Upton St Leonard’s WI: Land Girls with Fiona Waring

ALL we needed was the uniforms of the 1940s to complete the picture of life as a land girl when speaker Fiona Waring gave a very inspired, raucous insight into a way of life working on the land during WWII.

As far back as 1936 the government of the day realised that growing our own food was a priority if another war came, and it did in September, 1939.

Two million acres of land lay fallow and 70 per cent of our food was imported, a huge amount.

Lady Denman herself was on the agricultural board saying, “our ladies can do any job”.

The conscription act of December, 1941, asked ladies between ages 18-42 years to join the land army, if they were single, without young children or caring for vulnerable adults, or working in factories for the war effort.

Working on the land was an arduous job, long hours, from early morn until late at night in a uniform that did not fit.

Wearing breeches, thick woollen jumpers, and overcoats when needed, strong shoes or boots, this was a man’s job given to the fairer sex.

Some girls lived in hostels or farm workers cottages, all for 22s / 6d per week.

Working alongside the farmer, farm labourers and POWs, they put their backs into it.

Learning how to drive a Fordson model M tractor of which 137,483 were produced, working with shire horses ploughing the land, hedging, ditching, bottle feeding orphan lambs, birthing piglets, milking the cows, forestry, the list is endless.

Audience participation; some of us were given names and I (Kathy Quant) was working in ‘forestry’ measuring pit props etc, enjoying the company of young, strong lumber jacks, I would have been in my element.

A warm round of applause followed with a vote of thanks from Marlene.

A visitor was welcomed by President Diane Thomas, namely Sue Garron whom we hope to see again.

Our boat trip on August 10, was good fun, one stowaway on board.

The lunch July 25, at Whitminster Garden Centre was enjoyed by about 20 ladies, the next lunch meeting is on Tuesday, September 27, at Painswick Golf Club.

Entries were good for the local Summer Show.

Items for the ‘Shoe Box’ appeal next month please also a prettily wrapped parcel for a bring and buy auction towards ‘Denman’ funds.

Our next meeting is in Upton St Leonard’s Village Hall on Monday, October 3, 7.30pm.

Speaker, trade table and raffle.

All ladies very welcome.