Memories from 1945 in Burleydam

It is 65 years since Burleydam and District WI was formed in July 1945. The war with Japan would end on 15 August; VE Day had already been celebrated.

The records of that time chronicle the canning of food, a competition for a ration book cover and life returning to normal. At the first meeting Miss Bennion gave a demonstration of fruit bottling "whilst the daylight was still good".

Probably for the majority of WI members today the mention of "the war" still evokes that Second World War with graphic images, heroic deeds and stirring words passing into folk memory. Our memories were most entertainingly stirred up at the July Birthday Meeting by Ruth Moore Williams's most amusing yet thoughtful presentation "What did you do in the war, mother?"

Taking the theme of the BBC's Workers' Playtime radio programme, Ruth had us joining in the songs and laughing at the stories she told. All the characters she played were based on the real people she had met who told tales of the Liverpool blitz, of being a landgirl, of the attraction of Italian prisoners of war and of life working in factories.

There was a poignancy though, about the songs and the stories, for, behind the humour was the constant fear of not seeing loved ones again, the prospect of losing everything in air raids, the dangers of working in factories with live shells.

The debt we owe to the women and men of the Home Front must never be forgotten. That was Ruth's message.

It was an excellent evening which finished with the usual buffet supper put on by the committee. Long time member, Phyllis Vernon, cut the birthday cake which was made, for the thirtieth year, by Mary Stevenson.

The competition for a WW2 momento was won by Elaine Walton, Sarah Lunt was second and Liz Gentil and Carolyn Wilde were joint third.

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