A collector has purchased a cookbook from the 1920s that was written specifically for women in an East Lancashire town.
Lewis Ashworth, from Barrowford, bought the ‘Nelson Labour party women’s section cookery book’ for £10 from eBay.
As well as sweet and savoury recipes, some of which the modern person may find questionable, the cookbook also reflects the social history of the time with references to war and politics.
Lewism, a 21-year-old history student who is studying for a master’s degree at the University of Central Lancashire, has an interest in historical items related to Lancashire.
He said: “It feels amazing to have in my collection an item which provides valuable insight into the politics and social history of Nelson.
“I’m really happy with the response and that so many people found it as interesting as I do.
“The cookery book sticks out to me as it’s a historical reminder of the ‘little Moscow’ (term for towns and villages whose population appeared to hold extreme left-wing political values or communist views) period of Nelson’s history, when radical and progressive traditions were prominent in the district and there was a constant strive for social progress.”
The cookbook features many recipe ideas including Russian fish pie, surprise sausages, cornflour cake, vinegar loaf and paradise pudding, a type of Christmas pudding made with apples.
The book even contains ‘cures’ for coughs - a butter, sugar and mustard mixture - and pneumoni - a clove powder, cayenne pepper and honey mixture.
There is even a recipe for a nut date loaf that was submitted by Selina J. Cooper, thought to be the same Nelson woman who was a notable member of the women’s suffrage movement.
Ms Cooper even helped for the Nelson and District Suffrage Society in the early 1900s.
The booklet also contains adverts from the likes of H.W. Throup, a grocer and pastry cook on Victoria Street, and Fred Akeroyd butcher, on Theatre Market.
The cookbook is also littered with quotes and statements from the Labour party’s Arthur Greenwood, an MP who represented Nelson and Colne.
He wrote: “My friends will not expect a contribution from me in the form of a recipe for a tasty dish.
“I can however give a recipe for a bad government.”
There was also an advert for an anti-war movement.
It said: “The no more war movement.
“If you have made up your mind to have no more war – join up.
“The N.M.W Movement is, through the War Resisters International, linked up with war resisters in more than 20 lands.”
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