Eusebius Ashby of Blaby in Leicestershire, son of George Ashby of Quenby in the same County.
The Brewery on Church Street, Staines was founded in 1796 by Thomas Ashby. The business was incorporated in 1887 as "Charles Ashby and Company Limited" and then in 1899 as "Ashby's Staines Brewery Limited". The company took over Thomas Fladgate Harris' Knowle Green Brewery, Kingston Road, Staines, 1903; Headington and Son, Wellington Brewery, Denmark Street, Wokingham, 1920; and Wheeler's Wycombe Breweries in 1929. They were acquired by H and G Simonds in 1931 and in voluntary liquidation in 1936.
Born 1941; served in the Royal Marines, 1959-1972, in 41 and 42 Commando and 2 Special Boat Section; 1st Secretary, UK Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, 1971-1976; Commercial Managers' Department, Westland Group, 1976-1978; Senior Manager, Morlands Ltd, Yeovil, 1978-1981; Youth Officer, Dorset County Council, 1981-1983; Liberal MP for Yeovil, 1983-; Liberal Party Spokesman on Trade and Industry, 1985-1987; Liberal/SDP Alliance Spokesman on Education and Science, 1987-1988; Liberal Party Spokesman on Education and Science, 1987; Social and Liberal Democrat Spokesman on Northern Ireland, 1988; Leader of the Social and Liberal Democrat (later Liberal Democrat) Party, 1988-1999.
Publications: Citizen's Britain: a radical agenda for the 1990s (Fourth Estate, London, 1989); The environment (Phillip Charles Media, 1990); Beyond Westminster: finding hope in Britain (Simon and Schuster, London, 1994); Making change our ally (Liberal Democrat Publications, Dorchester, 1994).
The workhouse at Stanwell, later known as Staines Union Workhouse and Staines institution, was built, probably in the 1840's, by the Board of Guardians of the Staines Poor Law Union and administered by the Board until it was transferred to the Middlesex County Council on 1 April 1930 as a Public Assistance Institution. In 1939-1940 an emergency hutted hospital was built in the grounds and it became known as Staines Emergency and later as Staines County hospital. It continued to be technically administered under Poor Law powers until the end of the Second World War in 1945 when it was appropriated to public health purposes and the name changed to Ashford County Hospital. It was transferred to the North West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board in 1948, since when it has been known as Ashford Hospital.
In 1998 Ashford Hospital was merged with Saint Peter's Hospital, Chertsey, Surrey to form Ashford and St Peter's Hospital NHS Trust. Major building works have transformed Ashford into a centre of healthcare excellence. Most of the wards and many departments are located in buildings opened in 1995 and no patient area is more than thirty years old. The Education Centre is in the newest part of the building and provides a focus for training activities in the hospital, including a well-equipped library with computerised access, and a state of the art lecture theatre.
Ashford Valley Cyders Limited, of The Cyder Factory, Dover Place, Ashford, Kent, were incorporated in December 1948. They went bankrupt in August 1957 and were taken over by Courage and Barclay before March 1958. The company was in liquidation in September 1964.
John Ashley was a planter in Barbados for 28 years. He sat as a Member of the Barbados Council, and was Deputy Auditor General. Ashley was the Leader of the West Indies interest in the UK during the 1730s, when he acted as Secretary of the Planters' Club. He wrote extensively on trade in the West Indies, most notably the sugar trade. Ashley died in 1751.
Ashley was born in London on 25 February 1860 and was educated at St Olave's School in Southwark and at Balliol College Oxford. He was then appointed Lecturer at Lincoln College Oxford from 1885 to 1888. From 1888 to 1892 he was Professor of Political Economy at Toronto University; 1892 to 1901 Professor of Economic History at Harvard; and 1901 to 1925 Professor of Commerce at Birmingham University. From 1899 to 1920 Ashley was also an Examiner in history, economics and commerce in the Universities of Cambridge, London, Durham, Wales and Ireland. During his life, Ashley was on many committees. He received a knighthood in 1917. His many publications were mainly concerned with economic history. He died on 23 July 1927.
Lieutenant Commander Brian Ashmore was a member of the Liberal Party, and a parliamentary candidate for Carlisle in 1964.
Dr Leigh Perry Ashton (b 1908) qualified in medicine at Bristol in 1931 and worked as a medical missionary in Kenya from 1934 until 1964, apart from Second World War service with the King's African Rifles. In September 1945 he was Medical Officer at Maseno Church Missionary Society Hospital in western Kenya, where he treated 244 cases of smallpox in three months. This report records his observations and conclusions.
Norman Henry Ashton was born in London on the 11th of September 1913. He became a junior laboratory assistant at a private laboratory in Brook Street, London in 1928 where he remained until 1931. He then moved to the Princess Beatrice Hospital, West Kensington, London where he was pathological laboratory assistant. While in this post he studied for the examinations of the College of Preceptors, which could be taken part-time, first at the Chelsea Polytechnic, then at Kings College, and later at Westminster Hospital Medical School. In 1939 he qualified in Medicine and Surgery and Registered as a Medical Practitioner (MRCS, LRCP). After 2 years at Westminster Hospital he moved to the Kent and Canterbury Hospital in 1941 where he was pathologist until 1945.
In 1946, Ashton enlisted in the Royal Army Medical Corps and was posted in West Africa , before being transferred to Egypt in 1947. He was discharged from the Army in the same year and became Director of Pathology at the Institute of Ophthalmology in 1948. Here he established a laboratory of international repute, which contributed to research and provided a clinical service to Moorfields Eye Hospital and other hospitals around the world. He was responsible for the training of the first generation of ophthalmic pathologists in Britain. He remained at the Institute until his retirement in 1978. He was also Professor of Pathology at the University of London from 1957 to 1978.
In 1953, Ashton's investigations into Retrolental Fibroplasia (RLF), now known as Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), revealed that the exposure of premature babies to high levels of oxygen in order to relieve breathing difficulties, could cause an obliteration of growing retinal blood vessels followed by disorganised regrowth and scarring which led to blindness. As a consequence, oxygen delivery to babies was strictly controlled and the sight of many infants was saved. In 1960, he was the first in Europe to identify Toxocara Canis (the dog roundworm) as a cause of retinal disease in children, leading to a national campaign to rid the streets of dog faeces. In 1965, he founded Fight for Sight (one of the foremost charities supporting eye research in the UK) and was chairman of the charity from 1980 to 1991, when he became a patron. He had a key role in establishing the European Pathology Society, of which he was made life president. Ashton's other major research was in the areas of diabetic retinopathy (retinal disease caused by diabetes) and hypertensive retinopathy (retinal disease caused by high blood pressure).
Professor Ashton received countless honours and awards for his academic achievements, including the Doyne Medal in 1960. In 1971 he was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society and was appointed CBE in 1976. Two years later, he was awarded the Gonin Gold Medal (the highest award for ophthalmology). In honour of his work for Fight for Sight and his research achievements, the new Institute of Ophthalmology building which opened in Bath Street, London in 1992 was named after him. In 1981 Ashton received the first Jules Stein Award with A Patz, he also received the International Pisart Vision Award in 1991, the Royal Society's Buchanan Medal in 1996, and the Helen Keller Prize in 1998. At various stages of his career and his retirement he was president of five societies of pathology and ophthalmology and was elected Master of the Society of Apothecaries in 1984. In all, he contributed to 274 scientific publications during his lifetime.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Ashton was a highly acclaimed and witty public speaker as well as a keen performer of amateur dramatics and a gifted artist. He died in London on the 4th of January 2000.
Born in 1897; 2nd Lt, 1918; served in France and Belgium, Aug-Oct 1918; entered Royal Army Ordnance Corps, 1923; Capt, 1929; Maj, 1935; Deputy Assistant Director of Ordnance Services, 1938-1940; Lt Col, 1940; Deputy Director of Ordnance Services (Engineering), Malaya Command, 1941-1942; Col, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, 1943; Assistant Director of Mechanical Engineering in the War Office, 1946-1947; Brig, 1948; died in 1981.
The company was established in 1866 as Ashton Gate Brewery Company Limited. In 1868 the name was changed to Hardwick and Company Limited; but in 1883 the name was changed back to Ashton Gate Brewery Company Limited. Amalgamated in 1931 with Bristol Brewery Georges after severe loss in trade, especially in South Wales, and heavier taxation. In voluntary liquidation 1932.
Samuel Ashwell was Assistant to James Blundell, Lecturer in Midwifery at Guy's Hospital Medical School from 1825 to 1834 (and previously at the School of the United Hospitals). Ashwell was appointed Lecturer on Midwifery at Guy's Hospital in 1834 on Blundell's resignation, and was probably responsible for arrangements of the new Lying-in Charity to attend child birhs in the vicinity. He was also responsible for the hospital wards for diseases for women, established in 1831. He resigned the lectureship in 1849.
Publications include: A Practical Treatise on Parturition ... To which are appended, two papers ... on abdominal surgery, the other on transfusion; presented by Dr. Blundell (Thomas Tegg, London, 1828); A Practical Treatise on the Diseases peculiar to Women, etc (Samuel Highley, London, 1844).
The Company was formed in 1878, under the auspices of the Liverpool house of Turner and Co and their Calcutta associates, Turner Morrison and Company, to develop steam communication in the Bay of Bengal. It received the active support of Thomas Ismay and William Imrie of the White Star Line.
The ships were cross traders, not based in the UK, serving the coastal trade between Calcutta and Bombay: between Calcutta, Chittagong, Rangoon and Moulmein: and later between Calcutta and Java, via Malayan ports. Another departure was the acquisition and continuous operation of the Indian Government mail contract between Calcutta and the Andaman Islands, which included responsibility for the transport of convicts to port Blair.
Relations with British India, many of whose ships were employed on the same route, were competitive throughout, although dialogue over freight rate levels and sailings was generally maintained.
In 1931 the company was restructured in order to cope with the slump. In 1934, in recognition of the growth of nationalism in both Burma and India, locally based companies were set up in both of these countries. At this time negotiations with British India broke down and there was a rate war which was resolved after about six months by a tripartite agreement between Asiatic, B. I. and Scindia (the Indian national line).
British India achieved a 51% interest in Asiatic by the end of 1934, at which time Ismay's connection terminated.
The company was absorbed into the P and O group in 1971 and effectively ceased trading in 1977.
Anna Helene Askanasy (fl 1930-1970) was a Viennese woman, and Gustav Mahler's niece, who appears to have been involved in both the women's movement and the movement for peace which sprang up in Austria in the wake of the First World War. She spoke at the conference on statelessness which was organised by Mary Sheepshanks at the request of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom and which was held in Sep 1930. She also entered into correspondence with both Robert Briffault and Mary Beard at some point. At another stage she began writing a book in German whose English translation was 'The Catastrophe of Patriarchy' and worked with Birgitta M Schulte on the publication of the 'Lexikon der Frau' in Switzerland in 1953-1954. She appears to have been active until around 1970.
Oaklands Congregational Church was originally known as Oaklands United Congregational Church and was based at Uxbridge Road, Shepherds Bush. The church was initially a Union Church of Baptists and Congregationalists, including some from Becklow Road Mission. A meeting was held in July 1856 at Oaklands at which it was decided to erect a United Church. The church was formed on 1 January 1858. In 1868 the Baptist members left to establish a new church in Avenue Road. Ten years later in 1878 another group left the original church and began to hold services at Coningham Road School where they were known as Coningham Road Free Church. They opened an iron chapel in Askew Road in September 1885 and renamed themselves Starch Green Congregational Church.
Oaklands United Congregational Church closed and was sold on 30 April 1890 to Starch Green Congregational Church. The Starch Green congregation made alterations to the building and reopened it on 21 September 1890 as Oaklands Congregational Church. The iron chapel in Askew Road remained a mission hall.
The church was renovated during 1903 and again in 1920. The church closed in March 1972 and merged with Askew Road Methodist Church to form Askew Road Church (Methodist/United Reformed). The Uxbridge Road building became derelict and was demolished in March and April 1980.
Askew Road Methodist Church Askew Road was formerly known as Bassein Park Wesleyan Chapel then Sir William McArthur Memorial Chapel Hammersmith. Bassein Park Wesleyan Chapel was opened in September 1866. It was rebuilt on the same site in 1890 when it was named the Sir William McArthur Memorial Chapel as a tribute to the one-time Lord Mayor of London Member of Parliament and Connexional Treasurer. However the chapel was still known locally as the Bassein Park Wesleyan Chapel and in 1897 it was renamed the Askew Road Methodist Church. Most of the building was destroyed by bombs in October 1940. A new church hall designed by Sir Guy Dawber, Wilson and Fox was opened on 18 September 1954; the final stage of the building was opened in June 1968. The church became the Askew Road Church (Methodist/United Reformed) in 1972 when it united with Oaklands Congregational Church.
Oaklands Congregational Church was originally known as Oaklands United Congregational Church and was based at Uxbridge Road, Shepherds Bush. The church was initially a Union Church of Baptists and Congregationalists, including some from Becklow Road Mission. A meeting was held in July 1856 at Oaklands at which it was decided to erect a United Church. The church was formed on 1 January 1858. In 1868 the Baptist members left to establish a new church in Avenue Road. Ten years later in 1878 another group left the original church and began to hold services at Coningham Road School where they were known as Coningham Road Free Church. They opened an iron chapel in Askew Road in September 1885 and renamed themselves Starch Green Congregational Church.
Oaklands United Congregational Church closed and was sold on 30 April 1890 to Starch Green Congregational Church. The Starch Green congregation made alterations to the building and reopened it on 21 September 1890 as Oaklands Congregational Church. The iron chapel in Askew Road remained a mission hall.
The church was renovated during 1903 and again in 1920. The church closed in March 1972 and merged with Askew Road Methodist Church to form Askew Road Church (Methodist/United Reformed). The Uxbridge Road building became derelict and was demolished in March and April 1980.
Askew Road Methodist Church Askew Road was formerly known as Bassein Park Wesleyan Chapel then Sir William McArthur Memorial Chapel Hammersmith. Bassein Park Wesleyan Chapel was opened in September 1866. It was rebuilt on the same site in 1890 when it was named the Sir William McArthur Memorial Chapel as a tribute to the one-time Lord Mayor of London Member of Parliament and Connexional Treasurer. However the chapel was still known locally as the Bassein Park Wesleyan Chapel and in 1897 it was renamed the Askew Road Methodist Church. Most of the building was destroyed by bombs in October 1940. A new church hall designed by Sir Guy Dawber, Wilson & Fox was opened on 18 September 1954; the final stage of the building was opened in June 1968. The church became the Askew Road Church (Methodist/United Reformed) in 1972 when it united with Oaklands Congregational Church.
Assam and African Investments Limited was part of the Inchcape Group. It operated in Assam (India) and Kenya and Tanzania (East Africa).
This company was part of the Inchcape Group. It operated in Assam (India) and Kenya and Tanzania (East Africa).
The company was established in 1839, when a provisional committee, under the chairmanship of George de Hochpied Larpent, was formed to enquire into the quality and nature of tea production in Assam and ascertain what support would be given by the East India Company to an association for its cultivation and manufacture. The East India Company subsequently made over two thirds of its tea estates to the Assam Company with permission to settle on other lands in Assam. Despite trading as the Assam Company from 1839, the firm was not incorporated in India until 1846. It was registered in England in 1865.
From 1839 to 1864 a "local board" in Calcutta directed affairs in Assam liaising with the superintendents of each of the three divisions into which the tea gardens were organised: the northern, eastern and southern. In 1864, the Calcutta board was abolished and operations were controlled henceforth directly from London via a Calcutta agent. In 1865, the northern and eastern divisions were sold to the Northern Assam Tea Company Limited. Activity thereafter was concentrated on the southern holdings from headquarters at Nazira, near Jorehat. The superintendent's title was also changed to "general manager and agent of the Assam Company in India". The company reformed with limited liability in 1923.
The firm was acquired outright by the Inchcape Group of trading companies in 1980, by which time it had become a holding company for the Assam Company (India) Limited.
The company has operated from a succession of addresses in the Copyright to this collection rests with the City of London.: 6 Great Winchester Street, 1839; 57 Old Broad Street, 1839-45; 30 Great Winchester Street, 1846-63; 22 Great St Helen's, 1863-70; 2 East India Avenue, 1870-85; 5 Laurence Pountney Hill, 1885-1965; 40 St Mary Axe, 1966-88.
Assam Estates Limited was a tea company operating in Assam, 1910 to 1977. It was part of the Inchcape Group.
The Assam Frontier Tea Company Limited were based on Leadenhall Street and other City addresses. They amalgamated in 1977 with Budla Beta Tea Company Limited. They were taken over in 1982 by the Caparo Group Limited.
Membership of the association was open to all assistant district surveyors employed in the District Surveyor's Offices in Inner London. The association was wound up on 3 March 1986 as a result of the impending abolition of the Greater London Council.
The District Surveyor's Offices were part of the GLC Architect's Department. Building control in inner London was administered at a local level by district surveyors from the mid nineteenth century to 1986. District Surveyors were a statutory, independent body responsible for surveying and supervising all construction work in their districts. They inspected plans and buildings to ensure quality of construction and compliance with statutory requirements under London Building Acts and bye laws. Reports were made to the relevant central administrative authority. In latter years, together with the Building Regulations Division of the Greater London Council's Department of Architecture and Civic Design, district surveyors were responsible for executing the Council's statutory duties under the London Building Acts. Before the abolition of the GLC in 1986, there were about 300 district surveyors and 27 offices administering areas roughly equivalent in size to former metropolitan boroughs. Anyone wishing to construct or alter a building in inner London had to give notice to the relevant district surveyor two days before work was begun. Notice included submission of detailed plans and specifications of the proposed construction for inspection and approval by the district surveyor. Building work requested by the Council's Building Regulations Division, in relation to particular statutory requirements such as means of escape, structural fire precautions such as means of escape, structural fire precautions and waivers of bye-laws, had to be completed to the satisfaction of the district surveyor. Reports were made to the Council through the superintending Architect of Metropolitan Buildings. Where aspects of a proposed work contravened Building Acts or bye laws, the district surveyor could serve a "Notice of Objection" on the builder or owner. If work had begun or been completed a "Notice of Irregularity" could be served. Failure to comply constituted a serious offence. Appeals against decisions could be made to the Council and then to a Tribunal of Appeal. Income of district surveyors was paid by the Council based on the cost of buildings inspected. District surveyors had particular responsibility for dangerous neglected structures. They reported instances to the Council, surveyed and took any action necessary to remove immediate danger. They could also be called on to survey party structures and had the right to inspect buildings on which no notice had been served.
Founded in 1891 by a small group of London schoolmasters, including Robert Blair, later Chief Education Officer of the London County Council, the Association, then known as the Association of Assistant Masters in Secondary Schools, quickly expanded to a nationwide membership and was incorporated in 1901. Its main objects were the promotion of professional status and standards for secondary school masters, including conditions of service, security of tenure, salaries and pensions, although it also took an interest in wider educational policy including the school curriculum and examinations. In 1978 it merged with the Association of Assistant Mistresses to form the Assistant Masters and Mistresses Association.
Associated British Foods Pension Trustees Limited is the corporate trustee of the pension schemes of Associated British Foods plc (ABF), a global food, ingredients and retail company. Associated British Foods Pensions Trustees Limited is a subsidiary of ABF, and is based at the Weston Centre, Grosvenor Street, London.
ABF was founded by Garfield Weston in 1935 as Food Investments Limited: the company was renamed Allied Bakeries Limited shortly afterwards. Allied Bakeries first established a pension scheme in 1941 and another Weston family company, George Weston Holdings Limited, established a second scheme in 1948. In 1952 the Allied Bakeries Limited Pension Scheme, along with the pension scheme of a subsidiary company, A.H. Palmer Limited, was amalgamated with the George Weston Holdings Limited Scheme. The amalgamated scheme was known as the Allied Bakeries Limited Pension Scheme.
Followed the renaming of Allied Bakeries Limited as Associated British Foods Limited in 1960, the Allied Bakeries Limited Pension Scheme was also renamed, becoming the Associated British Foods Pension Scheme in 1963. The scheme underwent another name change in 1978, becoming the Associated British Foods Pension and Life Assurance Scheme, but this was reversed in 1984 and the scheme continues to operate today as the Associated British Foods Pension Scheme.
Initially the scheme was overseen by individual trustees, but in 1980 they were replaced by a corporate trustee, Associated British Foods Pension Trustees Limited. Prior to this date the company had operated as G W H Properties Limited, holding property investments on behalf of the pension scheme's trustees.
ABF operated a Group Pensions Department which was responsible for the administration of its pension schemes. This department was led by a Secretary or, later, by a Group Pension Manager. These have included P Glover, Alan Herbert and Derek Yarrow. They also employed pensions consulting firms, notably Metropolitan Pensions Association Limited.
In addition to the main ABF Pension Scheme, ABF operated separate pension schemes for senior management (the ABF Senior Executive Pension Scheme and the Allied Bakeries Senior Management Pension Schemes) and a life assurance scheme (the Weston Life Assurance scheme). They also operated a pension scheme to allow their staff to opt out of the state pension scheme, the Allied Bakeries 'Q' Pension Scheme. Since 1935 ABF has taken over a number of companies, resulting in the ABF Pensions Department taking on the administration of subsidiary company's pension schemes: this includes the British Sugar pension schemes.
Another element of ABF's staff benefit provision is the Weston Provident Fund. Established in 1981, the Fund's objective is to assist with the welfare of employees and former employees of the ABF Group and their dependants. . The charity is based in Russell Square, London.
Globe Telegraph and Trust Company Limited was incorporated in 1873 by John Pender, a Liberal MP, who also founded the Eastern and Associated Telegraph Companies Group. Globe was formed in order to spread the short term risk of cable laying over a number of companies, and shares in Globe were offered in exchange for shares in submarine telegraph and associated companies. The Eastern and Associated Telegraph Companies Group, meanwhile, was built up by Pender over a number of years in the late 19th century.
The Government Commodities Fire Insurance Scheme was set up in May 1940 to protect valuable raw commodities during the Second World War. The Associated Fire Insurers (Government Commodities) Management Committee (based at 66 Cheapside) advised the Government, through the Ministry of Supply, Board of Trade, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, UK Dominion Wool Disposals Limited and the Raw Cotton Commission, on the insuring of raw commodities such as wool, cotton, pit wood and molasses, stored in the United Kingdom and abroad.
The scheme ended on 31 March 1957. The committee was wound up by the Joint Secretariat of the Associated Insurers (British Electricity) Management Committee (set up 1949) and the British Insurance (Atomic Energy) Committee (set up 1956) which comprised two members of its staff (the committee had agreed to make its organisation available to these bodies on their establishment). The records were passed to the Fire Offices' Committee.
Associated Metropolitan Water Companies was a forum for the chairman of the various water companies (and occasionally other members and officers) to meet together. Meetings held at New River Company Offices (1879) and 5 Victoria Street, Westminster (1880 - 1885).
Associated Newspaper Group owns the Daily Mail, the Mail on Sunday, the Evening Standard and the free Metro newspaper. The Daily Mail is the Group's flagship paper, founded in 1896.
No further information at present.
Further research might perhaps establish links with other philanthropic Societies of the time, but the Association does not seem to be recorded in London Charities, 1871-72.
The Association for Moral and Social Hygiene was established in 1915 following the amalgamation of the Ladies' National Association and 'British Continental and General Federation for Abolition of Government Regulation of Prostitution' (which later became the International Abolitionist Federation). Josephine Butler founded the Ladies' National Association in the 1860s when she led her campaign against the Contagious Diseases Acts in Great Britain. These Acts applied to certain garrison towns and seaports, and attempted to preserve the health of servicemen by arrest and compulsory medical examination of women found within these areas who were suspected of being there for immoral purposes. The Acts were repealed in 1886. Josephine Butler also made contact with abolitionists in Europe and established the International Abolitionist Federation in Mar 1875. The Association for Moral and Social Hygiene is a gender-equality pressure group independent of any political party, philosophical school or religious creed. Its aims were: To promote a high and equal standard of morality and sexual responsibility for men and women in public opinion, law and practice; To secure the abolition of state regulation of prostitution, whatever form it may take, and to secure the suppression and the punishment of third party profiteering from prostitution (eg brothel-keeping, procuring); To examine existing or proposed legislation dealing with health (eg treatment of venereal disease) and public order (solicitation laws) and to oppose any laws or administrative regulations which are aimed at or may be applied to some particular section of the community; To study and promote such legislative, administrative, social, educational and hygienic reforms as will tend to encourage the highest public and private morality; To keep these principles continually before Government departments. Its basic principles were: social justice; equality of all citizens before the law; a single moral standard for men and women. It produced its own journal The Shield. Sir Charles Tarring held the Chair at the first Executive Committee meeting on 5 Nov 1915. Helen Wilson was first honorary secretary and Alison Neilans, assistant secretary. Neilans later became General Secretary, a position she held until her death in 1942. Like its predecessors, the Association continued to oppose state regulation of prostitution. This was seen in its campaigns to repeal the provisions of the Defence of the Realm Acts in the First and Second World Wars (Sections 40D and 33B respectively), and against 'solicitation laws' by introducing Public Places (Order) Bills, Street Bills and Criminal Justice Bills between the 1920s and 1940s. It also made representations to the Wolfenden Committee on Homosexual Offences and Prostitution 1954-1957 and was very critical of the Street Offences Act 1959, which was in part a product of the report emanating from that Committee. The Association became concerned with a wide range of issues relating to sexuality: for example, sex education, sex tourism, sexual offences and age of consent, traffic in women and children, and child prostitution. In 1962 the Association changed its name to the Josephine Butler Society.
The Josephine Butler Society (1962-fl.2008) was formed in 1962 when the Association for Moral and Social Hygiene was renamed. Its objectives were: To promote a high and equal standard of morality and sexual responsibility for men and women in public opinion, law and practice; To promote the principles of the International Abolitionist Federation in order to secure the abolition of state regulation of prostitution, to combat the traffic in persons and to expose and prevent any form of exploitation of prostitution by third parties; To examine any existing or proposed legislation on matters associated with prostitution or related aspects of public order and to promote social, legal and administrative reforms in furtherance of the above objectives. Its basic principles were: social justice; equality of all citizens before the law; a single moral standard for men and women. (Taken from membership and donation form 1990.) The Josephine Butler Society was a pressure group not a rescue organisation. It wished to prevent the exploitation of prostitutes and marginalisation of those who could be forced into this activity by poverty and abuse, and it believed these problems should be addressed by changes in the law. It believed that more should be done to prevent young people from drifting into prostitution, to help those who wished to leave it, and to rehabilitate its victims. Its work in the early 21st century took two main forms: to make representation to various departments of the UK Government on prostitution and related issues an; to liaise and network with other agencies both statutory and voluntary who worked in related areas. As at 2008 it was still active.
Josephine Elizabeth Butler [née Grey] (1828-1906) was born on 13 Apr 1828 (7th of 10 children of John Grey and Hannah née Annett). In 1835 the Grey family moved to Dilston near Corbridge, Northumberland after her father's appointment in 1833 as agent for the Greenwich Estates in the north. On 8 Jan 1852 Josephine married George Butler at Corbridge, Northumberland. He had been a tutor at Durham University, and then a Public Examiner at Oxford University. In 1857 they moved to Cheltenham following husband's appointment as Vice-Principal of Cheltenham College. In 1866 they moved to Liverpool following husband's appointment as Head of Liverpool College. Josephine took up plight of girls in the Brownlow Hill workhouse and established a Home of Rest for girls in need. In 1868 Josephine became President of North England Council for Promoting Higher Education of Women, and in the following year she was Secretary of Ladies' National Association for the Repeal of the Contagious Diseases Acts (extended by legislation in 1866 and 1869). In 1875 she established the International Abolitionist Federation in Liverpool. In 1883 the Contagious Diseases Acts were suspended. In 1885 the age of consent was raised to 16 which Josephine fought for. The Contagious Diseases Acts were repealed in 1886. From 1888 until Oct 1896, Josephine edited Dawn a quarterly journal. From 1882-1890 Josephine lived in Winchester where Rev George Butler was appointed canon. In 1890 George Butler died. Josephine moved to London and continued campaigning against state regulation abroad. In 1894 she moved to her son's home in Galewood within Ewart Park near Milfield. In 1898-1900 Josephine edited and wrote Storm Bell. In 1906 Josephine moved to Wooler where she died on 30 Dec and was buried at Kirknewton.
The Association was established in 1857 to promote the equalization of the poor rates and uniformity of assessment throughout the Metropolitan District. Meetings were held in the Vestry Room, St Andrews Court, Holborn Hill, and at 32 Fleet Street. It was dissolved in 1867.
The Association for the Advancement of Medicine by Research was formed at the time of the passing of the Cruelty to Animals Act 'when a sudden hindrance was thrown in the way of physiological and pathological investigators' (British Medical Journal, v.2(1594); Jul 18, 1891)
The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland (AAGBI) was founded by Henry W Featherstone (1894-1967) of Birmingham (President of the Section of Anaesthetics of the Royal Society of Medicine, 1930-1931), who became its first President at the inaugural meeting at the premises of the Medical Society of London in 1932. It was founded at a period when specialist training in anaesthesia was virtually non-existent. One of the Association's objectives was to promote progress and safety in the practice of anaesthesia by improving the expertise, training and status of anaesthetists, so ensuring the safety and comfort of patients in the operating theatre. It now represents anaesthetists in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, and some overseas members, but although it is often consulted by government bodies it has no direct statutory powers. The maintenance of academic standards is the responsibility of the Royal College of Anaesthetists. At the time of its foundation the Association was the only representative organisation, and it played an important role in developments including the introduction of the first specialist qualification, the Diploma in Anaesthetics (DA) in 1935, and the expansion of the specialty during World War Two (1939-1945). Publication of its journal Anaesthesia began in 1946. It played a part in the founding of the Faculty of Anaesthesia of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (1947), which later became the Royal College of Anaesthetists. It was involved in negotiations about the status of the specialty preceding the inception of the National Health Service (1948); in the founding of the Faculty of Anaesthetists of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland (1959); and establishment of the Junior Anaesthetists' Group in 1967 (renamed the Group of Anaesthetists in Training in 1991). The Association holds scientific meetings and provides a forum for clinical and academic discussion; promotes and undertakes research; and promulgates its political views both independently and through the British Medical Association. In addition to the journal Anaesthesia it produces the newsletter Anaesthesia News. The Association was granted the right to bear arms by King George VI in 1945. The Association moved from its offices in the British Medical Association House, Tavistock Square, to new headquarters at no 9 Bedford Square, London, which was acquired in 1985 and opened in 1987. In 2002 its members numbered over 8,000.
Oxford Brookes University was initially commissioned jointly by the Association and the Royal College of Anaesthetists to videotape a series of interviews with eminent anaesthetists. Oxford Brookes continues to make the series commissioned by the Association on its own behalf.
The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland (AAGBI) was founded by Henry W Featherstone (1894-1967) of Birmingham (President of the Section of Anaesthetics of the Royal Society of Medicine, 1930-1931), who became its first President at the inaugural meeting at the premises of the Medical Society of London in 1932. It was founded at a period when specialist training in anaesthesia was virtually non-existent. One of the Association's objectives was to promote progress and safety in the practice of anaesthesia by improving the expertise, training and status of anaesthetists, so ensuring the safety and comfort of patients in the operating theatre. It now represents anaesthetists in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, and some overseas members, but although it is often consulted by government bodies it has no direct statutory powers. The maintenance of academic standards is the responsibility of the Royal College of Anaesthetists. At the time of its foundation the Association was the only representative organisation, and it played an important role in developments including the introduction of the first specialist qualification, the Diploma in Anaesthetics (DA) in 1935, and the expansion of the specialty during World War Two (1939-1945). Publication of its journal Anaesthesia began in 1946. It played a part in the founding of the Faculty of Anaesthesia of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (1947), which later became the Royal College of Anaesthetists. It was involved in negotiations about the status of the specialty preceding the inception of the National Health Service (1948); in the founding of the Faculty of Anaesthetists of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland (1959); and establishment of the Junior Anaesthetists' Group in 1967 (renamed the Group of Anaesthetists in Training in 1991). The Association holds scientific meetings and provides a forum for clinical and academic discussion; promotes and undertakes research; and promulgates its political views both independently and through the British Medical Association. In addition to the journal Anaesthesia it produces the newsletter Anaesthesia News. The Association was granted the right to bear arms by King George VI in 1945. The Association moved from its offices in the British Medical Association House, Tavistock Square, to new headquarters at no 9 Bedford Square, London, which was acquired in 1985 and opened in 1987. In 2002 its members numbered over 8,000.
Some of these photographic images were acquired for use in exhibitions by the Association and subsequently retained.
Although there were a few earlier attempts, it is generally accepted that the first public demonstration of the feasibility of general anaesthesia took place in Boston, USA, in October 1846. The agent was ether and, as the news spread, anaesthetics were soon administered in Britain, and in continental Europe. Surgeons soon realised that the use of anaesthetics allowed the scope of surgery to expand beyond being a treatment of last resort. Once the possibility had been demonstrated the search began for more pleasant and potent agents. Further inhalation agents were introduced, beginning with chloroform in 1847. Local anaesthetics were pioneered with the use of cocaine in eye surgery in 1884, followed by local infiltration, nerve blocks and then spinal and epidural anaesthesia. A further important innovation came in connection with the repair of facial wounds during World War One, with the control of the airway by a tube placed in the trachea, a technique that was elaborated and became standard after World War Two. The introduction of intravenous induction agents (barbiturates) avoided the unpleasantness of induction by inhalational agents. Muscle relaxants first came into use in the second half of the 1940s and improved agents were soon introduced. Drugs were developed with specific actions, so as to be more potent and less toxic. From the 1960s the range of the specialty developed beyond the operating theatre, so that its modern practitioners provide a range of care for patients, from consultation in the preoperative period to involvement in High Dependency and Intensive Care Units, emergency medicine, and acute and chronic pain management. Anaesthetics today forms the largest clinical specialty in the hospital sector of the National Health Service.
The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland (AAGBI) was founded by Henry W Featherstone (1894-1967) of Birmingham (President of the Section of Anaesthetics of the Royal Society of Medicine, 1930-1931), who became its first President at the inaugural meeting at the premises of the Medical Society of London in 1932. It was founded at a period when specialist training in anaesthesia was virtually non-existent. One of the Association's objectives was to promote progress and safety in the practice of anaesthesia by improving the expertise, training and status of anaesthetists, so ensuring the safety and comfort of patients in the operating theatre. It now represents anaesthetists in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, and some overseas members, but although it is often consulted by government bodies it has no direct statutory powers. The maintenance of academic standards is the responsibility of the Royal College of Anaesthetists. At the time of its foundation the Association was the only representative organisation, and it played an important role in developments including the introduction of the first specialist qualification, the Diploma in Anaesthetics (DA) in 1935, and the expansion of the specialty during World War Two (1939-1945). Publication of its journal Anaesthesia began in 1946. It played a part in the founding of the Faculty of Anaesthesia of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (1947), which later became the Royal College of Anaesthetists. It was involved in negotiations about the status of the specialty preceding the inception of the National Health Service (1948); in the founding of the Faculty of Anaesthetists of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland (1959); and establishment of the Junior Anaesthetists' Group in 1967 (renamed the Group of Anaesthetists in Training in 1991). The Association holds scientific meetings and provides a forum for clinical and academic discussion; promotes and undertakes research; and promulgates its political views both independently and through the British Medical Association. In addition to the journal Anaesthesia it produces the newsletter Anaesthesia News. The Association was granted the right to bear arms by King George VI in 1945. The Association moved from its offices in the British Medical Association House, Tavistock Square, to new headquarters at no 9 Bedford Square, London, which was acquired in 1985 and opened in 1987. In 2002 its members numbered over 8,000.
The Association is headed by a Council, led by an elected President. Working Parties examine particular issues of relevance to the profession. The Association organises events, including seminars on professional issues as well as its Annual Scientific Meeting (yearly conference) and Winter Scientific Meeting. In addition to its journal it publishes guidelines on professional matters, and an annual report. It also makes grants, including research and travel grants, and awards, including medals and prizes. The Group of Anaesthetists in Training (GAT) caters for trainee anaesthetists, having its own committee, and specific seminars and Annual Scientific Meeting. The Linkman organisation was founded in 1974 as a means of transmitting information to and from AAGBI members. From 1976 Linkman meetings have been held annually, usually before the AGM and ASM. A Junior Linkman scheme was begun in 1985.
The Association administers the British Oxygen Company (BOC) Museum (A Charles King Collection of Historical Anaesthetic Apparatus), which originated with the collection of A Charles King (1888-1965), an engineer and instrument maker who specialised in anaesthetic apparatus from the early 1920s, a period of technical development in the specialty. Following a series of financial problems King's company was taken over by Coxeter's, which subsequently became part of the British Oxygen Company (BOC). King worked with leading anaesthetists in developing instruments and amassed a collection of equipment, which he donated to the Association of Anaesthetists in 1953 and which has subsequently been augmented by further acquisitions. The artefacts date from 1774 to the 1990s. The collection was moved from King's premises in Devonshire Street to the Royal College of Surgeons in 1965 and to the new premises of the Association of Anaesthetists at no 9 Bedford Square in 1987. The Association also rents accommodation at Bedford Square to other organisations including the Intensive Care Society and the Pain Society.
For further information, see Thomas B Boulton, The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland 1932-1992 and the Development of the Specialty of Anaesthesia (Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, London, 1999). On the history of anaesthesia see also the website of the History of Anaesthesia Society: http://www.histansoc.org.uk
The Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCA) is a separate organisation which has statutory responsibility for maintaining professional standards, which it does by the inspection of hospital departments and by examination for higher qualifications, the Diploma in Anaesthetics (DA), and its own Fellowship (FRCA).
The Association of Area Medical Officers of Health was set up as a result of local government reorganisation, as a successor to the Association of County Medical Officers of Health, when Medical Officers employed by local government for each county were replaced by Medical Officers based on the new Area Health Authorities within the National Health Service. Many former County Medical Officers of Health were re-employed by Area Health Authorities. The Association came into being early in 1974, and was dissolved in 1981 in anticipation of the abolition of Area Health Authorities in April 1982.
Association of British Chambers of Commerce x British Chambers of Commerce
National Chamber of Trade
The Association was founded in 1860 as the Association of Chambers of Commerce of the United Kingdom and its name was changed to the Association of British Chambers of Commerce in 1919. The Association is now known as the British Chambers of Commerce. Early chambers of commerce had been established in Jersey, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Glasgow , Edinburgh and Belfast amongst others but there was no concerted attempt to work together until the presidents of the Yorkshire Chambers met at the Social Science Congress in Bradford in 1859 and decided they needed their own national forum. The Association had London offices in Queen Anne's Gate, City of Westminster (to be close to the Houses of Parliament) and at Cannon Street and Queen Street in the City of London.
The Association was concerned in the 19th century with a wide variety of subjects including bankruptcy and partnership law, patents and trade marks, copyright, reform of copyright law, shipping and railways and foreign tariffs. By 1900 the Association comprised 90 chambers and included more than 50 Members of Parliament among its honorary members. Much of its success in this period stemmed from its ability to influence Parliament. One cause for which it lobbied for over a century was adoption of the metric system. After the Second World War it argued for UK membership of a European trading area. In the postwar period the Association argued against the Labour Government's increased involvement with the economy and industry. The increasing interest of the state in industrial affairs led the Association to seek to influence Ministers directly and to liaise with government departments to amend proposed legislation, rather than by lobbying MPs.
The Association was started in 1937 following dissatisfaction amongst ophthalmologists with the current arrangements for charging patients (many hospitals were giving free prescriptions). Also it was felt that the National Ophthalmic Treatment Board needed further support, that women should not be excluded from ophthalmic benefit, that the Ophthalmic Committee of the British Medical Association was inadequate and that ophthalmologists needed to conduct their own medico-political affairs. Inevitably, one of the issues which concerned this body throughout the early 1940s was planning for a National Eye Service. In 1946 the Association amalgamated with the reconstituted Faculty of Ophthalmologists.
Founded in 1939, the Association was based first at 84 Leadenhall Street. It moved to 5-7 Houndsditch in 1959, then to 24 St Mary Axe in 1968. After circa 1965 it was known as the Association of Organic and Compound Fertilisers Limited. It does not appear in the ratebooks after 1972.
Association of British Zoologists: formed at the Meeting of British Zoologists on 5 Jan 1929 "to ensure a permanent organisation, with a Council which can represent British Zoologists between their annual Meetings". The first Council meeting was on 11 Jan 1930. Final meeting held 13 Jan 1973.
The Association of Consulting Actuaries (ACA) is the representative body for consulting actuaries. The Association was first formed as the Society of Consulting Actuaries in November 1951, and re-named as the ACA in March 1952. The members of the Association are all individual actuaries who work in the consulting sector, and are mainly qualified through membership of the professional body for actuaries, the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.
The ACA was first proposed by Reginald Maudling, senior partner of Watsons, and James Bacon, senior partner of Bacon and Woodrow, as a way of ensuring that independent consulting actuaries were represented to both employers operating pension schemes for their staff and the government. In the 1950s independent actuaries were competing with large insurance firms to provide advice to employers, and collecting together as an association was seen as a way of raising independent consultants' status and making employers' aware that they were a source of disinterested professional advice. An association would also be able to provide a collective voice for consultant actuaries to government, who were increasingly interested in monitoring and controlling pension schemes in the 1950s. Maudling and Bacon were made joint Presidents at the ACA's foundation.
The ACA continues to promote the services provided by consulting actuaries and provide independent advice to decision makers on the need for and implications of legislative change in relevant areas, including responding to government consultations and publishing Parliamentary Pension Briefs for the benefit of MPs. The ACA also acts as a forum for exchanging relevant information among its members and exchange information with other organisations operating in the same fields. The ACA also publishes regular surveys of the pensions industry.
The ACA hold regular 'ordinary' or 'sessional' meetings of members, traditionally held at St. Ermins Hotel, Westminster, where matters of common interest are discussed.
The ACA is run by a Chairman and committee. Sub-committees, or technical committees, were set up to carry out specific tasks or monitor a particular area affecting actuaries. Since 1992 a secretariat has been employed to provide administrative services for the ACA. The ACA have been based at the following locations: Norfolk House, Wellesley Road, Croydon (1991); 1 Wardrobe Place (1992-2001); Wanford Court, 29 Throgmorton Street (2005-2008); St. Clement's House, 27-28 Clement's' Lane (2009-2013); and 45 King William Street (2013-).
The Association of County Councils (ACC) was formed in 1974 and succeeded the County Councils Association which was founded in 1889. The ACC represented the views and interests of the county councils of England and Wales. This was achieved through activities such as holding conferences and regular meetings, education and training, scientific/systematic research, exhibitions. the collection of statistics, providing an information service and library, holding negotiations on pay and conditions of employment, and meeting with government on particular issues. The membership extended to 46 county councils in England and Wales.
The ACC was incorporated into the Local Government Association (LGA) on 1 April 1997. The LGA itself was formed by the merger of the ACC, The Association of District Councils (ADC) and the Association of Metropolitan Authorities (AMA) to represent the interests of principal local authorities in England and Wales. The County Councils Network (CCN) formed in 1997 to address issues of specific importance to County Councils.
The initial meeting of County Medical Officers of Health took place in Birmingham on 31st October 1902 at the instigation of Dr. Robert Kaye. Periodic meetings were held for several years after this until 1911, when the Conference of County Medical Officers of Health was placed on a more formal basis with the drawing up of a constitution. By then 40 English and 8 Welsh counties were represented, officers and an executive committee were appointed, an annual subscription introduced and three meetings held per year. Dr Kaye was secretary until 1925 when he became the Association's first President. Subsequent Secretaries were: Dr. Holden, 1925-1934, Dr. Ruddock West, 1934-1954, Dr. G. Ramage, 1954-1972, and Dr. P C Moore, 1972-1974.
In 1945 it was agreed that the Association should also be constituted as the County Medical Officers' Group of the Society of Medical Officers of Health, which it did while retaining its existing identity as an Association, in 1946. Joint General meetings were held until 1956 when separate Group and Association meetings were held and in 1962 separate constitutions for Group and Association were drawn up and approved. There was always a joint Executive Committee.
The Association had representatives and advisors on many other bodies medical and non-medical, including the Society of Medical Officers of Health, the British Medical Association, and the County Councils Association.
The Association was wound up in 1974 as a result of local government reorganisation.
The Association was established in Feb 1975, following a proposal made by a meeting of District Community Physicians (DCPs) at the Royal Institute of Public Health and Hygiene Annual Conference, Oct 1974. Its formation resulted from DCPs' overwhelming desire to have their interests and collective opinions properly represented under the reorganised National Health Service. The Regional and Area Medical Officers had already formed their own national associations and the Society of Community Medicine (formerly Society of Medical Officers of Health) had banned the formation of functional groups within its new organisation. The Association of District Community Physicians aimed to provide a forum for discussion of problems peculiar to DCPs; promote interests and views of DCPs and prepare evidence to be submitted on their behalf, to other bodies when necessary; arrange special educational courses and symposia; and promote research projects relevant to needs of DCPs. Initially members were split over whether they should support and maintain allegiance to the Society of Community Medicine, however, the Association did establish strong links with both the Society of Community Medicine and Royal Institute of Public Health and Hygiene, including cross-membership, joint meetings and a shared address (28 Portland Place).
From the start, DCPs were concerned about their new role, duties, terms, training and whom they were to be responsible to. The DCP was a new post and they had no relevant experience or code of practice to use for guidance. In the confusion resulting from NHS reorganisation they felt that their job was ill-defined and they were anxious to remain independent from the pressures and influences of Area Medical Officers [See files in Section D]. It was hoped that by getting together the DCPs would be more effective in arguing their case to the Department of Health and Social Services and British Medical Association. However, their voice was one amongst a number of organisations recently formed to represent community medicine. The Association of District Community Physicians functioned until the next health service reorganisation in 1982 and subsequently merged into the new Association of District Medical Officers.
The Association of District Councils (ADC) was founded in 1973 to represent the interests of district councils and aimed to maintain high standards of public services. This was achieved by holding regular conferences and meetings, study groups, collecting statistics, providing an information service and meeting with government on particular issues. The membership extended to 332 non-metropolitan district councils in England and Wales.
The ADC was incorporated into the Local Government Association (LGA) on 1 April 1997. The LGA itself was formed by the merger of the Association of County Councils, the Association of District Councils and the Association of Metropolitan Authorities to represent the interests of principal local authorities in England and Wales. The County Councils Network formed in 1997 to address issues of specific importance to County Councils.
The Association of Fellowship Porters was never chartered or incorporated, but existed as an association for members whose duties involved loading and unloading goods in the Docks and their vicinity.
The Association was a professional association supporting those in the meat trade.
AGLOW is an association that campaigns for improved status, rights and services for older women, challenges ageism, sexism, homophobia, racism, and disableism, holds conferences and workshops on health, social care and education issues, uses drama based on members' experiences to raise awareness and promote good practice, and performs at conferences, festivals, workshops, forums, day centres, schools, and colleges.
Currently (to 2012) funded by Trust for London (formerly City Parochial Foundation) and the Co-operative Membership Community Fund, and supported by the London Health Commission, it has played a unique role in the Greater London area amongst older women and has links to a number of other older and concurrent groups.
AGLOW began its existence as the Older Women's Project (O.W.P), a London-based campaigning organisation, under the umbrella organisation Pensioners' Link (a London-wide charitable organisation formerly known as Task Force; with Centres in 12 London Boroughs at the time OWP was set-up).
The Older Women's Project was developed by Pensioner's Link staff in the early 1980's working in light of newly established anti-racist and equal opportunity policies and recognising that ageism, with an overlay of sexism was rendering many older women invisible by many of the agencies with the power to affect their lives.
Small older women's groups were first formed in Brent and Lewisham to create opportunities for older women to meet and discuss their mutual concerns, and at Camden additional funding from the Camden Women's Committee was raised to organise an 'Older Women's Day' where the Chair of the GLC Women's' Committee gave the opening speech. The undoubted success of these initiatives encouraged Pensioner's Link staff to take forward the idea of a London-wide Older Women's Project with the aim to bring together older women of different cultures and backgrounds to discuss and campaign around issues affecting their lives.
A Working Group was formed with members representing a variety of different interests, ethnicities and backgrounds, and all in agreement the Older Women's Project should be planned and monitored by women themselves. With the Pensioner's Link Management Committee, a successful bid for funding from the GLC Women's Committee was made - securing initial funds for the administrative costs of Pensioner's Link's involvement with the Project, the Project costs and the salary of one worker. Much of this start-up work was led by Zelda Curtis (1923-2012), a feminist and campaigner also known as 'Zelda the Elder' who served as a co-opted member of the Women's' Committee of the GLC c 1984-1985, and from 1984 as a paid worker for the Pensioners Link Older Women's' Project. Pam Wright became the first salaried project worker when appointed in 1985.
The Project worked from the start with minority groups, produced a quarterly newsletter, reports and information packs, and held regular conferences, and festivals; the first London-wide festival (to coincide with International Women's Day and GLC celebrations in the localities) being the 'Older Women's festival on 16th -17th March 1985 at Grays Inn Resource Centre.
Other notable events include, 'An Afternoon with Ellen Kuzwayo (a prominent writer and activist for Black Rights in South Africa) on 23rd May 1985, an 'Irish Event' on 5th October 1985, the Older Women's Health Festival on 16th and 17th November 1985, and the 'Older Women Talking' day on 20 November 1986 - which was held largely to encourage the formation of other local older women's groups, and had direct links to the creation of the Waltham Forest Older Women's Group and Hackney Older Women's Group. Other associated notable local groups such as Newham Older Women formed later.
Inherently concerned with the dissemination of relevant information to older women (the OWP had a variety of exhibition material, books, reports and videos available on loan to older women, Pensioners Link local groups, and relevant women's groups nation-wide), the Older Women's Education group was formed to co-ordinate Study days for older women; the first, 'Older Women: Changing Perspectives', taking place on 21st May 1988. With Birkbeck College, the OWP also helped to found the Older Women's Education Group and was represented on the Educational Resources for Older People's Committee.
Although many OWP activities were organised with partners and/or with additional project-funding from other bodies, the main source of the Project's financial support came via Pensioner's Link until c. 1991 when disputes arose between the OWP and the Management Committee of Pensioner's Link in regard to the role and remit of the OWP Working Group and the management of the OWP generally. By 1992 these on-going issues were exacerbated by financial difficulties at Pensioner's Link, with the central office of Pensioner's Link losing its grant from the London Borough Grants Committee in 1993 (although other offices retained their and continued to work with pensioners).
Given these circumstances, the group decided to apply for funding separate from Pensioners' Link and approached the London Boroughs Grants Committee and the St. James' Trust. A Steering Committee guided the work of the OWP during this transition period toward becoming the Association of Greater London Older Women (AGLOW); working out a constitution, publicising their intentions, setting up systems for a membership organisation and re-negotiating a lease for the office.
Once funding was secured, AGLOW (Association of Greater London Older Women) launched with a 'Conference of Community Care' and an inaugural Management Committee meeting held at the London Women's Centre on September 9th 1993.
Campaign work continued through involvement in groups such as the Older Women's Education group and the Mental Health Core group, and in events such as the 'Regarding Older Women' Conference' in Belfast in 1993. With funded staff on board, 'Get-Togethers', work with Black and Ethnic communities and a Conference for Older Lesbians were organised, with a programme of other events, literature production, campaigns and networking continuing to bring older women together, in a supportive and encouraging atmosphere, to share their experiences, display their talents, learn new skills and enrich their lives.
Originally based in the Central Office of Pensioner's Link at 17 Balfe Street, London N1 AGLOW moved to its current premises in Manor Gardens Centre, London, N1 in 2001 - where many records, including photographs and records dating from the transition period between OWP and AGLOW, have been retained by AGLOW.
Sources of information: http://www.aglow-london.org.uk/ http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/zelda-curtis-activist-who-championed-the-rights-of-the-elderly-6715353.html