Earlston Mothers' Union is the focus here in our new series looking at Local Clubs and Societies. But today, it is a group we rarely hear about. Yet In the 1920s and 30s, it was a popular organisation with over 100 members in Earlston. Past newspapers remain the main, if not the only source of information.
The Mothers' Union today is a movement of over 4 million Christians in 84 countries worldwide. Members work as volunteers in communities, putting their faith into action.
The
movement was started in 1876 by Mary Sumner, the wife of an English
vicar to support mothers as they brought up their children in the
Christian faith. It was formally set up in 1876 and rapidly grew as Mary,
at a time when women did not usually speak at large gatherings,
promoted the aims of the organisation nationwide.
From 1900 onwards, Mary Sumner and the members started
to advocate on issues of key importance to families and children – she
campaigned to stop children collecting alcohol from public houses for their
families, and for the age of marriage for girls to be raised from 12 to 16. She
was not afraid to speak up on difficult issues, despite resistance from members
of the establishment. By 1909 the Mothers’ Union became the largest voluntary women’s organisation in Britain. The death of Mary Sumner in 1921 saw 4000 women attending her funeral.
Badges of the Scottish Mothers' Union
1924 saw the inaugural meeting of the Mothers' Union in Earlston, as noted in "The Southern Reporter: 27th March 1924, when 40 members were enrolled.
The membership soon grew and a Southern Reporter of 9th September 1925 noted that the "membership now exceeded 100".
Monthly Meetings
Meetings, were held, usually involving a prayer, singing, recitations and refreshments. On occasions lectures on a range of subjects were given, sometimes featuring a “lantern show with lime-light views”.
In the 1920s and 1930s, talk were given on a range of topics including:
The Southern Reporter: 9th August 1928 featured an article describing a Sale of Work and Garden Fete, held at Chapel-on-Leader, in aid of the Edinburgh Crippled Children's Hospital. The event was opened by Lady Edith Trotter who was the President of the Berwickshire branch of the Mothers’ Union. She spoke of the sterling work done by the Hospital and was accorded a hearty vote of thanks, as were Mr and Mrs David Colville, host and hostess for the use of their residence.
Change of Name
In 1936, the Earlston branch of the Mothers' Union changed its name to the Earlston League of Wives and Mothers, but continued under the patronage of Mrs Ferguson, Carolside and Mrs Colville, Chapel-on-Leader, assisted by Mrs Brownlie, Haughhead. The Southern Reporter of October15th 1936 included an item on a meeting at which Mrs Ferguson explained the reason for the change. Frustratingly the newspaper report did not go onto elaborate what these were.
No information has been traced on the reason for the change, but it marked the end of the Mothers' Union in the village, after just 12 years of providing women with an outlet for activities outside the home.
Mrs Ferguson, a sterling figure in so many of Earlston's organisations died in August 1937.
The League continued its programme on very much the same pattern as the Mothers Union, opening it meetings with a prayer and hymn, welcoming speakers on such topics as "Love in the Home" and outings to North Berwick and Edinburgh where the members attended a service in St. Giles' Cathedral.
The last reference found on the League was in the Berwickshire News of 2nd June 1946 with a brief note that the League had given a £16 donation to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary It is thought that the League of Wives and Mothers later became the Young Wives' and Mothers' Group and later the Young Wives' Group - both active well into the 1980s, with the Women's Group still welcoming members today and providing a regular programme of talks, demonstration and outings.
Fulfilling similar activities, though not church based, is the Scottish Women's Institute (formerly "The Rural") which was established in Earlston in 1937, as reported in The Berwickshire News of 4th May that year, with Miss Vera Davidson elected President. By the time of its first birthday it had 95 members.
The Scottish Mothers' Union continued until its dissolution in 1983 when the remaining active branches affiliated with their English counterpart.
Sources:
Monthly Meetings
Meetings, were held, usually involving a prayer, singing, recitations and refreshments. On occasions lectures on a range of subjects were given, sometimes featuring a “lantern show with lime-light views”.
In the 1920s and 1930s, talk were given on a range of topics including:
- Flora Macdonald and Bonnie Prince Charlie.
- A competition on "Searching the Scriptures".
- Craft demonstrations.
- The Works of J.M. Barrie. author of "Peter Pan".
- The Upbringing of Children in the Home.
- Mrs Sharpe of The Park entertained the audience with her private cinema.
- A "racy and most practical" address given by Mrs Scott, wife of the Master of Polworth, Harden House, Roberton on "The story of the Mothers'Union meetings among the natives of South Africa.,,,,, a very happy and successful gathering with hearty cheers given to the speaker." [You do wonder what was "racy" about the talk - or did the word have a different meaning then? ]
The Southern Reporter: 9th August 1928 featured an article describing a Sale of Work and Garden Fete, held at Chapel-on-Leader, in aid of the Edinburgh Crippled Children's Hospital. The event was opened by Lady Edith Trotter who was the President of the Berwickshire branch of the Mothers’ Union. She spoke of the sterling work done by the Hospital and was accorded a hearty vote of thanks, as were Mr and Mrs David Colville, host and hostess for the use of their residence.
“As well as the stalls, there were golf, tennis and other amusements and performances from the Earlston Orchestral Party under the leadership of Samuel Fisher. They played a pleasing selection of music and accompanied several costume dances, gracefully executed by Jessie and Catherine Cockburn.
For a nominal sum patrons could also visit the gardens and greenhouses and partake of an excellent tea in the garage. At the close of the proceedings it was ascertained that the gratifying sum of £47 had been realised.”
Change of Name
In 1936, the Earlston branch of the Mothers' Union changed its name to the Earlston League of Wives and Mothers, but continued under the patronage of Mrs Ferguson, Carolside and Mrs Colville, Chapel-on-Leader, assisted by Mrs Brownlie, Haughhead. The Southern Reporter of October15th 1936 included an item on a meeting at which Mrs Ferguson explained the reason for the change. Frustratingly the newspaper report did not go onto elaborate what these were.
No information has been traced on the reason for the change, but it marked the end of the Mothers' Union in the village, after just 12 years of providing women with an outlet for activities outside the home.
Mrs Ferguson, a sterling figure in so many of Earlston's organisations died in August 1937.
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PostscriptThe League continued its programme on very much the same pattern as the Mothers Union, opening it meetings with a prayer and hymn, welcoming speakers on such topics as "Love in the Home" and outings to North Berwick and Edinburgh where the members attended a service in St. Giles' Cathedral.
The last reference found on the League was in the Berwickshire News of 2nd June 1946 with a brief note that the League had given a £16 donation to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary It is thought that the League of Wives and Mothers later became the Young Wives' and Mothers' Group and later the Young Wives' Group - both active well into the 1980s, with the Women's Group still welcoming members today and providing a regular programme of talks, demonstration and outings.
Fulfilling similar activities, though not church based, is the Scottish Women's Institute (formerly "The Rural") which was established in Earlston in 1937, as reported in The Berwickshire News of 4th May that year, with Miss Vera Davidson elected President. By the time of its first birthday it had 95 members.
The Scottish Mothers' Union continued until its dissolution in 1983 when the remaining active branches affiliated with their English counterpart.
Sources:
- British Newspaper Archive
- Findmypast - British Newspapers Online
- Mothers' Union
- Scottish Mothers' Union
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Contributors: Susan Donaldson and Richard Smith of the Auld Earlston Group
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