大象传媒

I was a schoolgirl at Northgate Grammar School for Girls and many of my memories are connected with the years I was there - from late August 1940 - July 1947. I was not an exceptional knitter, but I remember that Miss Miriam Grieve had a group knitting 'Comforts for the Forces' - balaclaver helmets, scarves and fingerless gloves. I rather pity any poor chap who was confronted with my contributions, achieved with much picking up of dropped stitches and sticking out of tongue!

Another way that we were encouraged to 'help the war effort' was helping out with the potato harvest and fruit-picking. Oh, the back aches and touches of the sun! Never did cups of tea taste so good as that time.

I dont think that the singing on the coaches and in the back of lorries could by the remotest possibility be confused with 'Nymphs and Shepherds' but we thought that we were the bees' knees.

I also remember as a slightly older volunteer - 14 at least - being roped in to serve at the old YMCA canteen near Friars Street. We were slightly overwhelmed by these 'ancient warriors' who came for a cuppa and a slice of toast. On reflection, I suppose that most were all of 18 or 19, but there were some who were older than my Dad - ancient indeed.

We also got roped in to serve in the canteen which used to be above the passage way of the walk. That was for women only and officers at that! It was by far the most daunting of our volunteering ventures and we were very much on our best behaviour.

These are just a few of the ways that Ipswich schoolgirls were encouraged to 'do their bit'.

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