Records of the Glasgow University Ladies' Club, staff club, University of Glasgow, Scotland

Scope and Content

  • Constitution and rules, 1962-1974;
  • Committee minutes and papers, 1933-1999;
  • Financial records, 1931-1984;
  • Syllabuses, 1964-1994;
  • Newsletters and publicity material, 1970-2002;
  • Photos, 1930-1995;
  • Exhibition materials, 1996.

There are also papers relating to the Newcomers' Section of the Ladies' Club:

  • Committee minutes and papers, 1962-1974;
  • Financial records, 1966-1974;
  • Information and publicity material, 1972-1973.

Administrative / Biographical History

The Glasgow Ladies' Club or Glasgow Ladies' Tea Club started life as the Glasgow Ladies' Tea Club in 1922  in order "to provide facilities for social intercourse among the wives of the members of University staff". The name was shortened to The Glasgow Ladies' Club in 1935 after a vote of members. The Club was managed by a committee that consisted of an honorary president (always the wife of the Principal of Glasgow University), a convener, a vice-convener, an honorary secretary, an honorary treasurer and eight members of the club, four of whom were chosen from the wives of the professors, and four from the wives of junior staff. The members of the committee were to act for two years and the honorary secretary and the treasurer were to hold office for not more than four years.

By 1933 the club organised two afternoon tea parties and a dance each year which had increased to three in 1936. In 1938 the club altered its constitution to make women members of staff eligible to join. In 1937 the Ladies' voted to include a short debate or talk in future meetings, adding an educational element to the Club's role. During the Second World War, the Club suspended its annual dance and began "Good Works", collecting donations for the City of Glasgow Central Relief Fund which was then donated to those serving in the forces. Charitable work continued throughout the Club's history, both through fundraising and voluntary work. In 1963 the Baby Club was taken over by the Ladies' Club, and staffed by volunteers from it. It allowed mothers the chance to leave their children for up to two hours on Wednesday afternoons in term time. Coffee mornings were held to raise money for the University Settlement to which end members of the club also ran a thrift shop in Byres Road. In 1965 area groups were formed in order to organise local activities for Glasgow Ladies who could not easily come into the University itself, to ensure they were still part of a local network. From 1962 evening meetings became established, and the pattern of events became one daytime meeting a month, meetings in the evening from time to time, and various one off events throughout the year. A Christmas Dance continued to be held each year. The society had always arranged outings, but from 1970, an evening visit to which husbands of members were also invited became an annual event. From 1975 the Ladies' Club was invited to attend a service at the University Chapel, and an annual service for the Ladies' Club continues to be held each November. In 1994 the Club introduced a lunch hour meeting where members meet or visit a local exhibition. The Glasgow Ladies Club still ongoing (2010).

Arrangement

Chronologically within record series

Access Information

Open

Acquisition Information

  • Deposit : GU Ladies Club : 1995 : ACCN 1409;
  • Deposit : GU Ladies Club : 2004 : ACCN 2542.

Alternative Form Available

No known copies

Physical Characteristics and/or Technical Requirements

None which affect the use of this material

Conditions Governing Use

Applications for permission to quote should be sent to the Archivist.

Reproduction subject to usual conditions: educational use and condition of documents

Appraisal Information

This material has been appraised in line with standard GB 0248 procedures

Custodial History

Held by Club member prioe to deposit

Accruals

Accruals expected

Location of Originals

This material is original

Bibliography

No known publications using this material

Additional Information

Description compiled in line with the following international standards: International Council on Archives,ISAD(G) Second Edition, September 1999 and National Council on Archives,Rules for the construction of personal, place and corporate names

Scotland is the location of all place names in the administrative/biographical history element, unless otherwise stated.

Fonds level description compiled by Nyree Morrison, Archives Assistant, June 27 2000. Lower level description compiled by Helen Cannings, Archives Assistant, January 2009.

Geographical Names