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'This story was submitted to the People's War site by Rick Allden of the CSV ´óÏó´«Ã½ Coventry and Warwickshire Action Desk on behalf of Kathleen Hilditch and has been added to the site with her permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions'.

Spam Salad.

That winter there was a very cold spell when we were playing in York. Several students were in the same digs; it was better this way, as trying to find our way around in the black out in a strange town was not easy. To book digs we would be given a list of addresses for each town the company was to visit during the next few months.

Students were paid 25/s a week plus 4/- for each performance in which they were involved. So we always had to book into the cheaper places. Because fuel was rationed they were always cold suppers after the show; frequently spam and salad with a cup of weak tea, no sugar. There was rarely any hot water for baths so these had to be taken at the theatre. Also hot water for bottles to heat the bed was not encouraged.

When the company was playing in York it was mid-winter. Snow lay thick and deep after heavy falls over the whole of the northern counties. Icicles hung in stalactites from the roofs of most buildings. Unfortunately the digs were particularly stark. Dingy paint- work made gloomier by low watt bulbs in every room, small meals and hard beds but the worst thing I remember were the thin blankets. We were all so cold that we spread newspapers under the bottom sheet and on top of the blankets then added our coats. I can still remember forcing myself to stretch my feet down to the bottom of the bed then pull the covers over the mouth and nose and breathe deeply, this would carry warm air all round the body. Sometimes it worked too.

Most landladies were kind and did there very best to make us welcome and comfortable. They used our ration books for the length of time we were to be with them, and this helped to stretch their rations. If they had a husband or family members working in munitions or down the pit, they received extra. One lady had a sister who was a farmers’ wife in Wales who sent her butter. With this she made a huge bread pudding using crusts and scraps of bread, a sprinkling of dried fruit and one egg powder. The butter had travelled for an unknown length of time: the pudding was placed on the hob to keep warm and was always rancid. She was so pleased with her efforts that we always ate it.

One of the few treats was to go to a milk bar. There was always a selection of enticing shakes to choose from and some also made wonderful sundaes. These helped to satisfy the craving for sweet things, caused by the lack of chocolate and sweets. We probably needed them for energy as we worked long hours with rehearsals beginning at ten a.m until about ten p.m at night. This might include rehearsals and a matinee or classes for the students as well as an evening performance. If there was a dress or technical rehearsal this could go on nearly all night!

This story was donated to the People’s War website by Kathleen Hilditch, of the Leam Writers. If you would like to find out more about Leam Writers call 0845 900 5 300.

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