The Girls Friendly Society (GFS) was prolific in the range and number of publications it produced. Many of the earlier publications were edited by Mary Townsend the founder. All magazines were published monthly and ranged from those strictly for members, the most important of these was for all the membreship: Friendly Leaves established (1876), which became the GFS Magazine (1917), and then later the Townsend (1951). For younger members there was the GFS Candidate.
Others were for the workers within GFS e.g. Friendly Work started (1883), which became the Girls Quarterley (1894) which then became Friendly Work (for friendly workers)(1900).
The GFS Advertiser (1880) was a monthly advertising magazine for members, which became the GFS Associates Journal and Advertiser (1883) and then changed it's remit when it became the GFS Workers' Journal (1920) which gave more information on branches across Britain, and then changed again to become the GFS Review (1935).
Magazines: -
(5GFS/10/001-039) Friendly Leaves (1876-1917) The archive has bound copies of this magazine which has articles, stories, poems and songs.
(5GFS/10/040-073) The GFS Magazine (1917-1951) was previously known as Friendly Leaves. The archive has bound copies of this magazine which has articles, stories, reviews on drama productions, poems and lessons on domestic issues e.g. dressmaking.
(5GFS/10/074-077) The Townsend (1951-1954) was previously known as The GFS Magazine. The archive has bound copies of this magazine which has articles, stories, reviews of books, drama events and information on events. This magazine was particularly well illustrated with drawings and photographs.
(5GFS/10/078-084) Friendly Work (1883-1894) and (5GFS/10/087-101) (1902-1916) The archive has bound copies of this magazine which has articles on work with GFS and is edited by Mary Townsend (founder).
(5GFS/10/085-086) The Girls Quarterly (1894-1901) The archive has bound copies that has general articles and poems for workers of GFS.
(5GFS/10/102-104)) The GFS Advertiser (1880-1882) is a situations vacant/classified publication.
(5GFS/10/105-131)The GFS Associates Journal and Advertiser(1883-1919) was previously known as the GFS Advertiser. This is an advertising publication with some articles on work happening within GFS.
(5GFS/10/132-146) GFS Workers' Journal (1920-1934). The archive holds bound copies of this newsletter. Holds information on funds and branches across Britain, obituaries of members, prayers and letters.
(5GFS/10/147-162) The GFS Review (1935-1950) was a publication for members only. The archive holds bound copies of this newsletter.
(5GFS/10/163-178) Our letter (1901-1934) was a publication with biblical stories, articles and news on events.
(5GFS/10/179) GFS Candidate (1935) was for younger girls/children and contains stories and poems.
Other publications: -
(5GFS/10/180-183) GFS Reading Union Leaflet (1894-1919) This was published monthly and consists of church readings, biblical stories, information on missions with some statistics and numbers of members, and diocesan competition information with questions.