大象传媒

"This story was submitted to the People's War site by CSV/大象传媒 Radio Nottingham on behalf of Ruth Notley with her permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions."

In 1939 a lady came to our parents house, Newlyn Drive, Western Boulevard, Nottingham to ask if anyone would like to run a Street savings group to help with the War effort.Our Mum, Mrs. Edna Pearce was game and she canvassed the area for members. Mum did one end of the street and Mrs. Cyril Robinson did the other. They weekly sold savings stamps which were stuck out. Cards 6d = blue, 2s6d = red, 5s0d = green. The stamps had to be all the same on each page of the card.
For 15 Shillings (15/-) a savings certificate could be bought. When your stamp card equalled 15/- worth of stamps you could change it for a certificate. Most people saved stamps only. So that, in an emergency they could change them into cash at the Post Office. I remember how mum would start a new card with maybe a few stamps stuck on for a birthday gift, maybe with the hope of a new customer.
One family, a Mr. and Mrs. Chambers who were tennants/owners of the Aspley Cinema (later to become the Commodore and now sadly gone) always bought certificates.
There was much interest from directors of big local companies like Boots and Raleigh. A Mr. Jeffrey King and a Mr. George Wilson, to name two, helped to organize a National Savings Commitee, includig mum as Honorary Savings Secretary. Meetings once a week and conferences once a year held in Skegness.
I was so lucky to go to one Skegness conference. I felt so important as I wore my new Sloppy Jo - now called a T-shirt. I spent a lot of time on the beach wandering about on the beautiful sands - so empty in those days, apart from concrete bollards and hoops of barbed wire.
Once a year big National Savings Campaigns would be held such as 'Wings for Victory' and 'Dig for Victory', usually held in local cinemas. 'The Silver Lining Campaign' was the most spectacular. Competitions were held to find the prettiest girls to become the Silver Lining Queen and her attendants. They were dressed in gowns made of Nottingham Lace and there was a huge parade and pageant through the streets of Nottingham. Mum was a leading inspiration and organiser at these events, which lasted a week and involved schools, factories, banks etc. These campaigns not only boosted growing awareness of the need for savingsbut also gave the communities well earned fun in the gloomy days of War.
Our Dad Mr. Arthur Pearce, a teacher, designed badges and made mobiles and working models depicting amounts each school, club, college or factory saved.
Tremendous amounts of effort went into this VOLUNTARY work over the years. It gsve the participants enjoyment and pride in helping their country in times of need and a wonderful feeling of community spirit.

Mum was awarded the M.B.E. in June 1960, by Queen Elizabeth II, at Buckingham Palace for her voluntary work
1939 - 1959.

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