Co-operative Women’s Guild Scrapbook of Hull: ‘Our Hometown’

A recent addition to the Hull History Centre is a scrapbook created by Jean Oxley a member of the Newland Guild who submitted the scrapbook to the National Co-operative Women's Guild competition My town and was awarded a prize for her efforts.

The scrapbook (reference C DSCG) not only contains information on the Co-operative, but also offers a comprehensive history of the city of Hull including information on Hull’s first Charter and the official founding of Kingston upon Hull in 1299. In addition to this it contains considerable information on the city’s Lord Mayors, local government and politicians from 1900 to 1977 is offered, including the early career of the now Baron John Prescott of Kingston upon Hull.

The creation of the county of Humberside is explained, as is its industrialisation and progression as an international port. One major factor in Hull’s development was the commissioning of the Humber Bridge. The bridge, one of Hull’s most famous landmarks, spans the Humber Estuary and was opened in 1981 by H.M the Queen, photographs of which can be found in the book along with those of before and during its construction. The opening of the Humber Bridge was not the only event to attract royal visitors to Hull as the scrapbook indicates and images of earlier visits, including that of King George V and Queen Mary in 1914, are included.

The scrapbook includes many interesting and entertaining photographs. Past and present images of the same buildings and areas of Hull, such as Queen’s Gardens and Paragon Square illustrate the development of the city over the years.

Early photographs of the city’s annual ‘Hull Fair’, including one from 1906, can be found. Local celebrities, including actors John Alderton and Roy North and aviator Amy Johnson, are celebrated, as is the work of the Hull born politician William Wilberforce, an influential figure in the abolition of the slave trade. Information on Wilberforce House, and many other Hull museums, is offered in the scrapbook.

The latter part of the book looks into the history of the Co-operative movement and its Women’s Guild, including information and photographs on its founding, presidents and managers. Progress charts from 1890 are particularly interesting as is the insight into the social circles and life of those involved in the Co-operative. Photographs and invitations to dances, suppers and galas can be found amongst the newspaper cuttings, booklets and advertisements. One particularly interesting article for the people of Hull is an article on the Co-operative selling their premises on Jameson Street to British Home Stores, which, with its mosaic, is still one of the city’s most recognisable buildings.

If you would like to look through the scrapbook, it can be viewed in the Hull History Centre search room by requesting C DSCG.