Heritage from Home - Issue 7

Heritage from Home

Hello and welcome to another edition of Heritage from Home.

This week we are thinking about wellness. Over the last few weeks we have all experienced the impact of Covid-19 in multiple ways. Individually, many of us have experienced physical and emotional health concerns.

We were interested to read some of the memories of our participants on medicine and wellness during wartime. As the end of the war lead to the formation of the NHS, we felt it would be fitting to dedicate an issue to it. If you have any stories about your experiences with the NHS in its infancy, we’d be interested in hearing from you.

We will shortly start devising our radio plays with young people and we would value your input and any help with making these. If you have any old photos or memories that you would be willing to share with us, please do get in touch and email louise@bouncetheatre.com.

Wishing you well.

With love from Louise, Holly-Anne, Henry, and Sharon at Bounce Theatre.

All photos from the project with young people

Things to read Heritage with Henry

needed. Smith’s sister was taken to the workhouse infirmary, dying aged 10. She was buried in a pauper’s pit, without a funeral.

Last week was Mental Health Awareness Week - this week, it’s Creativity, Health, and Wellbeing Week. With that in mind, it seems appropriate to think of how as a country, we came together after WWII. In the spirit of the creativity used to survive wartime, our country brought about one of our greatest achievements - one that we rely on now, more than ever - the National Health Service.

The story of the NHS’s creation has always fascinated me. As a child of the 1990s, the idea of Britain without medical care, free at the point of use, seemed so farfetched. Yet fifty years before my birth, the NHS didn’t exist, even in the midst of two terrible wars.

The Great Depression brought terrible conditions to Britain, particularly so for its working classes. I remember a few years ago WWII veteran Harry Leslie Smith speaking of his sister contracting tuberculosis, aged four, and whilst his parents did what they could, without free healthcare they couldn’t provide her with the treatment

In my research, I’ve read how the advent of various policies during WWII - such as rationing, improvements to Britain’s health such as free milk and cod liver oil for children, free orange juice and vitamins for pregnant mothers, and abolishing the means test, encouraged politicians in the wartime coalition to think creatively, to ensure Britain didn’t return to pre-war conditions. Despite these improvements, many of these conditions became apparent to hosts of evacuees during WWII. Many evacuees from cities had never seen farm animals before, or eaten vegetables, leading their hosts to assume a child’s upbringing in urban poverty was a result of parental neglect, as they hadn’t known of the poor conditions many citizens lived in.

In 1941, the government appointed William Beveridge to evaluate existing social insurance schemes and make recommendations which could be implemented after the war. This became known as ‘The Beveridge Report’.

The Beveridge Report was released in 1942, and went much further than its original brief, identifying five ‘giants’ that needed addressing – want, disease, ignorance, idleness, and squalor. It recommended a

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plan for social security services “from the cradle to the grave”, through national insurance, welfare benefits, pensions, and free universal healthcare. This report formed part of a national consensus in Britain - the Manchester Guardian called these extremely popular proposals ‘revolutionary’. The report was wholeheartedly embraced by The Labour Party in particular, who won a landslide victory at the first election after WWII, pledging to implement the report’s findings. This was in contrast to Winston Churchill and the Conservatives, whose support for the Beveridge Report was more lukewarm at the time.

As one MP from the time would later put it, “In the 1930s, there was mass unemployment, but you don’t have unemployment during the war. If you could have full employment by killing Germans, why can’t you have full employment...building schools... hospitals, recruiting nurses... teachers? If you can find money to kill people, you can find money to help people.”

This was the sentiment we, as a country, took to our hearts after WWII - that if we could think creatively in wartime, to maintain the nation’s health and wellbeing, we could do the same, perhaps going

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even further, in peacetime. Indeed, rationing itself was a product of creative thinking from anticipating crisis - fears of potential German blockades starving Britain led to British physiologists experimenting with whether Britain could survive on a healthy diet of its own produce alone. Unprecedented interference in the market restricted how and what quantity of goods people could buy, so that, as the Ministry of Information would put it in a promotional film, ‘the dollar-a-day man’ would be ‘on an eating level with the dollar-a-year man.’

Similar measures have been put in place to help us through the coronavirus crisis, with the unprecedented furlough scheme paying 80% of wages for so many workers. The NHS, meanwhile, born from the ashes of WWII, has never been more important. But this is just an idea of the big things governments can do, especially with public backing, to support the health and wellbeing of its citizens. We can all do little things too, during this crisis, to support our own health and wellbeing.

What are you doing during this time to support your own health and state of mind during the pandemic?

Maybe you’re making more use of nearby green spaces - I know I’ve taken advantage of a marsh near my home for long walks and fresh air to get some exercise and listen to audiobooks and podcasts. Or maybe you’re in more contact with long lost relatives over the phone, or chatting more with neighbours from a safe distance, to remain social?

Whatever you’re doing, let us know!

Memory lane

Letters, memories and photos from our participants From Angela : Were you given any vitamins?

We had our orange juice from the clinic and our cod liver oil.

You were given orange juice from a clinic?

Yes. Not a shop?

No…from a clinic. Yes. How interesting. Would that be delivered or would Mum go and get it?

No, you’d have to go into the clinic, because you had to pay, ‘cause you had to pay for the doctor because there was no National Health Service then. I developed asthma…I think that was the stress of the war, probably passed down through my mother. And, strangely, my cousin developed asthma on the same day. It wasn’t in the family before.

Really?

I think that was wartime.

So you would’ve had to have paid to see the doctor?

The doctor came three times a week for injections and we had to pay each time to see the doctor.

No! Yes. No National Health…not until ’47, when it came in.

Of course, yeah. And then, these injections – what were they?

I’d had ephedrine tablets but I don’t know what was in the injection. But, three times a week.

So did you have asthma pump then? Or there probably weren’t things like that?

No, there weren’t things like that. You had Ephedrine off a spoon.

Goodness.

It was horrible, bitter, nasty brown stuff.

Yeah, I guess now that pumps are made out of plastic and you didn’t have plastic then.

No, we didn’t have plastic, no. There

were no pumps then.

Goodness. So the stress…

Yes. I think it was the stress, yes. And being separated from my parents as well, yes.

From Ursula : What do you remember drinking during the war? Was it water?

You had to have your orange juice and you had to have a third of a pint of milk.

Oh! Every day?

Every day. And you had, in the holidays, when you weren’t in school you still had to go to school to get your orange juice.

Oh interesting. Were you given any vitamin or any cod liver oil?

Yes. Cod liver oil and malt, which I loved.

Mixed together?

Yes, it was like a big, sticky toffee apple thing. Yeah, I liked it.

And you had that every day?

Every day.

And what about fruit or vegetables?

No. Well we had vegetables because dad grew them. But fruit, no. Not often. One day the green grocer told me when I was on my bike, so I must have been about seven, “if you tell your mum, there are going to be oranges tomorrow, so if she comes down I’ll put some aside for her because she’s a good customer.”

Had you never had an orange?

Never had an orange in my life. Didn’t know what it was! Didn’t know how to even think what it looked like! So I told my mum and she said, “oh, right, well you’ll have to have them,” and so she went down and bought the oranges, and she had to use the rent money to buy them. So when the rent man came round on the Monday we all hid under the table!

Oh no.

So that Mr. Selley couldn’t see us. And

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Memory lane

then mum managed to get the money together to pay him twice. In the next week.

Oh right, ok. Yeah. And what did you remember about the oranges, were they wrapped in anything?

Yeah, they were wrapped in tissue paper with a name on them. And my mum took the tissue paper and smoothed it all out, and we used that for toilet paper which we… …what would you use otherwise?

Oh, that slippery, slimy, I don’t know what the paper was…it was useless! It was horrible.

Yeah [laughter] And so mum used to try and find us stuff that was soft.

Had you ever eaten anything like bananas?

No. In the green grocers there were these yellow things hanging up on a hook across the window, and these orangey-green, well really I suppose they were meant to be purple, because when I used to ask Daddy, “what are these?”, he said, “ah, those are bananas and grapes.”

Wow. And we said, “well what are bananas and grapes?” and he said, “well, before the war, you could buy them,” but these were made of material because there was no plastic.

Oh right.

And they were similar to ping pong balls.

Right ok. So they were decoration!

Well, just to put something in the window!

Oh wow.

But, when I did have a banana I was really disappointed![laughter] I don’t know what I expected! But, you built yourself up, you know? “What would it be like, what would it be like?”

You know. I think apples came in first, I think we remember apples first.

And what about your hygiene? Did you have toothpaste…or?

Oh yes, I had toothpaste, but it wasn’t in a tube. No plastic!

Oh! I can’t imagine a life without plastic, that’s terrible.

It was a flat tin. And the one we had, I think it was called Euthymol paste.

Oh ok.

And you had to wet your toothbrush and rub it on this pink stuff and it bubbled up.

What flavour was it?

It was peppermint, and it lasted a long time.

And what about soap?

Soap, oh, well yes, we did have soap. I think we had Fairy soap. Lifebuoy soap, that was an orangey colour – I quite liked the smell of that. And my grandma used to save her coupons and she would give them to my mum. When we went to see her, she’d say, “oh, I’ve got you some more washing powder,” or something like that.

Oh, so she used to keep it for you?

She didn’t use it as much.

Where did she live?

Kensington.

Ah, right.

North Kensington. We used to have to go on the bus, another bus, and a trolley bus, and another bus to get there.•

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Things to write Creative writing with Sharon

It’s particularly important to pay attention to how you’re feeling and practice wellness during these strange and uncertain times. We’ve come up with some exercises that might help boost your mood.

BE KIND TO YOURSELF We asked some friends to tell us their top tips on how they keep happy and healthy during tricky times. We’d love to hear from you, please send us your tips to louise@bouncetheatre.com Sharon’s top tip: I’m one of the few people in the UK who still watches the Australian soap opera, Neighbours. Sometimes the storylines are preposterous and the acting is hit and miss but the ridiculousness of the show really cheers me up! I also like powerwalking to dance tunes from the 1990s, it’s a guilty pleasure but it can really change my mood!

Stacey’s top tip: I make myself my favourite meal which is spaghetti bolognaise.

My Nana used to make it and it reminds me of her. I listen to the radio whilst I’m cooking. When I’m ready to serve, I set my table restaurant style with candles and a tablecloth (you can use a sheet if you don’t have a cloth). I change the music to Jazz FM and pretend I’m in my favourite restaurant!

Geri’s top tip: I love to run. I love the feeling of freedom I get...but if I can’t get out then I write prose but not premeditated, just freely and see where my mind ends up!

Paul’s top tip: Just before lockdown we got allocated an allotment, so that keeps me occupied, it’s a new hobby I love. I’m growing potatoes, sweetcorn, runner beans, onions, tomatoes, marrow, leeks, pumpkins, squash, swede, herbs, sunflowers, and dahlias. I listen to music whilst I plant, I always have music on, I’m listening to some jazz at present by Pharoah Sanders.

Natalie’s top tip: I knit a little comfort doll. It takes 3-6 hours to finish depending on how much detail I add, and as it’s quite easy, you don’t have to be a knitting pro. I like that I see instant progress compared to a bigger project.

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Steve’s top tip: I’m a big sports fan so I love watching epic sports moments from the past on YouTube. I watch Mo Farah’s races; I love remembering the London 2012 Olympics and seeing the tactics that Mo used to win. There’s something still so exciting about it.

one I did was a 1000-piece puzzle of a world map. I love to bake shortbread too.

Immanuel’s top tip: When I’m feeling down, I focus on my breathing. I also like to eat a packet of Haribo sweets.

Shirley Bassey’s ‘This is my Life’ is my power tune. I look myself in the mirror and imagine a better situation. And then I create the image in my mind’s eye of times in my life when I’ve felt most alive. It really helps me.

Clare’s top tip: I message or call a friend who always lifts me up, put on some Blondie, and remember my younger self! I also dance around to Taylor Swift’s ‘Shake it Off’. Sometimes I sit in silence with a cuppa and put my attention to something that helps me feel productive.

Sometimes it helps to do something that’s of help to someone else.

Jon’s top tip: I’ve been enjoying doing online courses from websites like FutureLearn. Trying something new has really helped me. I’ve been taking a meteorology course. We’ve been studying the Coriolis effect – how Earth’s rotation can change the weather.

Helen’s top tip: I sing and dance to ‘The Greatest Showman’ soundtrack, make an espresso, and sit in peace for ten minutes or go outside and take some deep breaths while looking at the sky (whatever the weather!)

Louise’s top tip: Reading is great escapism for me. I am reading some excellent authors that have been recommended to me (The Dutch House by Ann Patchett and Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield). I read on a sun-lounger in my garden. I think the odd G&T also helps immensely!

Michelle’s top tip: I always find doing a puzzle is very calming and therapeutic. The last

Pamela’s top tip: Painting by numbers has been so helpful for me.

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BOX OF CALM (Borrowed from 64 Million Artists and Young Minds) Find and gather things that help you to feel calm, or that engage your senses. I’ve chosen a tea pot, tea, a scarf that’s as big as a blanket, my slippers, my son’s rattle, and a photo I love. Plus an apple, as I love to eat those. Gather your objects in a box so they’re at the ready if you’re in need of a moment of calm!

Here’s a picture of my Box of Calm

DESCRIBE YOUR SURROUNDINGS This is a simple writing activity. Choose a comfortable place in your home and wear something you feel relaxed in. Put on some soothing music. Write for 15 minutes, describing all of the objects in your room in detail. You can write in whatever way you want, for example a straight piece of prose, a list, or a poem.

I’ve written an example below about my bedroom. For me, this exercise made me think about the memories I have attached to each object and piece of furniture. I began to notice small things I overlooked before and to enjoy some of the patterns and shapes I can see around me.

Sharon’s (messy) bedroom Light through windows, slats on the carpet.

Shoes on top of shoes on top of children’s books, stiletto heels still holding grass from a paddock in the past, a home-made mask, bright orange like the sun, so far unworn but waiting for its moment.

A Twister board, ready to be spun, The Hungry Caterpillar, Spot the Dog. Desk under the wardrobe like a 1970s school, our wedding vows scribbled and framed, the mirror is full length and modest, a summer hat, a camera, eiderdown like an alpine mountain, emerald green trees, suited men on skis, heading down slopes to chalets, green string of pearls, knotted and joined.

Perfume, a scent of sweetness bottled, memories of years ago, a rainbowcoloured stacking block, a Miro print in a frame, the clearest blue, and dots of black and red.

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SOUNDS GOOD: Get a pen and piece of paper and then put on your favourite song or piece of music. Close your eyes. What does the music make you feel? What do you remember or imagine when you hear it? Draw freely, seeing where the music takes you. You can keep your eyes open or closed whilst you draw. Below is a picture I drew whilst listening to my favourite song, ‘All is Full of Love’ by the singer, Björk. I don’t usually draw and it was so therapeutic, I used different colours and lines to draw the different layers of the song!

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Things to make Art with Holly-Anne

Wellbeing This week we are looking at Wellbeing and in order to feel good I find it helpful to write gratitude lists, to truly remember there’s always a lot to be thankful for. Have a look at my collage with many of the things I am grateful for. I took some scissors and a magazine and cut out and glued the words to the paper.

You can make your own using the jar template that I have provided – either use whatever materials such as magazines & old books to cut up and stick words down or simply take a pen and fill it with descriptions of all the things you can think of that you are grateful for.

Thank you for you!

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JUST FOR FUN Did you ever?

• Transform an old chenille bedspread into a truly startling new coat?

• Put on a brave face by applying beetroot juice as lipstick?

• Put your best foot forward with Moondusk Cyclax fake stocking •

cream, complete with paint on false seam?

Do you remember any other things from your youth you could share with us?

Trivia 1. The song “(There’ll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover”

was a hit for Dame Vera Lynn in 1941. In the song there is

reference made to a little boy. What is the boy’s name?

Derek Jimmy Billy Bert 2.

3.

Fill in the blank. “In an Old ____________ Garden.”

4. Fill in the blank. "Last time I saw ____________” 5. In the popular WWII song "I’ll Be With You in Apple Blossom Time" made popular by the Bing Crosby recorded this Irving Berlin song in 1942. It became Andrews Sisters, the name of a month is mentioned. What is the month?

a smash hit and remains to this day one of the most popular holiday tunes ever written. What is the song?

4.

Fill in the blank. “Last time I saw ____________”

5.

In the popular WWII song “I’ll Be With You in Apple Blossom Time” made popular by the Andrews Sisters, the name of a month is mentioned. What is the month?

Dingbats Dingbats 1.

6.

DEA

PANT PANT

2.

THAT . THAT

7.

YYY MEN

Answers 1. No idea 2. That’s beside the point 3. A fly in the ointment

3.

OINTFLYMENT

8.

BALD PAR(-2)

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4.

9.

GOODIV0 X MASCARA

5.

10.

" REST

FUN FUN FUN FUN

Words of the Week Answers: 1. Jimmy 2. Dutch 3. White Christmas 4. Paris 5. May Dingbats Answers: 1. No idea 2. That’s beside the point 3. A fly in the ointment 4. Good for nothing 5. A cut above the rest 6. Pair of pants 7. Three wise men 8. Bald eagle 9. Kiss and make up 10. Just for fun

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