Barbara Riding grew up in Blackburn during the Second World War and here she shares her memories and stories of being a child during World War Two. Barbara talks about what life was like in the family home, at school and playing in the local area. We hope you enjoy listening to Barbara’s memories and stories as much as we have done. Barbara has also provided us with some photographs that capture memories of her wartime childhood.
A selection of Barbara’s photographs and memories:
George VI letter – A copy of the letter sent by King George VI to children after the war.
Barbara – This a photo of Barbara Riding (nee Brett) at 88 and Barbara Brett in her Brownie uniform as it was in those days aged 9.
Air raid shelters – Top left: Underground shelter preserved in Stockport Museum. Underground shelter dug for children of St Silas’s School in 1939. Arched roof like a tunnel with benches to sit on and latrines in the corner. Thank goodness we never had to use them.
Top right: A cartoon concerning a Morrison shelter. We had a budgie which we taught to say ” Hitler’s a bad man!” We were lucky not to have any air raids, but when the siren went off we sat under the stairs and put the budgie under the shelter.
Bottom two: Photos of two Morrison shelters I took off the TV. My father got one as he was unable to go to a brick shelter in the school yard if there was an air raid. We used it as a dining room table for several years.
Charity poster – We collected money for charities during the war such as Aid for Warships, Aid for Russia, Aid for rubber dinghies for shot down airmen. This is a poster I designed and won a prize for in a competition for school children in Blackburn in 1942 during Aid for China week.
Ministry of Food Cook Book – Lord Woolton was the Minister of Food during the war. This was the Ministry of Food cook book which my mother used to use. We used to listen to a five minute broadcast every morning called “The Kitchen Front” which gave hints and ideas on how to cope with your rations.
Music – These are some of the songs I used to play and we used to sing on different occasions.
Identity Card – We all had to have an Identity Card with name and details inside. I also had a silver Identity disc with my name and address on it which I wore on a chain on my wrist.
Evacuee Letter – Families were all issued with a letter about taking in evacuees. We were not asked to have any. I only remember one girl evacuee coming to my school from somewhere.
Parks and Churches – Parks and churches and all private houses had to have their gates and railings removed so that the metal could be used for war purposes. It was over 50 years before the Corporation Park replaced its railings and gates. My church, Leamington Road Baptist Church built a small wall instead.
Well done to Afiya, Fatima and Muskaan who all won prizes in our poetry competition.
Children from Blackburn Children’s University were asked to write a poem about childhood and we had some great entries from all of our budding poets.
The poems will be collected in an anthology for our poetry slam which is due to take place in October to coincide with National Poetry Day on 1st October 2020.
Thank you to everyone who entered – you can see all the poems here…
Childhood poem, by Afiyah (year three)
We sing joyously
Enjoy the warm sun with friends
Laugh without a care.
I look back at my memories
Having fun at sleepovers, birthdays and parties
Making my dreams come true.
Now I am all grown up
With many things to do
Wishing I could go back to those days of freedom.
She, by Fatima (year five)
She held my hand from birth
She always puts me first
She taught me how to talk
She helped me balance when I first started to walk
She bought me fun toys
She gives me great joys
She always protects me from danger
She saves the day like a power ranger.
She stays up all night when I’m ill
She always pays the bills
She is full of energy
She makes decisions so cleverly
She has a heart of gold
She gives unconditional love
She is a friend, a playmate, a role model
She is a cook, a teacher, a nurse.
She loves me dearly with all her heart
She hugs me tightly
She keeps me safe
She is my guardian angel.
I love you so much
Long life to her
For there’s no other
Who can take the place of my dear mother
When I was small…, by Muskaan (year three)
When I was small
I used to fall
That’s because I couldn’t walk
But then I started to talk.
Even if I was never
Really ever clever
When I got things right
I felt so bright.
Sometimes I felt sad
When I found out my dad
Gave my brother more sweets
But my mum always gave me more treats.
I’ve grown up wearing glasses
That help me do better in classes
My teacher now gives me more passes.
I now no longer fall
But I’m still not that tall.
Childhood poem, by Mohammed Esa (Year one)
I like playing on my scooter and my bike,
I like jumping on the trampoline and sometimes taking a hike.
I like to run, jump and skip and sometimes I trip.
I have a bruise on my head,
If you look closely you will see it is big and red.
I like the blue sky and the green grass,
The sun makes me happy and I will always try.
Childhood, by Zac (year four)
Cuddles is what your parents give you
Happy is what it makes you
I love it when my parents do it
Day after, day after, day after, day
Having fun
On cold winter days, board games we play
On hot summer days in the park we run
Days of our CHILDHOOD we always remember.
Childhood, by Zara (year 2)
Playing in the park
Before it gets dark
Eating ice cream
All the children scream.
Riding on a bike
It’s what all the children like.
All my friends play
With me every day.
My prayer for Life, by Maryam (year 4)
Before I went to bed at night
My mum would always remind me
To kneel and pray and pray dua
Before going to sleep.
And it is always nice to know
That God hears everyone’s duas.
I always say thank you God for
All you have given me.
I never need to be afraid
Because God is always with me.
I always try to please my
Friends and family so then I never fear.
I always do dua for
My parents for them
To have good health.
Halima’s poem (year one)
My hair is golden brown
I wear a golden crown
I have a medium-sized soft nose
And mummy gives me chores.
I have rosy-pink lips
I play with big toy ships.
I Have chunky funky legs
I wash my clothes with a sparkly, red peg.
My Childhood, by Madina (year 5)
It all started at my childhood
When I wanted to be as good as Robin Hood.
I was to be as sly as Mr Fox
And hide in my toy box.
Get a car
And eat a chocolate bar.
Stroke my neighbour’s dog
And walk her in the fog.
Pretend to make a cake
Which was fake.
Get a job
And my far cousin’s name is Bob!
Now they are my goals for
When I become an adult
When I was small, by Madina (year one)
When I was small
I had a big fall.
When I was small
I played with a ball.
When I was small
I got bigger and bigger.
I got tall.
When I was small
I got a call.
I went to the mall.
When I was small
I climbed on the wall.
When I was small
I did gymnastics in the hall.
These are my feelings as a child, by Fariah (year 4)
Cheerful I am every day
Happy is always my feeling
Inside me is so excited
Like any child I am so bubbly
Delighted I am all the time
Having fun is my style
On the moon I feel like when I am proud
On it I feel joyful
Do you see my feelings? I am beaming!
My Childhood Memories, by Ummarah (year 5)
Climbing trees and spying on people was always fun
Hide and seek outside with friends until Mum shouted ‘come home’.
I always loved my old childhood games
Late nights with my torch when mum thought I was sleeping
Doodling on the walls because they would look amazing!
Holidays collecting colourful sea shells on the beach
Outrageous tantrums which I could never have now.
Oh these were the days I wish I could have back.
Don’t ever wish your childhood away, it’s the best time of your life!
Mehek’s poem (year 6)
Children making dreams come true
Happy things, for instance my first day at school
I look back at the good memories I’ve made
Leaving the past behind me whilst I start a new chapter
Dearest things that I love stay in my heart
Of all the things I look at my 10th birthday stood out
Opening new presents filling my day with joy
Dreaming all my life, waiting for the next chapter.
Childhood, by Beybars (year three)
Children love school
Because it’s cool
Children love treats
It’s fun to eat.
I love my dad
He is never bad.
I love my mum
She cooks nice food – yum!
Children have to go to bed early
But before that, they should brush their teeth
To keep them pearly.
Children read a book
And then tell their friends – look!
Children love treats
Although it’s bad to eat.
I do hard work
Don’t do low work.
Children should do chores
And help their parents shopping in stores.
Children are the best
They are looking for success.
Sports is fun
You could love to jump and run.
All the children should appreciate
Their parents’ efforts, and be passionate
About helping those less fortunate.
I love! by Aisha (year four)
I love my grandad
I love my grandma
I love my family
Especially my grandpapa.
I love strawberries
I love pears
I love grapes
But not that kiwi with spiky hairs.
I don’t like unhealthy foods
I don’t like fizzy drinks
Especially the boiled eggs
Poof! They stink.
I don’t like my sister fighting with me
I don’t like her when she calls my name and steals my things.
I call my mum and she comes
She says ‘don’t worry, I will buy you your favourite fairy wings.’
4 Seasons, by Leena (year five)
Autumn is the seasons of the perfect weather and coloured leaves
Winter is the season of cold and sadness and where snow brings joy!
Spring is the season of the magnificent flowers and the delicious fruit growing
Summer is the season where the sun puts smiles on children’s faces and holidays begin.
Even a global pandemic can’t stop these children from being creative!
Saturday 11th July should have been the day of the Blackburn Children’s University graduation ceremony, but unfortunately it couldn’t take place this year due to social distancing rules.
This didn’t stop some of the children making their very own graduation caps; and a great job they did too! It’s been business as usual during the lockdown and the children have been taking part in all sorts of activities, which are continuing during the summer.
We can’t wait until we can meet them all in person again!
