In 1944 or 1945 some of the WI ladies were determined to make themselves some warm fur backed gloves. Since each glove would require one rabbit skin, it was decided to start the project when there would be plenty of skins available at the same time. By some miracle, they had managed to obtain some soft pigskin which could be used for the palms, the fur backs they would process themselves.
In those days wheat grew quite tall and was cut with a binder which deposited a long line of sheaves to be picked up and ‘stooked’ to finish drying out. The rabbits had been enjoying a summer of copious food supplies and shelter among the golden wheat stalks. Rabbit snares placed around the edges of the fields had provided many folks with rabbit stews but rabbits are prolific breeders and by harvest time farmers were intent on reducing their population before the winter. Some fresh meat to supplement our meagre rations would also be welcome.
Each field was cut in a circular pattern towards the centre and of course the rabbits among the stalks had no escape except to travel further into the wheat! When only a few more circles remained, every good marksman would stand around the edge of the field and wait for the moment of mass rabbit breakout.
Safely corralled beside the gate I covered my ears as the hail of gunfire burst forth. Soon it was all over and the happy hunters headed home with several brace hanging by their legs from each gun barrel. Those they could not use themselves went to the local butchers and provided funds to pay for the cartridges and maybe a pint or two at the pub that night.
Rabbit provided a good meal for a family. Despite the need to carefully remove the occasional buckshot as one ate, it was a luxury in a world where our meat ration at one point was so small it was photographed beside a matchbox!
Soon the ladies had all the skins they needed. Mrs. Head tanned several skins, including two for my mother. It was a very smelly process and she worked in their garage (it stood at the end of their garden) in hopes the wind would disperse the stench ASAP! I was glad it was not happening in our backyard!
My first close up look at the process came when the skins were already stretched and nailed to plywood sheets which were propped around her garden in every available sunny patch. We were recruited to help ‘scrape’ and soften the pelts. I did not enjoy the job!
The ladies met at the Stork meeting room to cut the leather and stockinette lining. This was an arduous process since it required the utmost skill to make the leather provide enough glove palms. Even so some seams appeared in unusual places! I think the lining was recycled from old worn out coats.
Sewing required a good thimble and a sharp needle and many a lady bore the marks of her nightly struggles! My mother resorted to an awl to hammer tiny holes in the leather and rabbit skin as one of us stretched the material over a block of wood!
Their reward came on Christmas Day when every lady proudly wore her new leather gloves to Church. Several folks asked the group if they would make them a pair; they would be happy to pay! Alas, not a single glovemaker was prepared to tackle another glove ever again.
Lovely story and so evocative of the times