Spam sets the scene for museum's day of wartime recollection

WHO remembers good old Spam sandwiches? The memories came flooding back for those of a certain age who dropped in at Topsham Museum.

The museum joined the Heritage Days Scheme — and among its exhibits was a genuine (and fresh) Spam sandwich, along with tea served from a big metal tea pot.

It was part of a Second World War Recollected theme day and for many younger visitors the strange pink meat called Spam was a mystery.

For the older and wiser it is the very taste of wartime and rationing.

Spam, the tinned meat that became a staple during the Second World War, was a mixture of chopped shoulder pork and ham originally called Spiced Ham, developed in the US in the 1930s.

The vacuum pack tin enabled it to be kept for seven years. During the war it was often the only meat available and a vital part of GIs' rations.

With fan clubs here and in the States, the product was propelled to iconic status in the 1970s by the Monty Python comedy sketch set in a cafe serving nothing but Spam.

More than six billion tins carrying the original logo on a blue and yellow tin were sold.

It may seem strange that so many people look back upon a period of privation — and of Spam — with affection.

Rationing was one of Winston Churchill's initiatives. It was revolutionary and successful.

Before the war, Britain had imported 55 million tons of food a year. This did not include non-foods such as sugar and tea, or essentials such as fuel-oil, rubber and timber.

With U-boats prowling the North Atlantic like sharks — they sank 2,500 merchantmen and naval escorts during the war years — Britain had to tighten her belt.

Churchill thought there should still be choice. He therefore introduced a system which ensured fair and equal shares for all. Even the Royal Family had their ration books. They, like everyone else, were entitled to 16 points, later increased to 20, every month. Children and babies had green books, affording them orange juice, rosehip and blackcurrant syrup and cod liver oil. Expectant mothers, invalids and children under two were also given seven pints of milk a week and 18 eggs per month.

Infant mortality rates declined, and the average age at which people died from natural causes increased. The general health of children improved. On average they were taller and heavier than before the war.

A report at the end of the war indicated that the British people would have been content for rationing to go on. Fixed prices, above all, were desirable.

Have you a recollection, good or bad, of wartime food, or a recipe passed down from that era? Then contact Nostalgia.