A meeting was held at the Bolton Road Stores, Ashton, on Monday evening. Present were Miss Margaret Llewellyn-Davies, National General Secretary, serving from 1889 to 1921; Mrs Tomlinson, Lancashire Sectional Secretary; Mrs Mason and Miss Robertson, Bolton District; Mrs Ball, Tyldesley; and Mrs Lund, Newton; ladies and gentlemen, Park Lane Co-operative Society; and the Education Committee. Mrs Brose was elected President, Mrs Button the Secretary and Mrs Wolsey the Treasurer. A subscription of 3d a quarter was to be paid.
Subsequent meetings were held with varying programmes and speakers, mostly talks on Co-operative loyalty, a button hole competition with an entrance fee of halfpenny, a 'Jacob's Join' enjoyed by all and a 'Cobweb's Social'. Exactly what form these took I have not been able to find out.
The first conference attemded was held in Kirkdale. A paper on Medical Inspection as a basis for the feeding of schoolchildren was under discussion. As membership grew classes were formed for fancy work, cutting out and the making of blouses and undergarments and millinery.
...saw the Branch's first outing when 142 people set out from Ashton in wagonettes to Lymm in Cheshire. Tea catered for at the Fox Inn Temperance Hotel. Fare ls 3d. The Minute concludes: 'We had a slight loss with our outing owing to our wagonnettes' men charging half fare for children. We had only charged 6d.'
Reading through the Minute Books it is apparent that there were a number of branches in the locality, i.e. Newton, Leigh, Wigan, Chorley, Farnworth, Hindley, Hindsford. The guild had a variety of meeting places in Bolton Road, Bryn, Ashton and Downall Green.
Members took a keen interest in national affairs. Some of the subjects studied were Poor Law Reform, Maternity, and Housing. On the People's Representation Bill, letters of protest were sent to the Home Secretary and Lord Wolmer. Women at that time were only allowed to vote in Parliamentary elections, not local council elections.
...the Guild was firmly established. A decision was taken to purchase crockery with the Guild and Society logo, six dozen cups and saucers, six plates, three meat dishes, six sugar bowls, six cream jugs, six bread and butter plates and meat plates.
Social evenings were popular, members providing their own entertainment. A typical order for a tea reads: 'two dozen cakes, one pound of ham, one pound of tongue, 4 boxer loaves, six pounds of sugar, four pounds of butter, three quarts of milk, half a pound of tea. Charge: one shilling per person'.
...attendance recorded, average 40, and meetings held at the Park Lane Institute initiated bowling sessions. The meetings that were held in the Bolton Road store required members to be responsible for the cleaning of the room. It is interesting to read that Mrs Monk, and Mrs Cunliffe were paid 5s for scrubbing the floor, members paying a penny as a contribution towards costs.
...another move, this time to the YMCA. The Guild made a request to the Society for help towards rent. It is recorded a letter was received in reply asking for all monies to be paid into the Society's office for all accounts to be paid by them. After advice from the Guild's General Secretary a meeting with the Board was called and they were told the Guild was a self-governing body and were responsible for their own bills.
...Programmes included social evenings, speakers and attendances at conferences in Wigan and Manchester. There was a very close association between Earlestown and Ashton Guilds. Even a men's guild was mentioned on several occasions.
Programmes in subsequent years were much of the same pattern with a steady membership.
According to a subscription book in 1920 there was a membership of 60, and by 1922 a membership of 120, the highest recorded. I have found a register of those who attended conferences between the years 1924 and 1935. These were held in Hindley, Farnworth, Walkden, Bolton, Leigh, Tyldesley, Chorley, Earlestown, Radcliffe, Horwich, Manchester and Wigan, further showing how the Guild flourished in this area. The Minutes reveal a lot of activity between Guilds in the intervening years of 1930 to 1946.
...Mrs M McDonagh was appointed Secretary of the Guild. I mention this lady because I remember her as being a totally dedicated Guildswoman and Ashton Guild owes a great deal to her for their continued existence.
...first reference of delegates being sent to Congress. Mrs McDonagh and Mrs Webster represented the Guild at Brighton.
... membership dropped to 20. Not a great deal to record.
... I attended my first Conference in Bolton accompanied by Mrs Hosker.
... Mrs McDonagh became President and I was asked to take on the duties ofSecretary. I was not elected, rather persuaded.
... We entered the Branch Efficiency Contest held in Bolton, winning the written section, with Bolton winning the spoken section.
April saw the beginning of the campaign for a post box on the Low Bank Road estate which was brought to a successful conclusion.
... Again we entered the Efficiency Contest, competing with Bolton, Orrell, Ince and Whelley. This time we were outright winners!
Taking part in the National Campaign for Medical Aid for Vietnam, the Guild raised sufficient money to buy a surgeon's bone drill to be used in Vietnam.
... Our first appearance in Ashton Carnival! Theme: Join the Teaset. 26 members attended Congress in London.
We sent letters of protest to the Local Council and our MP concerning the lack of pedestrian crossings in Ashton.
...Our first joint holiday! A weekend at Shornells, 11 July to 14 July. We entered the Public Speaking Contest, Bolton beating us by 4 points. Mrs K Topping was commended by the Adjudicator on the way she handled a very difficult subject: 'The History of Park Lane Society and the Women's Guild'. Another campaign was launched, this time for a telephone kiosk on the Low Bank Road Estate. "Park Lane Co-operative Women's Guild have received assurance from the Area Telephone Manager's office at Preston that a telephone kiosk is to be erected on the Low Bank Road Estate".
...We won second prize of 35 pounds for our float in the Carnival. Theme: A Victorian Garden Party. The money was used to pay for a Mystery Tour for Members.
The Guild obtained the President's chain from Burnley Branch.
...We transferred to Warrington District, Bolton going to Manchester. This was due to closure of branches.
A presentation of toys was made to Warrington Hospital. These had previously been entered for the Nursery Notions Contest held in Bolton in which the Guild took the honours! Mesdames Moore, Wright, Davies, Neane, Earle and Morgan were outright winners.
Members and friends enjoyed a holiday in Blairgowrie. Many anecdotes are still related about this holiday! We followed this with a holiday in Fort William
....Change of venue for meetings. We left the Star Hotel to hold future meetings in the newly opened Community Centre, Priory Road. The Guild enjoyed a holiday at the Devon Coast Country Club where the Guild again made an impression. Probably members who joined in this holiday will recall many memories.
..Mrs Peggy Lyons, Guild Member, became Mayoress of Wigan. It is worthy of note that for the first time under Rule 26 on Political eligibility, an attempt was made at Congress to change this but it was not successful. I mention this because it still comes up for discussion and is still unchanged.
The Guild had their holiday again at the Country Club in Paignton.
....Membership rose to 40. A petition was sent to the Head of Wigan Metropolitan Police protesting against the method of contacting the Police and asking for a change to a more direct approach. Eight members represented the Guild at the National Service of Dedication for International Women's Year held in Westminster Hall in London. We attended the Mock Congress in Rochdale and Mrs Davies and Mrs Sharples represented the Guild at the International Women's Year Conference in Leeds.
We took part in discussions with Mr Scott and Mr Perrow concerning the merger between Bolton, Wigan and Blackburn into the Greater Lancastria Society, now United Co-operative Limited.
A holiday in Ilfracombe.
Our first Christmas Dinner was held at the Ridgeway Arms, Horwich.
...Venue for holiday: Bournemouth
It is interesting to read that some present day problems are not new at all and have been discussed and campaigned against before.
Take Control of Dogs - following a visit from Mr Sanderson from the Housing Department, members sent letters to our MP and Councillors asking for some action to be taken on stray dogs.
A visit to Capesthorne Hall merits a special quote from the Minutes: It is wished to place on record that a number of Guildswomen provided us with an unofficial choir service in the Private Chapel of the Bromsley Davenports, further emphasising thefact of Guildswomen's many diverse achievements.
We held our 70th Birthday Social and Dance at the Baths Hall, Ashton.
...Speakers on a variety of subjects. We made a protest on the differing food prices in Co-operative Stores. Conferences were attended in many areas.
Guild holiday at Eastbourne.
Mass posting of cards to Edward Heath on continuing rises in food prices.
...We put forward a Resolution to Congress on battered wives, Mrs F Stabeler being our delegate.
We organised a display in Bryn Store as part of our effort in a National Bucket of Water Campaign.
Members worked a three day rota and were able to hand over 65 pounds to Mr Briggs for this Co-operative Project.
...Mrs Stabeler through to the Finals at Congress in the Public Speaking Contest. We again held a Social Dance, the highlight being the entertainment given by the Parlour Screechers. On a Members' Night Mrs D Prescott was awarded first prize for a talk on her Experiences as a Home Help, and Mrs I Davies came second with a poetry recital.
...A Centenary Fund was started and ideas put forward for Branch participation in the National Celebrations. Ultimately a decision was reached to purchase a table for the Library, hold a week's exhibition in the Bryn Store and a dinner, with period costume to be worn.
...Centenary Year. A very notable year. In April, to coincide with the Exhibition, the table was formally handed over to the Library by our President, Mrs A Santus. Present were the Mayor, Mr T Jones, Mrs T Spall, Social Services, Mr T Briggs, Member Relations Officer and representatives of the Library Department. Mrs Stabeler and myself gave an interview on Radio Manchester on Guild History and the Guild was interviewed by the Wigan Community Radio Centre which was broadcast in September.
There was National Picnic Day at Stanford Hall, Loughborough.
The highlight of the year was the Centenary Service held in Westminster Abbey in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. Then on to Congress in Worthing.
In September the District Service was held in Warrington Parish Church followed by tea and a dance.
In October the Sectional Service was held in Manchester Cathedral.
A busy year but a memorable one.
Also in 1983 we made a decision to leave Warrington District and form a new district with Bolton, subject to Head Office approval.
...our first garden party.
We opened a birthday fund after deciding to have a party for our 80th birthday in 1986.
Again I am going to quote from the minutes of June 14th:
A.O.B. the President called "
Yes, banking facilities at the Co-op store
What shall we do?
The Secretary asked 'The Manager is faced with the sack
If co-operation he does not back.'
Murmurs of disapproval from the floor
But suddenly a hand shot up
And from the back row a voice is clearly heard to say
"I wish to pass a motion. "
Silence and consternation
Such things are not said in public places.
Stillness is broken by furtive giggles
And all at once the room erupts
With uncontrollable mirth
Vainly the President called for order
'Let the lady do her business
With some measure of decorum.'
Finally the laughter faded
The motion was carried with all in favour.
Let this be a lesson to all and sundry.
Please don't ask to pass a motion
Unless you exercise thought and caution.".
The resolution 'The Campaign against the Closure of the Handy Bank' was carried. We are told the Guild nationally is in a state of financial crisis.
...Mrs E Angle, Sectional Secretary, visited us to discuss our changeover from Warrington to 'United Central'.
Preparations for our 80th Birthday going ahead. The idea of a reproduction play of our first meeting in 1906 was approved. Mrs Stabeler gave a great deal of time and thought to writing out scripts for the various characters.
...At last we received the go-ahead for the new district.
March 5th: our Birthday dinner at the Kirkfield Hotel in Newton-le-Willows with a gathering of more than 50 members and friends. The play was voted a huge success. We donated 25 rainbow scarves to Kaleidoscope, a wheelchair dancing display team.
In July it was decided to look for alternative premises for meetings, preferably nearer to Ashton. An enquiry for our present room was made after our return from Congress.
A proposal was made to approach Wigan MBC's Department of Leisure asking for consideration to be given to a 'Peace Garden' being made in Jubilee Park.
Mrs Stabeler was congratulated on her prize-winning entry in the poetry contest: Where have all our Summers gone.
Four members attended the course at Stanford Hall on the 'Well Run Branch'.
In October we received confirmation from Queens Road Methodist Church that we could hold our meetings there. Our first meeting in the new venue was held on October 25th.
...No outstanding events. We were present at all the usual conferences and Congress. There were speakers on a variety of subjects.
We persisted in our efforts for a 'Peace Garden'.
...Approval for the Peace Garden was given. We started plans for the official opening in June.
Congress in Scarborough. Mrs Parker was our delegate. She presented a resolution to Congress on 'School Insurance'.
To coincide with the opening of the Peace Garden a display of memorabilia in the Library was arranged.
June 23rd was a day to be remembered. It is not necessary for me to remind members of that day.
A Christmas Dinner at Hamlets was enjoyed by members and their friends.
...At the request of Wigan Parks & Gardens the 'Peace Garden' was transferred to a more manageable area and size. It was decided that a stone engraved 'Peace' should be included.
Representatives from the Parks Dept were invited to discuss plans and the Co-operative Funeral Dept to decide on siting of the stone. Our request for the Co-op logo was refused on the grounds that it would constitute advertising. It was decided that 'CWG' be added instead. The Dedication ceremony took place on 23 June and it was truly a memorable occasion.
...One hundred rainbow scarves were made by Mrs V Davies of Ashton Guild. These were given to foreign delegates who were in Manchester for the ICA Congress. The presentation took place at Stockport. Rainbow scarves are a feature of the Guild, representing the internationalism of both the Co-operative and the Guild.
We also took part in the Flower Festival held at Queens Road Methodist Church. Again the rainbow, interspersed with doves, as 'Peace" is one of the aims of the Guild movement.
We had visits from local councillors and the Police. We also had a visit from Mr Ray Smith which was very interesting. He brought many of his archaeological finds discovered whilst work was in progress on the new underground railway in London.
...A campaign was begun along with the 'Pensioners Rights' Committee for the reinstatement of a bus stop which had been moved from Harold Avenue to Whitledge Green. After nearly nine months the stop was replaced.
A sponsored silence in aid of Derian House, a hospice for children, raised £320.
We had various guest speakers. Councillor Millington informed us that a 'Ring & Ride' service was to be introduced for the Wigan area.
...We enjoyed a visit to Wigan Town Hall to meet the Mayor. We had an opportunity to don ceremonial robes and stage a mock mayoral procession. A visit to Bispham Co-operative Funeral Parlour was an unusual experience and not quite as expected!
Congress took place in Hastings. We also attended sectional and district meetings.
... We attended society member events at Marton, Hindley and Bolton.
Mrs Debbie Carson, a mature student currently studying for her degree, chose for her dissertation 'The Co-operative Womens Guild, National and Local'. We were able to give her access to records and put her in touch with people who have served the Guild for many years.
Our visits from Susan, who personally composes her own readings, are a delight to listen to. Our dinners and hotpot nights are always well attended.
Membership remains a problem; recruiting new members is an uphill task!