Page 33 - Life in Langham 1914-1919

Parcels for the Troops

In November 1916 a door to door collection was held and the

money raised was added to the balance left from the previous

December. The sum of £25 10s. was to be used for a Christmas

parcel for each soldier serving from Langham and Barleythorpe.

After a meeting of the Parcels Committee, the Vicar in the chair, it was decided that

each man would receive a parcel equivalent to that sent last year. The Committee

urged upon parents and friends the necessity of sending in the men’s addresses to the

Vicarage as soon as possible. During the collecting, refusals to subscribe towards a

little happiness for our brave lads were few and far between.

The Grantham Journal 18th November 1916

A wish had been expressed by many parishioners that a public meeting should be

held to talk over the arrangements for soldiers comforts, one was, accordingly,

called on Tuesday evening, in the school room, but only about a dozen, beside the

Committee, attended. The Rev. WA Mandall took the chair, and it was

unanimously resolved that the Committee go forward with the good work.
The Grantham Journal 9th December 1916

In 1917; the usual door to door collection was held in

Langham and Barleythorpe. There was also a Whist Drive

and the Earl of Lonsdale sent a large quantity of game to be

disposed of, which swelled the funds greatly.

Owing to the high price of goods and the expense of postage

and packing, it had been decided to send each man his share

in money. Tobacco, cigarettes and eatables could be

purchased at a cheaper rate from their military stores.

The Grantham Journal 27th October & 1st December 1917

There were now over one hundred men from the two parishes

serving in the war.

In 1918; after the door to door collection, an auction was held in the Institute

with Mr Fred Wright in charge. Goods had been given to sell. The gifts included a

sheep given by Lord Ranksborough, fifteen pheasants, Lord Lonsdale;

mirrors, The Hon. Mrs Lubbock; a polyphon, Mrs Ruddle; cigars, Mr Tidd; a goat,

Mrs Burn; a load of turnips, Mr Mantle; firewood, Mr Rudkin; fowls, ducks, rabbits,

eggs, jam, a cake, Mrs Simmons; an oil painting, a pony and a weathercock. £36

was raised and added to the fund bringing the total close to £80.

The Grantham Journal 7th December 1918