A 40s day celebrating the achievements of local former Land Girls is scheduled for next month.
The long-awaited recognition of the Women’s Land Army has prompted organisers working at Bridgnorth housing schemes to honour the women – and hopefully reunite some who may not have met for 60 years.
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Badges and a certificate signed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown have been sent out to Land Girls, and the celebration at Greenfields Court on September 4 will honour the work of women in the Bridgnorth district.
The Land Girls’ vital contribution to the war effort saw them feed the country in the absence of male farm workers. There were four main hostels which housed the Women’s Land Army in the area, at Bridgnorth, Morville, Bourton and Badger.
The girls worked the farms around Shropshire and organisers of the day were keen to get in touch with the women to learn of their experiences.
Bridgnorth District Council originally sent out letters requesting information about the Land Army and received an overwhelming response. Around 40 Land Girls from the area have been traced, and more than 100 photographs collected.
Organisers of the 1940s day, Tim White and Sharon Beddows, used the council’s information to track down and interview all the Land Girls in the district. The memories collected are being published in a commemorative Women’s Land Army book which will be handed out to guests at the celebration.
Tim of Alveley and Sharon of Broseley have worked tirelessly to make the day possible, and have had to raise every penny for the event.
Their enthusiasm has been rewarded by the sheltered housing schemes they work for, at Greenfields Court and Ash/Beech Road, who have donated money towards the day and provided a venue. To raise further funds they were taking part in a 20 mile sponsored bike ride with Broseley Youth Boxing Club this week.
The Residents Involvement Scheme, which encourages such events involving tenants, put forward the idea of another day of celebrations after the success of last year’s VE day.
The day itself will begin at 11.30am at Greenfields Court and the guests can look forward to a host of entertainment.
A swing band, a 40s singer, a raffle, hog roast and buffet, a speech by a surprise guest, Land Army artifacts and an impressive photographic exhibition of blown up images Tim and Sharon have collected will see the day fly by to its 4.30pm finish.
Councillor Elizabeth Yeomans will present the Land Army Girls with the books and a certificate of achievement.
The book will include detailed memories from around 12 of the Land Army girls Tim and Sharon spoke to, but they are making a special effort to include photos contributed by all of the ladies.
Sharon and Tim found many of the women who worked as land girls in the area originated from the north, predominantly Lancashire and cities such as Liverpool, and after the disbandment of the WLA in 1950 they settled here.
Sharon said: “The best thing to come out of this is the wonderful memories shared by the women, and the possibility of some of them being reunited on the day. It is unbelievable it has taken 60 years for them to receive some official recognition.”
Tim and Sharon are appealing to anyone who would be willing to donate a large marquee for the day.
If anyone can help or would like to sponsor Tim and Sharon’s bike ride, please contact Sharon Beddows on 07779 159671.
