Sponsored by Masters & Son 
A Woman Living in the Shadow of the Second World War: Helena Hall's Journal from the Home Front. Edited by Linda Grace & Margaret Nicolle.
Miss Helena Hall lived in the village of Lindfield, which was in East Sussex until local government reorganisation in 1974. She was sixty six years old when World War Two started. She was a skilled artist, flag maker and embroiderer before moving to Lindfield in 1920, where she continued these crafts and became involved in many aspects of village life, including being librarian and member of Women's Institute, Bonfire Society, Horticultural Society and amateur dramatics.
The published journal starts on 1st January 1940 and ends on 9th May 1945, the day after VE Day. Sadly, the first two volumes, which covered the weeks from the outbreak of war on 3rd September 1939 are lost. The entries are full of personal and local events, such as distribution of gas masks, food and fuel rationing, collecting gifts for overseas personnel, comings and goings of military personnel, Air Raid Patrol service, volunteering in canteens etc. There are details about recycling, cinema films, radio broadcasts, vehicle restrictions on the village green – so many aspects of the war that are little known. Entries about visits to London and Brighton give a wider view. She also includes extracts from newspaper reports giving news of UK, Europe, North Africa and further afield. A small selection of black and white photos illustrate the village, people, events, cartoons and documents.
Overall, a fascinating insight into life on the Home Front.
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SATURDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER |
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TIME VENUE |
PERFORMER TITLE |
DETAILS |
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14.00-15.00 Tiger Hall, Tiger Rooms |
Margaret Nicolle and Linda Grace A Women Living in the Shadow of the Second World War: Helana Hall’s Journal from the Home Front |
A presentation about Helena Hall’s life during the Second World War - Sponsored by Masters & Son |
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15.00-16.00 Tiger Hall, Tiger Rooms |
Margaret Nicolle and Linda Grace A Woman Living in the Shadow of the Second World War: Who was Helena Hall? Come and meet the authors and find out more |
An informal opportunity for people to come and chat to the authors, look at the display about Helena Hall and her work and buy the book - Sponsored by Masters & Son |