In celebration of VE Day I have been asked to photograph lovely Joyce
interview with Joyce, by Abigail (CVA Volunteer)
As a teenager during the war Joyce wanted to volunteer for the Land Army, but her parents were very strict, so Joyce signed up in secret. Joyce’s parents were dumbfounded when Joyce then received her papers!
Joyce remembers the Land Army as being a good education, and a lot of fun. On Joyce’s first day she learned how to milk a cow by hand. First of all, Joyce had to wash the cow down, and pick dirt out of its hoof. Joyce was told not to let the cow move when milking, but this was difficult - the cow moved and Joyce got drenched with milk!
However, Joyce and the cow came to an understanding and when Joyce had finished milking, the cow swished its tail around as if to say thank you. Joyce learnt many things in the Land Army – including how to dig and how to thatch.
Joyce remembers VE Day fondly. There was dancing and singing in the street – she describes it as being a lovely feeling, beautiful and like being in a dream. Everybody was marvellous to one another.