The Royal Gazette reporter Lisa York-Cox asked people on the streets of Hamilton which 20th century decade they thought outdid all the rest.

It seemed a simple enough question: What was your favourite decade? But this assignment quickly became an enormous challenge. ..getting people to say anything.

A few people either could not think of a decade to consider or they did not want their name in the paper.

Those who were forthcoming with information on their favourite decade had the following to say.

Pat Wilson, a woman who practices Holistic Health, said the 1960s was her favourite.

"Because not only was I intrigued with Kennedy, I actually got to represent Bermuda at a International Student Banquet in Washington D.C., where I got to meet him,'' she said. "I was a business student at the time and I was chosen to go this banquet.'' Another student, Michael Pearman, said his favourite was the 1980s.

"That's where I came into my own,'' he said. "I started to get a little of my own independence. It was a period of growth and opportunity.'' Velma Bean, a veteran educator who had a lot of good to say about her chosen decade, said the 1950s was her favourite.

"I was able to come of age (in the 50s),'' she said. "The world was a happier world. The people were more nurturing. We didn't have a lot of material things. At that time, materialism wasn't the norm. We were more geared to appreciating people for who they were and building character.'' Allan Cooper, who works in real estate, simply said: "The 1970s. That's the best time, it had everything.'' Rachel Rothwell, who also works in Insurance, picked the 1990s saying: "Technology was more available in the nineties.'' But Irving Ingram championed the 1970s, saying: "There was more peace at that time. Blacks were more aware of their culture.'' Another 1970s advocate was Coleman Easton, Police Media Relations spokesman.

"My entire point of reference is from the seventies,'' Mr. Easton said.

"There was better music, clothes and less neurosis (in the seventies).'' Ophthalmologist, Fiona Soong went retro, preferring the 1940s.

"A lot of inventions that we use started in the 1940s,'' she said.

"Machinery that we base our lives on now started in the forties, things like technology and science.'' FedEx service agent Wilhelminna Smith said her favourite decade was the 1980s.

"The eighties were my younger years,'' she explained. "In my later years, I have a lot more to look forward to since I found the Lord.'' Nurse Anne Bennett Smith also preferred the 1980s, saying: "That's when I started going out and having fun.'' Her companion, staff nurse Phil Boyce, disagreed with her stating the 1970s were his decade of choice.

"It was more family orientated and people were happy with what they had,'' he said. "Of course the music was excellent.'' Phil Boyce: `It was more family orientated in the 70s . . . The music was excellent' Whilhelminna Smith: `The eighties were my younger years' Velma Bean: `I was able to come of age in the fifties. The world was happier' Irving Ingram: `There was more peace in the 70s. Blacks were aware of their culture.' Fiona Soong: `A lot of inventions that we use started in the 40s' Coleman Easton: `There was better music, clothes and less neurosis in the 70s.'