![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.birst.co.uk\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Ration-allowance.png\")
<\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nRation Books<\/strong> and how families adjusted<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ration books had been introduced at the tail end of First World War to control food usage, and this happened again during World War II and in to the 50s. Essentially, these books were a collection of coupons which could be used at designated butchers, green grocers, petrol stations and other stores to collect the equivalent amount of food or petrol. Money still had to be used as the coupons only indicated the amount that could be received. The books were given to both children and adults and families learnt to adapt to these restrictions. For example, as contributor Keir Foss explains (image below), he was taught a bounty of skills to put food on the table such as plucking chickens, trapping and skinning rabbits and whisking and skimming milk. He also grew his own fruit and vegetables as did many did during wartime and beyond – foraging and fishing was also common. Finally, Keir concludes that his clothes were hand-me-downs or made and repaired by his mother reinforcing the idea of making do with whatever was available!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.birst.co.uk\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/138803598_2846714395647056_5666207473306611957_o-1.jpg\")
An example of a ration book from island resident John A. Cole<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.birst.co.uk\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/be83e0a5a2553d1eb2c7c7bb7bd2495d-1.jpg\")
A ration book for a child.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.birst.co.uk\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/138821450_3399191120190668_3308244165075409668_o-1.jpg\")
Example of the inside of Ration book provided by Ian Jones.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.birst.co.uk\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/139000664_3399192216857225_5061425313227677348_o.jpg\")
The front of Ian Jones’ ration book.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul> A collection of varying ration books for food.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n ![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.birst.co.uk\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/138768207_10157590693381890_4275219435015558080_o-1024x768.jpg\")
The outside of a petrol ration book.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.birst.co.uk\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/138891538_10157590693831890_6461509188365222956_o-1024x875.jpg\")
The inside of the ration book, note the number of units allowed to be acquired,<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul> Island resident Simon Young displays his petrol ration book.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Christmas<\/strong> and money saving<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.birst.co.uk\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/138865656_10222734079155022_7637371577817827811_o-1024x947.jpg\")
Provided by Andy Marshall, while this book is addressed to a residence in Bristol it gives us an insight of what the first Christmas post-war would have looked like on the dinner table!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n The victory Christmas of 1945 would still have been reminiscent of a wartime Christmas due to rationing and soldiers being demobilised, despite this, there was a positive attitude and people were optimistic. Football games were played over the Christmas period and other events such as carolling, theatre and live bands were attended. Also related to Christmas is the concept of Christmas clubs which I discovered in an oral history interview I conducted. Due to the high levels of austerity, shops offered a scheme where one could deposit money into an account ready for Christmas. Dividends were also common methods of saving during this time. which both my interviewee and a Facebook contributor talked about. While not around nowadays, many have fond memories of these schemes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n