Looking Back: Day in the Country for ‘Shut-Ins’

From May 1965

Last May our Women’s Guild in the country entertained some elderly members from a Guild in the city. They were all women who were never any distance from their own homes. Many were probably never out at all.

The evening before they came you could smell the homely smell of baking all over our town. Guild members, eager to help, were making their own speciality – cream sponges, fairy cakes and meringues. The same smell pervaded the town next morning when the ‘dab hands’ were turning out scones and pancakes.

Our guests arrived in a specially hired bus. Acting as courier, the Vice-President took them on a tour of the town, and gave them a glimpse of the surrounding countryside in its spring freshness.

Masses of flowers transformed the church hall when they arrived back for tea – a contribution from those with gardens. All the big spring flowers were there – daffodils, narcissi, tulips and wallflowers, as well as the smaller ariculas, polyanthus and primroses. Some members had combed their rockeries and made up little individual posies tied with ribbon to lay beside the guests’ plates.

It was as if we could not do enough to give our visitors a taste of the pleasant things we ourselves enjoyed all the time. And the sun was our ally, gilding everything with brightness.

At teatime the minister’s wife asked the blessing. Some members acted as hostesses at the top and bottom of the tables, putting strangers at ease. Some were waitresses. Some worked behind the scenes, making tea and washing up. Afterwards others sang and recited.

Each used her own special talent to make the day a memorable one in lives that were shut-in and lonely.

The departing guests carried bunches of flowers and boxes of cakes for themselves and for those at home who were not able to come.

In giving others a taste of happiness we enjoyed it ourselves. So much so that we are inviting another group from the city this Spring.

-          EFI

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