| Intro
| St.Giles Church | Church
News | Wartime Childhood | Swakeleys
School |
| 1900's
| 1910's | 1920's | 1930's
| 1940's | 1950's | 1960's
| 1970's | 1980's | 1990's
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Although the Old Scholar's Association had been started earlier, it was expanded into a Youth Club during the War. This was because the Government was anxious to set up activities for young people who they feared were being neglected and could get into mischief or trouble.
The Club became quite a big and successful one, meeting at the Swakeleys Senior School in Long Lane. Wednesday evening was Club night; it was a social evening with dancing in the hall to a record player, quizzes and a 'pep' talk given by Mr. Sealey, a teacher from the School, who ran the Club with the help of several other adults. There was also table tennis, chess and other games. The subscription fee was 3d. per week.
The Club had a very good athletics team for the boys and netball for the girls. Both teams won many trophies in the area. A canteen was provided in the Cookery Room by Mrs. Andrews, the caretaker's wife, who supplied home-made jam tarts, cakes and lemonade or tea, all for a few pence, for which she was given a special food ration allowance.
Other activities held on different evenings included a music group, discussion evenings and rambles at weekends, plus the Concert Party, which was great fun, but also hard work, making scenery and costumes out of very sparse materials. Fundraising concerts were put on and even went 'on tour' around the district. This was, of course, after the air raids had ceased. The scholars were encouraged to do good works in the community and so gave Christmas parties for deprived children; they also adopted a Prisoner of War Camp in Germany through the Red Cross.
The boys in the Forces were not forgotten; my friend, Sonia Bowden, and I ran a "Comforts Fund" which entailed sending newsletters plus a 5/-d. (25p.) postal order every three months to our serving members. Each letter was individually composed as we wanted the news to be personal to those concerned. Many of them visited us when they got leave, but some we never met as they were abroad for several years.
It was obvious that any letter from home was greatly appreciated, but unfortunately 'censored'. As the War progressed in our favour, they were able to write more about what they were doing and we found them very interesting. Sadly, a few of our boys never returned, and other were very fed up at having to wait so long to get home, even after the War had ended. We ended the Fund in 1946.
We tried to start another branch of the Old Scholars for the older members, but it never materialised as nobody was willing to take charge. The Club continued for some years under new leadership, but by then our lives were changing and we were moving on to other spheres.
However, many lasting friendships and a few romances - even marriages - came out of those days, and the uplift and purpose of life which the Club gave us during the hard times of the War remain a fond memory to this day. Mary Abbs (nee Howell) 29.09.99
The Girls Training Corp was organised nationally during the War for young girls as an equivalent to the various Cadet Corps, which had been set up for the boys.
The object of it was to train girls in various skills which might prove useful, if they had to join any of the Women's Services. It would also equip them with some knowledge to help the Civil Defence Department in the event of invasion or further attacks on our country.
The Company was run by two teachers from Swakeleys School - Miss Hall and Miss Beasley - together with two other adults, Miss Crips and Miss Streets. These four became the Officers and gave their time voluntarily, including spending many weekends being trained for their duties. Meetings were held once a week at the School and were run on military lines with Officers and NCO's, drilling, marching, etc.
No uniforms were provided, but the girls were asked to wear a navy blue skirt, white blouse, navy tie and beret. Later on their were able to obtain a forage cap and lumber jacket top - at their own cost of money and clothing coupons !
Lectures were held on various subjects, exams were set and certificates issued to those who passed. Some subjects were compulsory, but others were optional such as aircraft recognition, car maintenance, and signalling.
The girls took part in a 'mock' invasion with the Civil Defence, manning telephones, taking and sending coded messages, and cycling to other Civil Defence Stations. Later in the War they were allowed to visit the Army Anti-Aircraft Unit stationed in the grounds of Swakeleys House, and were taught how to work a searchlight, sweeping it right across the sky!
Several of the members did join the Women's Services, but the War ended before most of them were old enough to join. However, it was all very interesting and gave them a feeling of 'doing their bit' for the War effort.
Little has been said about the G.T.C. since it disbanded in 1946/47. In fact, few people have ever heard of it. Nevertheless, it was a worthwhile endeavour. Mary Abbs (nee Howell) 29.09.99