After 18 months of intensive research and interviews with over a dozen surviving members of the Women's Land Army in Wooler , this project has culminated in the launch of an impressive set of Interpretative Display panels at Wooler Youth Hostel on 2 June 2009 - the original Youth Hostel building was purpose-built to house the first draft of land-girls in Glendale. The project was initiated by the Glendale Gateway Trust after they had acquired and renovated the hostel, with all the research and interviewing being conducted by Rosemary Bell, Programme Secretary of the Glendale Local History Society. Funding for the Display Panels has been provided by the James Hugonin Charity Bike Ride 2008 (Land's End to John O' Groats) and the Northumberland National Park Authority. Bill Grisdale was the graphic designer and Neil Wilson and Roger Miket of the GGT were closely involved.
Neil Wilson of the GGT opened the proceedings by inviting Rosemary to launch the Display in the presence of eight former land-girls and an assembly of local dignitaries.
The Women’s Land Army(W.L.A.) was founded on the eve of the outbreak of World War II to fill the void arising from the conscription of male agricultural labourers. Women not conscripted into the forces or factories and who did not have domestic responsibilities, or work in reserved occupations, were employed as farm labourers to enhance the much-needed food production at home in Britain.
The Northumberland organisation was initiated in June1938. On 26th August 1939 it was announced at the Glendale Show that almost 100 young women from Northumberland had volunteered to work on the land in the Women’s Land Army. The minimum age for joining the W.L.A. was 17 years. Until 1940 volunteers were employed directly by the individual farmer, who provided two weeks training and accommodation in the farmhouse or farm cottages. The Ministry of Agriculture paid him an allowance of 15 shillings (75p) per week, and the trainee 10 shillings (50p).
In 1940 Surrey House, Haugh Head (just south of Wooler), along with Pawston Farm near Mindrum, were requisitioned to pioneer the idea of hostel-type living. In 1943 Wooler Hostel was purpose-built to accommodate the Land Army Girls. It was managed by the Young Men’s Christian Association until 1946, when county officers took over. According to the W.L.A. magazine, Wooler was one of nineteen hostels opened that year, about half of which were purpose-built.
Most of the girls recruited to work from a base in Wooler came from towns, particularly Newcastle. Adapting to life in the country and manual farm work with its long hours proved challenging. Some of the girls could not cope with the hard life and resigned from the service. However, most adapted to their new life. Many married locally, and remained in the area. Some of their experiences are given elsewhere in the hostel.
The hostel ceased being a base for the W.L.A. in 1950, when the organisation was disbanded. It was then used to accommodate displaced persons. In 1954 the building was taken over by the Youth Hostel Association, and in 2007 by the Glendale Gateway Trust.
Click on the links below to open pdfs of the WLA display boards mounted at the Wooler Youth Hostel. Note that the original large display images have been reduced to A4 size for download.
Display Boards in Communal Areas:
Introduction to the history of the Women's Land Army in Wooler
The Land Girls' Story - Hilda Humpherson & Jean Robinson
The Cook's Story - Peggy Evans
The Story of the Wooler Youth Hostel
The Glendale Gateway Trust saves the Wooler Youth Hostel
Display Boards in Bedrooms:
Click here to go back to GLHS reception area