Item CWU/1 - Christian Workers Union Minute book

Manuscript Minutes of meetings of the Christian Workers Union.

The first meeting in the volume appoints a sub-committee to organise the Sunday morning meetings of the Union, setting fixtures for the next six months and agreeing to trial a new format for these meetings. It is also noted that E New will assist in keeping a record of the meetings. He regularly signs the minutes over the first few months, thereafter both chair and recorder seems to be taken in turns by different members of the committee. Occasionally there are pasted-in newspaper cuttings which are reports of the CWU meetings published in Home Tidings.

There is regular comment about the Castle Street School 1880-1884 - including a pasted in specimen of an illustrated Invitation card to Castle Street Sunday Night Schools in October 1880. On 28 Aug 1882 New reports on the Castle Street Boys' excursion to Chingford. And on 11 Sep 1882, New asks whether the Committee would continue to give support to the School when the Union transfers its quarters to the Polytechnic. The members unanimously agreed that the School should be recognised as part of their work notwithstanding the removal to Regent Street. A month later, there is a reference to the unsatisfactory state of the school management and a request that the teachers attend a committee meeting. In Nov 1882 the School's superintendant, F Didden, resigns, and on 9 Nov, E New is elected as Superintendant. On 7 Dec 1882 New requests the weekly sum of 1/6 for services of a police constable on the school door on sunday evenings, which is agreed by the committee. A subscription is also established to provide a Christmas tea for the boys. In early 1883 there are several noted requests for New to attend meetings. On 15 March 1883, it is reported that E New has resigned as Superintendant in consequence of the School Committee electing Mr Lake of the Evening School to fulfill the office. It is also noted that on the retirement of E New, the Union Committee would cease to be responsible for the School management. New does not attend any meetings after this date. The school's future continues to be questioned. On 29 June 1883, L Harris gives a favourable report of the school. On 31 July he asks if a summer excursion for the boys could be organised and the committee agree to ask Mr Kinnaird if Bromley Grounds could be used. The trip to Chingford takes place on 18 August. The matter of the superintendancy is again raised, with the committee agreeing that the teachers should elect one from among their number to occupy the position. On 19 Sep 1883 it is reported that Mr Pelham intends to close the school for one week and to announce in future it would be opened for the benefit of bigger boys only. On 10 June 1884, L Harris suggests that the school closes during the summer months. On 3 Nov 1884, it is reported that the funds of the Union are too low to continue their responsibility for the working of the school and they are not prepared to pay expenses if the school reopens for the winter. This is the last mention of the Castle Street School in the volume.

Early meetings are attended by Robert Mitchell, later C Mitchell and Richard Mitchell. On 19 July 1882, Mrs Hogg and Mlle. Favre are present. Hogg and Studd occasionally attend.
A series of lectures by the Christian Evidence Society are proposed, as is an outdoor mission in Aug 1882. Open air services in Hyde Park are organised each summer.
From 1882 the Union suggest a New Year's motto each year to be printed onto cards for distribution in the Poly.
A Mutual Improvement Society is founded on 17 Oct 1884.
J Paine suggests setting up a Social Purity Movement in the Institute in Oct 1885. Connections are also formalised with the Temperance Society who are permitted to us CWU rooms once a month.
In 1884/5 there are a series of resignations and the membership of the committee changes considerably.
On 2 Jul 1886, it is suggested that the CWU should no longer be a subsection but part of Institute work.
The CWU has a bookstall in the entrance of the Poly and a circulating library.
In 1887 there are mentions of phrenological lectures by J Melville and the proposal to purchase a lantern for dissolving view lectures.

On 8 Mar 1886 it is reported that a Summer Rambling Party is to be formed, to promote healthy exercise and social intercourse. The following meeting announces the newly formed 'Christian Workers Union Ramblers'. On 12 Jul a Committee of Management for the Ramblers is established and the first excursion, to Trent Park takes place. On 14 Feb 1887, following the CWU AGM, all the committee members are listed. For the Ramblers these include Secretary and Treasurer, W K Davies, Pro., A E Collins and Sec., W Smith. In March the rules for the Rambling Club are approved.

The last meeting in the volume is 30 Jan 1888, at which there is a call for a special general meeting to discuss proposed reorganisation of the Union.

Physical description: Fragile - damaged spine and some loose pages.

Condition: Poor