SWEETHEARTS (PB)

Whether in wartime or peace, tales of love, laughter and hardship from the girls in the Rowntrees factory in Yorkshire Both before and during the Second World War, the Rowntrees factory was a place of refuge for the women that worked there. It was on the factory floor, singing along to the music played through loudspeakers, they forged friendships and rivalries that would last a lifetime. Many helped out with the war effort in their own way, for example by taking home washing for the servicemen stationed nearby, as well as sneaking chocolates to their sweethearts where they could. Others joined the Rowntrees clubs and societies such as The Rowntrees Bowling Club or films, dances or singing groups. Throughout these times the women banded together and the factory offered them independence and community - as well as occasional romantic rivalries - against the backdrop of war and fear. Weaving together personal stories from the women themselves, this is a moving story of friendship and sisterhood from more innocent times.