Tuesday 29 November 2016

Knitting Fortnight In Dundee

From the Dundee Courier, 29th November 1916.

KNITTING FORTNIGHT IN DUNDEE.


At yesterday meeting of the Dundee Women's War Relief Fund Committee, held at the Town House, Miss Kynoch presided....... Requisitions for the past week—all of which were passed—were received from: — The D.G.V.O. [Director General of Voluntary Organisations] for 370 pairs of sox, 40 shirts, 16 helmets, 3 waistcoats, and one pair of gloves: the Washing and Mending Committee, for 6 shirts; Mrs Miller, Red Roofs, Broughty Ferry, for 50 pairs of mitts and 50 mufflers for the R.N.D. [Royal Naval Division]; Lieutenant Gordon. for 200 pairs of sox for the A. and S. [Argyll and Sutherland] Highlanders, B.E.F. [British Expeditionary Force]: Lieutenant Lowson, R.N.R. [Royal Naval Reserve], for 25 pairs each of mitts and sox, and 25 mufflers for the men of H.M.S. Heroic.

Miss Duncanson read a letter from the D.G.V.O. referring to the great need for winter comforts for the men at the front, and suggesting that a knitting week or fortnight should be arranged.  On the motion of Mrs Steven (Barnhill), it was decided that the first fortnight of December, beginning on the Monday, be set apart as knitting fortnight, and that the Central Office be supplied with four spindles of wool to begin with for giving out to workers in the district.  ....Miss Duncanson intimated that the number of articles sent to the Central Office during the past week was 1055, making the grand total 152,816, while Mrs Kerr stated that the balance at the Central Office was £139 l6s 9d.

Monday 28 November 2016

War Meals


From The Cambria Daily Leader, 28th November 1916.

WAR MEALS.

A Middle-class Servant Problem and War Economy.

THERE must be a very large a number of housewives who, in their patriotic efforts to practice what the War Savings Committee are continually preaching, the "one meat meal per day" regimen, find themselves “up against” a very serious servant problem.  It appears that the average servant cannot or will not make vegetable dishes interesting and palatable, either because conservative ideas about what is really a respectable meal and a personal liking for meat two or even three times a day hold her in thrall, or owing to the fact that vegetarian and non-meat dishes need more careful preparation and cooking.  It is an undeniable fact that the “plain cook” likes plain dishes, which in plain language as she understands it mean dishes that require practically no trouble and little skill in the preparation.  The plain joint and the plain boiled potato generally meet all her ideas and ideals so far at least as the main course goes.

It is a real difficulty.  British prejudice in the matter of food is well known, but it is essential as matters stand to- day that there should be a radical change in diet; and in the transition stage mistresses are bound to suffer from the vagaries of their maids.  In fact, the home where the food revolution is affected with least trouble is likely to be the maidless one, where the mother is her own cook, or the “one maid house,” where the one maid is the housemaid in the widest sense of the word, and the housemistress her own “kitchen-maid.” Meatless dishes certainly require long and careful cooking, but though with an old-fashioned unreliable coal range they are troublesome to prepare, with a gas cooker, the heat of which can be so regulated that a stew over the simmering burner can be left to cook itself for hours, especially if this invaluable kitchen adjunct be supplemented by a labour and gas-saving “hay-box,” such difficulties quickly disappear.

A FEW RECIPES. 

There are all sorts of pleasing meatless dishes which can be prepared at very little cost by anyone who is willing to take enough trouble to make them a success.  Let me give a few examples:—
Maccaroni and Apples.-Boil 4 ozs. thin maccaroni in boiling milk with 2 ozs. sugar, the grated rind of a lemon, and a teaspoonful of powdered cinnamon.  Drain and put round a dish.  Have ready six stewed apples, cut into halves and quarters, heap in centre of dish and pour custard over.
A nourishing soup and bread followed by this dish would make a very good “meatless meal,” that is, a “jointless meal,” as distinct from a strictly vegetarian diet, for it is not vegetarianism that the Government has been preaching, but economy in the use of meat, a fundamental fact housewives seem not yet to fully appreciate.  It is a question of spreading your “butter” — or in this case, your flesh meat — a little thinner than in the past days of plenty.

Maccaroni, of course, can be used to form the basis of a number of savoury dishes; the great thing to remember is that it must be thrown into boiling water, and that directly it comes to the boil again it must be moved on to the simmering burner, where it will take 25-35 minutes to cook.  If it is hot, but “off the boil,” it will not spoil if left in the haybox for an hour or more.

Cheese and Nut Savoury is another economical and palatable dish. One breakfast cup of grated cheese is mixed with the same amount of grated walnuts and grated breadcrumbs and a little chopped parsley, moistened with a little water and lemon juice, spread in a low dish and baked lightly.  This is a good way of using up stale bread and stale cheese.  (The walnuts can be bought at some shops ready prepared.)

Potatoes left over from the meat meal are an ingredient of another useful dish, Lentil Sausage.  Boil ½lb. Egyptian lentils for about half-an-hour just covered with water; when soft mash them, add the mashed potatoes and some chopped fried onions, and mix well. Form into sausages, dip into white of egg or milk, and fry.

VARIETY THE SPICE OF LIFE. 

Such dishes could be almost infinitely multiplied, and the experienced housewife will herself discover variants of the more familiar ones. For sameness in a vegetarian diet must be avoided; and since economy is the motive and not dislike of animal food, it is, of course, quite permissible to flavour the dishes with any meat or gravy that happens to be handy. The national taste cannot be altogether neglected.  Bits of bacon and scraps of ham, for instance, make a pleasing addition to vegetables.

THE PLACE OF SOUP IN THE DIETARY. 

It is hardly necessary to remark on the need for keeping bones and scraps for making stock; but it must be pointed out that soup should not be served in spoonfuls as a kind of appetiser, but should be an important item in the dietary.  It can be made a very nourishing food by the addition of various thickenings to meat and vegetable boilings from beans and peas, etc.  Flour, oatmeal, rice, barley, potatoes, bread, and so on, are all useful thickenings.  Forced meat balls dropped in soup add flavour, as does grated cheese, while where there are hungry children "baby dumplings" may be added.  Soup of this nourishing nature is very useful, as we have seen, for the meatless meal.

WHICH SHALL BE THE MEATLESS MEAL? 

It is rather a vexed question as to when this meatless meal should be taken. A light lunch is perhaps the ideal, but where there are children the principal meal has to come in the middle of the day, and so to avoid to sets of heavy cooking the evening meal should be a light one.  It is easy to make the dishes suggested when the bulk of the cooking is being done, and then re-heat them when needed; or the hay-box is very valuable for the long, slow cooking required, as also for father's meat dish if he is not home at mid-day.  If, then, the rule is that the meatless meal comes at night for the children's sake, the man of the family may have to go to » restaurant for a substantial mid-day dinner; but this will be cheaper than cooking two big meals at home—cheaper in fuel, food materials, time and energy.

THE ENGLISH BREAKFAST. 

A word about breakfast.  The Continental habit is repugnant to the average English mind, but it is really unnecessary extravagance if there is to be a substantial mid-day meal to indulge in the heavy meat breakfast that used to be so prevalent.  Oatmeal porridge, with crisp toast to induce proper mastication and teethwork, together with brown bread, margarine, and jam or marmalade provides a satisfying and nourishing meal for children and adults alike.  Porridge is not difficult to prepare; in a double saucepan it can be left to cook over the gas without any fear of burning, or it can be boiled for a few minutes overnight and then put into the haybox to cook all night, and only needs a few minutes' re-heating in the morning.

Wednesday 23 November 2016

Can You Spare a Walking Stick?


From the Brecon & Radnor Express, 23rd November 1916.

Can You Spare a Walking Stick?


The Director-General of Voluntary Organisations (Col. Sir Edward Ward) earnestly appeals for strong walking sticks for the use of wounded and partially disabled soldiers.

Mrs G. W. Moseley, Llandrindod Wells, has kindly undertaken to be responsible for the collection in Radnorshire, and all sticks should be sent to her at the County Buildings.  There is not the least danger of too many being sent.

Thursday 17 November 2016

The Need For Continued Effort

From the Barry Dock News, 17th November 1916

THE NEED FOR CONTINUED EFFORT.


Appeals are being made all over the country for the soldiers at the front, and the sailors on the sea, and for such an object a generous and general response is assured.  But there is evidence that not quite so much as in former winters is being done to supply the men with other comforts.  There is less enthusiasm shown in knitting scarves and mittens and helmets, and shopkeepers confess that the demand for khaki wool has fallen off.  Doubtless many of the women who used to spend their leisure in needlework and knitting are now engaged on some form of war work, but it is to be feared that the diminution is also due in some measure to the novelty of the thing having worn off.  If this be so, it is very regrettable, for never was the need more urgent, or the numbers requiring comforts so large.  The Queen recently issued a forcible appeal, and when the women at home realise the conditions of trench life, the knitting needles will once again ply as busily as ever.

Wednesday 16 November 2016

Denbighshire War Work Guild and County Comforts Association


From the Llangollen Advertiser, 16th November 1916. 

War Work Guild and County Comforts Association.


The collection for the above was held on November 8th, and: Mrs. W. Best is glad to be able to report a decided increase in numbers, there being a total of 191 articles, made up as follows:-39 pairs of socks, 3 jerseys, 88 pairs of mittens, 4 bed jackets, 40 scarves, 4 pairs op. stockings, 10 caps and helmets, 6 bags and 2 various.  The workers in Llantysilio contributed 53 knitted articles, 25 coming from the Mothers' Union work party.

Since the last report, distribution has been made to the County Comforts' Association of 80 pairs of mittens, 35 scarves, 8 helmets, 5 bed jackets and 5 pairs of operating stockings; to Mrs. Wood, for the Liverpool Regiment, 10 pairs of socks; to Pte. Frank Edwards, R.W.F., 2 pairs of socks; to Pte. Griffiths Jones, R. W.F., 1 shirt and 2 pairs of socks; to Pte. John W. Rogers. K.S.L.I., 1 shirt, jersey, scarf, 2 pairs of socks.  To the following Llantysilio men: Pte. C. C. Lloyd, R.W.F., 1 jersey, a pair of socks, helmet, mittens and scarf; to Pte. John Roberts, Cheshire Regiment, Pte. Price Edwards, R.W.F., Pte. Thomas Roberts, R.W.F., and to Pte. Gwilym Roberts, K.L. Regiment, each a parcel containing one shirt, pair of socks, cap, mittens and scarf.

Sir Edward Ward continues to press his appeals to the voluntary organisations under his control, and he asks to know the maximum number of scarves, helmets, and mittens that Denbighshire can supply fortnightly up till Christmas, concluding:  "The need for these articles is great and urgent."  In answer to this, Mrs. W. Best hopes to supply every fortnight 50 mittens, 30 scarves, and 20 helmets.

Mrs. Best would be glad to send specifications of the helmets to anyone on request, as she is anxious to get more of these made, as so few workers attempt them.

The next colIection will be on November 22.

Thursday 10 November 2016

Sweaters

From The Times, 10th November 1916.

SWEATERS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.

Sir,—Many of your readers ask how their promised 10,000 sweaters are going.  Well, Sir Edward Ward, omniscient and industrious, is packing 7,000 for Mesopotamia, 2,000 are here being classified, the remaining 1,000, and more, judging by the letters, are on their way to me.  So we haven’t done so badly; I admit I hadn't allowed quite enough time for delays, inevitable in these days, but I still wonder what the connexion is between the glory and grandeur of the Somme and the difficulty of procuring needles No. 7 in Slodgecumb-in-the-Mud.  But the main thing is that the promise is kept in the spirit, if not in the sweater, and that the men, our incomparable men, will have this little offering-of ours before the snow.

My correspondents are not less curious, actively and passively, than heretofore.  "Will you please write an explanatory history of the sweater movement to allay suspicions?"  Madam, in the whole story of criminal derangement, did you ever hear tell of a diseased lust for accumulating 800 sweaters a day in a garret in the Temple?  And what is the scientific name for a morbid passion for buying 10,000 half-penny stamps to acknowledge them?  I believe you are still haunted by the spectre of that elderly, alien, female enemy in the Mile End-road„ deriving enormous profits from the sale of your sweaters to her compatriots.

One sweater is, I fear, irretrievably lost.  To a venerable lady whose honoured hands have knitted for the men on every front I wrote. "If you thought well to stitch a card on the sweater giving the age of the knitter (it was something over 90), the happy warrior who wears it will be happier still."  All very decorous and well intentioned. but I spoiled the effect by putting my message into the wrong envelope.  It was not well received—and the Army is a sweater short to-day.

I have done the best I could with the acknowledgments, but there are still 176 unidentified parcels. I give what particulars I can of these in your personal column to-day, but I may say that your advertisement manager is not half so agreeable as yourself; Sir, and this is an expensive process.  So will ladies add the kindness of clear and complete cards to their good sweaters?

I approach the delicate ground of the future of sweaters.  While the London County Council, or it may be the Lord Chancellor himself by this time, are making up their minds what is to be done with my vile body, I am correctly forbidden to make further appeals.  The fact is my application for registration was late—I was turning the fire escape into a sweater chute that afternoon.
*   *   *   *   *   *
The above represents the most eloquent paragraph ever composed on the need of sweaters all the winter through, and the excellence of the printed pattern I have here for distribution.  Shall I awake in Pentonville if I ask your readers to take it as read?  I had almost forgotten—the sudatrix presents her duty, and, to my great relief, your readers' conduct is considered not otherwise than satisfactory.
Yours faithfully,
JOHN PENOYRE.
8, King’s Bench Walk, Inner Temple, E.C., Nov. 9.

[The reference to 'the most eloquent paragraph' puzzled me, but possibly it's the line of asterisks, representing snow.   

The sudatrix is I think his housekeeper - it means 'someone who sweats or causes to sweat' - a pun on sweater, I suppose, and a reference to the fact that in the early days of the war, John Penoyre was collecting sweaters of any colour, and dyeing them khaki, which his letters suggest was done in his flat. By his housekeeper, and not by him, I imagine.] 

Thursday 3 November 2016

The Woman Workers Toilet


From the Abergavenny Chronicle, 3rd November 1916.

THE WOMAN WORKER'S TOILET.


The woman war worker who feels the fatigue of her unaccustomed work, should take advantage of the comfort and relief afforded to her in the Royal Vinolia articles of toilet.
First and foremost comes the celebrated Royal Vinolia Cream, which nourishes the skin, and keeps it soft and supple.  As a medicated cream it is invaluable for healing the slight cuts and abrasions which are liable to occur in factory or on farm, and which might lead to serious trouble if neglected.  In all cases of skin trouble or eruption, Royal Vinolia Cream will be found to give instant relief.  It is supplied in dainty tins, varying in price from 1s. 1½d. to 6s. 9d.

Then there is Royal Vinolia Talcum Powder, which is delightfully soothing to the skin that has become tender after exposure to wind and sun.  It readily absorbs excessive perspiration, and keeps the skin free from redness and irritation.  It is packed in handsome tins of Wedgwood design at ninepence and a shilling each.

Last, but not least, comes Royal Vinolia Tooth Paste, which is sold in tubes at sixpence and one shilling each.  This should be used by all who wish to have and to retain sound, white teeth.  Its antiseptic properties prevent decay, and keep the mouth in a healthy condition.  Good teeth are essential to good health, and the use of Royal Vinolia Tooth Paste ensures good teeth.

Fearnought Glove Fund.


From The Glasgow Herald, November 3, 1916.

FEARNOUGHT GLOVE FUND.

The Glasgow Academy Fearnought Gloves Fund has been reopened.  Since it was started two years ago by Miss McCallum 4000 pairs have been sent to crews of H.M. destroyers and other small craft which have to patrol the seas in all weather, and have been found most efficacious in keeping warm and dry the hands of our sailors.  The Academy glove is well known in the service, and has been commended by Commodore Tyrrwhitt.  In addition, tweed gloves covered with waterproof are being sent to men in submarines for use when the vessels are on the surface, as the men then feel the cold keenly.  The gloves for the submarine crews are made from oddments of waterproof and of woollen materials gifted by manufacturers, clothiers, and other donors.  Requests from commanding officers for supplies are coming to hand almost daily, and in order to cope with the demand, which, it is expected, will be even greater than last year, an appeal is made for further donations of money and materials and for additional workers.  The gloves may be seen at the Glasgow Academy any Monday or Wednesday afternoon during the session, when Mrs Sinclair, the convener, will be glad to give any desired information to those who may wish to help in the work.