Grandad – Ethel went to the Albert Hall LONDON to a ladies meeting re Signs of Hope. Rose came from the DLM and we had tea here Arthur, Rose & I in the afternoon. Arthur Clarrie & Jim we had a sing song.
Mum – Went to a Methodist celebration of UNO International Women’s Year at the Royal Albert Hall. Went with Nancy Papworth & coach party from St P Circuit. (Mum went with Cal St Circuit). Excellent event. Colin Morris spoke – really excellent. It is the only event arranged to celebrate IWY & he said not the firt time the followers of Wesley have led the way. We could have led a demonstration to Downing St but we celebrated in the largest building in the metropolis. We went to 2.30 meeting – repeated at 7pm. Left 8.15 got home 9.30.
Notes
Mum and Grandma Went to London for a Methodist Women’s Meeting in the Royal Albert Hall
Ethel refers to my grandmother Ethel May Cecilia Parkin. Both she and mum went to London for a Methodist Women’s Meeting at the Royal Albert Hall, see Chapter 124. Mum noted that she went with Nancy Papworth and a coach party from St Peter’s circuit while grandma went with another group from the Calvert Street Circuit.
Different Methodist Circuits in Norwich
This is a little odd as the Methodist Church in Calvert Street closed in 1966, see Chapter 79 but its name may have been retained in the name of the circuit. Currently, there is only one Methodist circuit in Norwich. The book edited by Norma Virgoe and Albert Ward entitled “Through Cloud and Sunshine” explains that there had once been five Methodist circuits in Norwich. These reduced to four in 1934, two in 1947 and to one in 1978. Originally, there was one Wesleyan circuit, one United Methodist circuit and three Primitive Methodist circuits.
Two Meetings
Mum noted that there were meetings at 2.30pm and 7.00pm and that they left Norwich at 8.15am arriving back at 9.30pm. Initially, I thought they went to both meetings but the wording implies they went to the afternoon meeting which was repeated at night.
Colin Morris on “Signs of Hope“
Grandad noted that the title of the meeting was “Signs of Hope“. Mum referred to it as a Methodist celebration of UNO (United Nations or United Nations Organization) International Women’s Year. She considered it an excellent event and noted that Colin Morris spoke. He was a well-known Methodist Minister who was President of the Methodist Conference in 1977. Mum thought he was really excellent.
Methodist Celebration
Apparently, he said that this was the only event arranged to celebrate International Women’s Year (IWY) and that, not for the first time, Methodists, i.e. the followers of Wesley, had led the way. I am not entirely sure what he meant by this as the centrepiece of this year organised by the UN was an international women’s conference in Mexico. This led to the annual celebratin of International Women’s Day in March.
I think he also said that they could have led a demonstration to Downing Street but instead they had a celebration at the Albert Hall which he claimed was the largest building in London.
News Articles
I have found a couple of news articles concerning this meeting/rally. The first explained that although Kenneth Kaunda, President of Zambia, had been expected to speak at the event, he had been prevented by the political situation in Southern Africa. He was to be represented by the Zambian Ambassador to Scandinavia, Gwen Konie. No mention is made of Colin Morris but members of a discussion panel are identified including Pauline Webb, Saidie Patterson, Adelaide Tambo,Kanta Dogra and Una Kroll. The second article focuses on girls from Walderslade Secondary school who would be dancing at the event.
Arthur and Rose Elsegood Came for Tea
Arthur and Rose refer to grandma and grandad’s friends Arthur and Rose Elsegood. Rose was part of the same women’s group to which grandma belonged. Grandad referred to this as DLM for Drayton Ladies’ Meeting. They came to see grandad and they had tea together while grandma was in London, see Chapter 124.
Sing Song
Grandad referred to having a sing song involving himself, Arthur Elsegood, Clarence (Clarrie) Hodgson and Jim, see Chapter 122. I am not entirely sure who Jim was.
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