An advice service set up to help people cope at the start of the Second World War is celebrating its 75th birthday.

Epsom and Ewell Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), now based in the town hall, was among first 200 bureaux launched right after the outbreak of the war.

The CAB held its 75th birthday party at Christ Church Hall, in Epsom, last Thursday, September 25.

In the early days, its volunteers went out to help bomb victims, organised the evacuation of children and visited patients at a military hospital.

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Liz Dobson, manager of the bureau, said: "They were expecting this huge fallout from the war. Everything was in upheaval and everybody had all these questions."

She added: "There is a wonderful spirit of dedication and cooperation among our staff and volunteers. I’m sure the original wartime volunteers would be proud!"

For a few decades the CAB played the role of a "local information centre" and most queries were from people looking for doctors, accommodation on Derby Day, sports clubs and suchlike.

Curious requests, from the 60s, included ‘Where can one buy an articulated skeleton cheaply?’, ‘Can you give me the name of a local conjuror?’ and ‘Have you anyone who can repair a perambulator on your list?’

Nowadays people often get basic information from the Internet and come to CAB with more deep-rooted, personal problems such as family issues, neighbour disputes and housing crises.

The 60s saw more people in debt due to ill-advised hire purchase agreements and the 70s saw the growth of complaints about faulty goods and high funeral costs.

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In the early 80s there was a spike in employment enquiries and by the 90s the main problem was debt.

The CAB said: "Interestingly, despite the desperate situation in which the service began the number of enquiries made to Epsom and Ewell CAB has grown steadily over the years.

"The complexity of the work carried out by advisors has expanded greatly, particularly when helping with cases of debt or issues with benefits - now the main categories - with housing and employment still featuring.

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CAB chair Charlotte Dixon, MP Chris Grayling, Mayor Robert Foote and Liz Dobson 

"Throughout all the changes in society and government policy Epsom Citizens Advice Bureau has relied on a group of dedicated and knowledgeable volunteers who never know what they’ll be dealing with next."

The CAB currently has 80 volunteers and 11 employees.

They offer free and confidential advice to people living and working in the borough and are always looking for more help and volunteers.

Previous experience is not always required and the CAB provides training and support.

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National wartime volunteer image

Ms Dobson said: “In changing times, people need advice to help them and we need advisers. We will train you if you can give up one day, or even two days, of your time a week.”  

The CAB is open for drop-ins between 10am and 1pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and between 10am and 3pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

It is also open between 5pm and 7pm in on Tuesday evenings.

In addition, appointments are scheduled throughout the day.

For more information visit www.epsomewellcab.org.uk or call 01372 237000.

Ten unusual enquiries from the 1960s:

• Can a teenage girl go on holiday abroad without parents’ consent?

• Could we give the time of tides at all South Coast resorts?

• What is the procedure necessary to bring a cat home from Malaya?

• Can one adopt a baby before it is born?

• Could we supply a Rhodesian with information about the Memorial Order of Tin Hats?

• How long can one employ a charwoman without paying full insurance?

• Advice wanted about a tortoise that has laid three eggs.

• Is there a Parents’ Association for those who have children in Canada?

• A young lady going on holiday to Ibiza wished to know whether she can wear a bikini and short mini-skirts there.

• Wishes to send a two tier wedding cake to New York for son’s wedding - what firm will pack and send?

Breakdown of current enquiries

• Debt - 16 per cent

• Benefits - 37 per cent

• Housing - 11 per cent

• Employment - 10 per cent