Records relating to the Mothers' Union in the Diocese of London, 1868-1996. There are minutes of the Diocesan Council (1890-1990) and various Committees (1907-1990) including those of the Social Concern and Media Committees which examined the impact of changing leisure activities and other social trends on marriage and the family. Debates surrounding attitudes towards the relaxation of the Divorce Laws can be found in the newspaper cuttings.
Also included are annual reports (1896-1961) summarising events, developments and work carried out in the Diocese; annual accounts and financial reports (1946-1990); rules and constitutions (1950-1991); journals and magazines (1905-1995); programmes, tickets and other material relating to Diocesan Festivals held at Saint Paul's Cathedral (1908-1995); registers listing details of the Branches in the Diocese including their starting date, names of Presiding Members, Secretaries and numbers of Members (1900-1919); printed lists of Member Speakers who gave group talks, giving their names, addresses and specialised subjects (1960-1995); official handbooks providing lists of the Branches and their Presiding members (1942-1995); leases of Mothers' Union offices in Westminster (1908-1994); programmes, tickets and draft speeches for Mass Meetings of members (1922-1963); overseas links registration cards establishing communication between Branches in the Diocese with Branches overseas (1942-1979); records containing information on local work carried out in some Deaneries and Branches including minutes, members registers and meeting programmes (1899-1982); various correspondence, drawings of banners, newspaper cuttings, circulars, anniversaries material including history booklets on the Mothers' Union, and other publications including 'Mothers' Union Golden Book' and 'Mary Sumner: Her Life and Work' (1868-1994); some photographs including Presidents, members with banners and Committee groups (1896-1990); and various badges and a banner of the London Branch of the Army Division depicting Saint George and the Dragon.
Of particular interest are the Mothers' Union Journal and other magazines which provide useful information on work, developments and activities, and include Golden Wedding anniversaries and 'In Memoriam' listings of deceased members.
Mothers' Union , Diocese of London