6. War Weapons Week Words and Music by John Close
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The towns of Wolverton, New Bradwell and Stony Stratford are geographically very close; but before the new city connected them, they were somewhat distanced in their pride of place. The first two had developed massively only in the mid-19th century when the new railway provided industrial jobs and new houses. In contrast, the market town of Stony had much history, its credentials dating from the 12th century. When the war of 1939 broke out however, the attendant deprivations exacerbated basic problems throughout communities: for some, pride of place had disintegrated into a fight for survival:
‘The Stony Stratford Rangers ran a number of Jumble Sales during the war. The women who came to buy would push the door in, each trying to get in first. And whilst they kept us, the stall-holders, occupied pricing an item, their children would be below the level of the stall, filling their bags for free. It was not civilised as sales are today, and the clothes for sale were rough and cheap-looking - much was only suitable for the ragman.’ Audrey Lambert Nonetheless, it was this same war that also became a means of uniting and engaging local people. John Close’s joyous song War Weapons Week celebrates the enthusiastic rally of local groups in a patriotic parade, replicated throughout the country. With the local Home Guard and British Legion leading the way, they were followed by a stream of neighbourhood brass bands, uniformed fire-brigade and ambulance personnel, local Boys Brigades and schoolgirls - and the RAF Spitfires fly-past. The Wolverton Express reported fulsomely on how the local council, the Railway Works, the Church and Chapel, various jumble sales and dances raised money ‘to help our soldiers overseas get Hitler on the run’ and help them win the war… Inspiring processions were not unknown in Wolverton however: ‘On 3rd August 1885, The Park – Wolverton’s new Recreation Ground - opened with a procession 5,000-strong, of children singing and bands playing, of crowds cheering race-cyclists, runners, footballers, tennis-players; and in the evening the sounds of dance music and fireworks. Around 16,000 people were present that day.’[1] Processional festivities had abounded in New Bradwell too: on Coronation Day, June 22nd 1911, Nellie Smith wrote in her diary: ‘The day at last. Peeped out first thing for the weather, fine but very rough, went down to decorate our cars at 5.30. How lovely they all looked, finished our work at 9. Procession at 11am. The best that has ever been seen about here, every one of the Colonies and Britain perfectly represented… Pageant started at 2pm, such a crowd of people from all parts, went through it splendid.’[2] Moreover, the new city of Milton Keynes marked the foundation of Willen’s Peace Pagoda in 1980 with a ceremony of vividly robed Buddhist monks, fluttering pink-and-white paper petals and the release of white birds. This was ‘a lengthy procession headed by a richly draped elephant … a programme of drumming and chanting and speeches – and a feeling of goodwill that allowed for cultural differences.’ (Eugene Fisk) Likewise, the community drama Sheltered Lives at Stantonbury Theatre[3] in which this song featured had 98 people in the cast and backstage; it was, said one participant, ‘fantastic – two, three generations all working together, collaborating… a kind of joyous celebration of community.’ (Roger Kitchen) [1] From Milton Keynes, a History and a Celebration by Marion Hill pub 2005 by The Francis Frith Collection [2] See: Nellie Smith Collection - Living Archive [3] The download on the song’s webpage is from the original performance of the cast of Sheltered Lives 1983 |
The Home Guard parading outside Wolverton Works
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