Food shortages started to take their toll on the nation
Historian Malcolm Goode looks at key events from January 1941, including the decision to dig up recreation fields for the growing of vegetables.
THE urgent issue of food shortages was addressed at a meeting of Burton Town Council’s Emergency Committee, in January 1941.
Basic and important foodstuffs being imported into Britain were coming under ever-increasing attacks from German U-boats, making the supply of food to the local shops more difficult.
In response a tried and trusted plan that was last used for the purpose of growing badly needed root vegetables during the First World War was discussed.
The council decided that approximately 20 acres of local recreation grounds would be ploughed up to grow food. The chairman, councillor J Jones JP, stated that it was important for members of the public and their children to get involved.
He went on to say: “Those who have not already got an allotment should apply at the earliest possible moment so that the town’s arrangements could be made. In view of the shipping and food position today, it was the duty of everyone who is physically fit to take on an allotment and do it now.”
The committee’s proposals were to utilise portions of local recreation grounds for growing food – potatoes at Outwoods and oats at other places.
The recreation grounds to be used were as follows:
■ Winshill, one and a half acres
■ Outwoods, seven acres
■ Heath Road, Stapenhill, two acres
■ Eton Road, six acres
■ Uxbridge Street, three and a half acres.
One councillor attending the meeting said: “It was hoped that this scheme should be an example to others with vacant land – those with football grounds, tennis courts and bowling greens to do the same.”