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The original idea for a national music school based in London's South Kensington estate had been that of Albert, the Prince Consort. Shortly after the Prince's death, Henry Cole, the creator of the Great Exhibition of 1851, and the Commissioners of the Great Exhibition had decided to create a scheme for its establishment by the Society of Arts (of which he was Honorary Secretary) on land at South Kensington provided by the Commissioners. The National Training School for Music (NTSM) opened on 17 May 1876 after a three-year planning period, with Arthur Sullivan as its first Principal (he was succeeded in 1881 by John Stainer). It was instituted as a five-year experiment supported by public subscription after which it was hoped to transfer management and funding to the State. Initially Cole had hoped to remodel the Royal Academy of Music (RAM) into a national free musical school in the mould of European conservatoires but this attempt had failed and the NTSM was instituted separately. It had been established with the grand intention of providing 300 free scholarships but this quickly proved impossible and a compromise was reached to provide 100 free scholarships for five years. When it opened there were only 70 scholarships and by 1878 it appeared the limited funding provided by private founders and corporate bodies would not suffice to enable the continuation of the School without government assistance. The School would have to seek some sort of alliance with the RAM in taking fee-paying students.

The Prince of Wales summoned a meeting in July 1878 to promote the establishment of a Royal and National College of Music, whose students, admitted on merit by examination, would enjoy full or partial scholarships. It was proposed that the College should emerge from an amalgamation of the RAM and the NTSM. The RAM initially seemed favourable to the union, and undertook negotiations with the Sub-Committee, under Prince Christian, of the Executive Committee appointed to oversee the establishment of the College. However in the same month the RAM rescinded its approval of the amalgamation, as the Honorary Secretary of the committee established at the RAM to look into the merger stated that according to its charter the RAM could not amalgamate with any other body. The NTSM was left to continue under difficult and uncertain circumstances, and took its first fee-paying students in autumn 1881. The Prince of Wales convened a national meeting of dignitaries at St James's Palace in February 1882 to promote the creation of a public fund to establish the Royal College of Music, which would become the state supported successor to the NTSM.

The National Training School of Cookery (NTSC) was set up in 1873 to promote knowledge of cookery, and became a limited company in 1888. The College broadened its syllabus to include other aspects of domestic economy and, in 1902, this was recognised in a change of title when it became the National Training School of Cookery and Other Branches of Domestic Economy, and finally the National Training College of Domestic Science (NTCDS) between 1931 and the College's closure in 1962. Although it was a competitor of Queen Elizabeth College, in practice there existed close links between the executive committees of the institutions, and when the NTCDS closed in 1962 some of its assets were transferred to the Department of Nutrition at QEC.

The National Temperance Foundation was founded in 1883. It acted as a co-ordinating body bringing together the various temperance organisations to speak with one voice (at one time there were over 100 affiliated societies).

"The basis of co-operation of the Federated Societies is that they should work together in view of legislative and other actions on the points upon which they are agreed, and as a united body, bring their influence to bear on Parliament, and with Her Majesty's Government, and through the county generally" (extract from Constitution).

These societies included the British Temperance Society, National United Temperance Council and London United Temperance Council (see Acc/2425) and the Christian Economic and Social Research Council (see LMA/4006). The records of the National Licensed Victuallers Association (see Acc/3122) make for good comparative reading.

The College was founded in 1893 by the National Society in the disused Brew House of the Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace. Here, training was provided for teachers of Cookery and Laundry. Housewifery was added to the curriculum in the first decade of the twentieth century after the College had acquired additional premises in Charles Street, Southwark.

In 1902, under the will of the late Mr Richard Berridge, a large sum of money became available for technical education and in 1904 the Board of Education approved a scheme submitted by the National Society for building a new college. Land was acquired in Hampstead, a Governing Body set up and in 1908 the specially planned building, Berridge House, was completed.

After the move to Hampstead, the curriculum was expanded to include technical courses, and later on, a three year course leading to the Teacher's Certificate of the University of London Institute of Education was offered.

As the College continued to expand, the following premises were also used to provide teaching rooms and accommodation: 54 Fortune Green Road (from October 1913), 52 Fortune Green Road (from September 1915), 13 Parsifal Road (from June 1927), 15 Parsifal Road (from 1929), 6 Parsifal Road (from October 1929) and "the annex", a former church hall, in Fortune Green Road (from September 1930). In 1932 the Field Lane School and its land adjoining the College was bought and adapted. This formed the 'West Wing' which was later re-named Maughan House. In 1937 Holland House was built in the grounds of Maughan House.

During World War One Berridge House was occupied by the WRAF and used as a school for instruction. It re-opened in September 1919. In World War Two the college buildings were requisitioned, and the staff and students moved to Bournemouth. Princes Hotel, Bournemouth, became the college headquarters, Pokesdown Technical Institute at Boscombe provided facilities for teaching cookery, and science and laundry lessons were held in Bournemouth Municipal College. Further accommodation for teaching and residence was found in the hotels in the City.

In March 1945 the National Society requested the Council of the Church Training Colleges to accept Berridge House into its federation. Sixteen years later it was decided that Berridge House should be amalgamated with another church training college, and in 1964 it joined St. Katherine's College, Tottenham, to form the College of All Saints, White Hart Lane, Tottenham. Berridge House continued in use for Home Economics until September 1965.

The College was founded in 1893 by the National Society (National Society for Promoting Religious Education) in the disused Brew House of the Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace. Here, training was provided for teachers of Cookery and Laundry. Housewifery was added to the curriculum in the first decade of the twentieth century after the College had acquired additional premises in Charles Street, Southwark.

In 1902, under the will of the late Mr Richard Berridge, a large sum of money became available for technical education and in 1904 the Board of Education approved a scheme submitted by the National Society for building a new college. Land was acquired in Hampstead, a Governing Body set up and in 1908 the specially planned building, Berridge House, was completed.

After the move to Hampstead, the curriculum was expanded to include technical courses, and later on, a three year course leading to the Teacher's Certificate of the University of London Institute of Education was offered.

As the College continued to expand, the following premises were also used to provide teaching rooms and accommodation: 54 Fortune Green Road (from October 1913), 52 Fortune Green Road (from September 1915), 13 Parsifal Road (from June 1927), 15 Parsifal Road (from 1929), 6 Parsifal Road (from October 1929) and "the annex", a former church hall, in Fortune Green Road (from September 1930). In 1932 the Field Lane School and its land adjoining the College was bought and adapted. This formed the 'West Wing' which was later re-named Maughan House. In 1937 Holland House was built in the grounds of Maughan House.

During World War I Berridge House was occupied by the WRAF and used as a school for instruction. It re-opened in September 1919. In World War II the college buildings were requisitioned, and the staff and students moved to Bournemouth. Princes Hotel, Bournemouth, became the college headquarters, Pokesdown Technical Institute at Boscombe provided facilities for teaching cookery, and science and laundry lessons were held in Bournemouth Municipal College. Further accommodation for teaching and residence was found in the hotels in the City.

In March 1945 the National Society requested the Council of the Church Training Colleges to accept Berridge House into its federation. Sixteen years later it was decided that Berridge House should be amalgamated with another church training college, and in 1964 it joined St. Katherine's College, Tottenham, to form the College of All Saints, White Hart Lane, Tottenham. Berridge House continued in use for Home Economics until September 1965.

The National Society of Plate Glass Silverers, Siders, Cutters and Fitters was established in 1891, and had 236 members by 1892. In 1893 it amalgamated with the National Plate Glass Bevellers Trade Union to form the Amalgamated Plate Glass Workers' Trade Union. The partnership between the two organisations lasted only until 1895 when they agreed to separate and resume their former independent existence. The Union resumed with 313 members in 1895, numbers fell to 201 by 1902. The organisation was dissolved in 1903.

The National Society was founded in 1889 as the Printers' Labourers' Union, "to protect the interests and wages of printers' labourers ... and to afford them a means of mutual support". In 1899 it was renamed the Operative Printers' Assistants Society, and in 1904 it became the National Society of Operative Printers' Assistants.

In recognition of the skilled managers as well as assistants among its membership, its title was altered again in 1912 to the National Society of Operative Printers and Assistants (NatSOPA). In 1965 the union merged with the National Union of Printing, Bookbinding and Paper Workers to form the Society of Graphical and Allied Trades (SOGAT).

The union was organised on a branch (chapel) basis, each chapel being presided over by its "father".

The National Society for the Prevention of Venereal Disease was founded in 1919 with the aim of preventing the spread of venereal diseases by encouraging the use of preventive prophylactics. The Society was particularly active during World War Two when the risk of the spread of venereal disease increased.

Prior to the 1870 Education Act, most elementary education was in the hands of religious societies and reflected the rivalry which existed between the established church and the non-conformists. In 1815 the two most important societies were the "National Society for promoting the education of the poor in the principles of the established church" (founded in 1811) and the "British and Foreign School Society" (founded in 1814). The former taught the liturgy and the catechism of the Church of England, the latter enforced bible reading, but excluded denominational teaching.

The earliest entry by the state into the field education was in 1833 when Parliament voted £20,000, "for the purposes of education", thus initiating the system of the annual grant voted by Parliament. The funds were to be confined to the erection of school buildings and to be administered through the National, and the British and Foreign School Societies. Preference was given to schools in large towns and the grant was available only in cases where voluntary contributions met half the cast of the new school.

The funds granted by Parliament were administered by the Treasury between 1833 and 1839 and subsequently by the Committee of Council on Education until statutory provision for building grants cased in 1870. After the passing of the 1870 Education Act building grants were continued temporarily for those who applied before 31 December 1870.

The Nazi party disseminated information to the regional and area offices such as NSDAP Westfalen-Nord.

Unknown

The John F National Security Files, 1961-1963, were the working files of McGeorge Bundy as Special Assistant for National Security Affairs, 1961-66. Bundy was formerly a political analyst, Council of Foreign Relations, 1948-49; Harvard University visiting lecturer, 1949-51; Associate Professor of Government, Harvard University, 1951-54; and Dean, Faculty of Arts and Science, Harvard University, 1951-61. The documents in this collection originated in the offices of Bundy and his assistants, Walt Whitman Rostow and Carl Kaysen and consist of communications traffic between the various executive departments and agencies of the US government, especially those concerning US foreign affairs and national defence. To meet the challenges faced by his administration, US President John Fitzgerald Kennedy re-modelled the machinery of US foreign policy and established a small cell within the National Security Council (NSC) to enhance his executive control over the foreign policy decision making process. Kennedy enlisted advisers from top positions in academia and industry, including as his special assistant, McGeorge Bundy. Bundy eliminated the committee system of previous administrations and instead made the NSC a compact policy making body which included Robert Komer, Gordon Chase, Michael Forrestal, David Klein, and Bromley Smith. Soon, the White House and the NSC established its own situation room and installed equipment that gave it direct access to State Department, Defense Department and Central Intelligence Agency cables. The NSC maintained effective liaison with the State Department, particularly with Secretary of State David (Dean) Rusk. The NSC under Bundy managed the flow of information, intelligence, and decision papers to the president, cable traffic between the departments and agencies in Washington, DC, and embassies abroad; memoranda of conversations between US and foreign officials and among top US officials; intelligence reports assessing foreign policy issues, especially those from the Central Intelligence Agency; internal memoranda, including those from Bundy to Kennedy; and, agenda for and records of executive meetings. It remained, throughout the Kennedy administration, the president's major foreign policy instrument.

The National Radium Trust and Radium Commission was established by Charter, 20 July 1929, to augment the supply of radium for use in the treatments of the sick, and to advance knowledge of the methods for rendering treatment. It was not a government department, most of the Trust's funds having been subscribed on the basis of its independence.
Its first meeting was held at the Ministry of Health on the 31 July, chaired by Lord Parmoor. Its initial duty was to make arrangements for the purchase of radium, and secure premises in London to house the administration of the Commission. Its initial purchase amounted to about 13 grams of radium. The trust occupied premises at 5 Adelphi Terrace, from 1929-1936, and when this building was demolished, moved to 18 Park Crescent, Portland Place until 1940.

Viscount Lee of Fareham, was the first chairman of the Commission, which worked independently from the Trust, but presented to it an annual report. Professor Russ was appointed Scientific Secretary. The Commission endeavoured to keep in touch with other bodies concerned with the radiation treatment of cancer., including the Ministry of Health, the Dept of Health for Scotland, the Radiology Committee of the Medical Research Council, the British Empire Cancer campaign and the National Physical Laboratory. It generally met at monthly intervals.

The Commission was operating in a context of little co-ordination between radium and X-ray departments of hospitals. The Commission decide not to undertake direct responsibility for experimental research with radium, but recognising the need for such work, allowed the Medical Research Council to make use of its radium for research, while maintaining its focus on the treatment of the sick and the evaluation of the results radium treatment of cancer. It established the designation 'national radium centres, in order to retain effective control over the distribution and use of the radium committed to its charge.

Radium insurance was also an issue addressed by the Commission, while the National Physical Laboratory took over responsibility of measuring, testing and issuing the national radium. The Commission established a National Postgraduate School of Radiotherapy in 1930, in cooperation with the Mount Vernon Hospital at Northwood, Middlesex, where the clinical and pathological work was carried out, and the Radium Institute, where the diagnostic and out-patient departments were located.

The Commission also undertook statistical research in order to establish the extent of the use of radium for treating disease, especially cancer, and ensure that adequate clinical records were kept. In 1932, a Registrar was appointed to the direct the compilation of annual statistics.

In 1938, the Cancer Bill was passed with the object of securing extended and improved provision for the treatment of cancer in Britain. It gave local authorities responsibility for making arrangements to secure facilities for treatment for persons suffering from cancer in their areas. The Radium Trust was granted a supplementary charter in 1939, granting it power to purchase in addition to radium, other radioactive substances and apparatus and appliances required for radiotherapeutic treatment, and the Radium Commission was instructed to make arrangements for the custody, distribution and use of radioactive substances and apparatus and appliances purchased by the Trust.

During the World War 2, the Commission was concerned about the protection of radium from loss due to enemy action. No radium was lost during the War however, the Commission's headquarters was demolished, though most of the collection of patient records were able to be retrieved. From 1941, the Commission was temporarily based at Westminster Hospital, moving to Manchester Square in 1943 where it remained until it was wound up in 1948.

The Commission had a number of committees. The Statistical Committee was established to assist the Commission's Registrar in the work of keeping accurate records of patients treated by national radium. The Technical Committee dealt with the distribution of radium in appropriate containers among a number of institutions where it was used for radiotherapy, while the Radon Committee was established to assess applications from hospitals for radon, and to bring uniformity to the use to which it was put. The Pathological Advisory Committee was appointed as an advisory body to which hospitals might submit material of particular difficulty or interest. An Executive Committee, and an informal Secretary's committee also met at various times.

The National Radium Trust was wound up in 1948, and the Commission abolished.

The company was established in 1854 as the National Provincial Plate Glass Insurance Company at 37 Ludgate Hill. It was acquired by Royal Exchange Assurance (CLC/B/107-02) in 1909, at which time its address was 66 Ludgate Hill, and changed its name to National Provincial Plate Glass and General Insurance Company in 1912. It became National Provincial Insurance Company in 1921.

The National Provincial Bank was founded in 1833. It established administrative offices in London and branches outside the city, allowing it to issue its own banknotes. By 1865 the bank had 122 branches throughout England and Wales.

In 1866 the bank established a new head office in Bishopsgate, and opened its first London branch (obliging it to give up its own banknotes). In 1918 the bank merged with the Union Bank of London and was renamed National Provincial and Union Bank of England Ltd, which was shortened to National Provincial Bank Ltd in 1924. It merged with National Westminster Bank in 1970, and is now part of the Royal Bank of Scotland group.

The National Provident Institution was formed in 1835 as a friendly society, modelled on the Friends Provident Institution, to offer life assurance to a wide range of people. Its first office was at 13 Nicholas Lane; in 1843 it moved to 48 Gracechurch Street and, in 1857 and 1859, 49 and 50 Gracechurch Street were acquired. The existing buildings were demolished and a new office constructed on the site which was opened on 15 December 1862. A new building, incorporating 3 Eastcheap, was erected on the site and opened as the Institution's Head Office in 1960.

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is the UK's National Measurement Institute.The Royal Society appointed the first Director of the NPL, Richard Tetley Grazebrook, on 1 Jan 1900; the NPL was opened in Mar 1902.

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is the UK's National Measurement Institute. The Royal Society appointed the first Director of the NPL, Richard Tetley Grazebrook, on 1 Jan 1900; the NPL was opened in Mar 1902.

The National Peace Council was founded in 1908, after the 17th Universal Peace Congress in London. It brings together representatives of numerous national voluntary organisations with a common interest in peace, disarmament and international and race relations. The primary functions of the NPC are to provide opportunities for consultation and joint activities between its affiliated members, to help create an informed public opinion on the issues of the day, and to convey to the government of the day the views of the substantial section of British life represented by its affiliated membership.

The National Pawnbrokers' Association was established in Derby in 1892 in response to a growing need, widely recognised among pawnbrokers, for a national body to represent their interests. Alfred Hardaker, a leading campaigner on behalf of pawnbrokers, was appointed the first president. However, the original financial arrangements and rules were not thought satisfactory and the NPA was therefore reconstituted in London in 1895, with Henry Attenborough as chairman. The Association attempted to persuade increasing numbers of pawnbrokers to insure their premises and stock; to defend its members in legal actions; and to secure revisions of the Parliamentary legislation regulating pawnbroking. The Pawnbroking Acts of 1922 and 1960 were passed as a direct result of NPA pressure.

In 1925, the Association acquired Lombard House, Little Britain, as its headquarters, where it remained until 1973, when the building was sold as part of a development scheme. It was subsequently administered from the home of the general secretary in Southend-on-Sea, and now operates from offices at 6 Wimpole Street.

The National Network for the Arts in Health NNAH (2000-2007) was a registered charity registered under Chairty Number 1084023. The organisation was an advocate for the Arts in Health field, bringing together the arts and health communities and supporting the use of the arts to improve patients' experience. It was chaired to 2007 by Catherine McLoughlin CBE, Company Secretary was Guy Eades. The organisation was funded by the Kings Fund and the Arts Council from 2000 until 2007, when it closed. The NNAH succeeded, and shared the aims of, the organisation 'Hospital Arts', founded by J. Hugh Baron (b 1931), c 1980.

The National Network for the Arts in Health NNAH (2000-2007) was a registered charity registered under Chairty Number 1084023. The organisation was an advocate for the Arts in Health field, bringing together the arts and health communities and supporting the use of the arts to improve patients’ experience. It was chaired to 2007 by Catherine McLoughlin CBE, Company Secretary was Guy Eades. The organisation was funded by the Kings Fund and the Arts Council from 2000 until 2007, when it closed. The NNAH succeeded, and shared the aims of, the organisation 'Hospital Arts', founded by J Hugh Baron (b 1931), c 1980.

The National Network for Teaching and Learning Anthropology was originally based at Sussex and then moved to Birmingham. It later merged into a wider network with Sociology and Politics.

The National Life Assurance Society was formed at a meeting of prospective shareholders on 31 December 1829, and became a mutual in 1847. It established agencies internationally, as well as acquiring many from the takeover of the Whittington in 1894. It premises were at 2 King William Street. Whittington Life Assurance Company was taken over by the National Life Assurance Society in 1894 after 3 years of negotiations.

The Mutual Life Assurance Society was founded in 1834 by the brothers James and William Burchell, and originally based at 37 Old Jewry. In 1848 it moved to 39 King Street, and expanded into no. 38 in 1859, new premises being built on the site.

The National Mutual Life Assurance Society was established by the merger of the National and the Mutual Life Assurance Societies in 1896, and was based at the Mutual's offices at 39 King Street (rebuilt in 1936) until its move to larger premises at Bow Churchyard in 1960.

From 1921-38 its chairman was the economist John Maynard Keynes, some of whose papers survive in the collection (his speeches to the AGM, which became City events, have been published in the Collected Writings of John Maynard Keynes, vol.XII, ed D Moggridge, London 1981; they were also reproduced in The Times). During World War II the head office was located at Stanmore. The firm was taken over by General Electric in 2002.

The National Mutual Life Assurance Society was established by the merger of the National and the Mutual Life Assurance Societies in 1896, and based at the Mutual's offices at 39 King Street (rebuilt in 1936) until its move to larger premises at Bow Churchyard in 1960.

From 1921-38 its chairman was the economist John Maynard Keynes, some of whose papers survive in the collection (his speeches to the AGM, which became City events, have been published in the Collected Writings of John Maynard Keynes, vol.XII, ed D Moggridge, London 1981; they were also reproduced in The Times). During World War II the head office was located at Stanmore. The firm was taken over by General Electric in 2002.

The National Miners Support Network was established in 1992 at the initiative of the Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs and was supported by the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and Women Against Pit Closures; aimed to encourage and coordinate maximum practical support and solidarity for miners in all areas of the country following the Government's announcement of pit closures in 1992; took steps to produce a regular support bulletin ('Coal Not Dole'), stage fundraising events, distribute posters and badges, organise meetings and speakers and hold a major national conference.

The federation, formed in 1921 as the National Lubricating Oil Federation and re-named in 1922, comprised representatives of local lubricating oil associations, most notably those in London, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Bristol and South Wales. It aimed to co-ordinate the efforts of these local associations, to provide for their mutual support and to stimulate discussion on matters affecting the trade.

The National Life Assurance Society was formed at a meeting of prospective shareholders on 31 December 1829, and became a mutual in 1847. It established agencies internationally, as well as acquiring many from the takeover of the Whittington Life Assurance Company in 1894. It premises were at 2 King William Street until its merger with the Mutual Life Assurance Society to form the National Mutual Life Assurance Society in 1896.

The National Licensed Victuallers Association was formed from the merger of a number of smaller bodies, such as the National Union of Licensed Victuallers (which itself was formed from the union of the Licensed Victuallers Central Protection Society of London and the Licensed Victuallers Defence League).

The various associations had similar aims - to protect the business interests of licensed victuallers (holders of a licence to run a public house) and to act as lobbying bodies on their behalf. This included protecting the interests of tenant landlords (many pubs were owned by breweries who rented them to the publican) and defending the trade on a national level, from the temperance movement and the government who often attempted to tighten licensing controls.

The National League of Young Liberals (often just called the Young Liberals) was part of the Liberal Party and was founded in 1903. The Union of Liberal Students (ULS) was the English and Welsh student wing of the Liberal Party. In 1988, the Liberal Democrats were formed. In 1993, the Union of Liberal Democrat Students and Young Liberal Democrats merged to form Liberal Democrat Youth and Students (LDYS). In 2002, Scottish Young Liberal Democrats merged with LDYS.LDYS changed its name to Liberal Youth in 2008.

No information available at present.

The NIIP was founded in 1921 by Dr C S Myers, Director of the Cambridge Psychological Laboratory. Dr Myers was backed by a group of businessmen led by H J Welch, who gave their support and encouragement. Myers became the first Director of the Institute. The NIIP was a non-profit making scientific organisation for the study of industry and commerce. It aimed to promote the application of psychology and physiology within these fields. The Institute conducted research into problems of general interest to the industrial and commercial sector, and published the results. It also undertook research into the problems of particular organisations and suggested solutions. The NIIP began to expand rapidly in the mid 1960s, following support from the Ministry of Technology. The withdrawal of this funding from the end of the decade, however, contributed to the acute problems facing the organisation by the middle of the 1970s. The NIIP suspended activity in 1973, but later, aided by the North East London Polytechnic, continued to work on a smaller scale. It finally closed in 1976.

During the Second World War, a governmental committee, chaired by Violet Markham was set up to examine the implications of the severe shortage of domestic help, particularly where professional women were carrying a 'double burden.' Shortly after the war, Markham established the National Institute of House Workers to promote domestic service as a skilled craft. (Lewis 1984)

Formed in 1937 by Edward de Stein, chairman of the Mercantile Credit Company, whilst not being a subsidary of that company the Mercantile shareholders were given preference for shares. On the 15 July 1937 the prospectus for the company was published in 'The Times' stating the purpose was to finance all classes of hire purchase contracts in the Union of South Africa and adjoining territories as the usual period of credit given by a manufacturer is not sufficent for the requirements of hire-purchase selling. The company gave funds to its clients for a defined period under plans specially constructed for each individual trader. The company was based in Johannesburg and established a wholly owned subsidary in Rhodesia.

In 1952 the Mercantile Credit Company proposed to make an offer to acquire the whole of the ordinary capital of the National Industrial Credit Corporation (NICC) and this became a wholly owned subsidary and in turn gave the Mercantile Credit Company an interest in the Rhodesian subsidary company - this latter being taken over completely in 1954 when it was reabsorbed into the main NICC.

In January 1959 The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited bought a 40% share, at a cost of £500,000 of the NICC. Also in 1959 the Standard Bank and the Mercantile Credit Company created a new company, the National Industrial Credit Corporation (East Africa) with Standard holding 40% shares and the Mercantile the remaining 60%. The National Industrial Credit Corporation (East Africa) remained in joint ownership; in the 1980s Standard's share was acquired by Barclays Bank of Kenya who already held a 51% share due to their acquisition of the Mercantile Credit Corporation in the 1970s.

In August 1968 the Standard Bank purchased the whole of the share capital of the National Industrial Credit Corporation, based in Johannesburg and incorporating the Rhodesia business for £1,856,000.

Registered Offices

1937-1940 820 Maritime House, Loveday Street, Johannesburg

1940-1952 Union Castle Building, Loveday Street, Johannesburg

1952-1965 34 Eloff Street

From 1965 National Industrial Credit House, 12 New Street South, Johannesburg

The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN) has been described as the "cradle of British Neurology". It was founded in 1860 for the alleviation initially of epilepsy and paralysis and its early physicians included John Hughlings Jackson (1835-1911), Sir David Ferrier (1843-1928), Sir William Gowers (1845-1911), and Sir Victor Horsley (1857-1916). The National Hospital was amalgamated with Maida Vale Hospital in 1948, and the Maida Vale Hospital archives are also housed in the collection. The National Hospital now forms part of the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The hospital was founded in 1857 at 67 Margaret Street by Dr Eldridge Spratt. It was known by various titles including the Hospital for Diseases of the Heart. In about 1869 it moved to 85 Newman Street, Oxford Street and by 1872 it had adopted the name of 'The National Hospital for the special treatment of Paralysis, Epilepsy, Nervousness, and the Primary Stages of Insanity and other Diseases arising from Affectations of the Heart'. In 1874 the hospital moved again to 32 Soho Square. By 1876 its name had been shortened to the National Hospital for Diseases of the Heart and Paralysis; the last two words were subsequently dropped. In 1913 the hospital moved to purpose built premises in Westmoreland Street. It was the first hospital in the world to be dedicated to the treatment of patients with cardio-vascular disease and the first to introduce postgraduate medical training.

In the 1960s it became internationally famous with the rapid developments then in all forms of cardiology and cardiac surgery. Among many national and international medical firsts, it was responsible for pioneering new surgical techniques in the treatment of congenital heart disease as well as advances in the development of pacing and electrophysiology, and the first successful coronary angioplasty and coronary stent implantation in the UK.

On 3 May 1968 the Hospital performed the nation's first heart swap on Fred West. Although he only survived for 46 days, the medical experience gained played a vital role in the development of the procedure which has since gone on to benefit hundreds of chronically-ill patients in the UK, many of whom have survived their operations for ten years and more.

The National Heart Hospital developed strong links with the Brompton Hospital and in 1988 the two hospitals were amalgamated on a single site. In 1991 the hospital closed and services were moved to the newly constructed wing of the Brompton Hospital.

The hospital subsequently fell into disuse and stood empty for some years until being acquired by Gleneagles Hotels UK for the Singapore based Parkway Group Healthcare, and ran as a private Heart Hospital. In 1999 the hospital was purchased by the government for use as a new NHS National Heart Hospital.

The National Heart and the Institute can trace its history back to the emergence of three major London hospitals; the Royal Brompton (1841), The London Chest (1848) and the National Heart (1857). The research arms which developed from these hospitals formally merged in 1973 and became the National Heart and Lung Institute in 1988.

The Brompton Hospital was established as the Hospital for Consumption and Diseases of the Chest in 1841 by Philip Rose, a London Solicitor, and emphasized training and research in the field. From 1843 students visited the wards, and by 1851 lectures were held by the first visiting physician, Theophilus Thompson. In the 1870s regular teaching was undertaken through lectures and demonstrations. This was expanded in 1894, and the hospital recognised by the Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons.
The Brompton Hospital Medical School was founded in 1843, and became known as the Institute for Diseases of the Chest in 1947. In 1972 the Institute for the Diseases of the Chest and the Institute of Cardiology merged to form the Cardiothoracic Institute, and became known as the National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI) in 1988. Situated next to the Royal Brompton Hospital, the Institute became part of Imperial College in 1995, and part of Imperial College School of Medicine in 1997. The main objective of the Institute is to carry out research, development and education in heart and lung medicine.
The Brompton Hospital Sanatorium was established in 1904 at Frimley in Surrey to treat tuberculosis patients. Dr Marcus Sinclair Paterson (1870-1932) was its first medical superintendant, developing a system of treatment called 'graduated labour', which involved the patients in various levels of physical activity. The treatment caused much interest at the time, and Paterson was contacted by many doctors and health authorities. The sanatorium closed in 1985.
James Edward Pollock (1819-1910) was physician to the Brompton Hospital, 1861-1882, and consulting physician, 1882-1910.
Frederick Rufenacht Walters (1857-1946) was a specialist in tuberculosis, and opened a sanatorium near Farnham in Surrey.

The National Federation of Women's Institutes (1915-fl 2008), founded in 1915, grew out of a need for a body to support women in rural communities

THE ORGANISATION

As at 2007 The National Federation of Women's Institutes (NFWI) consisted of all the Women's Institutes (WIs) in England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. The FUNCTION of NFWI was to put into effect the wishes of the members; the means by which this is done was laid down in the Constitution and Rules.

BACKGROUND TO NFWI

From 1915-1917 the Women's Institute (WI) committee of the Agricultural Organisations Society (AOS), a body funded by The Development Commission was responsible for forming the first WIs in Britain. The object of the AOS was to organise farmers into co-operative societies for the purchase of agricultural requirements and for the sale of produce but there were very few women involved in this work. John Nugent Harris, the secretary of AOS, heard about the Canadian WIs from Madge Watt who was visiting from Canada. Seeing the value of the WI movement, especially in war time, to get country women working co-operatively to increase food production, he persuaded AOS to employ Madge Watt to set up WIs. The first she started were in Wales soon followed by ones in England. AOS set up a subcommittee to oversee the WI work and appointed Lady Gertrude Denman as Chair on 3 Oct 1916. In Sep 1917 the Treasury refused the AOS a further grant for WI work, realising the movement was growing they felt it more appropriate that the funding for forming new WIs should be given to the Women's Branch of the Food Production Department of the Board of Agriculture (which also organised the Women's Land Army). Lady Denman did not wish the WIs to be taken over by a government department and negotiated an arrangement whereby the Board of Agriculture would fund the forming of WIs but the WIs, once formed, would be self-governing. Ongoing support and policymaking would be done by a separate organisation - a National Federation of Women's Institutes. On 16 Oct 1917 delegates from the 137 existing WIs were invited to a meeting at which they agreed to the setting up of the NFWI, its Constitution and Rules. They also elected a CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT. This was subsequently renamed the NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. At the first meeting of the Central Committee of Management Lady Denman was elected Chair. As well as the elected members the committee included appointed representatives from various government departments that provided financial support or had similar interests to the newly formed NFWI

In 1917-1918 these representatives were: Miss Talbot OBE - Board of Agriculture; The Hon Mrs Hanford - National Union of Women Workers; Mr J Nugent Harris, Mr GF Hooper and Mrs Roland Wilkins - AOS

1918-1919 representatives: Miss Talbot CBE - Board of Agriculture; The Hon Mrs A Lyttelton DBE - Board of Agriculture; Mr S Bostock, Mr GF Hooper, - AOS; Lady Cowan - National Council of Women Workers.

1919-1921 representatives: Miss Talbot CBE - Ministry of Agriculture; The Hon Mrs A Lyttelton DBE - Ministry of Agriculture; Mr S Bostock- AOS

1921-1922: Dame Meriel Talbot - Ministry of Agriculture; The Hon Mrs A Lyttelton DBE - Ministry of Agriculture; Mr ATA Dobson - Ministry of Agriculture; Miss Purves - National Association of Landswomen; Mr S Bostock- AOS.

The National Executive Committee continued to have representative members until incorporation in 1990. For example in 1988-1989 the representative members were: Mr CJ Hancock LLB BA ALA - Department of the Environment; Dr JM Graham - Principal Medical Officer, Department of Health and Social Security; Mr J Coe - Chief Information Officer, Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food; Dr D Hibbert - HMI, Department of Education.

PURPOSE OF THE NFWI

From 1915 - 1917 The WIs adopted rules based on the Canadian model and agreed that they would: "a) Study home economics; b) Provide a centre for educational and social intercourse and for all local activities; c) Encourage home and local industries; d) Develop co-operative enterprises; e) Stimulate interest in the agriculture industry"

From 1917-1919, under the Board of Agriculture, WIs concentrated on food production to help the war effort.

After the First World War ended, at the AGM in 1919, a revised form of the CONSTITUTION was agreed, which was further reviewed in 1928, 1948 and 1970. The following version was used in the 1950s and 1960s:

"CHARACTER: The Women's Institute movement is based on the spiritual ideals of fellowship, truth, tolerance and justice. All countrywomen are eligible for membership no matter what their views on religion or politics may be. The movement is non sectarian and non party-political.

OBJECTS: The main purpose of the Women's Institute movement is to improve and develop conditions of rural life. It seeks to give to all countrywomen the opportunity of working together through the Women's Institute organisation, and of putting into practice those ideals for which it stands. For the purpose of furthering the said objects, the Women's Institute shall have the power to: 1) Provide for the fuller education of countrywomen in citizenship, in public questions both national and international, in music , drama and other cultural subjects, also to secure instruction and training in all branches of agriculture, handicrafts, domestic science, health and social welfare; 2) Promote international understanding amongst countrywomen; 3) Provide a centre for social intercourse and activities; 4) Develop co-operative enterprise; 5) Receive and apply in and towards any of the above objects, and not otherwise, grants and other funds provided and sanctioned by the National Federation of Women's Institutes of England, Wales, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man (hereinafter referred to as ' the National Federation'); 6) Buy on behalf of all or any members any commodity, approved by the committee, and distribute and allot the same either gratuitously or at cost; 7) Do such other things as may be incidental or conducive to the attainment of the purpose of the Institute"

Subsequently changes were made: 1) To clarify the meaning of 'non-party political - 'This shall not be so interpreted as to prevent WIs from concerning themselves with matters of political or religious significance, provided that the views of minorities are respected and provided that the movement is never used for party political or sectarian purposes' (1971); 2) To clarify the meaning of 'countrywomen' - 'Countrywomen shall mean women living in rural areas and women living elsewhere who are interested in the promotion of the arts crafts and sciences associated with rural life and the improvement and development of conditions of rural life'.

In 1990 NFWI became Incorporated - a charitable company limited by Guarantee

MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES

'PREAMBLE: The Women's Institute movement is based on the ideals of fellowship, truth, tolerance and justice. All women who are interested in the arts, crafts, sciences and other issues associated with rural life (called countrywomen in this Memorandum of Association) may join no matter what their vies on religion or politics may be. The movement is non-sectarian and non-party political. This does not prevent WIs from concerning themselves with matters of political or religious significance, provided that the views of minorities are respected and provided that the movement is never used for party political or sectarian purposes. WIs are charitable and everything they do must be consistent with that special legal status. OBJECTS: The objects of the National Federation are to enable countrywomen to take an effective part in the improvement and development of the conditions of rural life, to advance their education in citizenship, in public questions both national and international, in music, drama and other cultural subjects, and secure instruction and training for them in all branches of agriculture, handicrafts, domestic science, health and social welfare. It exists to give all countrywomen the opportunity of working together through the Women's Institute organisation, and of putting into practice those ideals for which it stands. POWERS include: To form, assist and advise Federations; To form, assist and advise WIs; To promote international understanding; To organise conferences, course of instruction, exhibitions, lectures and other educational activities; * To publish books pamphlets reports leaflets journals films tapes and instructional matter'.

From 2000 the full Memorandum and Articles were available as a down-load from the NFWI website

From 1990 the WIs and Federations elected an Executive committee/ Board of Trustees every two years by postal ballot. In 1990 the number of Trustees was 17 plus the chair of the Wales committee ex officio and the power to co-opt up to 4 others

In 2002 a revised constitution reduced the number on the Board of Trustees to 14 including the chair of the Wales committee ex officio.

SUBCOMMITTEES

From 1917 the Central Committee of Management (subsequently the National Executive Committee and then The Board of Trustees) appointed Standing Sub-Committees to consider and make recommendations regarding areas of interest and special issues within the scope of their terms of reference. The sub-committees co-opted people with specialist knowledge to give expert advice. Their recommendations and reports were passed to the Executive Committee for decision. Ad Hoc committees, and working parties were set up from time to time to complete specific tasks.

The committee structure has changed over the years, the names of the committees have been changed but similar areas of work have been covered.

CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL

In 1919 The Consultative Council was established as a forum where the National Executive Committee and the elected Consultative Council Representatives from every Federation could meet, usually twice a year, to discuss national policy and comment on budgetary and other financial matters including (from 1976) amount and division of the annual subscriptions of members.

In 1981 this body was replaced by the National Council, made up of the National Executive Committee and the Chairs and Treasurers of the Federations. The Council received reports from the Executive Committee had the power to make recommendations to the Executive Committee by majority vote. Until 2006 it met twice a year and at the spring meeting considered resolutions submitted for the AGM and advised the Executive Committee on which ones should be placed on the final agenda.

NFWI REPRESENTATION ON OUTSIDE BODIES

From 1917 onwards NFWI has nominated members, or employees, to represent them on other bodies with similar or complimentary interests. These people were listed in the Annual Report. Also listed there were those people who served on outside bodies in a personal capacity but reported to the NFWI.

INTERNATIONAL LINKS

The Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW) was established in 1933, and NFWI affiliated to it and sent delegates to Area Conferences and to Triennial meetings.

FEDERATED STRUCTURE

When sufficient WIs were formed in a County the WIs joined together to form a County Federation. As at 2007 there were 70 county and Island Federations, each with a regional office, each level of the organisation was run by a committee of elected members. The NFWI Board of Trustees was democratically elected every two years by the members.

STAFF

The first paid staff members were employed by NFWI in 1918. NFWI employed staff for the London HQ and also various specialist organisers who travelled to advise the Federations and WIs on handicrafts, agriculture and horticulture, marketing, education and general organisation matters. From 1948 NFWI employed staff at Denman College

PUBLISHING (MAGAZINES)

1917-1919 - The Landswoman - (shared with The Women's Land Army)

1919-2006 - Home and Country - a subscription magazine, published monthly

2007 - WI Life - a membership magazine published eight times a year

PUBLICATIONS

1919 NFWI Publications Department, published leaflets and booklets providing advice to members to help them run the organisation, and also of an educational nature.

1977 - WI Books Ltd, published books and leaflets for internal use but also to sell on the open market and raise funds.

WI ENTERPRISES - incorporating the publishing activities and the production of the WI magazine as well as the trading arm of NFWI, was set up to raise funds and provide benefits for members.

WI MARKETS

1919 - First Women's Institute Market started in Lewes as an outlet for surplus produce. WI Markets spread to other areas to allow members and other share holders to market the products of their gardens, kitchens and craft skills.

In 1932 NFWI received a grant from the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust to expand the markets and they were formally registered as co-operatives under the Industrial Provident and Friendly Societies Act.

Neither NFWI nor the County Federations had legal control over markets but had responsibility to encourage their formation and development and to provide education in marketing for all WI members wishing to participate

By 1992 the combined annual turnover of the Markets reached £10m and in 1995 WI Markets separated from NFWI were renamed WI Country Markets and became self-financing. In 2004 WI Country Markets Ltd shareholders voted to discontinue the use of the WI initials, at the request of NFWI, and became Country Markets Ltd. (www.country-markets.co.uk)

FUNDING

1915-1917 the work of forming WIs was funded by AOS. Once formed the WIs became self funded

1917-1919 the work of forming WIs was funded by The Board of Agriculture, and grants were provided for the formation of County Federations, after which they became self funded.

1920-1927 NFWI received grants for core funding from Development Commission, the amount given gradually decreased until they stopped in 1927.

1927 onward income to run NFWI came from: share of annual membership subscriptions; grant-making bodies, educational trusts; commercial sponsors; WI Enterprises trading arm; investments; gifts, donations, and legacies.

KEY DATES IN WI HISTORY

1915 the Agricultural Organisations Society (AOS) employed Madge Watt to start WIs in Britain (Aug 1915 )

1915 Madge Watt started the first WI in Britain at Llanfair PG on Anglesey (11 Sep 1915), President : Mrs Stapleton Cotton

1915 AOS started a WI sub committee (Nov 1915)

1916 (summer) Lil Nugent Harris became secretary of the AOS WI committee

1916 (autumn) AOS invited Mrs Drage and Mrs Stapleton Cotton onto the WI sub committee and Lady Denman appointed Chairman

1917 The Treasury refused AOS a further grant for WI work (Sep 1917). Responsibility for forming WIs passed to the Women's Branch of the Food Production Department of the Board of Agriculture (who were also concerned with the Women's Land Army)

1917 first County Federation formed (Sussex on 5 Sep 1917)

1917 first Annual General Meeting of WI delegates held on 16 Oct 1917

1917 NFWI formed

1917 Lady Denman Elected Chair of Central Committee of Management

1918 NFWI exhibition and sale in Caxton Hall

1918 first training school for Voluntary County Organisers(VCOs) held Burgess Hill, Sussex (on 6 - 24 May 1918)

1918 AGM decided not to form WIs in towns

1919 Home and Country published for the first time (Mar 1919)

1919 Special General Meeting agreed a new national executive committee structure (15 Oct 1919) the AGM on 16 Oct 1919 agreed new constitution and rules for post war times

1919 first Consultative Council meeting

1919 General Endowment Fund started

1920 Grant of £10,000 made from the Development Commissioners for general organisation, with promise of continuing but decreasing grants until the movement should become self supporting

1920 Guild of Learners of Handicrafts set up

1921 Endowment fund started £12,000 raised

1921 First grant received from Development Commissioners for work with handicrafts

1922 system of annual voluntary donations to NFWI funds from County Federations on behalf of WIs started

1923 AGM decided that WI membership was open to women and girls only

1923 Formation of Welsh Counties Conference

1926 Last grant received from the Development Commissions for general organisation

1926 NFWI's claim for exemption from Income Tax allowed on appeal

1928 First National Drama Festival

1928 First report on the Constitution

1932 AGM decided that fares of all delegates to the meeting should be pooled

1932 Carnegie United Kingdom Trust (CUKT) grant awarded for 3 years to organise and increase WI Co-operative markets

1933 Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW) started

1939 First grant from the Development Commissioners for agricultural work

1939 Produce Guild Formed

1940 Questionnaire to WIs about experiences with housing evacuees, resulting in the report 'Town Children through Country eyes'

1940 First grant from Ministry of Food, NFWI began to administer the Ministry's fruit preservation scheme

1945 AGM instructed NFWI executive committee to establish a Women's Institute College

1946 Ministry of Food/NFWI preservation scheme ended

1946 NFWI Combined Arts Festival

1946 CUKT grant awarded to start WIs in the Channel Islands

1947 'Operation Produce' launched

1947 First WI in the Channel Islands established

1948 Denman College opened (24 Sep 1948)

1948 First grant received from the Ministry of Education of the 'development of liberal education for women'

1948 'Home Produce' Exhibition

1948 Second report on the Constitution

1949 First WI formed in the Isle of Man

1949 Federation of Wales committee set up

1950 Jersey and Guernsey Federations affiliated to NFWI

1950 National Singing Festival - 'Folk Songs of the Four Seasons' by Ralph Vaughan Williams - Albert Hall

1951 Isle of Man Federation affiliated to NFWI

1951 Denman College Endowment Fund established

1951 First WI Market Place at the Ideal Home Exhibition

1952 Crafts Exhibition at Victoria and Albert Museum

1955 AGM decision led to formation of Keep Britain Tidy Group

1957 National Drama Festival - 'Out of this Wood' commissioned Robert Gittins

1961 AGM pledges WI support for Freedom from Hunger Campaign

1961 WI Market Place at the Ideal Homes Exhibition

1962 NFWI 'Country Feasts and Festivals' competition at the Dairy Show

1963 National Art Exhibition 'Painting for Pleasure' at the Galleries of the Federation of British Artists

1965 WI Golden Jubilee celebrated

1965 AGM - rule limiting the formation of WIs to places with a population of under 4,000 rescinded

1968 National appeal for half a million pounds launched, to improve the financial position of NFWI

1969 'The Brilliant and the Dark' specially commissioned operatic sequence for women's voices by Malcolm Williamson and Ursula Vaughan Williams Performed in the Albert Hall by WI members

1969 National appeal reached target

1970 Third report on the Constitution

1970 CUKT grant for three year 'Town and Country Project'

1970 Queen Mother opened the new Teaching Centre at Denman College

1971 AGM agreed change to interpretation of the non-party political and non-sectarian rules

1971 Olive Farquharson elected world president of ACWW

1972 'This Green and Pleasant Land?' exhibition at Ideal Homes Exhibition at Olympia

1972 Produce and Handicraft Guilds ceased, to enable all WI members to share these activities without additional payment

1974 Local Government reorganisation of boundaries and NFWI decided to realign Federation boundaries

1975 WI Diamond Jubilee celebrated

1975 'Tomorrow's Heirlooms' exhibition at the Commonwealth Institute

1975 Avon and West Midlands, new Federations affiliated to NFWI

1976 AGM decided to allow the amount and division of the annual subscription to be decided in future by NFWI executive committee in consultation with Consultative Council representatives

1977 Humberside Federation affiliated to NFWI

1977 WI Book Ltd registered as a privately owned company

1978 Tyne and Wear north and South Federations affiliated to NFWI

1979 The Queen opened the Home Economics Centre at Denman College

1980 National Drama Festival 'Scene 80' finals at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre Stratford on Avon

1980 NFWI Wales office opened in Cardiff

1981 Consultative Council disbanded and National Council formed

1982 'Early one Morning' composed by Antony Hopkins performed by WI choirs.

1983 WI Promotion 'Women in the Community' launched

1983 Cleveland, East Yorkshire, North Yorkshire East, North Yorkshire West, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire Federations affiliated to NFWI

1984 'WI Life and Leisure' Exhibition at Olympia

1985 £1 million appeal launched for essential repairs to Denman College and to set up .

1988 WI designed 'Countrywoman's Garden' won gold medal and the Wilkinson's sword at the Chelsea Flower Show

1990 NFWI became incorporated (company limited by Guarantee)

1990 NFWI HQ moved to Fulham;

1991 First Triennial General Meeting - Birmingham

1993 NFWI/NFU conference - 'Caring for the Countryside'

1994 'Rural Carers' conference

1995 WI Markets became independent of NFWI as 'Country Markets''

1998 'Pathway to the 21st century' launched

1999 'The Changing Village' published

2000 Prime minister Tony Blair spoke at AGM

2000 'Craft Spectacular' exhibition at Tatton Park, Cheshire

2000 NFWI web site launched

2002 'What women want' campaign

2003 'Chemicals and Health' campaign

2004 NFWI/National Needlework Archive project to record WI textiles

2004 NFWI archives deposited at The Women's Library

2005 '90@90' report published

MEMBERSHIP

Details of membership 1915-2005 are below. The year is given, followed by the number of WIs and then the total number of members:

1915 / 12

1916 / 37

1917 / 187 / 5,198

1918 / 773 / 12,007

1919 / 1,405 / 55,015

1920 / 1,914 / 99,418

1930 / 4,654 / 291,570

1939 / 5,720 / 331,600

1943 / 5,825 / 287,900

1947 / 6,682 / 379,000

1950 / 7,505 / 446,675

1954 / 8,178 / 467,000

1955 / 8,265 / 462,500

1956 / 8,314 / 457,000 (peak)

1960 / 8,489 / 444,737

1970 / 9,110 / 436,002

1981 / 9,306 (peak)

1985 / 9,242 / 353,502

1994 / 8,496 / 258,852

1997 / 8,047 / 257,700

2000 / 7,000 / 220,000

2005 / 6,800 / 211,000

The National Federation of Women Workers (NFWW) was formed in 1906 by Mary Macarthur. The Federation had close links with the Women's Trade Union League, with Gertrude Tuckwell serving as president of both organisations from 1908. The NFWW saw strikes as the chief means of unionising unorganised workers and probably did more than any other organisation (including trade unions) to unionise women especially during the mass strike wave of 1910-1914. The Federation was entirely unself-seeking, in that its efforts were purely for the benefit of the unions rather than its own prestige. Although its membership had risen to 20,000 by 1914, its leaders never intended that the NFWW should remain permanently as a women's union. In fact in 1921 it quietly merged with the National Union of General Workers (now the GMB). The Federation, along with many of the other women's organisations, campaigned to expose the evils of the sweated trades. Their propaganda was very effective and played a major part in inducing the Liberal government to pass the 1909 Trade Boards Act which was an attempt to fix minimum wages in certain of the most exploitative trades, usually the ones in which women predominated. (This administrative history was written by Professor Mary Davis, Centre for Trade Union Studies, London Metropolitan University c 2008.)

The National Federation of Shop Workers and Clerks was formed in 1907, as an amalgamation of the Amalgamated Union of Cooperative Employees, the National Amalgamated Union of Shop Assistants, Warehousemen and Clerks, and the National Union of Clerks. It was formed with the principal aims of promoting fraternisation, acting as a united group at the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and supporting the policies affecting each section. The Federation was wound up in May 1914. During its lifetime the National Federation did little beyond discussing various schemes of amalgamation, but it did achieve some understanding of the need for clerical worker unions to work together for an objective.

The Federation was established to represent inland wholesale fish merchants of Great Britain, to promote commerce and to protect the rights and interests of members.

In 1918, the following corn trade associations combined to form a national federation:- Liverpool (founded 1853); Glasgow (1855); London (1878); Hull (1888); Bristol Channel and West of England (1889); and Leith (1890). They also invited three other associations to join them - the National Association of Corn and Agricultural Merchants; the National Association of British and Irish Millers; and the Maltsters' Association of Great Britain. The federation acted as a national pressure group, representing and protecting the interests of the corn trade and providing a useful channel of communication between the trade and the government and other outside bodies. It was wound up in 1972 following the formation of the Grain and Feed Trade Association.

National Family Mediation was founded in 1981. It co-ordinates the work of voluntary sector family mediation services in England and Wales to assist couples who are in the process of separation and divorce. NFM encourages the take-up of family mediation; promotes professional standards; carries out research, consultancy and training; organises conferences; liaises with government, the legal profession, advice agencies and other voluntary organisations; and provides information to the public.

The National Education Association (NEA) was formed to give effect to the resolutions of the Education Conference Committee which was held in 1888 in reaction to the report of the Cross Commission, 1886-1888. The Cross Commission was formed to look into the competing systems of education then current: School Board Schools which were supported by rates, and voluntary schools (including Church schools) which were supported only by donations and fees. The report suggested that all schools should be rate-aided.

The Association aimed to promote a "free progressive system of national education, publicly controlled and free from sectarian interest" both by publicising and advancing the School Board System and by undermining denominational and private schools. Formed in 1888 and formally constituted in 1889 under the presidency of A.J.Mundella, the NEA acted as the education sub-committee of the Liberation Society, whose aims were the disestablishment of the Church of England, the attainment of religious equality for non-conformists and the preservation of the rights of conscience.

The NEA was disbanded in 1959 and its duties taken over by the Free Church Federal Council.

The National Council of Women of Great Britain was founded in 1895 as the National Union of Women Workers. This resulted from the work of a number of women engaged in the care of girls, who realised that many of the difficulties of these girls arose from unsatisfactory working conditions. They formed themselves into small groups which became the National Union of Women Workers. In 1918 its title was formally changed to the National Council of Women of Great Britain. In 1951 it became an incorporated body governed by a Memorandum and Articles of Association.

The aims of the National Council of Women of Great Britain are defined as:-

• To promote the establishment and maintenance of human rights for the people of the United Kingdom.
• To work to improve the quality of life for all.
• To secure the removal of discrimination against women and to encourage the effective participation of women in the life of the nation.
• To act as a co-ordinating body to which societies with similar aims may affiliate.

• To affiliate to the International Council of Women, forming a link with the National Councils of Women throughout the world, and to work for international peace and understanding.

  The National Council of Women is made up of regional councils each with many local branches. Representatives from all over the country attend committees considering all aspects of life. Branches, Regions and Affiliated Societies can put forward resolutions to the annual conference. Resolutions ratified by the annual conference become NCW policy and are presented to Her Majesty's Government and all other local and national relevant bodies.

The National Council of Voluntary Organisations (formerly the National Council of Social Service) grew out of the beliefs that the best way to preserve voluntary services would be if the diverse agencies came together in an overall council to eliminate confusion and overlap; and that they should work together with the newly developing statutory services. The first step in setting up the National Council was the issue in March 1919 of a memorandum from the Local Government Board with a covering letter signed by Sir Aubrey Simmons, then secretary of the Board and first chairman of the council. The memorandum recommended the formation of local councils of social service and set out the aims of a future National Council of Social Service, together with the names of members and bodies giving their support.

In 1919 the councils objectives were:

• to promote the systematic organisation of voluntary social work, nationally and locally.
• to assist in the formation in each local government area representations of both voluntary effort and statutory administration.

• to provide information for voluntary social workers.

  Captain Lionel Ellis was the only paid officer in 1919, and Professor WGS Adams took over from Aubrey Simmons as Chairman for the next 30 years. By 1924 the NCSS was soundly established and on 14 May 1928 was awarded charitable status in the High Court. In this same year the NCSS moved to its first headquarters at 26 Bedford Square, London WC1. The work of the NCSS between the wars was beset by problems, most notably the economic welfare of the countryside, rural depopulation, housing and the increasing problem of unemployment. Its answer was to establish and support the rural movement by means of Community Councils, citizens advise bureaux, support to the elderly and disabled and to provide secretariat for branches of groups such as the National Playing Fields Association.

  1969 was the Golden Jubilee of the NCSS celebrated in Guildhall with a reception attended by HM the Queen, HRH the Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh and over 900 guests. The 50th year marked a new look and reorganisation for the NCSS by the review committee concluding that the NCSS 'should be seen as one living, vigorous entity and not a federation of varied and autonomous associated bodies'. One of the most important roles of the NCSS in the 1970s was that of an information and advice resource. Their role in the rural communities by the provision of advice on all matters and their efforts continued both nationally and internationally.

  On 1st April 1980 the NCSS became the National Council for Voluntary Organisations. An extraordinary general meeting called in July 1973 discussed the name change; since the implementation of the Social Services Act in 1970 confusion had arisen between voluntary and statutory bodies. Its new aims as set down in the 1980 Annual Report were:

• to extend the involvement of voluntary organisations in responding to social issues
• to be a resource centre for voluntary organisations

• to protect the interests and independence of voluntary organisation.

  One of its key roles was to make skills, guidance and advice available to all charities and voluntary organisations as well as developing new models of social support. NCVO increased its membership by 150 in 3 years with a striking number of new members providing aid for illness or disability and furthermore opened membership to leading organisations in relevant fields of activity. In the early 1980s these were 528 members, links with 159 councils for voluntary service and 38 rural community councils. It had 8 major departments and employed 152 staff.

  In the early 1990s the NCVO established a working party to make recommendations on developing and maintaining high standards of efficiency and effectiveness within the voluntary sector. The report "Effectiveness and the Voluntary Sector" set out an agenda for action by NCVO and the wider voluntary sector - with emphasis on effectiveness in management and services within voluntary bodies. The Corporate Affiliation Scheme was launched in 1989 attracting 20 leading companies and in 1992 NCVO played a large role in the Charities Act 1992 by making representations to improve the Bill and by guiding Charities through the new law.

  In June 1992 the NCVO moved from Bedford Square to Regent's Wharf, London W1 where they remain today, continuing its role as the "voice of the voluntary sector".

The National Council for One Parent Families (NCOPF) (1918-fl 2006) was originally established in Feb 1918, under the name the National Council for the Unmarried Mother and her Child (NCUMC). Its primary concern at that time was infant mortality and the welfare of unmarried mothers and their illegitimate children. The organisation was formed following a National Conference organised by the Child Welfare Council of the Social Welfare Association for London, which was held at Mansion House on 14 Feb 1918. The conference was the result of a Child Welfare Inquiry, which had been established by the Social Welfare Association in London in 1914.

The first Council meeting in Apr 1918 appointed a Chair, Hon. Secretaries and an Executive Committee. The original functions were: 1) To obtain reform of the existing Bastardy Acts and Affiliation Acts; 2) To secure the provision of adequate accommodation to meet the varying needs of mothers and babies throughout the country, with the special aim of keeping mother and child together; 3) To deal with individual enquiries from, or on behalf of, unmarried mothers.

Funds were acquired via public funding and voluntary donations. On 4 Jan 1946 the Society was incorporated.

World War Two saw a huge increase in the number of women turning to the Council for assistance. The election of a Labour government, after the war, saw the expansion of the Welfare State following the findings of the Beveridge Report. This changed the focus of the Council away from providing direct aid towards explaining the complexities of the benefit system.

The 1960s and 1970s saw the Council return to its original function as a pressure group. The change of name to the National Council for One Parent Families occurred in 1973. It had been proposed in Feb 1972 and the new name reflected the Council catering for all lone parents. With the election of a Conservative government in 1979, the Council's priorities change, a Back to Work strategy was launched that promoted employment opportunities for lone parents. In 2004 the Council aimed to promote the welfare of lone parents and their children by helping to overcome the poverty, isolation and social exclusion faced by many. In 2007 National Council for One Parent Families and Gingerbread merged to become one organisation.

The National Council of Labour Colleges was set up for "the education of the workers from the working class point of view, through the medium of Colleges, classes and public lectures; the co-ordination and extension of this independent working-class educational work; the issuing of leaflets, syllabuses, etc, for the assistance of class tutors and students". Originally the colleges were run by the Plebs Movement but they came to be run by the Unions and affiliated to the Labour Party. In addition, the London College was run by national bodies, whilst the provincial classes were controlled by union branches. This collection appears to be a second set of minutes, kept by J P M Millar, the General Secretary.

The National Council for Jews in the former Soviet Union was founded in 1975 under the name of the National Council for Soviet Jewry. Before then various groups had acted on behalf of Soviet Jews. Individuals too had spoken out in defence of Soviet Jews. The Foreign Affairs Committee of the Board of Deputies had tried to present a coordinated response on behalf of all these groups in the 1970s, but the Board came to realise that an independent agency was required to do this work. A conference was held for Soviet Jewry groups and activists in December 1975 and there the National Council was established.

The mandate of the National Council for Soviet Jewry was not to replace the existing Soviet Jewry groups but rather to act as an umbrella body for them; to coordinate and promote action. The Council had two major concerns; firstly to defend the rights of Soviet Jews to emigrate to Israel; secondly to secure the betterment of Jewish life for Jews within the Soviet Union (especially the cultural, religious and educational aspects). Throughout the 1960s, 1970s and well into the 1980s Jews who attempted to establish a Jewish culture and identity within the USSR, for instance by teaching Hebrew or Jewish history, suffered repression. Those Soviet Jews who applied for permission to settle in Israel and who were refused visas became known as "refuseniks". Refuseniks and other Jewish activists were frequently singled out by Soviet authorities as anti-Soviet troublemakers; many lost their jobs, were arrested, tried and imprisoned. The National Council aimed, in conjunction with Soviet Jewry Groups in other countries, to draw attention to their difficulties.

The National Council was made up of delegates nominated from the major British Jewry bodies (such as the Board of Deputies; the United Synagogue; the Central British Fund for World Jewish Relief) and Soviet Jewry groups within the United Kingdom. The Council met regularly and appointed Committees to undertake the day to day running of the movement. The Council worked closely with its affiliated groups and supporters and organised some very public campaigns on behalf of refuseniks. On a quieter level it encouraged rabbis, community leaders and other Anglo-Jewish groups to make individual contacts with Soviet Jews and provide them with encouragement to explore their Jewish identity. Visits and the sending of letters and books to the USSR was promoted in the face of Soviet hostility. The Council also lobbied non-Jewish organisations and individuals for support. It liaised with members of parliament, trade unions, the press and a wide span of private individuals. The National Council was always careful however not to become a political anti-Soviet body.

The National Council received a Parliamentary award for services to Soviet Jewry in 1989. By then some degree of improvement in the lives of Soviets Jews had taken place following the internal Soviet reforms of the late 1980s. In December 1991 the Soviet Union was dissolved and its constituent republics became independent. Consequently the National Council decided to review its role. It was decided to concentrate on work to increase Jewish cultural and religious awareness and to fight rising anti-semitism within the former USSR. Although emigration had become easier for Soviet Jews by the early 1990s the refuseniks did not disappear as some republics failed to establish emigration procedures. In 1992 the National Council renamed itself the National Council for Jews in the Former Soviet Union and embarked upon a new phase of activity.

The National Council for Civil Liberties (NCCL) was founded by journalist Ronald Kidd in 1934 to protect and promote civil liberties and human rights. NCCL's activity in the field of gay rights has been focussed on discrimination in the criminal law and employment rights. NCCL supported the implementation of the Wolfenden Committee's recommendation for the decriminalisation of homosexual activity, and developed links with the Homosexual Law Reform Society, the Albany Trust, and later the Campaign for Homosexual Equality. Gay issues were included in NCCL newsletters and conference resolutions, and a NCCL pamphlet, Privacy under attack, included a section on the private rights of individuals. Two surveys into discrimination in the workplace were undertaken in the 1970s, the first into the policies of London Education Authorities and the second into the attitudes of Social Services Committees, both of which revealed prejudice against gay staff. NCCL also submitted evidence to the criminal Law Reform Committee on Sexual Offences in 1976, and produced a pamphlet Homosexuality and the law in 1978. NCCL was relaunched as Liberty in 1989.