The Farmers’ Union of Wales has issued an SOS to all former Land Army girls to get in touch so that they can share their memories at a special afternoon tea reunion.
Last year the union’s Anglesey county branch held a Land Army exhibition at the island’s county show. During the Second World War many girls stayed in hostels on the island at Menai Bridge, Valley and Llanerchymedd.
Following the success of the exhibition, FUW county executive officer Heidi Williams is organising the afternoon tea to be held on Thursday November 25 at the Swallow Falls Hotel, Betws y Coed.
“The event is being held to thank the ladies for their kind contribution during the war and for tending to the land whilst the men were in action,” said Mrs Williams.
“As in World War One, young women were called on to work on the land and the Women’s Land Army (WLA) was re-formed in July 1939. Their work was vital as so many men were sent to war.
“The work was hard and the young women usually worked in isolated communities. Many lived in hostels or old farm workers’ cottages, often without running water, electricity or gas.”
Over 30 entries including stories and recollections from Land Army girls were received for last year’s exhibition from as far as the Isle of Wight and Yorkshire.
The winner was Sybil Hammond of Sandown on the Isle of Wight who won a milking stool engraved with the FUW logo.
Mrs Williams said: “The tea room will be transformed into a war time theme and we would like to ask the ladies to bring a keepsake or something special from their Land Army days so that they can share their stories and recollections.”
The union’s other North Wales county executive officers have agreed to help organise and transport women to the event from their areas.
Any former Land Army members wishing to attend the tea should, at their earliest convenience, contact Mrs Williams at the FUW’s Anglesey office on 01248 750250 or e-mail her at: [email protected]
Sybil Hammond’s recollections of her time at the Menai Bridge Land Army hostel can be found on the web at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/62/a8702462.shtml
