National Savings

One of the great patriotic efforts of the two world wars during the 20th century was National Savings, a government sponsored movement to persuade people dig deep into their pockets and save their money in order that it could be used to help the war effort.

Everyone was involved, from schoolchildren to old age pensioners, and few did not join in the enthusiasm to put a few pennies or shillings away each week. A National Savings Committee was formed in Bourne during the Second World War to co-ordinate the savings drive to assist the war effort and regular announcements were made of their progress.

The photograph above shows the Bourne Savings Committee posing outside the Town Hall to mark Thanksgiving Week which was held to celebrate the end of World War Two from 22nd to 29th September 1945. The chairman was William Friend, head of a local firm of agricultural engineers, in the front row (centre) with Mr H L Hudson on his right and Mr and Mrs E D Cooke on his left. The target had been £50,000 but in the event, a total of £93,000 16s. 0d. was raised, which was typical of the towns and villages of England rallying to a good cause.

In 1941, for instance, a Bourne and South Kesteven War Weapons Week was held to raise money to buy armaments for the forces, the target being £60,000 to pay for three bombers but when the result was announced on Saturday 3rd May, the amount had been more than doubled with a total of £150,000. The Stamford Mercury reported the following week:

Without doubt, the comprehensive programme arranged in the town and villages by the indefatigable secretaries and committees helped towards this excellent result. There was a great response in the town and, in proportion to their numbers, the villages also reached excellent totals. Market Deeping, Deeping St James, Billingborough, Horbling and Pointon, all reached totals in excess of £8,000. Most valuable assistance was given during the week by Mr C Storr, an ex-postmaster at Bourne, who undertook the management of the selling centre at the Corn Exchange and the duties of treasurer. He was ably assisted by Mr H Surfleet, who put in much work behind the scenes, and Miss R North was another very useful worker.

An interesting display by a section of artillery was given in the Market Place on Friday and was followed by an explanation of gunnery. Agricultural day on Saturday proved one of the highlights of the week's programme and tribute is due to the agricultural committee for the excellent way in which it  made the arrangements.  Headed by the RAF College band, a procession of farm implements, ancient and modern, formed up in Recreation Road and toured the town in carnival fashion with members of the Women's Land Army in attendance. In the evening, the RAF College dance orchestra provided music for a large number of dancers in the Corn Exchange.

The Woodland Nurseries savings group, with its 27 contributors, decided to raise £50 during the week but, exceeding this sum earlier in the week, decided to make a still further effort and by Saturday reached a total of £100. In recognition of this fine achievement, their employer, Mr E M Moody, made each contributor a gift of a Savings Certificate.

Billingborough Town Football Club placed their ground at the disposal of the services on Thursday when a large crowd assembled to witness a match between Searchlight Units. Each side scored once and a collection realised over £4. Later the same evening, over 80 attended a whist drive. Mr H Little, assisted by Mr R Titley, supervised play and Mr W E Williams presented the awards (Savings Certificates and stamps) to Miss A Nicholson, Mrs Beard (Horbling), Mrs J Harris, Mrs F Houghton, Mrs C N Hodgkinson, Mrs Z Goodacre and Mrs Portlock. Other certificate winners included Mr J Houghton, Mr Ray Snushall, Mrs J Houghton, Mr A Credland, Mr Wait (Folkingham), Mr J F Thurman, Mrs G Wilson, Miss Mary Kitchen, Mr H Pick, Moss Rose Parker and Mrs D Nowers. An onion competition was won by Mrs R Snushall.

A Spitfire outlined in pennies by the public, organised by Miss P Stennett, realised 7s. 8d. This effort produced upwards of £8.

The week's festivities concluded on Saturday with a dance in the Foresters' Hall attended by over 250 for whom the Accordeon Aces Band played.

Competitions held during the week resulted: Cushion, Mr Rouston (Nottingham); blankets, Miss Owston (Horbling); tea, Miss G Williams; tea service, Miss D Moulding; provisions, Master P Page; permanent wave, Mrs F Challands; potatoes, Mrs C Arch; eggs, Miss N Harvey.

Approximately £17 was added to the general fund as a result of the dance.

Earlier in the war, the committee posed outside the Town Hall with the results of their savings drive during "Wings for Victory" week in 1943 when a total of £111,441 17s 5d (£3.2 million by today's values) was raised with the slogan "Look out Hitler!". The man on the extreme left is Mr Horace Stanton, clerk to Bourne Urban District Council, and Mrs Ida Pick of the Red Cross is in uniform and seated on the right. In recognition of this achievement, the committee was presented with a plaque which is now in the care of Bourne Civic Society.

See also     HMS Beryl     Horace Stanton     Ida Pick MBE