Brochure Front Cover
Brochure (p2)
Brochure (p3)
Brochure Back Cover
Lady Dudley's Speech
Lady Dudley's Speech cont'd
The Workers' Institute was built using surplus money from the 1910 Women Chainmakers' Strike Fund. It was opened on Monday 10th June 1912. An official brochure was produced to mark the event. A copy is reproduced here. The front cover has a drawing of the proposed building by the architect, Mr. A.T. Butler. Inside there are details of the order of proceedings and the architect's impression of the committee room. The back cover has a description of the building and information on the proposed uses of the Institute.
The Institute building was opened by the Countess of Dudley, who had driven to Cradley Heath from her home at Witley Court. The town had been decked out in bunting to welcome her, and a large crowd awaited her at the Institute. Lady Dudley unveiled a public fountain at the front of the building. She was presented with a golden key by the architect, with which to formally open the Institute. The ceremony continued in the main hall. We have included a newspaper report of Lady Dudley's speech. Councillor Thomas Sitch, who introduced the Chairman, was the Secretary of the Chainmakers' and Strikers' Union. The Chairman, Sir George Hingley, was the principal shareholder of Hingley and Sons of Netherton. The company was the most dominant manufacturer of chain and anchors in the world at the time, and was one of the largest employers in the district.
In her vote of thanks to the Chairman, at the end of the ceremony, Lady Dudley asked for a gift of a small steel chain, which she could carry with her as a reminder of the occasion.
Celebrations for the opening of the Institute did not end here. In July, a newspaper reported that between six and seven hundred members of the National Federation of Women Workers were given a tea, to mark its opening. They were served by the union's collectors from the various districts. After tea they were entertained by the Cradley Red Rose Troupe, and Mr. Holmes, a humorist.
In August 1912, a Declaration of Trust was made for the Institute. Five Trustees were named:
Gertrude Mary Tuckwell, President of the Women's Trade Union League (WTUL);
Mary Reid Macarthur, Secretary of the National Federation of Women Workers and WTUL;
Ruth Tromans, chainmaker;
Thomas Sitch, Secretary of the Chainmakers' and Strikers' Association;
James Joseph Mallon, Secretary of the Anti-Sweating League;
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| Reference: | 651 |
| Keywords: | |
| Archive Ref: | 2004/768/001 |
| Updated: | Wed 11 Jul 2007 - 1 |
| Interpretation written by | Barbara Harris |
| Author's organisation | |
| Organisation's website |