During the Second World War years of food rationing the government introduced pig clubs.
The Small Pig Keeper’s Council (SPKC) was the national governing body giving advice and rules on how individuals and groups could raise pigs.
Pig club members, who paid a monthly contribution to the club officials, would buy a pig, and provide food waste for the pigs to eat, care for them and eventually share the meat that was produced. The pig would be registered with the SPKC who tracked and controlled what happened to the meat. When the pig was fattened and killed the club members were allowed to keep half of the pig to share amongst themselves with the other half being handed over to the Ministry of Food.
Warborough & Shillingford’s PIG CLUB was held at the Six Bells.
In Warborough & Shillingford, the President of the club was J.R. Warburton, the Chairman was W. Vaughan, the Treasurer was J. Holliday and the secretary was A.B. Waters with A. Vaughan and R Absolom as committee members.
The Contribution Card shows that A.H. Cheiney paid 6 shillings for insurance, an entrance fee of 3 shillings and a monthly contribution of 8d.
Quite what went on at the Six Bells during their monthly meetings we can only guess at, but a pint would have been had and perhaps a rendition of the Pig Club Slogan:
Because of the pail, the scraps were saved.
Because of the scraps, the pigs were saved.
Because of the pigs, the rations were saved.
Because of the rations, the ships were saved.
Because of the ships, the island was saved.
Because of the island, the Empire was saved.
And all because of the housewife’s pail.
Thanks to Joe Blackstone for giving the Contribution Card
Further research by Lynda Raynor