Community helps Lochnell pupils look back at life on Home Front
FORAGING for seaweed, digging for victory and using moss to heal wounds during the Second World War were just some of the stories and experiences shared with Lochnell Primary School pupils this week studying the Home Front.
Retired teacher Joy Cameron was invited by the school to enlist help from the community to put on the event for around 50 children at the Victory Halls.
Pensioners Crawford Adrian and Peter MacLeod, who were pupils at Lochnell during the war years, took part while Beatrice Keenan got involved talking about pastimes and how children entertained themselves. She showed the youngsters moss which used to be collected by guides and scouts to help heal wounds.
Ruth Moody was also there with her mother-in-law Margaret Moody telling the children about locals foraging on the seashore and in the hedgerows to find enough food to eat.
And Marc Headley, who has converted his lawn into a vegetable garden, volunteered for the day to explain Digging For Victory before planting potatoes in tubs outside the school so the pupils can watch them grow.
Jennifer Shaw showed groups how to mend and make do, darning socks and using a special machine from the 1930s, while Cath Sheldrick brought in her ‘jeely’ pan, telling stories of jam making and raising animals on the croft. Teacher Elaine MacDonald said: ‘It’s been absolutely amazing. It’s been so special. The children have loved hearing all the stories.’