Co-operative Women's Guild
Chorlton and Manley Park
 
   Chorlton & Manley Park Women's Guild was formed on 6 December 1922 at the Manley Park branch stores. They would organise a programme of weekly meetings, usually in the evening. These would feature a speaker who would be invited to give a talk on a subject thought to be of interest to the members. Sometimes there would be a social with music, singing or whist. Also trips out were organised. Other districts would have Guilds as part of the national organisation. Near by Didsbury, and Barlow Moor both had Mixed Guilds (men and women) and there were a few Men's Guilds.
 
women's co-operative guild in the 1920's

In September 1926 the Guild moved venues to the refurbished rooms over the Beech Road store in Chorlton. Very occasionally they touched on issues of social reform like this welfare for mothers meeting on 28 February 1929.

"Mrs. Vaughan gave a most interesting address on 'Ante-Natal and Maternity Welfare'. The speaker gave us facts and figures regarding the high death rate through maternity. She felt it was the duty of guildswomen to demand ante-natal clinics with trained nurses, where expectant mothers could go for advice. In their district these things cannot be provided unless the demand for them is there. A vote of thanks was recorded." 
M&S Co-operative Herald April 1929

Twenty five years later, in 1947, they were still meeting at Beech Road Co-operative Hall at 7.45pm with this programme of events

  • Dec 4th 25th Anniversary Tea 6pm prompt 
  • Dec 11th Lady Shena Simon of Wythenshawe 
  • Dec 18th Mr. John Barlow (Educational Committee) 
  • Dec 25th Christmas recess
 
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