South Yorkshire Times, December 2nd 1944
War Welfare Fund Fayre
Kilnhurst Effort for Service Men and Women
Enthusiasm ran high at Kilnhurst yesterday (Thursday), where, at the Church Hall, an attractive Christmas Fayre was organised by Kilnhurst War Welfare Fund. It was estimated that yesterday’s takings amounted to £150.
Mrs. George Baker, of Herringthorpe Hall, Rotherham, who opened the fayre, said the effort was a real “old-fashioned” bazaar. It seemed to her that as they had done so splendidly in the Welfare Fund for the men and women in the Forces, when peace came, they ought not to let such wonderful committees simply drift away and do nothing. Sometimes occasions demanded “a big push” and massed efforts, and at others the individual touch.
We were full of admiration for the women who had backed up their men at the front by going into the works and doing other jobs, but she was a little afraid they might find it hard to get back into the home life which had been secondary for so long. Their war work was the “big push” but when the men-folk came back it was the individual touch which would win the day. England must not lose her home life she said, the boys want to come back to their homes, let us give a big cheer for those who keep them up. She was very pleased to come to Kilnhurst for the occasion.
Mr. W. Dyson J.P., who presided, was introduced by Mr. J. Broadbent, Chairman of the fund. He said although the War Welfare Fund committee was small, the members had a large amount of zeal and enthusiasm. They received encouragement week-by-week, not only from the 200 boys and girls serving with the Forces, but from every resident in the village and friends from the surrounding districts. He welcomed Mr. Dyson.
£2,200 in Four Years
We all agreed that we cannot do too much for the men who have gone out in this great war to protect us, said Mr. Dyson. He congratulated the Fund and the people of Kilnhurst for their magnificent efforts over the last four years. It was outstanding that £2,200 had been raised for the Fund in the village. Three quarters of this had been raised by house-to-house collections. This achievement was due mainly to the work of the women collectors. He referred to the White Paper showing the effort put forward by the people of this country, and suggested that it was one of the occasions when it was necessary that we should blow our own trumpet. In some parts of the world the very magnitude of our efforts had not been understood. In the middle of this year out of 16 million women between the ages of 14 and 59 over half were in the auxiliary services, Civil Defence, or industry. We in industry knew what that meant. He imagined however that a good many, especially the older women, would be glad when the time came to be released from their arduous work.
United efforts of the people of Kilnhurst, for the War Welfare Fund, and any national fund which they were asked to support, were praised by Councillor E. Vickers, outlining the progress of the fund. In 1940 he said, they had ninety names on the roll and the first disbursement cost £45 10s. Now there were 181 boys and 12 girls serving, and the disbursement last Christmas cost £286 10s. Not only did the people support local funds, for during the past two years, over £500 had been raised for the Red Cross and last year they joined with Swinton in a Merchant Navy Week with a target of £75 and in the week raised £200 10s. They had also a grand record for war savings. No other organisation in Kilnhurst sent gifts to their own members with the Forces, but all joined wholeheartedly in efforts for the Welfare Fund from which gifts were sent to all serving. He thanked all who had had any part in the effort. It was to the village that the Fund owed its strength. The money they would raise was spent already, as they have decided to send a Christmas box this year of 30s. to all serving members.
Cllr. F.J. Wilkinson J.P. (Chairman Swinton U.D.C.) congratulated the Committee on their achievements, and proposed a vote of thanks to Mrs. Baker who, he said, had the interest of the district at heart.
Mr. E. Blacker, a member of the welfare committee, seconded and little Doreen Whaley, grand-daughter of Mrs. Whaley of Meadow View, presented a bouquet of chrysanthemums to Mrs. Baker. Doreen has collected 448 ship half pennies and sent them to the fund.
Thanks to the chairman were moved and seconded By Cllr. W. O. Turton (Treasurer) and Mrs. M.A. Wignill, the senior collector, and lady committee member. Cllr. Turton said Kilnhurst’s success was due not only to unity but to its “faculty of stickability”, a phrase which he said had been coined by Mrs. Baker on a previous occasion.
Christmas toys and fancy goods suitable for gifts were prominent on the stalls, which were gaily decorated. Although only about two months have been spent in preparation for the fayre there was an abundance of goods offered for sale on stalls organised by the War Welfare Fund Committee. Kilnhurst Wear Factory, Bethel Church, Bright Hour and Sunday School and Miss Longden. The Home Guard contributed a billiards competition and refreshments were in the hands of ladies of the committee. Numerous competitions were organised for novel prizes. Kilnhurst Council School made a gift to the fayre of underwear made by the pupils. Nearly 300 people attended the effort which concluded with a concert by Kilnhurst Choral Society and other artists.