Rationing was gradually being eased by 1950, but many things were still in short supply. During that year QPR made an appeal for some assistance in one of the home programmes:
‘Alec Farmer and Ted Reay are looking for a few ardent ladies who can darn.
Now don’t get the wrong idea, both the trainers are married! It’s the players’ socks that want darning and if any of you ladies care to help out we’ll be much obliged.
Seldom does a pair of stockings last a season and with 33 pairs in use every week and at least one hole every match many will soon get to the stage where there is more hole than stocking.
The volunteers who ply needle and wool at the moment are unable to cope with the rush. So step up ladies (and men if you know how) and contact Alec or Ted after any match. They’ll be pleased to supply you with needles, wool…and stockings!’
Whilst in Harrow Weald in March that year, 80-year-old Miss Gertrude Parker had just completed knitting 24 pairs of socks. Thanks to Colin Woodley for sending me the following article, which had appeared in the Harrow Observer:
‘Eighty-year-old Miss Gertrude Parker of 72 College Road, Harrow Weald, has just completed knitting 24 pairs of stockings for the Queen’s Park Rangers, and on Saturday the players took the field in these smart new hose.
She volunteered to knit the stockings after hearing from a friend, Mrs B. P. Baker of 58 College Hill Road, Harrow Weald – wife of a QPR director – that the Rangers were having difficulty in getting the blue and white hooped stockings from the normal sources.
Miss Parker has just completed the 24 pairs after five months’ work, knitting an average of one and a half pairs a week. Each pair contains eight ounces of wool.
She has refused all offers of payment, and has now begun knitting all over again to keep the players supplied.
A devout Roman Catholic, Miss Parker was until about two years ago, housekeeper to a Catholic priest near Cambridge. On his death she made her home with Mr and Mrs W. R. Goff at 72 College Road.
In the past she has knitted many pairs of stockings for priests and nuns.’
Lastly a word for Mrs G. Hames from Paddington who made a new Club flag in 1957:
‘Way up there above the floodlight tower our supporters will have noticed a new Club flag. It was presented to the Club by Mrs G. Hames of Harrow Road, Paddington, who spent many hours on its making.
The directors and management take this opportunity to express very sincere thanks to Mrs Hames.’
Steve Russell