Tag: WW1

Buy British this Christmas!

In a new age of technology it seems you can buy just about anything from anywhere. Gone are the days of buying local and hello worldwide shipping! With so much available to us at the click of a button, it’s easy to forget those independent businesses on our doorsteps. The kind of places where you’re greeted with a smile, a hello, and most importantly the kind that help build a community. During the Christmas of 1915, an advertisement called for its readers to look no further than their own high street and shop local!

“KEEP THE FLAG FLYING.
–
We should like to point out that now so many things are British Make you will help thousands of workers by buying your
Christmas Presents
as usual as far as you are able. 
–
We have a splendid range of BRITISH MADE GOODS,
including a Large and Special 
SHOW OF LADIES’ BAGS
in a variety of shapes and leathers.
Our speciality this season is SUEDE BAGS, from 3/- to 15/-
–
Fancy Frames, Writing and Attache Cases. 
Fountain and Stylo Pens.– Waterman, Swan, Onoto, and many other well-known makes.
Waterman latest pattern Self-filling Pen- 12/6- a most useful present for a Soldier or a Sailor. A splendid Stylo at 1/6 & 2/6. A really good Self-filling Fountain Pen, with gold nib, 3/9. 
A New Work Attache Case, from 1/-. A distinct novelty.
Fern and Rose Bowls, from 1/- to 17/6. A splendid variety in Brass and China. 
A New and Delightful Present this year is a 
Cretonne Covered Box. We have a variety of these articles, including Blouse Boxes, Glove, Handkerchief, Tie, Stud, Trinket, Veil, and other Boxes, and Blotters, 6 1/2d., I/-, etc.
–
A LARGE RANGE OF USEFUL AND ARTISTIC NOVELTIES FOR PRESENTS.
–
Our show of
CHRISTMAS BOOKS
is now well known. We have a splendid selection this season again, including Strang’s Annual, 3/6, Blackie’s Annual, 3/6, Red Book of the War, 2/6, Fighting with French, 3/6, Jolly Book, 2/6, Chummy Book, 2/6, etc.. etc. 
–
COME EARLY AND SEE OUR SHOWROOMS.
–
DOLBY BROTHERS, 
Fancy Stationers and Booksellers Stamford.”

Stamford and Rutland Guardian, 22nd December 1915. 

The Stamford Mercury Archive Trust would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

Buy British this Christmas

The Plum Pudding Scheme

Here comes the annual Christmas ritual involving that second (maybe even third) helping of turkey on the big day. It’s the time of year when we have an excuse to overindulge, to buy that second cheese board on offer in M&S, and generally accept the fact that our noses will be leading the way, shamelessly, to the nearest dessert trolley all season long. But in 1914, the citizens of Stamford were putting aside their own Christmas cravings, instead thinking of the rumbling tums of the troops in the trenches… 

“STAMFORD AND THE PLUM PUDDING SCHEME.-

Miss Richardson will be grateful for a little help to conclude the work of providing the local men serving with the colours with Christmas puddings. The 900 puddings are now ready, but £8 or more will be needed for the postage of the same. About 60 parcels, separately packed, will be sent to the front, besides those dispatched to the different towns in England. On each pudding a label bearing the solider’s name and number will be placed, and a small label on the pudding basin will be inscribed : “With best wishes from Stamford.”” 

Their efforts appeared to be a success as, one year later, another mention was printed in the Stamford and Rutland Guardian – 

“PLUM PUDDINGS FOR FIGHTERS
–
Successful Effort in Stamford.

The collection made in Stamford on Saturday in order to send plum puddings to our soldiers and sailors resulted in £65 2s. 2d. being obtained. Small flags on which plum puddings were illustrated were sold in large quantities by well-known local ladies and wounded soliders from Lady Battie-Wrightson’s Hospital, the Infirmary, and Burghley House Hospital. The sale was admirably organised by Mrs. Stanley Brotherhood, of Thornhaugh.”

Excerpt 1: Stamford and Rutland Guardian, 5th December 1914.
Excerpt 2: Stamford and Rutland Guardian, 1st December 1915.

Woollen Ammunition

With Christmas fast approaching, it is hell on the high streets as we shop til we drop for all those festive gifts. In 1914, however, it was likely that you’d be searching for a present that was a little more practical. With loved ones battling more than one enemy in the trenches, this December advertisement during the First World War calls for ‘Woollen Ammunition’ to be sent to our troops in the chilly climates overseas!

“Christmas.

Don’t Forget the Man Behind the Gun. 

Send him a Gift he will appreciate. 

Something Useful, Serviceable. 

Send him Woollen Ammunition to Fight the Cold. 

HAVE YOU THOUGHT of what the approach of winter means to our troops?

IT MEANS another enemy to face, one which can be best fought with warm, knitted goods-Socks, Scarves, and Sleeping Helmets. What better gift then for your solider friend than one or more of these Seasonable Articles, keenly priced, but worth their weight in gold to the man behind the gun. It is not too early to send; there is snow in France today. SEND NOW.

HEAVY KHAKI SHIRTS, 5/6.
KHAKI-WOOL SPENCERS, 6/11, 7/11.
OFFICERS’ KHAKI KNITTED JACKETS, with pockets, 11/6.
CARDIGAN JACKETS, 4/6, 6/6, 8/6.
SWEATER JERSEYS IN KHAKI, 8/6, NAVY, 6/11.
ARMY MARCHING SOCKS, 1/-, 1/3, 1/6, 1/9.
BALACLAVA SLEEPING HELMETS, in Khaki, also Navy, 1/9, 2/6.
FLEECY WOOL SCARVES, 2/6, 2/11, 3/11.
WOVEN BODY BELTS, 2-/, 2/6, 2/11.
CAP COMFORTERS, 1/0 1/2, 1/9, 2/6.
KHAKI HANDKERCHIEFS, 2/11 DOZEN.
WOOL MITTS, Heather Mixture, 10 1/2d. PAIR OR 10/3 PER DOZEN. 
KHAKI WOOL MITTS, 1/6 & 1/9.
KHAKI WOOL GLOVES, 1/9. 
LARGE STOCK OF ARMY BLANKETS.
KNITTING WOOLS, ALL COLOURS. 
BOOTS, SHOES AND LEGGINGS.”

Stamford and Rutland Guardian, 5th December 1914. 

(You read it right, the Stamford Mercury Archive Trust holds many other newspaper titles other than the Stamford Mercury – many of which were rival publications! Visit our website if you want to know more.)