Kemnay Woman’s Guild Cookery Book (1950’s)
This fascinating book belonged to the late Mary Mitchell, who passed away recently aged 94. Her daughter Wilma Catto has granted permission for the contents of the book to be published on Kemnay website. There is no date of publication in the book but I would think it was published in the 1950’s. Costing 2 shillings and 6 pence 2/6d, which is 121/2 pence in new money. The Bank Of England inflation calculator indicates that it would be the equivalent to £2.80 in 2025.
Many local Kemnay businesses are advertised and although the recipes are mainly from Kemnay residents, there are also submissions by people from Monymusk, Kintore, Inverurie, Newmachar, Macduff, King Edward, Alvah, Mintlaw, Turriff, Aberdeen, Stonehaven, Keith, Crathes, North Berwick, High Wycombe, and even international submissions from a person in Cariboo BC Canada and also Ohio USA. Of particular interest is that the name and address of the person who has supplied the recipe is shown below each recipe.
This little book we give to you
With all our wishes fond and true
It’s recipes of various dishes
Of cakes and stews and fancy fishes
We know will prove to just your taste
When hungry and in such a haste
Your husband home from toil sits down
No longer will he wear a frown
At too familiar courses tried
He will with new enthusiasm fired
Cry you are indeed a wizard cook
Thanks to the Kemnay Cookery Book
