Matrons Who Cannot Keep Maids

In 1938, the villagers of Ewelme in the charming Chiltern Hills seemed to be having a disagreement about whether they needed a village hall or not. One resident wrote to the local newspaper, setting out the reasons why a village hall was needed. As well as a requirement for young people to be able to have recreation under supervision of their elders, the anonymous scribe railed at certain matron types in the village who displayed an “astounding attitude”.

“Are not these women the very ones who either loudly deplore the fact that they cannot keep maids because there is nowhere for the said maids to go in an evening? And also the ones who condemn their granddaughters for wasting bus fares to go to the cinema in Wallingford?”

Fair point, I would say. But the following point was even fairer:

“Who stood between ourselves and death 20 years ago? The lads of this brave little village…who would we call on again in like danger? Those same lads to whom a shelter for a concert or dance is denied.”

A poignant comment indeed to be making in 1938.

This goes to show who made the decisions in the feudal hangover days of not so long ago – the elderly, wealthy matrons who wilfully did not understand the needs of the young villagers. The social changes that the Second World War were shortly to bring were often sorely needed.

Here’s the image that turns up on Google Maps when you search for Ewelme Village Hall. They got one eventually. But judging by the architecture it took a war and a few more years before the premises were built.

Joyce Grenfell liked a pop at silly old matrons...read my collection of Joyce inspired stories - click here