A New Industry for Bedfordshire

Stock list for Bedfordshire Village Toy Depot, 1917 [Z720/209A/6]

Friday 27th November 1914 (Bedford): Now that toys cannot be imported from Germany attempts are being made to encourage toy-making as a new cottage industry for the villages of Bedfordshire. A Central Toy Depot has been set up in the headquarters of the Women’s Emergency Corps (formerly known as the Women’s Registration Bureau) at 15a St Paul’s Square, Bedford under the direction of Mrs Trustram Eve. This includes an office, a showroom and a workshop where women come from around Bedfordshire to learn and practise toy-making so that they can teach others in their towns and villages. We are told that it is not a difficult craft, and only a few simple tools and a fretsaw are needed. So far ten towns and villages have become involved in the project: Ampthill, Clophill, Cranfield, Haynes, Kempston, Marston, Old Warden, Pavenham, Southill and Wootton. The craft is being taught mainly to women, especially to lace-makers as an alternative line of work, but it is thought it will also make a good means of employment for disabled soldiers.

For two weeks an expert from London has been teaching at Mrs Eve’s house and some impressive toys have been produced which are of better quality than those imported from abroad. They are made from 3-ply wood containing a high proportion of sycamore and it is hoped that this will soon be sourced locally. The toys made so far are mainly vehicles, furniture and animals. Favourites are “ye olde pig of Pavenham” and an ambulance wagon with fittings for stretchers and a canvas cover with a Red Cross. There are also cradles, a toy bungalow, little Russian figures and Highland pipers among many other clever designs.

Source: Ampthill News 28th November 1914