1942 January 21 Orkney Herald
LOCAL COMMITTEE CHANGES – ROUSAY AND WYRE. – District Council Representative – Mr John Johnston, Testaquoy, Wyre, in succession to Mr Magnus Flaws, merchant, Hellzigarth, Wyre, who is moving from Wyre to Rousay to become manager of the Rousay, Egilshay and Veira Co-operative Society, Ltd., following the appointment of Mr Walls, the previous manager, as packing station manager of Orkney Egg Producers, Ltd., Kirkwall.
BRING YOUR OWN SUGAR. – Now that the increased sugar ration has been discontinued it is only reasonable that when visiting we should carry our own sugar. In smaller households it may be a real hardship to provide sugar for guests. There is little fear of your action being misunderstood when you produce your own sugar – in most cases it is likely to be appreciated. Get the habit now if you have not already adopted it.
1942 February 18 Orkney Herald
HOUSEHOLD RESERVES. – Many households, especially in rural areas, will have had reason to be thankful that they could draw upon small household reserves. Potatoes, oatmeal, and flour, which are still in good supply, provide a most suitable type of reserve, and reasonable supplies of these foodstuffs should be added to make up the inroads which may have been made on them during recent stormy weather. And remember, at least two days’ supply of bread should always be maintained.
1942 February 18 Orkney Herald
OI! FLANAGAN AND ALLEN IN ORKNEY
The R.N. Cinema, Kirkwall, was filled to capacity with men and women of the forces and a sprinkling of employees from various civilian contractors last Saturday night to welcome those famous artistes, Bud (Oi) Flanagan and Chesney Allen, who had a magnificent supporting company.
Flanagan and Allen were accorded a right royal reception when they made their appearance, and Bud’s overcoat of Orcadian Squirrel, together with his fretwork headgear were a riot in themselves.
One of the highlights of their show was Ches Allen as the racehorse owner giving riding orders to his jockey (Bud Flanagan) on Epsom Downs.
It would be impossible to imagine anything funnier, and it was these two great comedians at their brilliant best. Everything else that they did stamped them as the leaders in their line of business, and at the close they got a wonderful ovation.
The locally based R.A.F. Quintette richly deserved the big hand which was given them; each of its members is undoubtedly a very talented musician.
Cyril Smith compered the show and soon had the house sitting up and asking for more with his inexhaustible fund of clever stories put over in a manner only possible with a raconteur par excellence. His monologue “The Cockney and the Hun” was truly grand stuff.
Mr Stanley Kilburn charmed the audience with his arrangements on the piano, and he certainly is maestro.
An extremely pleasant surprise was provided by the introduction of Sergt. Alex. MacIntosh, vocalist, a Stromness competition winner. His rendering of “I’ll walk beside you,” amongst other excellent numbers, had a very warm reception and a successful future is indicated for this very fine singer.
At the fall of the curtain the whole company received another grand ovation. Seen by an “Orkney Herald” representative, Flanagan and Allen sent a message of good wishes to all Forces readers of the “Herald” (including the ladies) and want them to know how glad they are to be with them in Orkney. They would have been here before this but for previous heavy bookings.
They wish everybody all they wish themselves and the Best of Luck – Oi !!
[A hero of the home front was the singing comic Bud Flanagan. In jarring times his sleepy croon would soothe a nerve-racked city. Born Reuben Weintrop and raised in a Polish Jewish household off Brick Lane, he was a call boy in the music halls and worked up his own act with partner Chesney Allen. When hostilities commenced, the man who had beguiled audiences with ‘Underneath the Arches’ could now calm wartime jitters with ‘We’re Going to Hang Out the Washing on the Siegfried Line’. Almost the last thing he did, before his death in 1968, was to record the theme song to Dad’s Army, ‘Who Do You Think You Are Kidding, Mr Hitler?’ – a nicely nostalgic confection that offered him the perfect exit. – From ‘In the City: A Celebration of London Music’ by Paul Du Noyer.]
1942 February 25 Orkney Herald
NURSING SERVICES – MESSAGE FROM H.M. THE QUEEN. – Her Majesty The Queen has sent a message to members of all branches of the nursing profession, which is being exhibited in all hospitals in Orkney. The message is in the following terms: –
“My thoughts go out to the women who, in this third year of war, are serving the cause of humanity in every branch of the nursing profession.
“May you be granted strength and courage to carry on your selfless labours and may find your reward in the gratitude of those to whom you minister.”
1942 March 11 Orkney Herald
CALL-UP AGES REVISED. – Men of forty-five, girls of twenty, and boys of eighteen are now liable to be called up. A proclamation signed by the King in Privy Council last week giving effect to this decision states, too, that more doctors and dentists are to be recruited.
1942 March 18 Orkney Herald
BASIC PETROL RATION GOES AFTER JUNE 30. – After June 30 no basic petrol ration will be issued, and the Government wants all pleasure cars and motor-cycles taken off the roads.
Petrol will then be allowed only for essential purposes. The ration for May and June will be cut by half.
These decisions, the most drastic yet introduced, were announced in the House of Commons by Mr Geoffrey Lloyd, Secretary for Petroleum, and Mr Herbert Morrison, Home Secretary.
Basic ration for motor-cycles will not be abolished until the October period, as many war workers use motor-cycles to and from their work. There will be a 10 per cent. reduction in the supplementary allowance for the April May period…..
NEW COAL ORDER – TWO CWTS. PER WEEK. – From to-day (Tuesday) anyone in Scotland who has half a ton of coal in stock will not be allowed to buy any more for three weeks. People who have less than half a ton in stock will not be permitted to buy more than 6 cwts. for the following three weeks – an average of 2 cwts. per week…..
ROUSAY – S.W.R.I. – The monthly meeting of Rousay branch of the S.W.R.I. was held in the Wasbister School on Friday, February 27. There was quite a good turnout of members, presided over by Miss Inkster, who gave as her motto, “Face powder fascinates a man, but it takes baking powder to hold him” – most appropriate for the demonstration which was to follow. After the minutes had been read and correspondence dealt with, Miss Inkster called on Mrs William Flaws, Hammerfield, to give a demonstration. This took the form of a currant bun, the mixing and method of which were very keenly followed. A vote of thanks was proposed to Mrs Flaws by Miss Inkster for her very able demonstration, and for the neat and efficient manner in which it was carried out. The competition for the evening was “Something Made from a Sack.” This produced one or two capital entries, such as mats, gardening aprons, etc. The judges, Mrs R. Mainland, Mrs Moar and Mrs Hourie, who had rather a difficult task, finally awarded the prizes as follows: 1 Mrs S. Gibson, Lopness; 2 Mrs McLean, Sourin Schoolhouse; 3 Mrs John Marwick, Breck. After a most acceptable cup of tea, provided by the Wasbister ladies, Miss Anna Yorston favoured the gathering with selections on the mouth organ, and Miss Evelyn Clouston with a song; both items being very much appreciated. Mrs Kirkness thereafter proposed votes of thanks to hostesses, judges and entertainers. The meeting concluded with the singing of the National Anthem. The next meeting will be held in the Sourin School on Friday, March 27. Competition – One pair ladies’ woollen gloves knitted on two wires. Members are reminded of next egg collection on April 6.
1942 March 25 Orkney Herald
THOSE FAR-OFF ISLES SO DEAR TO ME
From far-off Tahiti, in the Hawaiian Islands, comes a communication to the “Orkney Herald” from one of Kirkwall’s sons, Mr John Moodie. Posted on January 29, the letter had travelled by Trans-Pacific Air Mail from the U.S. naval base, made famous by the Japs’ treacherous attack on Pearl Harbour, to the States, and thence to this country Mr Moodie encloses the following poem…..
THE ORKNEYS
I know that I shall never see
Those far-off isles so dear to me
Though in my dreams I often roam
O’er link and braes I still call home:
To Wideford Hill I often go
And view the scene spread out below,
There’s Scapa Flow’s blue waters deep
Where Nazi ships forever sleep;
Sanday, like a monster sprawling;
Stronsay from its claws is crawling,
There Rousay lies curled up asleep,
While Eday’s peats her smoke screens keep;
Old Man o’ Hoy keeps sharp lookout,
To see no “subs” lurk there about.
The longing wish that “winna doon”
Is just once more to see that “toon”:
What would I give to walk once more,
From Clay Loan down just to the shore,
And nod, and smile, and say “Hello,”
To them of fifty years ago.
1942 May 20 Orkney Herald
LIFEBOATS IN WAR-TIME. – The Royal National Lifeboat Institution has just brought out a third edition of its interesting publication, “The Lifeboat Service and the War.” It gives a vivid idea in both letterpress and pictures of the day by day work of the lifeboat service under war conditions – the many new dangers that have to be faced and the unexpected duties that have to be carried out. In the first thirty months of the war, which are here reviewed, the lifeboats round the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland have rescued 4,630 lives – nearly two for every one rescued in the last war and five for every one rescued in the 20 years of peace between the two wars. “War,” it is stated, “has increased their work fivefold. It has increased their hazards much more than fivefold. It has brought them strange new duties. It has added many unfamiliar dangers to the ever-present and familiar dangers of the sea.” The booklet provides a stirring record of bravery and endurance. The many illustrations include portraits of some of the men who have played such a heroic part during these thirty months of war.
1942 May 27 Orkney Herald
ORKNEY’S WARSHIP WEEK TOTAL APPROACHES TARGET
£94,000 – that was Orkney’s Warship Week total at the time of going to press, as signalled by the sailor on the mast at Kirkwall Market Green at 1 p.m. to-day (Tuesday).
The county aims at raising £120,000 by Saturday to pay for the corvette H.M.S. Ness. There is confidence that the target figure will be reached, but not over-confidence – every penny is wanted.
There is no slacking of effort as the target figure is approached, and during the week a full programme is being enthusiastically entered into in Kirkwall and throughout the county.
The week was given an auspicious send off on Saturday afternoon with an inaugural address by Vice-Admiral L. V. Wells, C.B., D.S.O., Flag Officer Commanding the Orkneys and Shetlands. The address was followed by a march past of the Services, which provided one of the most impressive spectacles of its kind yet seen in Orkney…..
Vice-Admiral Wells took the salute at the march past as bluejackets, marines, W.R.N.S., soldiers, A.T.S., mechanised units, airmen. W.A.A.F.’s, A.T.C., and Home Guard swung past the saluting base, to the music of the pipes and drums of a Highland regiment.
A large crowd of spectators had gathered at Broad Street to hear the opening ceremony, brought to them by loudspeaker, and to witness the march past.
The large Home Guard contingent included Kirkwall, East and West Mainland platoons…..
On Sunday afternoon two Naval vessels were open to visitors at the harbour, and large numbers of people were conducted over the ships.
Principal Warship Week attraction in Kirkwall on Monday was the war weapons display at the Market Green. Navy, Fleet Air Arm, Army and Home Guard combined in providing a most interesting and comprehensive display of modern armaments.
Personnel of the Services were in attendance to demonstrate and describe the exhibits, which included a Naval torpedo, mines, field and anti-aircraft artillery, mortars, bren gun carriers, predictor, sound locator, searchlight, rangefinder, and a wide array of small arms and automatics. The public were given an insight into the Home Guard’s growing range of weapons, including a new piece of “heavy” artillery.
Crews of light A.A. gun and predictor were seen in action as an aircraft swooped over the Market Green in mock attacks.
The weapons display will be repeated on Thursday, and should be missed by no-one.
1942 June 3 Orkney Herald
£241,000 – ORKNEY’S WARSHIP WEEK TARGET FIGURE MORE THAN DOUBLED
£241,000 was invested in Orkney during the county’s Warship Week which came to an end on Saturday. It means that the target figure – £120,000 for the corvette H.M.S. Ness – has been more than doubled.
The figure of £218,000, announced at Kirkwall Market Green on Saturday evening, was augmented by returns from outlying areas since received.
First total signalled on the Naval indicator at Kirkwall Market Green was £60,000 at 1 p.m. on the opening day, Saturday, 23rd May, and from then on investments mounted steadily. The target figure was passed on Wednesday when, at 8 p.m. a total of £124,000 was signalled. The effort did not flag, however, as is evident from the county’s splendid final figure.
Though the Royal Navy was most closely associated with Orkney’s drive, all three services co-operated whole-heartedly with the civilian promoters.
Orkney’s near quarter-million total of Warship Week, brings the county’s total investments in round figures since the Savings Campaign commenced in November 1939, to well over £1,600,000, or more than £70 per head of the population of 22,000. The total is made up as follows: – War Savings £900,000, deposits in Post Office Savings Bank £500,000, Warship Week £241,000…..
1942 June 10 Orkney Herald
ROUSAY – NURSING. – Rousay, Egilshay and Wyre Nursing Association announces that while Nurse Moffat is on holiday, from 10th June to 6th July, her duties will be taken over as follows: – 10th June to 16th June, by Mrs Hugh Craigie, jr., Scockness, Sourin (formerly a Queen’s Nurse); 16th June to 1st July, by Nurse Keith, Witchwood, relief Nurse for Orkney, and from 1st July to 6th July, by Mrs Hugh Craigie, Scockness.
1942 June 17 Orkney Herald
ROUSAY – S.W.R.I. – A meeting of Rousay branch of the S.W.R.I. was held in Wasbister School on Thursday, May 28. After the minutes, read by Mrs Marwick in the absence of Mrs Paterson, were approved, Miss Inkster introduced Mrs Gardner, M.O.I. lecturer, who chose as her subject “Women’s War-time Activities.” She gave a detailed account of the life of, and the work done by, the Women’s Services – W.R.N.S., A.T.S., W.A.A.F.S., W.L.A., W.F.C., and N.A.A.F.I., and the Nursing Services, and to all she paid a warm tribute. She pointed out that it was the duty of all who could to offer hospitality to the service girls, many of whom were far from home and must necessarily be lonely at times. The various work done by voluntary workers was also discussed, and Mrs Gardner emphasised that all women could be of national service by using as much home-grown food as possible and by making the most of their rations. At this point she told how to bottle fruit and rhubarb for winter use, and dictated the method for the benefit of those taking notes. Throughout the lecture, Mrs Gardner told many stories to illustrate certain points, but most touching of all were the stories of two old ladies, one in a London shelter who made tea and sausages every night during air raids for needy and homeless people, and the other who came back to her bombed out home in Clydebank, after the first blitz, found her stove, gathered together kindling, of which she said there was plenty, and all day made and supplied tea to voluntary workers. In closing, she spoke of the morale of the nation, which was very high, and the future. “Much sorrow,” she said, “lies before the women of Britain. Victory cannot be won without great sacrifice, but British women will face the ordeal bravely and they will realise that ‘Death is swallowed up in Victory.’ ” It was altogether a very comprehensive and interesting lecture, and it is to be hoped that “those in power” will persuade the Ministry of Information to release Mrs Gardner for another lecture tour in Orkney. On the call of Miss Inkster the lecturer received a very hearty vote of thanks, and she thereafter judged the entries in the competition, “Something new from something old.” First (equal) were Mrs Gibson, Lopness, and Mrs Hourie, Quoygreenie, for a child’s knitted dress, knickers and socks from up-runnings of two old jumpers, and a very attractive dress from an old coat, respectively; 2 Mrs Craigie, Furse, for a pair of gloves knitted from up-runnings of old cashmere stockings. The hostesses for the evening were Mrs Flaws and Mrs Moar.
1942 June 24 Orkney Herald
FIRST RAID VICTIM AVENGED. – The death of James Isbister, Bridge of Waithe, Britain’s first civilian air-raid casualty of the war, has been avenged. Colonel Fritz Doench, the German air ace who led the first bomber attack on this country in 1939, and who also led an attack on the Orkneys and Scapa Flow in March, 1940, in which Isbister was killed, is dead. His death was announced by the Nazis on Thursday. No details of how he was killed are given, but it is thought in London that he met his death in a flying accident while directing operations off the North Cape against our convoys going to Russia. During the Spanish War, Doench was one of the pilots in the infamous Condor Legion. Isbister was killed while standing in his doorway watching tracer bullets and bursting A.A. shells. The H.E. bomb was one of nineteen dropped by a fleeing enemy bomber.
1942 August 5 Orkney Herald
GRANNY MAINLAND IS 102. – “Granny” Mainland, of 17 Victoria Street, Kirkwall, celebrated her 102nd birthday on Monday. “Granny,” as she is known to practically everybody in the town, had many callers bearing congratulations and good wishes throughout the day. Among them were Mr Alfred Baikie of Tankerness, Lord Lieutenant of Orkney and Shetland; Provost P. C. Flett, Kirkwall; Mr W. J. Heddle, Town Clerk, Kirkwall, and Mrs Heddle; Bailie Slater, Mr D. M. Wood, County Clerk; Dr MacLeod, and relations, neighbours and friends. “Granny” Mainland is a native of Rousay. She was born on the farm of Banks there. In her early life she spent some years in domestic service in Edinburgh, but has been living in Kirkwall for as long as most of the present inhabitants can remember. She is in good health and retains her faculties to a remarkable degree. All readers will join with us in endorsing the hearty congratulations which “Granny” Mainland has already received.
FAMOUS ARTISTES FOR ORKNEY. – Bebe Daniels and Ben Lyon, the London Palladium stars, famous from the “Hi, Gang” radio series, have announced their intention of visiting the Orkney Islands to entertain troops stationed here. These renowned American artistes have still a considerable time to put in with their present show, however. Other famous artistes who have promised to visit the Orkney forces include Sir Harry Lauder and George Formby. The latter has already visited Orkney once. Other stars who have already visited Orkney under the ENSA schedule or on their own initiative include Frances Day, Phyllis Monkman, Gracie Fields, Flanagan and Allen, Evelyn Laye and Arthur Riscoe.
1942 August 12 Orkney Herald
POSSESSION OF TELESCOPE AN OFFENCE. – Two young men, a Kirkwallian and a visitor, were fined 5/- each [by Sheriff-Substitute George Brown at Orkney Sheriff Court this (Tuesday) forenoon], having pled guilty to having a telescope in their possession on the Holm Road. A police car proceeding along the road saw the accused using the telescope to view ships in Scapa Flow. Accused explained that, though they were aware that it was an offence to carry a camera, they did not know that the restriction applied also to telescope or binoculars. The case was brought under the Regulated Areas Order (No. 6), which came into force about 6 months ago.
1942 August 26 Orkney Herald
ROUSAY – FROTOFT PICNIC. – The annual Frotoft picnic was held on Friday, 7th August. The weather made outdoor sports impossible, but children, parents and friends assembled in the School and spent a pleasant afternoon and evening. Indoor races and competitions were eagerly contested. Tea was served at 6 o’clock. Afterwards Mrs [Grace] Goar, Wasbister School, presented the prizes to the winners. On the call of Mr William Craigie, Corse, she was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. Mr Harcus and committee were thanked by Mr Mainland, Nearhouse, for organising the picnic. Dancing followed and continued until 2 a.m., when the company joined in singing “Auld Lang Syne” before dispersing. The committee wish to thank all who sent gifts of home-bakes, and all those who supplied music for the dance.
1942 September 9 Orkney Herald
PASSING OF “GRANNY” MAINLAND. – “Granny” Mainland, well-beloved centenarian of Kirkwall, passed peacefully away at her home in Victoria Street shortly before midnight last Tuesday. Less than a month before, on her 102nd birthday, she had been visited by a number of civic notabilities, including the Lord Lieutenant of the County, Mr Alfred Baikie of Tankerness, who called with hearty good wishes. On her 100th birthday she was the recipient of Royal congratulations, of which she was particularly proud.
Born on August 3, 1840, in the island of Rousay, Granny Mainland worked in the South as a young woman, but returned to Orkney and settled down in Kirkwall, where she spent most of her life.
Deeply interested in both local and international affairs, she remained alert and keen-witted until within a week or so of her death. Until her 102nd birthday she was able to be out of doors. Latterly, however, she became weaker and was confined to her bedroom, and on Tuesday evening, September 1, after a long life well spent, she crossed the Great Divide.
All who knew Granny Mainland, and all who knew of her, will regret the passing of this staunch old pillar of the Orkney that was.
1942 September 16 Orkney Herald
EVIE – HARVEST. – We are now surrounded with acres of ripe grain, and harvesting is in full swing. Stooks are appearing in the fields in place of level seas of corn. The labour list is meagre, but machinery compensates, and we see large patches of corn diminishing as the self-binder with the tractor trails round them. There is prospect of a plenteous harvest to crown the farmer’s efforts, and the treasures of the field should amply reward him for his industry and patience.
1942 September 30 Orkney Herald
EMERGENCY FOOD SUPPLIES IN THE HOME. – Now that we are on the verge of winter it seems appropriate to give a reminder of the need for looking at household reserves and having them replenished or replaced with fresh supplies where necessary. The Ministry have made it clear what may be regarded as a reasonable reserve. Oatmeal, flour and potatoes are in good supply and are admirable as a reserve because they can be kept without deterioration for a reasonable period and can always be used and replaced. And remember always to have at least two days’ supply of bread in the home.
DISTRIBUTION OF ORANGES. – There still appears to be a lot of misunderstanding about the Ministry’s orange policy. Oranges are not rationed and are not issued to holders of green (R.B.2) ration books in place of the discontinued tea ration. When supplies are available however – though for obvious reasons that may be only at irregular intervals – they must be reserved exclusively for the first five days for the benefit of children who possess the green ration book. Because deliveries are irregular, retailers should display the oranges so that parents may be able to take advantage of the opportunity. It is desirable that any supplies which may be left after the five days should be made available to young persons.
1942 October 14 Orkney Herald
MR CHURCHILL WITH THE FLEET. – The Prime Minister, speaking in Edinburgh on Monday, revealed that he had just returned from a visit to the Fleet, “somewhere in Scotland.” He had visited ships of all sizes and types and met men of all ranks, men recently returned from action in the Mediterranean and from perilous Russian convoys.
1942 November 18 Orkney Herald
CATHEDRAL BELLS. – The bells of St Magnus Cathedral swelled with their chimes the nation-wide carillon on Sunday morning to celebrate the victory of the Eighth Army in Egypt, and, in the words of a Downing Street statement, “as a call to thanksgiving and to renewed prayer.” Breaking their two years’ silence, the Cathedral bells sounded from 10.30 to 10.45 and from 11.10 to 11.15. The bell-ringer was Mr John Wick, Victoria Street, Kirkwall.
1942 December 2 Orkney Herald
ROUSAY – COLLECTION BY SCHOOL CHILDREN. – Mrs Harcus, Frotoft School, has received acknowledgment from the Earl Haig Fund of £7 5s 8d. This sum was realised from the sale of poppies by school children in Rousay. From the Governors of the Donaldson Trust in Edinburgh a letter of thanks has come, for the sum of £8 5s 4d, which was collected by school children. Teachers and pupils are thanked for their kind co-operation.
ORKNEY’S SPITFIRE IN ACTION. – News of some of the operational flights upon which the Spitfire “Orkney” has been engaged has been received by Mr Alfred Baikie of Tankerness, C.B., Lord-Lieutenant of Orkney and Zetland. He has learned that the Spitfire which the county of Orkney gifted to the Government, and was named “Orkney,” has been serving with the operational squadrons of the Royal Air Force for nearly a year, and was in the Battle of Britain and operations carried it to such places as Dieppe, Boulogne, Dunkirk, Cherbourg, St Omer and Lille, and it has shared in most of the squadron’s successes. It has been thrice damaged, but has been repaired and is still in service.
1942 December 23 Orkney Herald
THE BATTLE FOR WASTE PAPER. – Every gun, rifle or grenade used by our fighting men needs paper before it can do its work. Every tank, every ship has to be fed with paper. The supply of paper for these weapons of war must be maintained whatever the cost.
But we now have a weekly deficit of several thousand tons of waste paper for our essential war needs, states the Waste Paper Recovery Association. This deficit must be made good at once.
We must recover 100,000 tons of used paper immediately if victory is to be assured.
The paper is here in this country, without using the shipping so urgently needed to supply our fighting forces abroad. It is nevertheless being wasted, destroyed and burnt by careless people who do not seem to realise how they are impeding the war effort.
Every scrap of paper you can lay hands on is urgently needed NOW. If you do not search every corner of the house for it, you are endangering the war effort. To hoard paper now is as unpatriotic as trying to obtain more than your fair share of rationed foods.
Every old newspaper, magazine, cigarette or soap carton, every old envelope, and even every label from your food tins, can help to make a vital component for some weapons of war.
If each person in the country saves 4½ lbs. of paper or cardboard each month, or if every home will make its target 17 lbs. of paper a month, our war needs can be met. That is the minimum required.
If after combing your home or office for every scrap of unwanted paper, you cannot get it collected, please write to the Waste Paper Recovery Association, Courier Buildings, Dundee, who will advise you how to dispose of it.
————————-
FUEL COMMUNIQUE No. 16
THE BATTLE FOR FUEL – WHAT IS A HEDGEHOG?
“HEDGEHOG,” in modern warfare, is the term used to describe massed resistance – infinitely more effective than scattered strength. The same thing is true in the case of the coal you burn; look on any large lump as your hedgehog. Don’t break it up.
KEEP THE POKER ON THE HEARTH
A good sized lump of coal weighs about 5 lb. Broken up into five pieces, it will blaze away fiercely. Left whole and well banked, it will burn for nearly three times as long. The heat won’t go up the chimney either, as it is apt to do when the fire blazes. So go easy with your poker – keep it on the hearth and keep your coal consumption down.
OPEN FIRE ORDERS
1. Reduce the area of your grate with fire-bricks. Ordinary bricks will do.
2. Bank the fire with slack to make it burn longer.
3. Poke the fire from underneath, when you must.
4. Sift cinders.
5. Remove all unburnt coal from the fire at bedtime.
SAVE COAL TO SPEED VICTORY
1942 December 30 Orkney Herald
ROUSAY – CHRISTMAS PARTY. – The Frotoft Christmas party was held in Frotoft School on the evening of Wednesday, 16th December. For the first time for many years the schoolchildren gave a concert. Although there were only ten pupils, the programme was pleasing, and was well received by the audience of parents and friends. Among friends welcomed back to the district were Mrs Robertson, from Leith; Mr and Mrs Miller and family, from Evie, and Messrs John and Hugh Yorston, Yorville, who are now serving with the R.A.F. Mrs Paterson, Brinian House, acted as chairwoman. At the close of the concert, Santa Claus visited the children. In spite of war conditions, he had a splendid variety of toys, and every child in the district got a gift from “Santa’s” sack. Mrs Harcus called for a vote of thanks to Mrs Paterson for so ably carrying out her duties as chairwoman, while Rev. R. R. Davidson called for votes of thanks to the teacher and her pupils. Then tea followed. Music was supplied by the Wasbister band. At 1.30 a.m, the singing of “Auld Lang Syne” brought to a close a very enjoyable evening. Annexed is the programme: – Hymn, “Away in a Manger,” pupils; recitation, “The Spider and His Wife,” Edith Pirie; recitation, “I’m the wee chap that can do it,” infants; song, “Twenty Froggies,” pupils; recitation, “My Earliest Recollection,”. Mary Gibson; dance, “Baby Polka,” pupiIs; recitation, “The Mother’s Strike,” Rhoda and John Mainland; song, “How’d you like to be a Baby Girl?” junior girls; recitation, “Envy,” Brian Marwick; sketch, “The Christmas Pudding”; recitation, “The Big Meal,” Gilbert Pirie; song, “The Fox,” pupils; recitation, “Little John Bottlejohn,” Heleanor Mainland; interval: sketch, “Old Yet Ever New”; recitation, “My Uncle Jehoshaphat,” Eileen Mainland; song, “The Birdie’s Ball,” Edith Pirie and Chorus; recitation, “The Mother’s Strike,” Rhoda Mainland; dance, “Schottische,” pupils; recitation, “Mary Ann,” Mae Turner; song, “Dainty Lady Snowdrop,” Gilbert Pirie and Mary Gibson; recitation, “The Origin of the Camel’s Hump,” Sheila Mainland; song, “Christmas Eve,” pupils.
QUIET CHRISTMAS. – Christmas Day in Kirkwall was quiet – almost like a Sunday. The day was observed as a holiday, but no special public entertainments had been arranged, and there was, of course, no ba’. The bells of St Magnus Cathedral rang out the glad Christmas message in the morning, and a carol service was held in the Cathedral at 11.15. On Sunday special Christmas Services were held in the churches. At King Street Church at 11.15 a joint service was held with members of a Highland Regiment. Praise was led by a military band of the regiment.