On this day in Wembury — 11 April 1938

The Western Morning News reported a successful dance at the Wembury Social Hut, held in aid of the newly formed Wembury and Staddiscombe District Nursing Association. There was a strong turnout, with dancing enjoyed to music by Trump’s Band from Plymstock. The spot waltz was won by Mr. Shepherd and Mrs. Mumford, and the event was organised by Mrs. J. Rowe.

The Nursing Association, founded only a few months earlier in January 1938, was already proving invaluable, filling what the paper called “a long-felt want in the district.” At a time before the National Health Service, such voluntary nursing associations provided home care, midwifery, and first aid across rural parishes.

The Wembury branch reflected a period of growing community self-organisation before the war years, when village volunteers and fundraising events like this dance kept essential medical help available to local families.

(Source: Western Morning News, 11 April 1938 — “Wembury Dance.”)