Search to find Women’s Land Army Hostels – can you help?

Ad Feature by WEA
Published 17th May 2023, 11:02 BST
Updated 18th May 2023, 11:19 BST
Women's Land Army Hut in GranthamWomen's Land Army Hut in Grantham
Women's Land Army Hut in Grantham
Women's Land Army Hostels played a key role during World War Two and a new project wants your help to find remaining examples in South Yorkshire.

They were built all over the country to house women who joined the Women's Land Army – so called because they worked the land to produce food which kept the nation going.

Heritage England have already given Grade 2 Listed status to some of the identified hostels in other parts of the country and it’s likely the same could happen in South Yorkshire

The WEA Women on the Land Project now wants your help to locate remaining examples in South Yorkshire.

Anyone with information, or wanting to know more, should call Project Co-ordinator Richard Godley on 07854 646742 or email [email protected].

It is believed several of the red brick hostels could still be sanding in the region, though you might not even realise they are there.

Many are thought to be hiding in plain sight amongst existing farming buildings or hidden from view in woodland.

Scores were built across the country at the height of World War Two but the majority were constructed away from towns and cities. The buildings were often single storey and brick-built in the form of a T shape. As more women moved in, the hostels were often expanded into a larger cross form.

Women’s Land Army Hostels housed women that worked on the land and kept the UK fed during two world warsWomen’s Land Army Hostels housed women that worked on the land and kept the UK fed during two world wars
Women’s Land Army Hostels housed women that worked on the land and kept the UK fed during two world wars

The WEA Women on the Land Project, supported by a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, is researching, recording and documenting how those who joined the Women’s Land Army and Lumber Jills (Timber corps) helped to support the agricultural landscapes of the country during WW2 (and WW1) and, after the war, to grow food to support the reconstruction of Europe.

Formed in 1939 with a drive from Lady Denman, a leading proponent of women’s rights in the early 20th century and the first Chairman of the Women’s Institutes, they helped to feed the nation and much more. The women were stationed in farms and purpose-built hostels before finally disbanding in November 1950.

The project is particularly interested in identifying any of these purpose-built Land Army hostels which may still remain.

Project Co-ordinator Richard Godley said: “Look around your communities, villages, and towns. Perhaps your walking group has spotted a building that looks as though it was built in wartime? Or maybe a building like this has been repurposed into something else?”

Related topics:South Yorkshire