Evacuees

It is a known fact that many evacuees came to Gloucestershire to escape the bombing raids on London and The Midlands. Some of these evacuees even came to Longhope and were accomodated in the Manor House. The late Ian Cameron remembers a swimming pool in the grounds of the Manor House that he helped clean and fill with water before the war. However, the pool became polluted with rubbish and bean cans from the evacuees.

Dig for Victory

During the Second World War, the plants on the sides of May Hill were replaced with farmland as part of the Dig For Victory campaign. Many species of plants and wild flowers were lost in this process as the land was turned over for growing barley [1]. It was found, though, that due to the stony nature of the soil on May Hill that not many of the crops survived.

Many trees were cut down from the Forest of Dean by thousands of women who joined the Women's Forestry Corps to provide much needed wood for local Saw-mills. They were given the nick-name of "Lumberjills" by the local lads.

Post War Days

After the Second World War a collection was made from the villagers to raise money for a war memorial in the centre of the village. A total of £2,600 was raised of which £600 was spent purchasing the current recreation ground so that "it could be used by the villagers forever" and a further £600 spent on building the then pavilion. Other money was put towards levelling part of the ground for a cricket pitch.

In May 1920 a ceremony took place to unveil a war memorial in All Saints' Church. A newspaper article from the time records the event.

"... The special service prepared by the Bishop of Stepney was used. At the appointed stage of the service Mrs. Pringle, of the Manor House, removed the Union Jack with which the memorial has been covered since its erection. The memorial is in the north transept and in full view of the nave of the church. The tablet is carved of oak, surmounted by a cross. The subject of the design is the Angel of Victory holding a wreath of laurel leaves with a cross inset. Printed in red and black letters are the names of the 22 boys from the parish who laid down their lives in the cause of liberty and freedom. ... At the close of the service the Dead March in 'Seul' was played, and 'Last Post' was sounded by buglers. ... many of the congregation inspected and greatly admired the memorial, the design and workmanship of which is the work of Mr. R. Kearsey, of the Furnace Mill, Longhope." [2]

References

McLean, V., "May Hill: Paintings and Drawing by Valerie McLean", Fineleaf Editions, 2006.
Private documents [03]

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