a litre in 1990 – compared to £1:40 today. * The average house was  £72,000 – compared to £232,000 in 2011. * Inflation was running at 9.5% – compared to 4.5 % in May 2011. * Interest rates were 13.8 % – compared to 0.5 % for the last two and a half years.

So much for the good old days!

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