Evening star., 1948-12-21
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LIFE IN ENGLAND.
/Ero1,1 a r. Arlinnt071

am 6rlC1Sn war DTlQe anu nave
been living In U. S. A. for al
most two years. Conditions in Eng
land will have changed somewhat
during that time, but can at least
give you an idea as to what to take
or have sent over to you, during
your stay. I suggest you take your
furniture with you, especially as the
Army will pack and ship at no ex-
pense to you.
Furniture is rationed and when I
left there "dockets" were given only
to newly married persons and those
who had lost a house during the war.
Household linens, curtains, ETC.,
are also on dockets. although 1t is
possible to use clothing coupons for
some things. However, the supply
is inadequate. Rugs are hard to
find and very expensive.
You will only find beautiful china
at q very high price and much of
this Is being exported to foreign
countries, so take your china and
glass.
Take your pots and pans, because
although these are in good supply,
the Best ones are being exported, so
the British housewife has to be con-
tent with second best.
Buy your electric iron over there.
Washing machines and refrigerators
are expensive, so before you leave
for England have your washing ma
chine changed over for 230-volt OPP
Grafton by having a motor designed
for 230-volt operation.
Note! Some parts Of London use
$50 volts direct current and Others
230 volts alternating current. Buy
transformer for radio If it Is q
radio-phonograph combination. If
you take straight radio, resistance
cord may do. depending on current
required. The food ration is small
but you can supplement this with
food from the -commissary. The
civilian ration Is as follows: Bacon,
l ounce; meat, 20 cents worth;
cheese, III ounces; butter, 3 ounces;
cooking fat, S ounces; egg. This
is the weekly food ration, so send
food parcels in advance. Civilian
limit, % pounds: service, 10 pounds.
Coffee is plentiful and unrationed.
Dried fruit and timed foods are on
a separate point system and an al
lowance for these is made each
month.
Soap Is in short supply, so send
with starch and soap powder in ad-
vance. Take all you can in the way
Of clothing and keep your coupons
for worthwhile things like soft
woolens and materials that are 90
much better in England than over
here. Shoe leather Is better, too,
and shoes are now unrationed. How
ever. If you like fancy shoes take
several pairs with you. English
gloves are nice but now of ration,
so cannot vouch for supplies. Take
as many pairs Of nylons as possible.
Britain Is exporting these, too, SO
the women have to be content with
rayon.
You will find most British people
very warm-hearted and hospitable
in spite Of austerity. There is much
to see and do in London, so If can
help you further get in touch with
me through RICH.
|
MAKING HOBBY PROFITABLE?
(From Mrs. w. M, Washington
would be very grateful indeed,
If anyone goes through the trouble
of answering my questions concern
ing dressmaking. enjoy making all
my own dresses and suits and I
am wondering If I can make my
hobby profitable In my own home
Would a course in designing and
pattern making at some local school
(please suggest one) prepare me to
sew for others besides myself? Has
any one started sewing commercial
ly after such a course?
I am unable to 60 out to work,
but I would like to earn something
at home in my spare time. I will
appreciate hearing from any one
who Is doing lust that right now.