Before the United States of America entered the World War Two conflict and still with the threat of invasion, the WAR WEAPONS WEEK was a Government initiative across the British Isles to help raise money for munitions by organising a programme of local fund-raising events. It also encouraged people to save in War Bonds and similar Government schemes to help re-arm.
To help advertise such events,'Souvenir Programmes' were published which were mainly sponsored by local businesses. One such Programme has been made available by Rita Stow and can be viewed and downloaded in PDF format by ‘left clicking’ on the cover page to the left.
Women’s Institutes across the land also played their part and in May 1940 they started a National Savings Group which continued throughout the war, raising a total of £4,250. They also supported village efforts towards the various other initiatives such as War Ships Week and Salute the Soldier Week. At their monthly meetings they tried to carry on as usual and provide some cheerful normality. The programme included talks on ‘war time cookery’, 'make do and mend' hints and practical demonstration such as ‘how to re-foot a lisle stocking’.
At their monthly meetings they tried to carry on as usual and provide some cheerful normality. The programme included talks on ‘war time cookery’, 'make do and mend' hints and practical demonstrations such as ‘how to re-foot a lisle stocking’.
What I find interesting about this document is how involved Barling and Wakering village people were in arranging such events, including the schools.
