| Where | Great Broughton Village Hall | Type of Event | Illustrated Talk |
| When | Monday 21st September 2026 | Tutor | Carol Dean |
The lecture was delivered by Carol Dean, who is a prolific children’s author and presenter of talks to various groups. Carol has a well-deserved reputation as a lively presenter of talks. This talk was no exception. We had a good sized audience of more than thirty on a pleasant early Autumn evening. Carol’s lecture was clear, lively and well organised. This was a well-researched and mastered subject. It was fascinating and thorough. There were illustrations to accompany the various aspects of the talk.
Many people have an idea of what the Land Girls were doing. There is probably a standard picture in most minds. This talk gave many more insights into the reality. The movement towards land girls began during World War I when the prospect of starvation was looming. Women were increasingly going into employment to counter the problem of labour shortages. There were many industries to choose from but those who entered had to go where they were sent. In agriculture a problem was that there was too much pasture. The land needed to be cultivated to grow more food. Some of the changes in women’s lives could be described as revolutionary. The uniform and the hairstyle to name but two. Forestry was also included. The activities were wound up in 1919.
At the outbreak of World War II the activity had to restart. Much of the land had gone back to pasture. It needed to be ploughed. Ships were being sunk, food was not arriving and food production at home was vital. For many women the change was attractive and challenging. The uniform was attractive, it had a sporty look, but the transition from town to country life would be challenging. There was a new world of experiences. New skills to learn, such as driving and maintaining machinery, and adapting to the demands of this new physical work. Not all involved in agriculture responded to this change and prejudice was encountered. They did not earn much. The girls were not always as well looked after as they should have been. Their ration books were handed to the farmer but they might not get the nutritional meals they needed.
In time, the situation changed. Houses were requisitioned and the girls could live in a kind of hostel environment with other girls and enjoy that company. During the day they would go out to farm. They were better fed. The work was still hard and the hours were long.
The farmers came to appreciate the land girls. Also the girls in forestry, the Lumber Jills, were well thought of for their contribution. It took time, however, for the nation to show public recognition for the contribution. At the end of the war the girls did not receive education and training as provided to returning military personnel. It was years before a service badge was presented. And a war memorial took longer. The work could be dangerous, particularly near the English Channel. There were 170 girls killed while in land and forestry service.
The material was absorbing and the audience was attentive. The time passed easily and the audience was informed and entertained. There were questions at the end of the presentation and some continued into the later evening. An enjoyable evening.