Women's Land Army - NFUS press release

FIRST MINISTER WELCOMES WOMEN’S LAND ARMY FUNDRAISING BID


Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond, has welcomed the creation of a group, led by NFU Scotland, which aims to establish a permanent memorial to the work of the Women’s Land Army in Scotland.

The announcement was made at a reception, hosted by the Scottish Government at the Royal Highland Show, to which a number of former WLA members, or ‘land girls’ as they were often called, were invited.

The monument will recognise the WLA’s crucial role in supplying the UK with food and raw materials during World Wars I and II. A steering group, represented by NFU Scotland, NFU Mutual, the Scottish Farmer and the Scottish Women’s Rural Institutes (SWRI) will now begin to determine what form the memorial should take, where it should be sited, and to raise money to fund the project.

NFU Scotland’s President, Jim McLaren, whose mother was a member of the WLA said:

“I am very pleased to be involved in creating a fitting monument to the WLA, whose efforts have not been sufficiently recognised up to this point. I am encouraged to see that an enthusiastic group has now come forward to help make this happen and welcome the Scottish Government’s endorsement of the project.

“I am looking forward to the opportunity to meet some of the WLA’s former members and to hearing their ideas as to the most fitting form of memorial.

“To that end, if anyone would like to suggest or propose a suitable site or help with fundraising, they should get in touch with me, which can be done quite easily through NFU Scotland’s Head Office at Ingliston.”

First Minister, Alex Salmond said:

“Tomorrow sees the inaugural Armed Forces Day, where communities across the country will come together to recognise the tremendous service of military personnel, past and present.

“Civilians have often played important wartime roles too, not least the Women’s Land Army during two World Wars. I’m delighted to be able to meet some of the ‘land girls’ at this reception, which we’ve organised in recognition of their vital work.

“Though much has changed since the Second World War, it is only right that those who today live and work on the land or enjoy the fabulous produce showcased at the Royal Highland Show, recognise and remember the lasting contribution these women made.

“I welcome the initiative shown by NFU Scotland in bringing together a group to examine how a permanent memorial can be established as a fitting tribute to their important contribution to the war effort. I look forward to seeing how their proposals and fund-raising drive progress.”