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The following are memories recalled by Miss Alice Freeland, as recorded by Hanover Housing Association in their book 'Tale of the Century' published in 1999.
 In 1941, I was seventeen years old and the country was at war. I arrived on the farm where I was to work as a land girl on a beautiful April day, to find I was joining eight other girls and a warden.
After I had settled in, the warden asked me if I could ride a bike. When I said I couldn't I was told I would have to learn by Monday, because we had to ride three miles to work. One girl offered to teach me the next day, which was Saturday, leaving only Sunday to perfect the art.
We were all issued with heavy land army bikes and in the afternoon took to the road, which was narrow and very steep. We climbed the hill, turned our bikes around and then realised with horror that I was expected to ride back down.
The girls told me that all I had to do was sit on the saddle, hold onto the handle bars and run down. They told me that stopping was easy - all I had to do was pull the brakes. Off we went...
When we were half way down, my friend pulled on her brakes, calling me to do the same. I was gripping the handlebars so tight I was frightened to let go! A car came along behind me, rather close! On my left was a grass bank and a ditch.
I let go of the handlebars and went flying into the ditch, which I discovered was full of stinging nettles!
If I was expecting sympathy, I did not get it. Instead I was told 'You've been initiated - welcome to the W.L.A.' (Women's Land Army).
'Thanks a lot!' I said. By Sunday I was getting the hang of it, and on Monday joined the girls on our long ride to work. They insisted I stayed behind them as I was a bit wobbly. A few days later I was as good as them.
It was a wonderful life. Pity it had to take a war to bring it about.
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