LIFE IN BELBROUGHTON IN 2^nd WORLD WAR

 Here are more recollections of life in our village during the war: This time seen through the eyes of a schoolgirl. Our thanks go to Mrs. Carol Hollyhead for sending this account.

 ^{At the outbreak of war I was 12 years old and just about to begin my third year at B.C.H.S along with 5 friends from the village. Although War had been looming for quite some time, from September 3rd 1939 things began to change rapidly. Very soon we were issued with our gas masks, which had to go everywhere with us, identity cards and then the dreaded ration books. Everything in life seemed to have become "rationed." All our homes had to be fitted up with 'black outs' and woe betide any family showing a light after dark!}

^{Living in the country had many advantages; particularly where food shortages were concerned. Most village homes had a garden - "dig for victory" became the slogan -banish flowers to grow food!! Many families kept a few hens - of course if they did, the egg ration had to be forfeited. Those who were lucky enough to have a pig-sty kept a pig - an important member of the family! So long as we could be well away from home when the pig-killer came, we thought how lucky we were to eat in such luxury for a time at least.}

^{Families worked out ways of sharing to mutual advantage I remember how my mother and neighbours pooled all their meagre supplies to make a few Christmas puddings together. During the winter times fuel - coal, electricity and gas were often in short supply - those families living near the bake-house took their precious Christmas chicken to be cooked in the bakers oven.}

^{It was a time when the village community spirit grew and supported us all - we cared for one another, shared our joys and our sorrows.}

^{In my home, with Father away on war work, moving from one airbase to another and having little and irregular times at home, we were considered able to accommodate 2 evacuee girls from Birmingham. Mother had two very young children, besides me, so she was kept very busy looking after 5 of us - and I had to share her responsibilities wherever possible. The Birmingham girls found country life very strange - they had never come close to farm animals and country walks didn't appeal to them at all. Our two girls were settling well and enjoying Catshill School, newly opened. Sadly visits from their mothers had an upsetting effect. They (the mothers) really wanted their girls home and as soon as bombing in Birmingham appeared to be easing, the evacuees began to return home.}

^{Clothes rationing hit many homes hard and we were fortunate that my mother could sew and knit well - we all knew we had to "make do and mend." School uniform was still a "must" and took most of my coupons - so a new dress or a jumper was a real joy. When confirmation time came for me and my friends we all wondered how we would get the obligatory white dress - Parachute silk was the answer!}

^{One precious possession in our family was our dear old Austin 7 but petrol rationing was really minimal. I learned to drive but seldom had much chance to use my skill!! All the young folk in the village (and some not so young!) had a bike - but then it was very safe on the roads and we were always ready to cycle to school when buses were often unreliable.}