The Heritage Bulletin Blog ran from July 2012 to January 2020, covering a huge range of subjects, from a day in the archives, to extracts from the WVS bulletins, and histories of various WVS/WRVS services.
It’s 219 articles have become a valuable resource in themselves, why not search them or just browse to discover something new.
Another year has come and gone and we now move into 1950 (
in the Bulletin) to take a look at, what was for the WVS, the usual, the unusual but never the mundane. We don't include every story so why not have a look at issue no 121 January 1950 on our
archive online.
ACCRINGTON - A request for a dozen cuddly toys for Polish children was answered by a member who has four small children. A parcel was despatched next day.
BEXHILL-ON-SEA - A Home Help, nicknamed the "Pied Piper " because of the many children she looks after, is giving a party for 20 of her past and present charges.
CAMBRIDGE CB - An aged and garrulous caller caused temporary bewilderment by saying that her daughter, who went to work each day, left her a 'carrisole.' When the old lady said she was learning to cook one herself it was realised that she meant 'Casserole.'
DISS - Every third Friday a tea party is held for all sightless people in the area, numbering between thirty and thirty-six. They come with their guides.
DONCASTER CB - An 'Open Air School ' to which W.V.S. sent American Seeds, grew a pumpkin weighing 21 lbs. It was 40 inches in circumference.
GRIMSBY CB -During the National Savings Campaign week five W.V.S. members went to the Docks on pay day. They were well received and 36 new members of the National Savings Group were signed up.
HERNE BAY - While driving a patient to hospital a Hospital Car Service driver noticed a cow which had just calved. The driver deposited her patient, and returned to find the mother and child still alone looking very cold and forlorn. She called at the farmhouse and informed the farmer, who was most grateful. He said that the event had happened much earlier than was expected and the observation and quick action of W.V.S. had been a godsend.
HASTINGS CB - An old lady who had been in hospital for 50 years received flowers from the W.V.S. Office, a plant from the Trolley Shop and a basket of fruit from St. Helen's Darby and Joan Club. A call from the same hospital on behalf of an old man who was well enough to go home but could not get the people at his lodgings to bring his clothes, was answered by a member who went and collected them for him.
MAIDENHEAD -The manager of the local cinema has extended an invitation to all Darbys and Joans to attend his cinema, free of charge, on their respective birthdays and wedding anniversaries. An arrangement has also been made by him to collect and return them to their homes by taxi at the cinema's expense. Each member is allowed to take a friend.
OXFORD CB - A party of 20 Polish women and 20 children, including 4 babies under 6 months, arrived at Oxford after a long journey from the North of England on the way to Fairford. They had two hours to wait and W.V.S. served them with tea and buns, and supervised washing facilities. The Station Master was helpful, allowing them to use a Church Army Hut in the Station Approaches and arranging with the Refreshment Room to supply tea, milk and hot and cold water. None of the women spoke English but they had no difficulty in conveying their gratitude.
WEST SUSSEX - In three Darby and Joan Clubs, Health Visitors are to be on duty once a month to answer old people's health problems. If anything serious is mentioned they will be advised to go to their Doctor, but the Health Visitor will advise on such troubles as sleepless nights and indigestion.
WORTHING - W.V.S. asked eight councillors whether they would like to form a rota and be available at the W.V.S. Office once a month to interview members of the public and this was agreed. The local press were notified that the service is available.
Happy New Year from the Royal Voluntary Service Archive & Heritage Collection
More news from around the country, originally these stories
were submitted by Centre Organisers on the back of the Narrative Reports and
selected by the editors of the Bulletin for publication. These are just a few activities
from August 1949.
ALED RD
Centre Organiser has since 1942
collected, sorted and packed, with help, no less than 35 tons 2 qrs. 15 lbs. of
salvage, realising £169 18s. 5d. in all. Aled covers 110 square miles, and the
work was done in a shed known as the “WVS hut.” If records of the work done
previous to 1942 were available they would show a great achievement.
BRIGHTON CB
Outing organised by WVS car drivers;
about 80 old people, many of whom are taken to and from hospitals for
treatment, were invited to a picnic at Hassocks. Ice cream and a magnificent tea
were provided in the grounds of a private house. Each driver used his or her
own car, and everything was provided by voluntary contributions.
DENBIGHSHIRE
WVS running an Information Bureau
at a Military Camp are dealing with a number of unexpected domestic requests,
one of them being from a soldier for the loan of a pair of scissors to trim his
moustache before meeting his wife!
EDINBURGH
Over 200 cans of peaches and
goose berries were canned at the Widowers’ Children’s Home, Murrayfield,
Edinburgh, last week. The staff and older children joined in and enjoyed it as
much as WVS.
HASTINGS
Have a cup of tea? WVS have served
at the Royal East Sussex Hospital Canteen during the last four months, 1,031
tea meals and 1,329 cups of tea.
NEWCASTLE CB
On the occasion of the opening of
the new Danish Mission at Newcastle, WVS were asked to escort eight Danish
ladies, widows of officers and men who had died in the last war. The ladies had
a very heavy shopping list and it kept the five WVS escorts exceedingly busy to
assist in buying all the raincoats, belts, suits, cases, etc., as well as 8
lbs. of coffee and cocoa! Flowers and small
posies were purchased to carry to the Commemoration Service and after WVS had
accompanied them back to the hotel a terrific sorting of parcels took place.
They then went to the Danish Centre where WVS bade them goodbye.
SOUTH HOLDERNESS
On the
suggestion of the WVS Centre Organiser there is to be a goat class at the Roos
Show, and the judge is to be another WVS Centre Organiser who is also the
Secretary of the Yorkshire Goat Society. This is the first time a goat class
has been arranged for a show in the East Riding.
WESTON-SUPER-MARE
WVS stepped into the breach and
presented a bride with a silver horseshoe on her parent’s behalf as they could
not be present at their daughter’s wedding and they had written to WVS for
help. The bride later came to thank WVS for its great assistance at the
Registry Office, etc., and presented WVS with a delightful bouquet of flowers.