Speaker: Valerie Welti

After over 30 years living and teaching young children in London Valerie Welti moved to Sedbergh in Cumbria with her husband and then teenage children 11 years ago. Now, in her retirement, she has taken on various voluntary roles in her local community. One of which, with the Canary Girls Memorial Project, has reignited her interest in history

In both WW1 and WW2 women made up a major part of the workforce in the filling factories all over the UK. They risked their lives and health on a daily basis dealing with the dangerous explosives and chemicals. They were nicknamed “Canary Girls” as their skin (and hair, and everything the chemicals touched!) turned yellow.

So now many are choosing to wear yellow poppies and yellow wreaths are laid to remember the munitionettes and it is hoped to get a memorial in the National Arboretum to honour these women and the effort and sacrifices they made.