THE Second World War had been over for a couple of years but back in 1947 the people of Southampton were still facing a bleak battle.
Post-war austerity was biting hard, frequent power cuts plunged homes into darkness, shortages in the shops meant times were hard for families, and rationing affected almost every part of day-to-day living.
On bomb sites across Southampton barrow-boys were quick to set up their stalls if they managed to find scarce items they could sell to hard-pushed housewives always on the lookout to bolster their shopping lists while special treats, like rarely seen oranges and bananas, were quickly snapped up in the greengrocers.
Times may have been hard locally but it was as nothing compared to the misery facing people in war-ravaged Central Europe and Southampton churches were collecting old clothes to send to those in desperate need.
"A child of seven wrote to us saying how grateful he was for his first pair of shoes, the normal foot covering is a piece of wood bound with a bandage," one vicar told the Daily Echo at the time.
Clubs and other community organisations would organise modest parties, especially for children who had little to enjoy in those straightened times.
Twins Raymond and Geoffrey Herbert take a bite of a playground treat
"Naafi girls at 61 Transit Camp on Southampton Common, gave up their sweet ration to add to the enjoyment of the children," reported the Daily Echo.
"Thanks to the effort of the staff of Gabriel, Wade and English, timber merchants of Northam who had constructed an amazing number of sizeable toys from ammunition boxes and other scrap wood, each youngster has been given a gift."
At another event children enjoyed what was described as a "non-austerity tea" with jelly and ice cream while at 30 berth canteen in the Eastern Docks young guests each received an orange, apple and a small piece of chocolate.
More apples - 600 bushels of them - a gift from United States growers, were distributed to pupils at 70 schools across Southampton.
At Bassett Green School the mayor of Southampton, Councillor Frank Dibben, gave away the fruit much to the delight of the youngsters.
Southampton Consular Corps women sort toys for needy local children in 1947.
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