Article for November 2010 Newsletter

We started our year in September with a talk by Mr Davis of Harpenden entitled ‘The Idle Women’, the story of volunteers on the canals in WW2. Prior to the outbreak of the war, the movement of goods on the canals had been developed by a group of people working the long boats and plying their trade. They were insular people and had only limited contact with the rest of the country. When a large number of these ‘bargees’ were called up, the country was left with a huge problem. Who would continue this vital work and keep industry moving? The Government, acting for the Grand Union Carrying Company, advertised for volunteers and several enthusiastic ladies started a group to do this work on the Birmingham Canal at a meagre £2 a week. With no experience, little training these eighty ladies did this arduous and very dirty work up until 1944. It was a fascinating story, illustrated with excellent slides of the boat people, their life and work.

At the end of October, we were very pleased to welcome back Neil Rees whose new talk ‘King Zog of Albania in exile in the Chilterns’ proved to be an evening to remember. Who on earth was King Zog? Apparently Ahmet Zogu, born in 1895, progressed from Prime Minister in 1921, President in 1925 to self-selected King of the Albanians in 1928. With the help of Italian finance, he developed the country, improved the capital Tirana and formed his own gendarmerie. In 1938 the King married Countess Geraldine, a rich American-Hungarian heiress and with his six sisters formed his own Royal Family. At the outbreak of WW2, King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy took over Albania and following Mussolini’s rule, the Zog dynasty was forced into exile. From 1939 – 1940 the family travelled all over Europe and after spells at the London Ritz and near Ascot they settled at Parmoor House in Bucks from 1941. After the war Zog tried to get back to Albania but the Communists had taken charge so eventually he settled in France where he died in 1961. Zog’s grandson Leka still lives in Albania and acts only in an advisory capacity in the affairs of his native country. An excellent talk by Neil thoroughly enjoyed by all our members.

We meet at 8pm on the last Tuesday of the month in the village hall. All visitors are very welcome.

Next meetings:-

November 30^th ‘The Prison at Norman Cross’ – A Time team investigation

January 25^th ‘The Curious Disappearance of Major Glen Miller’

February 22nd ‘From Medicine Spoons to Love Spoons’