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Branch History
HISTORY OF WEA EDMONTON, ENFIELD AND SOUTHGATE BRANCHES Norma Chapman Delving into the few records now available and into the memories of members, the history of the three local branches is inextricably entangled. From the Treasurer’s account books, it seems that the Edmonton Branch was
founded in wartime about 1941, the account books starting on 29th May, 1942. Edmonton and Enfield amalgamated in 1964, and then amalgamated again with Southgate in September 2005 to become the present Enfield and Southgate Branch. In 1943 the branch received an affiliation fee of five shillings from the Communist Party and the same from NALGO. There were classes on literature, music, psychology, criminology and ecclesiastical matters and in 1944 classes on local government and European affairs. The Branch paid one pound five shillings to the LNER to put posters on the railway stations. Some of our existing members have long memories that go back to 1952 when
all the courses were evening classes for the benefit of those working. One day course was introduced, however, for housewives at home. The classes are now almost predominantly held in the daytime and attract mainly older people. However, a short evening course has now been introuced and is proving very successful. Unfortunately archives are now lost but in the 1970s there were WEA branch bookmarks in the library. These were put into every book borrowed publicising the courses under the names of both Enfield Branch and Edmonton and Southgate Branch. London District bound all the branches together and held a series of Saturday
afternoon talks and lectures at the Extra Mural Department and weekend schools. They remember the partnership with Birkbeck, which made book boxes available from the University library to each class with relevant books that could be borrowed. Birkbeck allotted credits towards exemption from a first year degree course. Many students went on to an Open University or fulltime degree and some became WEA tutors themselves. National Trust lecturers ran courses and some members formed the Enfield Branch of the National Trust. Sometimes tours abroad were organised (better than slides). Birkbeck also held
study weekends. Walks were arranged and Christmas parties were very popular. The local branches managed their own affairs. They set fees, appointed tutors and circulated publicity. In the year 2000, it was announced that there would no longer be concessions for senior citizens (too many of them) but to celebrate the millennium, fees were reduced to £40 from £42 for twenty sessions. Life has become a lot more expensive in the following decade and is a very far cry from the sixpence fee in Lee Hall’s play, The Pitmen Painters, in 1934. This is just a summary of the memories of longstanding members. If anyone has
anything to add we would be glad to hear from you and will keep the comments in our archives. Please contact Norma Chapman 0208 882 0615. |
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