By Press Release
School-children from both the Island and mainland, experienced what it was like at the start of World War II when they took part in this year’s evacuee event.
Held at the IW Steam Railway in Havenstreet, the event was organised by Estelle Baker, heritage education officer with the IW Council, and a team of volunteers.
Everyone dressed in 1940s style and the children took part in classroom lessons, air raid warnings and food rationing as well as having the chance to play with period toys and games.
Wartime recipes on the menu included Lord Woolton Pie, named after the Minister of Food from 1940 (in the Neville Chamberlain government), until 1943. The pie consists of a selection of vegetables cooked under a pastry or mashed potato topping. Sweet rationing was also explained, with the children discovering that one sweet per day was usual.
In addition to the activities the children and teachers enjoyed a ride on a steam train – a new experience for most of them.
