Handicrafts, Drake Hall, near Eccleshall

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Date:1945

Description:Page 24 of 'Drake Hall - A War-Time Hostel', a souvenir book produced for staff and residents at the Swynnerton Royal Ordinance Factory hostel at Drake Hall, produced in 1945. Handicrafts at Drake Hall. The text is by the resident teacher, Miss M. Riding:

"Anyone asking what our girls did for recreation after long and tedious hours in a munitions factory, and receiving the answer that we attended classes run by the Board of Education, would think we were a very staid and serious crowd of people. They would, however, hold a different opinion if they came to one of our handicraft classes and saw us like a lot of busy bees making handbags, gloves and slippers for ourselves (which usually ended up as a present for mother or sister just to show how clever we were). Apart from the practical profitable results the classes provided a grand opportunity for getting to know each other and making friends, especially for the more reserved type of girl and the newcomer. We all started out together wondering what kind of a muddle we should arrive in when we began trying to fit the various bits of leather together, and we could never see how they could become wearable gloves, slippers, etc. However, we had many a good laugh at each others strange ideas.

By Christmas time we were getting quite proficient and were quite independent of shops for our Christmas presents. Seriously, though, we do hope that most girls will have discovered that good craft work is not just the gift of a talented few but that it provides an excellent stimulant for a tiring job. Also that friendships forged by working together in a common interest are lasting and worth while. So much for the social side. On the practical side, good craftsmanship will never be outdated by machinery and will always provide the means of making a little extra money if necessary, and possibly, even an independent livelihood. Personally, I have thoroughly enjoyed taking these classes. The happy spirit and good comradeship, together with the warm appreciation shown to me, have made my job a very happy one. I think all girls who attended the classes will wish to join me in thanking Mr. and Mrs. Damms and the Social Directors (Mrs. Steed and Mr. Shepherd) for the great amount of trouble which they have taken to procure tools, materials and equipment without which the classes could not have been held. I know that the knowledge that "their girls" were deriving pleasure from a good and useful occupation, and leaving the Hostel with an interest they would not have had otherwise, is the greatest reward they ask. We should also like to thank the House-matrons, who did so much to encourage the girls and were so untiring and unselfish in their help, both in organizing the classes and in maintaining the happy social atmosphere. Last, but not least, may we thank the Housemaids, who seldom had time to attend the classes, but who so gallantly allowed us to upset their well-ordered common rooms and cleared away our litter without a complaint."