South Yorkshire Times, September 11th 1943
Wath Garden Party
Effort in Support of Book Salvage Drive
Lady Allerton among a group of Children at one of the sideshows at the garden party
A “Book Recovery Party,” to which admission was one book or two newspapers, was organised by Wath W.V.S. in the Town Hall grounds on Saturday. As a result of the effort, approximately 1,000 books and magazines were contributed to Wath’s book drive target. and £l3 was given to Wath Red Cross Penny a Week Fund. The opener was Joyce, Lady Allerton (W.V.S. Salvage Officer for the West Riding), and Mrs. M. M. Broadbent (Centre Organiser, Wath W.VS.) presided.
Lady Allerton stressed the importance of salvage as a weapon of war. It was our job to replace raw materials which were being used for the war effort. Many people confused salvage with refuse, which was entirely wrong. Salvage consisted of valuable raw material, and by saving it we left the merchant ships free to carry vital commodities. She outlined the objects of the book recovery campaign, and urged the public to make further efforts to turn out more books, and so help to shorten the war.
A vote of thanks to Lady Allerton was moved by Mr. W. Wilkinson (Sanitary Inspector), who said that in the days of Dunkirk many boys were killed or. taken prisoner because we had not sufficient munitions. He was convinced that with ample munitions the war would end in our favour, and end quickly. For that reason, it was his job to do his best in salvage work. He was pleased to thank Lady Allerton, who recognised that it was a great duty to help with salvage.
A vivid account of his 50 days’ experience on a raft after his ship had been torpedoed and sunk was given by Mr. Kenneth Cooke, a Yorkshireman serving in the Merchant Navy. Of the ship’s company of 57, 14 survivors were taken on to a raft, but finally only two men were saved. “The Merchant Navy,” said Mr. Cooke, “is doing a job of work, and doing it well. And there is also a job you people at home can do in saving paper. I know that the paper you save relieves merchant ships for carrying valuable cargo. Instead of carrying paper, our ships can transport bombs, tanks, and aeroplanes the more paper you save, the more guns we can bring over, so I ask you to-day to turn out your cupboards and give every book and every scrap of paper you possibly can and thereby help us with our job.”
A vote of thanks to Mr. Cooke was moved by Coun. P. R. Baker (chairman Public Health Committee), who said that no one was too old or too young to help with salvage. The town’s book recovery target was 25,000 books and magazines. It was estimated that, so far, 22,500 had been collected. During the last 12 months a total of 250 tons, 14 cwts., of salvage had been collected. For this the Council had received £796 15s., which helped the public with their rates. Included among garden party attractions was a Punch and Judy show, which included a topical scene dealing with the importance of salvage as a weapon of war, darts, hoopla. bagatelle, hidden treasure, butterfly making, bottle fishing, human draughts, and other games, and a vegetable stall, For the occasion the Council Chamber was converted into a cafe, where teas were served by members of the W.V.S. Stallholders included Mrs. Pratt, Mrs. Marshall, Mrs. E. Potts, Mrs. Haigh, Mrs. Laver, Pat Greenwood, Jean Wade, Josie Shaw, Mrs. Say, Mrs. Norcombe, Miss Payne, members of the Red Cross Penny a Week Fund Committee, the W.V.S, and Boy Scouts.