Carnival poster
Invitation to judge competition
Request for money
Invitation to act as chairman
Invitation to speak
Invitation to Olympia
Town Prize Band letterhead
Thank you letter to Charles
The work Charles Sitch did as union leader and M.P. shows that he was committed to the Black Country and its people. He was also very involved in the social life of the district.
The poster and letters you see here give you an idea of the range of organisations with which he was associated. He was a supporter of several Friendly Societies and their activities.Such societies were based on the belief that it was their duty to assist others when in need. Members paid a contribution and were able to claim benefit in return.
Charles was also involved with organisations promoting adult education, with various churches and church groups, and with the business community. The letter from Stevens and Williams Ltd is an invitation to Charles to attend the British Industries Fair at Olympia in London. It is clear from the letter that he was well respected, and seen to have pride in his district and its industries.
Music was also important to Charles. He was President of the Cradley Heath Town Prize Band, and Vice President of the Cradley Heath and Old Hill District Amateur Operatic Society. On occasion he took the romantic lead in performances.
Charles gave not only his time, but also his money. He made donations and paid subscriptions to the organisations already mentioned. In addition he contributed to a wide range of sporting activities and charities.
In letters from the early 1930s it becomes clear that Charles was feeling the pressure of so many requests for contributions. In reply to a letter requesting the donation of a prize he wrote, "I would really like to help you at your whist drive, but during the last fortnight, I have had some sixty different letters inviting me to contribute prizes for whist drives. I have never stinted myself with my responses to appeals, but really, the number now has got so serious that I am compelled to decline". To another he wrote, "I am sorry to say that I have had so many calls recently to render financial help to different institutions, that I am compelled to turn them down. Really every post brings me applications for subscriptions, and of course it is quite impossible for me to cope with them".
This was the situation in 1931, when Charles lost his seat at the general election, and with it, his M.P.'s salary.
Rollover the captions in the box to see the available images in thumbnail format, click the caption to see the full-size image
| Reference: | 650 |
| Keywords: | |
| Archive Ref: | 2007/001/0018 |
| Updated: | Tue 17 Jul 2007 - 1 |
| Interpretation written by | Barbara Harris |
| Author's organisation | |
| Organisation's website |