Sustainability from past to present.

The story of two Guernsey Evacuees

During World War two, the Channel Islands of England and France became under the increased threat of invasion by the penetrating German Army. The occupant’s on the Island of Guernsey was one such island that was evacuated to safety.

Hazel and Mavis two young Guernsey children were both evacuated to the North west of England. Mavis was evacuated with her fellow peers and teachers from school and then followed shortly after by Hazel and their mother.  They were very small children during this upheaval, yet they can still remember very clearly their life and thoughts during this desperate time. They have very kindly have given us a verbal account of this period in their life, which in turn have contributed to our findings on the subject of sustainability.

During this notoriously difficult period in history, it is clear to establish that recycling and thrifty-ness was as much a part of the survival of the people as were there combat skills. Woman became more innovative with their craft and living skills as rationing was introduced. In order to survive it is well documented that people pulled together and that nothing was to be wasted. For example Grease from cooking was to be collected in to jars until full and then handed in to the local butcher. This was then used as part of the vital ingredients of bullet making. Wedding dresses were scarce and made of cotton, as silk was difficult to come by. Old silk wedding dresses were recycled into underwear; men’s suits were re-tailored into new clothing for women and children, as was men’s shirts. It was often the case that only one good dress, one-day dress and a nightdress would be the wardrobe contents of the average female and child during the war. Old knitted items would be unraveled and made into new garments. This included socks for soldiers, balaclavas, underwear, jumpers and scarves.

It is clear to establish that in hard times we can make do and mend. Not only did this generation fight for our safety, they also instilled the knowledge that with very little we can be creative and sustainable. When looking at our lives of the present day, we can see that over time we have become reliant and complacent with disposable clothing, technology and gadgetry. It is only under the increasing pressure of environmental and ethical trading has this ‘make do and mend ‘, become was again a valuable knowledge to have.

Through the stories and memories relayed to us by people such as Mavis and Hazel, we can only imagine the hardship experienced. This was a period where people were separated from their loved ones and they owned such little in a way of belongings. A celebration would be catered for with orange juice and biscuits and a stable diet would be bread and butter, jam when lucky and blind stew [stew with no meat just root veg]. As a generation that is accustomed to disposable clothing and textiles, fast food and continence; it is only now in this uncertain time of a economic change, that we start to rediscover these skills of ‘make do and mend’, It is important to not let these survival skills of life be forgotten if we want to protect not only our planet but also the means for independence and simpler life that so many people fought and died for.