CATALOGUE OF BOLTON WOMEN'S LIBERATION GROUP (BWLG) ARCHIVES

1971 - 1985 & 1994

ESTABLISHED IN 2006 AS BOLTON WOMEN'S LIBERATION (HISTORY) GROUP

 

This Catalogue contains notes and commentaries on individual items and sections written by Elaine Glover on behalf of the group.

  1. Scrapbooks x 4 1971 until 1985
  2. Minute Book x 7
  3. Bolton Women's Liberation Newsletters
  4. Handouts, Leaflets & Posters
  5. Nursery Campaign
  6. Campaign for a Free Contraceptive Service
  7. Letters to and from MP's & MEP's
  8. Letters and replies requesting speakers about Women's Liberation inc Poison Pen Letters
  9. Letters between group members and other groups
  10. Correspondence with Health Authorities
  11. Minutes of Borough of Bolton 1972 - Bolton Women's Guide
  12. Bolton Women's Guide No.2
  13. Scripts for Slide Show "How It Is"
  14. Letters requesting load of video re: Serpentine Gallery London
  15. Scripts, Bolton Festival, Street Theatre etc
  16. Internal Organisation of Bolton Group
  17. Attempts to establish a Women's Centre
  18. Correspondence - Well Women's Centre
  19. Radclyffe Hall
  20. Information/letters sent to us or collected
  21. Bolton General Hospital Maternity Project
  22. Women's Abortion Campaign
  23. Fortalice - Women's Aid Refuge
  24. Bolton Peace Group - Greenham Common 
  25. Financial Matters 
  26. Conferences, Regional 
  27. Bolton Alternative Free Press 
  28. BWLG Anti National Front Campaign 
  29. Miscellaneous
  30. Work and Education 
  31. Family Allowance & Legal 
  32. Birth Control and Health Matters 
  33. Newsletters & Journals 
  34. Oddments 
  35. National Conference & Coordinating Committee 
  36. Manchester Women & Socialism Group 
  37. Women's Studies 1976 
  38. Letters & Questionnaires 
  39. Contributions to proposed booklet 
  40. Timeline for BWLG 
  41. Activities from 2006 
  42. Women in the Group

SCRAPBOOKS x 4

Four Scrapbooks containing newspaper clippings, handouts, photographs: 

  1. February 1971- March 1973
  2. March 1973 – 5th  September 1975
  3. 12th September 1975 -14th June 1976
  4. 1979 -1985

Top 

MINUTE BOOKS x 7

Seven Minute Books some pages of which have agendas for the meetings attached:

  1. 27th September 1972 – 5th September 1972
  2. 19th September 1972 – 10th February 1974
  3. 25th August 1974 – 19th June 1976  This red ledger also contains details of clients who came for pregnancy testing and questionnaires regarding the testing service (copies tucked inside ledger, some are completed ones), a BPAS leaflet ‘Pregnancy Counselling’, a newspaper cutting on abortion & various other snippets of information
  4. 16th May 1977 – 3rd September 1984 (Black Ledger in frail condition)
  5. 2nd November 1984 -19th September 1985 (Hardback Red Ledger.  In same packet as the ledger are some loose minute sheets dated 18th March 1985 – 6th May 1985.  In the same packet is a proposal for the Lesbian Line Support Group which was established with funds raised by the Bolton Women’s Centre Group when that Group folded.  See minutes of 19th September 1985.
  6.  24th July 1992 – 18th September 1994 when some meetings were held to discuss past & present feminism (with particular regard to the Bolton Group)
  7. 31st August - 15 January 1995

Top

BOLTON WOMEN'S LIBERATION NEWSLETTERS

  • Summer Programme 1972
  • April,1974  About Video & On-going projects & Working Women’s Charter
  • May 1977 
  • Newsletter December 1977
  • April 1978
  • Newsletter May 1978
  • July 1978
  • September 1978
  • February 1979
  • April 1982
  • Newsletter May 1982
  • Newsletter January/February 1983
  • March 1983
  • April/May 1983
  • June/July 1983

Top

HANDOUTS, LEAFLETS & POSTERS (MAINLY PRODUCED BY BWLG)  

  • Leaflet 'You don’t agree with WOMEN’S LIBERATION do you?'  1971?
  • Leaflet ‘What is Women’s Liberation?’  Probable date June 1971.
  • Another different leaflet also entitled What is WOMEN’s LIBERATION?  This version was given out on Saturday mornings at The Octagon Theatre, Bolton.  Probably June 1971.
  • Leaflet ‘Are You Being Made Redundant?’  Written by ‘Industrial Work Group of Bolton Women’s Lib, no date probably 1972
  • Draft of a Leaflet entitled ‘International Abortion Week’ with handwritten instructions  1st May 1972
  • Leaflet International Abortion Week May 1st-6th  May 1972
  • Bolton Women’s Liberation Group Programme Summer 1972.  There are 3 pages of this all slightly different.
  • Handout: Public Meeting on Contraception & Abortion June 1972.  This handout also served as an appendix to the pamphlet A Local Campaign…
  • Leaflet: Childcare in Bolton no date possibly July 1972
  • Leaflet (on yellow paper with Working Women’s Charter on reverse) What You Can Do About Equal Pay & Sex Discrimination  No date but probably 1972
  • Two leaflets clipped together re opening of Bolton Women’s Centre at St. Barnabus’s Old Sunday School  November 11th 1972
  • Leaflet entitled Free Birth Control  1973
  • 4 page pamphlet The Right To Choose dated 1973
  • Draft of Leaflet ‘Every Child a Wanted Child 1973?’
  • One defaced poster 1974 or 1975?
  • Several ‘posters’ using Women’s Guide drawings; the slogans are: sisterhood is powerful, hands off family allowance, etc. no date
  • Leaflet (yellow paper) Bolton Women’s Liberation 1975?
  • Another handout beginning Bolton Women’s Liberation (On white paper & different from the above leaflet)  No date
  • ‘Recipe for Women’s Liberation Medicine’  1979  This handout was given out as part of  The Pink Medicine Show performed at the first Bolton Festival
  • ‘This Film Degrades Women’ re ‘Dressed To Kill’  No date
  • Poster/newsletter ‘Bolton Women Are Still Fighting’  no date 1981
  • Leaflet Work for a Women’s Centre in Bolton 1983?
  • Poster:  ‘A Women’s Centre In Bolton’  1983
  • Poster/Newsletter ‘Meeting to Discuss the Uses and Abuses…’ Writers’ Group for Women, etc.  (on yellow paper with illustrations)  no date
  • Poster ‘You Have to Kiss a Lot of Frogs… ‘ no date
  • 14 days that will shake the Porn Industry May 1983
  • Men in Public Places Produced by women in Nether Edge, Sheffield
  • Leaflet ‘Take it Like a Man, Ma’am’   a film being shown by Bolton Women’s Liberation Group.  September 12 1989
  • International Women’s Week Programme March 10th August 1992.  See Item for Thurs 5th August

Top 

NURSERY CAMPAIGN  

  • To Mrs Glover from Mary Bruce, Pre-School Playgroups Association February 1971
  • Newspaper cutting from Guardian with attached letter to Petition Secretary, National Campaign for Nursery (sic) Education 17th November 1971
  • From National Campaign for Nursery Education ‘ Dear Mrs Glover’  No date
  • Page of handwritten facts seems incomplete- begins ‘where’.  June  1971
  • Hand written letter begins ‘Evening News  Dear Sir’  No date
  • From Borough Solicitor 14th December 1971
  • To J. Clarke, District Education Officer, Lancashire 22nd March 1972
  • From Divisional Education Officer, Lancashire 24th March 1972
  • From Nation Campaign Programme for National Petition Presentation  March - April 1972
  • From National Campaign for Nursery Education ‘Dear Friend’ March - April 1972
  • From Robert S. Redmond, MP  5th June 1972 with attached letter from Lord Belstead, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State 1st June 1972
  • Letter from Nursery Training Centre  14th September 1972

Top

THE PAMPHLET A LOCAL CAMPAIGN FOR A FREE CONTRACEPTIVE SERVICE  

  • 2 copies of the printed pamphlet published in 1972
  • A typed copy of the pamphlet with  handwritten corrections

Listed below is correspondence & information relevant to the campaign and the pamphlet itself:

  • Newsletter 12, Women’s Liberation Info Service See Reverse of sheet re Harrow Contraception Campaign  11 October 1971   
  • To Harrow Women’s Liberation Group  11 November 1971 and reply from Harrow Group dated 23rd November 1971 together with enclosure (& fact sheet) from Harrow (all paper clipped together)
  • A typed copy of the letter as printed in back of booklet, in Appendix 2, re 1967 NHS Family Planning Act.  3rd April 1972.  The Letter begins Dear _____   the 1967 National Health Service Family Planning Act… and a copy was sent to all thirty members of Bolton’s Health Committee and to the Bolton Evening News
  • Letter from Branch Administrator, Family Planning Association  1 February 1972
  • From Laurence Reed, MP
  • To Alderman H. Lucas,  Labour Leader  27 April 1972
  • Draft copy of above letter with alterations & hand written notes
  • Letter from Councilor Peter Swain in reply to letter dated 3 April 1972
  • Letter from Medical Officer of Health for Bolton  21 April 1972
  • Letter from Angela Kelly, Journalist, BEN  21 April 1972
  • From Sue Robinson, Health Education Officer, no date but will be around April 1972
  • From Robert Redmond, MP 18th May 1972
  • Draft of handwritten letter to BEN 7th June 1972
  • Typed copy of same dated 8th June 1972
  • Several sheets of paper containing names & addresses of councilors and MP's
  • County Borough of Bolton Proceedings of Council Meeting 21st June 1972
  • From Chief Education Officer 3rd July 1972
  • To Dr E.I. Williams  17th July 1972
  • To Dr Williams 30th July 1972
  • To BEN 31st July 1972
  • With the Compliments of Laurence Reed 12th July probably 1972
  • Pile of photocopies of articles, etc. from BEN, etc. re above campaign  (The originals can be found in the scrap books)
  • To Alderman H. Lucas, Labour Leader Monday 7th August 1972
  • From Alderman Harry Lucas 9th August 1972
  • Handwritten draft letter to Mrs Turner, Labour Councilor  9th August 1972
  • Handwritten draft to Councilor Jack Knight, 17th August 1972
  • Two pages of ‘facts’ copied to Councilor Knight & other members of Community Health Council
  • Handwritten notes for petition in support of free contraceptive campaign & rota of volunteers to collect names on petition no date  On reverse is part of a typed programme entitled Marxist/Women’s Liberation Study Group  no date but will be 1972
  • Draft letter to Dr. T.C. Stevenson, Consultant Gynecologist, hand written in red ballpoint  no date but see below
  • To Dr T.C. Stevenson 16th November 1972
  • Letter-to Bolton Evening News 17th November 1972
  • News From Women’s Liberation newsletter postmarked November 1973
  • Handwritten draft of letter Dear ‘This is Your Right’:  No date, no typed copy.  May be 1973 or even 1974.  May be a draft of a letter to a radio or television programme.
  • Handwritten draft of letter to Jack Straw 18.06.1974
  • Reply from Jack Straw 1st October 1974
  • Letter from Ivan Limmer, Chairman of the Lancashire Group of the National Council of Civil Liberties

Top

LETTERS TO & FROM MP's& MEP's

 
(See also letters included in other sections of the catalogue: e.g. under The Pamphlet A Local Campaign... Attempts to Establish a Women's Centre, etc.)

  • From Laurence Reed 30th March 1971
  • To Laurence Reed 8 April 1971
  • From Laurence Reed 29th April 1971
  • To Gay Bennett from The Women’s Lobby re William Hamilton private member’s bill outlawing discrimination on grounds of sex 3 January 1972
  • To Laurence Reed, M.P. supporting Hamilton Bill 12 January 1972
  • Leaflet & petition form from Women’s Equal Rights Legislation Campaign re Hamilton Bill
  • To Robert S. Redmond, M.P. 14 January 1972
  • To Laurence Reed re Hamilton’s Bill 24 January 1972   (The above five items are clipped together)
  • From, Robert Redmond (still in envelope) 4th May 1972
  • From Laurence Reed re family allowance 23 October 1972 
  • To Mrs Ann Taylor, Labour candidate for Bolton West, re arranging a discussion 1st February 1973 (or 1972)?
  • Draft of letter to MP's Reed & Redmond re replacing Family Allowance with tax credits. 18 October 1972  
  • From Laurence Reed re family allowance, 23 October 1972
  • From Robert Redmond re family allowance, 24 October 1972
  • From Robert Redmond re Anti-Discrimination Bill, 24 January 1973
  • From Laurence Reed, 16 April 1973 
  • From Jack Straw in reply to above October 1974 
  • Draft of letter sent to Reed & Redmond dated 1 May, year unknown re proposed pension plan
  • From Ann Taylor with attached letter from Home Office (Patrick Mayhew), re rape 23 March 1982
  • From Tom Sackville re Sex Equality Bill  15 December 1983
  • From Barbara Castle MEP re VAT on sanitary products 12 June 1984

Top

LETTERS & REPLIES REQUESTING SPEAKERS ABOUT WOMEN'S LIBERATION (& 2 POISON PEN LETTERS)

  • 26 July 1971 from Special Collections Northwestern University
  • 14 September 1971Memo from GB
  • 15 September 1971 from Christine Woodcock
  • 15 September 1971 Kathryn Ambrose
  • 18 September 1971 Joyce Fagan & further letter from JF no date
  • 23 September 1971 B Loveridge
  • 26 September 1971 Barbara Hartley
  • 1971?  from Stephen Brazier, Bolton Institute
  • 5 November reply for BWLG to Barbara Hartley, B. Loveridge & Kathryn Ambrose
  • 10 June 1971 Mrs M Banks with reply from BWLG
  • 2 October 1971 from Christine Ruth and another on 25 November 1971
  • 16 April 1972 from Red Rose Association of Women’s Clubs
  • 28 April 1972 from Theatre in Education, Octagon
  • No date poison pen from Satisfied of Doffcocker
  • No date poison pen from; John F. Spencer, Leeds  with newspaper cutting
  • 26 September 1972 from Katie, Bolton
  • 22 October 1972 from Rochdale and District Widow’s Action Group
  • 10 July 1972? from Sheila Allan
  • November 1972? from Lumb Carr Wives Group:  2 letters and 1 from Jill Walker
  • 20 February 1973 C Ainsworth for Tonge Park Conservative Group
  • 5 April 1973 from Mrs C Hardman
  • 8 January 1975 New Woman’s Survival Catalog, NY
  • 3 December 1975 and second letter of confirmation (no date)St James Ladies Guild
  • 1 September 1982  from Blackrod National House Wives Register

Top

LETTERS TO/BETWEEN GROUP MEMBERS, TO/BETWEEN WL MEMBERS IN OTHER GROUPS

  • No date resignation from Vicki (Turberville, founder member)
  • 29 October 1971 of apology for missing meeting from Kirsty
  • Date unknown 1971(?) to Elaine headed Tuesday night re Trisha’s views on the Bolton W. L Group becoming a Socialist Woman’s Group, author’s name illegible
  • 21 December 1971 (date not altogether legible) Joy to Elaine re organising Pat to speak about industrial action at Automotive Products, etc. 
  • No date to Elaine from Joy (?) 
  • No date Joy to Elaine  re accounts
  • No date Gaby (founder member) to Kath 
  • No date Trisha to Eileen re Merseyside group invitation
  • No date of resignation from Gay (founder member)
  • No date Letters of thanks for work done from Secretary to Kathleen Cropper & Gay Bennett
  • 15 February 1972 from Kath re theatre group & internal group politics
  • 18 August 1974 Jill Walker Manchester WL to Elaine re Women’s Report, etc
  • No date Re Badges & Campaign for free contraception from Gillian
  • 17 October 1972 Simms(?) ,Harrow
  • 9 February no year from Jill Walker Re Women & Education Newsletter 9 February
  • December 1974 from Moira (also including subscription details on pink sheet)
  • 28 Feb/14 March 1972 Jill Walker East Manchester & Stockport Group
  • 2 December 1975 from Hilary Eastham

Top 

CORRESPONDENCE WITH AREA & REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITIES RE COMMUNITY HEALTH COUNCIL

  • No date National Health Service Reorganisation (England)  NHS Note 1A
  • 24 February 1974 Letter to Regional Administrator re Community Health Council
  • 26 February 1974 Regional Administrator, Regional. Health Authority19 March 1974 Regional Administrator  re CHC
  • 25 March 1974 From Community Councils Development Group  Re CHC
  • 28 March 1974 From Regional Administrator
  • 28 March 1974 From Regional Admin
  • 8 April 1974 From Community  Councils Development Group
  • 18 July 1974 To The Secretary, Community Health Council
  • 8 August 1974  From Regional Admin. Reply to above letter
  • 29 August 1974 From Regional Admin
  • No date Copy of letter to Regional Administrator from Area Administrator  Commenting on BWLG Letter of 8 August 1974/3 September 1974
  • 5 September 1974 Bolton Community Health Council Minutes (hand written notes on back which seem to refer to a meeting held with the Bolton General Hospital Gynaecological Consultant,  Mr. Stevenson
  • 17 September 1974 From Regional Administrator re free Family Planning Service, etc.
  • 26 September 1974 From Reg. Administrator
  • Date probably late 1974 Handwritten draft to? (probably Community Councils Development Group) re CHC 
  • 29 October 1974 From Community Councils Development Group
  • 26 November 1974 Newspaper cutting  (from Guardian)  John Cunningham on democratic beginnings in the NHS
  • 7 August 1975 Minutes of a meeting of Bolton CHC
  • 14 August 1975 From Secretary, Bolton CHC
  • 26 August 1975 To Secretary, Bolton CHC
  • 4 September 1975 From Bolton CHC
  • 11 September 1975 Minutes of CHC
  • 12 September 1975 Notes of Bolton Area Health Authority Meeting
  • 23 September 1975 Notes of Community Health Council General Medical Group Meeting
  • 24 September 1975 From Bolton CHC 
  • No date Pamphlet- CHC You and the Health Service
  • No date Quotes from letters  re oral contraception
  • No date  2 pages hand written headed Day-Tuesday  The Health of Bolton Annual Report of the Medical Officer of Health  There follows handwritten statistics taken from the Report
  • 5 July 1976 From the Regional Administrator to Women’s Liberation (Bolton Group)

Top

MINUTES OF COUNTY BOROUGH OF BOLTON 1972 (RELEVANT TO CONTRACEPTION CAMPAIGN)

BOLTON WOMEN'S GUIDE:  PART 1: MEDICAL

There are many copies of this. The first printing sold out but copies of the second printing remain. Some have been thrown out. A very few copies of the 'Guide' contain the original (or a reproduction) errata slip and have a handwritten correction on p. 61. Most copies are without the slip and remain uncorrected. Below is a list of correspondence and information relevant to the GUIDE.

  • A Mock Up of the finished version Link to the front cover of the Guide and selection of Reviews
  • One free standing page:  ‘Introduction’
  • Information re adoption contained in larger envelope marked Adoption.  This consists of:
    • Leaflet ‘if you are adopted’
    • Brochure St. Anne’s Home, Heywood
    • Booklet ‘Adopting a child’
    • Leaflets child from the past & talking about origins
    • Mothers in Action Fact Sheet No.2 Adopting Your Child
    • Pencilled draft of letter to Bolton & District Family Care Association
    • Returned questionnaire about Adoption from Manchester Corporation, Wilmslow Road and another from an unknown body still in envelope marked 85 Highbury Park, London and another from Bolton Social Services.  This one contains handwritten questions from BWLG on back
    • Mothers In Action  Fact Sheet No 4:  Illegitimacy: Facts & Figures
    • Questions About Adoption
  • No date Letter from Area Medical Officer re  request for financial help, vasectomies, etc
  • 12 July 1974 Information concerning AHA’s decision regarding family planning date
  • No date Letter to Barbara Castle, Minister of Health & Social Services. re the Lane Report
  • 17 July 1974 From Ivan Limmer Nat Council of Civil Liberties
  • 18 July 1974 Draft of letter to Jack Straw , Dept of Health & Soc. Security re Family Planning Services
  • October 1974 from Jack Straw in reply to above
  • Nine copies ‘General Points’ which contains a copy of the questionnaire sent to the consultants at Bolton General Hospital re abortion & childbirth.  This paper also includes a copy of the doctors’ answers
  • Questions about Pregnancy & Childbirth
  • Reply to the above headed The Maternity Department [Bolton General Hospital]
  • Queries Concerning the Fertility Clinic at Townleys
  • October 1974 Answers to the above questions from the Hospital
  • 27 November 1974 Part of a letter headed Bolton & District Hospital Management Committee, Depart of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
  • Leaflet:  Pregnant?
  • Leaflet Separation of Younger from Older Patients in Hospital HMSO  printed 29 November 1972
  • Questionnaire For Doctors, Nurses, Health Visitors Etc. in Bolton Possible 1976 {perhaps never used)
  • Photocopies of reviews of the Guide  (Originals can be found in Scrapbooks)
  • Handwritten draft of letter to New Society requesting review of Guide with draft of letter to Co-op Bank on reverse
  • Compliments slip from Hendricks House
  • 8 March 1977 Request for Guide
  • 29 December 1976 Request
  • 29 September 1976 Women’s Books
  • No date 2 handwritten pages containing notes on sales of Guide
  • 6 March 1976 Request
  • 1976  A packet of approx 116 requests for the Guide from individuals & organizations.  Many of these also have comments.  Most dated 1976 (not individually itemised).

  A second Packet of letters commenting on the Guide, contents as follows:

  • No date Letter from Mother & Baby and a copy of an issue containing a review
  • No date A handwritten letter Dear Editor seeking a review probably from Woman’s Own no date
  • 16 March 1976 Letter from Area Medical Officer
  • 24 April 1976 Letter from Women’s Research & Resources Centre
  • 4 February 1976 From Bolton Metropolitan Council for Voluntary Service
  • 27 June 1976  From Lynne Leacy(?)
  • No date From Lynn Faulds Wood plus reply to L F Wood
  • 2 March 1976 Letter from Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services (AIMS) together with leaflet about AIMS
  • 3 November 1976 Letter from Dr. Ian Jones still in envelope
  • 17 December 1976  From Molly Clutton-Brock
  • No date From Ann Marshall, Bolton N.C.T. Teacher
  • 25 May 1976  From Anna Coote
  • 1 March 1976 From Ann Taylor, M.P.
  • 23 February 1976 From Linden Smith
  • 1 WH Smith Duplicate Book  (Invoices dated from 19.2.76-16.1978)
  • Artwork & blocks for covers of Medical Guide, etc.

Top

BOLTON WOMEN'S GUIDE NO.2

  • 24 October 1977 Certificate of Employers’ Liability Insurance (BWLG received a funding from the Manpower Services Commission to employ 2 people - one of them part time) to research and write Part 2 of Bolton Women’s Guide.  Patricia Wood was employed by the group to write and edit Part 2 of Bolton Women’s Guide.  She was assisted first by Marie Zslostok and then by Ros?  The Guide was never published).  For further reference to the Guide see the minutes from 19 September 1977 and particularly 31 October 1977.  References to the Guide Part 2 (referred to in the minutes as ‘the booklet’) stop after about September 1978.
  • Bolton Women’s Guide No.2  Examples of two different sections of work ( 2 copies)  The guide was intended to cover educational, careers & work opportunities for women and the question of childcare (including care in hospital) for children under 5.  The project began in 1977 and funding ended 15 July 1978.

Top

SCRIPT(S) FOR SLIDESHOW & VIDEOTAPE OF 'HOW IT IS'

  • 1 videotape:  Sony copy of ‘How It Is’.  (The format of the video tape is Sony CV. 2100 ACE). This is a copy of the original provided by the Video Festival.  The original deteriorated and was thrown away.  The copy is also unusable as it is now.  It was placed with North West Film archive with a view to retrieving it at some future date if possible.  It has been assigned the Reserve Register number RR1307.
  • Some slides used in show ‘How It Is’
  • Rothmans advert-this was photographed & possibly used in the slide show ‘How It Is’
  • Some slides of group members  at an open day in Bolton’s Arndale Centre,etc
  • The original copy of the script How It Is and a typed copy.  (Working Women’s Charter may appear on reverse side. of most pages).  One handwritten copy of script-from V. only.

A videotape and slide show ran, I think, more or less in parallel though the slide show may have come first.  There are some slides left from the show though they may not have been the ones actually used and it is no longer possible to reconstruct the show from the material that remains.  The script ‘How It Is’ was used with the Slide Show and at least in part with the video tape which has not been seen since 1975.  The purpose of the slide show was to make it easier to give talks for those women who preferred to use a resource.   (Notes by Elaine Glover)  For further information about the Video see Newsletter dated April 1974.

Top

Letters requesting loan of video 'How It Is' & letters re a showing at the Serpentine Art Gallery, London

  • 10/01/1972 Honor Oak School, London
  • 25/10/1974 Request from Timothy Gluckman
  • ----/10/1974 Request for loan of video from Phillip Tyrer
  • 09/10/1974 Request for loan from The Video Archive, Exeter College of Art & Design
  • 25/10/1974 Request for Information.  Feminist Books Limited., Leeds
  • 11/11/1974 Request for loan Sharon Walls, London
  • 18/11/1974 Request for loan from The Women’s Group, The City University, Union Soc., London
  • No date       Letter from City University Women’s Group
  • 15/11/1974 Request for loan, Sharon Walls, Honor Oak School
  • No date       Information re cost for loan of  BWLG video from D Okrusynska on behalf of a college in Oxford
  • Oct/Nov 1974  Scrap of paper handwritten with address of above person and also information regarding Free Pregnancy Testing.
  • 16/01/1975 Information from Peter Block, Outside Organiser, The Video Show.  Letter heading-The Arts Council of Great Britain, The Serpentine Gallery
  • 20/02/1975 A letter from Arun R Newell who organised the loan of  video cameras from Bolton Institute (now University of Bolton) arranging showings of the video
  • 1975/6         Information sheet titled Video Bursary
  • 06/03/1975 Video Show Contract (for showing at the Serpentine)
  • May 1975    Information re The Video Show at the Serpentine Gallery
  • May 1975    Press Notice The Arts Council of Great Britain International Video Festival:  Serpentine Gallery
  • No date       ‘Live Events’  The Video Show, Serpentine
  • 02/05/1975  Letter from Serpentine
  • No date        A hand written draft and a typed copy describing How It Is and 1 copy printed by Serpentine
  • 16/06/1975 Letter from Arts Council

Top

SCRIPTS FOR BOLTON FESTIVALS, STREET THEATRE, CABARETS AND MC WOMEN'S NEWSLETTER RELATING TO CABARETS; OTHER DOCUMENTS TO DO WITH THEATRE AND FILM

  • No date 4 page Leaflet – Bolton Film Theatre
  • 15 September 1972 Bolton Little Theatre & Film Theatre  Women’s  Liberation Programme Postcard from Cinema Of Women no date
  • 1979 Samuel Crompton (Pink Medicine Show) script.  The show was performed twice during the First Bolton Festival which was themed around Samuel Crompton.  One of the performances was an outdoor one – in front of Bolton Town Hall steps.  The ‘Recipe for Women’s Liberation Medicine’ (on pink paper) was given out to members of the audience and passers by.  The script begins ‘come on everyone, hurry’
  • 1980/1981 Lord Leverhulme Cartoons (2 pages) 1981 this cartoon was drawn by either Doris Higgins or Nuala Morton.  It was printed onto postcards and sold on a BWLG stall at the Second Bolton Festival the theme of which was Lord Leverhulme.  There was also a performance for the Festival with excerpts from speeches by Sarah Reddish, etc. read out in Bolton Precinct on the Town Hall Steps.  There is no script extant for this production.  1980
  • No date Great Expectations or is There Life after Marriage?  This script was written by The Y B A Wife? Campaign.  It was obtained by BWLG with a view to production.  However no one can remember whether or not it was ever performed.
  • March & May 1981 This file includes 2 copies of the Manchester Women’s Liberation Newsletter both of which contain adverts for the Cabaret & articles by Bolton Women
  • 1981? Photograph of two women performing in a cabaret – one of the women is Rita Hudson
  • 10 February 1983 From Monstrous Regiment re production for Bolton Festival
  • 5 July 1984 From Siren Theatre Company letter & brochure (both still in original brown envelope)

Top

INTERNAL ORGANISATION OF BOLTON GROUP & THEORETICAL/DISCUSSION PAPERS

  • BWLG Constitution 2 copies of draft constitution with handwritten comments; many copies with title BWLG CONSTITUTION   No date on documents but mentioned as passed in minutes of 25.7.1972.
  • Headed Bolton Women’s Liberation Group Contains rules for membership & Guidelines for Chairmanship (sic)  no date  will be early 70’s
  • A list on brown card:  Proposed General Aims
  • Amendment:  that the Group change its name to the Bolton (Socialist) Women’s Liberation Group.  No date but probably 1971 (see minute books)  See also under letters to/between group members
  • An Assessment of the Bolton W.L. Group  no date  probably 1972
  • Proposal re special interest groups   26th April 1972
  • Paper by Elaine Glover.  No title or date.  Begins ‘An American linguist’  It seems to be written as part of talk given with another woman, Beryl, audience unknown
  • ‘Here are some words you might use to describe people’  This List may or may not be related to paper above
  • ‘Please answer each of the following sections’  Again the list may be related to the paper above
  • ‘Liberation of Women, Sexual Repression and the Family by Laurel Limpus:  This paper was probably used as a basis for discussion
  • “Feminist Consciousness Raising and Organizing” Kathie Sarachild -This was certainly used as a basis for our own consciousness raising  See minute books to establish dates
  • The Family:  this appears to be a paper produced by Manchester Women’s Action Group & used as discussion paper by Bolton.  See attached slip of paper
  • Some proposals for the structure of the Bolton Women’s Liberation Group:  several copies
  • The Right to Work? Or The Fight to Live!  Name on back Francis McKenzie, Silverdale, Staffs.  No Date  Used as discussion paper 3.10.72
  • Some Comments on the Pamphlet; Women, the Unions & Work July1972 Comments follow talk given to Bolton W.L. by Selma James on 22.3.72
  • Copy of talk (?) beginning ‘The Women’s Liberation movement in this country’ probably by Kath Fry, no date
  • Article for B.E.N.  Beginning ‘Do women’s Liberationists burn their bras?’  no date
  •  ‘In considering abortion’  Probably Kath Fry, no date
  • ‘Education’  Probably Kath Fry, no date
  • ‘Sexual Politics.  Kate Millett.  Notes.’  Probably Kath Fry No date 
  • One page headed The Right to Choose.  Kath Fry?  No date
  • Pamphlet written by Selma James et al.  Sex, Race and Class. Falling Wall Press, Feb. 1975
  • Gestetnered booklet  WAGES FOR HOUSEWORK  from Power of Women Collective  probably 1973
  • Annual Report of Bolton Women’s Liberation  Nov. 1973-Nov.1974
  • Talking in Schools paper by Moira Hill   No date late 70’s or 80’s?
  • One typed sheet beginning ‘Are we to adopt the male attitude’ no date, author unknown (Moira Hill, Kath Fry, Nuala?)
  • Handwritten paper beginning ‘On 22nd September we went to Leeds for the National Rad/Rev Feminist Conference’.   This paper may be, in part preparation for the article below.  The author is unknown.  1981(?)
  • Article on ‘Radical Feminism’ by Hilary & Moira (?) published in newsletter.  Title page & part of the newspaper missing.  1981.

Top

Attempts to establish a Women's Centre

  • Letter from Family Planning Association. re leaflets for proposed Women’s Centre (at St. Barnabus Church) in Bolton18th Oct 1972
  • Letter from women’s national cancer control campaign re posters & leaflets for Centre, dated 1st Nov 1972
  • Leaflet Bolton Women’s Centre  Opening Saturday November 11  1972
  • Cutting from Bolton Free Press ‘The Campaign for Homosexual Equality’ & marked Info. For the Women’s Centre File   No date but probably ‘72, possibly. ‘73
  • ‘A Matter for Concern’ Page 5 of Bolton Free Press Number 4 June-July Issue 1972
  • (The St. Barnabus Centre had a very short life span.  The building was cold and there were few users).  The next attempt to establish a centre began around 1979.
  • Handwritten draft of note ‘Doris’  March 1979
  • Handwritten copy of letter to B. Scholes, Chief Executive, Bolton Metro March 1979 together with typed copy of above letter
  • From B. Scholes 3.4.79 to N. Campbell
  • From B. Scholes 30.4.79
  • From Sec. to Mr. Scholes to D.M. Higgins 9.7.79
  • From B Scholes to D Higgins 24.7.79
  • Handwritten note ‘This is a copy’ no date
  • To B Scholes 4.7. 79(?)
  • Draft, copy (?) of letter to B Scholes  July/Aug 79(?)
  • Dear Mr Schools 9.11.79
  • Dear Ann Taylor (M.P.) 30.11.79
  • From Ann Taylor 11.12.79
  • From Ann Taylor  29.1.80
  • To Ann Taylor 11.2.80
  • From Ann Taylor 27.2.80
  • From Councillor Bob Haworth to Rita Hudson 29.4.80
  • Hand written copy Dear Sir from Marie Flynn  (with attachment) 16.5.80
  • To M. Flynn from B Scholes 23.6.80
  • From Ann Taylor  with attached letter from Scholes to Taylor 26.6.80
  • Hand written draft of letter (to Ann Taylor?) together with typed copy of above letter
  • August 1980
  • From Valerie Broom, Councillor 2.9.80
  • To Councillor Broom 20.9.80
  • Handwritten letter Dear Mrs Taylor 30.12.80?
  • Handwritten letter Dear Councillor Senior 30.12.80?
  • Handwritten Letter Dear Councillor Broom 30.12.80
  • Booklet  by Charity Commission published April 79
  • Headed Charities Act 1960
  • Headed Charity Commission For England & Wales
  • A copy of  Standing Order Mandate from Co-op Bank to Bolton Women’s Centre no date
  • Exercise Book titled ‘Bolton Women’s Centre Account Book’  Includes some loose account papers tucked in  1981-1989
  • Sponsored Swim for Bolton Women’s Centre
  • List of Names & Addresses (of Councillors?  No date) On reverse printed leaflet ‘The Willows Project’ Staff Newsletter No. 5 from The Housing Advice Centre
  • Letter from Cllr Senior to Briege 4.1.81
  • Minutes of Women’s Centre Meeting 6.11.81
  • Leaflet-Work for a Women’s Centre in Bolton’  no date
  • Minutes from  6th January 1981
  • Minutes headed Tues 17th Feb ’81.   On reverse is typed ‘Principles for the Women’s Centre’
  • Politics and Organisation of a Women’s Centre  no date
  • Handwritten letter To:  The Chief Estates Surveyor, G.M.C., County Hall, Portland St. from B.A. White for BWLG. 8.3.81
  • From Preston Women’s Centre Dear Sisters 19.1.83
  • Headed The Charity Commission (Northern Section) from Preston Women’s Centre (?)
  • Constitution of the Bolton Women’s Centre Group  Adopted 5.11.83
  • Minutes Centre Meeting 9.1.84
  • From J.T. Smith, Head of Faculty, Bolton Metropolitan College 14.6.84
  • Headed ‘Two meetings were recently held’  Appear to be minutes 12.5.85 & 16.6.85 (2 pages)
  • From Charity Commission (Northern Office) 13.2.85
  • From Charity Commissioners 12.9.90
  • Several paste ups of leaflets no dates

Top

Correspondence to do with establishing a Well Women's Centre

  • Minutes of the Well Women’s Clinic Public Meeting 13.9.83
  • From June Corner, Secretary, Bolton Community Health Council 20.10.83
  • From June Corner ‘Dear Friend’ 20.10.83
  • From P.A. to CHC re Well Women’s Clinic  7.11.83
  • From Research Assistant to C.H.C. ‘Dear Friend’ 13.1.84
  • Invitation on pink card from members of the steering committee for Bolton Well Women Clinic Jan. 1984

Top

Radclyffe Hall

A house in Castle Street bought by Irwell Housing Association. The Association offered BWLG the running of the house.  However the group would have had the expense of carrying out all conversions and improvements which was too big a project. The intention had been to establish a short term shelter for young homeless women (16-21).