Exhibition: Women’s Land Army

War affected every section of society, not just the military. More food needed to be produced and, as men were recruited into the armed services, there were fewer hands to do the work. At the same time, farmers were being pressed to convert more land to arable from pasture. Women had always been involved in agriculture, horticulture and forestry, but now their contribution was critical…

This exhibition will explore the practicalities of how the Land Army was organised, the key figures involved and some of the challenges that were encountered along the way. Despite the misgivings, and sometimes the hostility, of politicians, civil servants, landowners, farmers, trade unions and foresters, who doubted that women would be able to undertake the range of farm work, and very often failed to give WLA leaders and volunteers the credit and recognition they, the women of ‘the Cinderella service’, deserved.

Image: UK Government, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

With thanks to Dr John Godfrey for his writing and research for this exhibition.

The exhibition has been generously sponsored by Oakland Grange and Oakland Court Care Homes and other generous donors.

Entry to the exhibition is included in your Museum entry ticket.

There will be times when it is not open which are listed here:

• Each Wednesday morning
• Monday 18 May (1-4pm)
• Tuesday 19 May (all day)
• Closed Tuesday 26 May – 28 May (inclusive)

June dates

• Tuesday 2 June (all day)
• Wednesday 3 June (all day)
• Saturday 6 June (all day)
• Tuesday 9 June (closed 10-1)
• Wednesday 10 June (closed all day)
• Friday 12 June (closed 1-4)
• Saturday 13 June (closed all day)
• 1-4pm Monday 15 June
• Tuesday 16 June (closed all day)
• Saturday 20 June (closed 2-4pm)
• Monday 22 – Sunday 28 June (inclusive)

July dates

•  1-4pm Monday 20 July
• Tuesday 14 July (closed all day)
• Monday 20 July (closed 1-4pm)
• Thursday 23 July (closed all day)