CHILDREN 1st (RSSPCC) Archive
Reference codes, titles and dates of
Archive 
Reference Code: GB 1847 RSSPCC
Title: Records of the Scottish Children's League of Pity
Date of creation of material: 1894-1993
Level of description: Sub fond
Extent:
Administrative history
Administrative history: “ A little child should be the purest of
God’s creatures, as it is the greatest of His gifts. And it is the
aim of the League of Pity that one day, throughout our whole great
Empire, the rights of the children shall be recognised, and that the
State shall see that parents provide their children with the
necessaries of life in their own homes, and give them such training
there as will fit them for their duties as citizens. Perhaps a
Utopian idea, but one to work for, and, though we shall not see the
accomplishment of our ideals during our lifetime, it is for us to
sow, and others to reap.” Clementine Waring (President)
Scottish Children’s League of Pity, Annual
Report 1906, p16
March 1893 saw the formation of The Scottish
Children’s League of Pity, the junior branch of the Royal
Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. It was
founded by the Marchioness of Tweedale and headed by her daughter
Lady Clementine Hay. The primary aim of the League was to interest
Scotland’s more privileged children in the needs of their less
fortunate peers and get them involved in the Society, while
generally promoting the Society’s cause and raising additional
funds. Members of the League’s numerous circles throughout Scotland
secured donations of clothing, bedding, and food for the shelters;
held bazaars, pageants, plays and balls to raise vital funds; and
became directly involved in the Society’s work, visiting children in
the services. The League’s monthly magazine titled City Sparrows
could be purchased from booksellers, and discussed the work of the
League and the Society. The Associates Branch of the League was
founded in June 1898.
The headquarters of the League was the central
office of the Scottish National Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Children and subsequent head offices under
successor titles.
The objects of the League were:-
- To interest the children of Scotland in
the movement for the prevention of cruelty to children
- To provide a means by which children may
take a definite part in the furtherance of the work of the
Society
In time the League adopted the motto “Be ye
kind to one another” and a member’s pledge, “I undertake,
as a Member of the Scottish Children’s League, to do all I can to
promote the objects of the League, and to help suffering children
and make them happy.” The annual flag day of the
League was called "Heather Day" and was started in 1912.
The League consisted of Members and Associates
resident in, or connected with Scotland and was divided into two
branches. One was the Children’s Branch (becoming the Member’s
Branch) consisting of junior members – children up to the age of 14
– and senior members – boys and girls between the ages of 14 and
18. Both paid an entrance fee of not less than sixpence and an
annual subscription set by each circle. The Associates Branch
consisted of those over 18 years of age who paid an entrance fee of
not less that one shilling. The object of the Associates Branch was
to retain the co-operation of members who had outgrown the age limit
of the Children’s Branch and to promote the objects and work of the
Society. In time the Members were asked to provide one or two old
garments and the Associates two new or four old garments annually.
All monies, including legacies, received by the League was paid to
the Society; credit being given to the depositing or sanctioned
branch. The Society paid all agreed and authorised necessary
expenditure incurred in the League’s work. The League presented an
annual report with a certified statement of accounts attached.
The Members and Associates of the League were
divided into circles allowing them to easily meet together and
maintain a common interest and plan of work. Each circle had a
secretary and was responsible for deciding how they would carry out
the objects of the League on the lines laid down in the constitution
and rules. Circles existed throughout Scotland and by 1953
there were over 100 of them. In time the circles were
disbanded mainly because changing decades saw children with more
commitments and in some instances friend's groups, mostly run by
adults, were set up.
The office bearers of the League were President
of the League, Honorary President of the Associates Branch, Honorary
Presidents and Vice Presidents of County or District Branches, (and
of Districts where there are no Branches), Circle Secretaries, a
Secretary and Treasurer, and members of the League Committee.
There was an Annual Meeting of the office bearers to appoint various
positions. The League Committee could group office bearers together
to form a County of District Branch.
From the 1911 constitution it is reported that
the affairs of the League were managed by a committee of eleven
members, of which the President of the League and the Honorary
President of the Associates Branch were ex officio members. Six of
the committee members were appointed annually by the office-bearers
of the League and the other three were appointed annually by the
Council. The League Committee had the power to appoint two
representatives on each District Committee.
In the late 1950's the phrase "of Pity" was
dropped from the title as it was felt it did not properly reflect
the active work that was being done by the RSSPCC and the League.
As the Scottish Children's League the aims and objectives remained
the same and in time the Society employed Schools Co-ordinators who
organised fundraising events and raised awareness in primary
schools. Lady Clementine Waring remained President of the
League into her eighties and then handed it over to HRH The Princess
Margaret.
What is in the Archive
Scope and Content Abstract: League of Pity Annual Reports,
City Sparrows Magazine and City Sparrows Annual Reports,
Minutes of
the Glasgow Circle Secretaries, Glasgow Committee and Glasgow
Branch, and fundraising (balls),
financial records and fundraising ephemera.
System of Arrangement: The material is arranged chronologically by record type.
Notes relating to the preparation of this description
Description Compilation Details: Compiled by Sarah
Cartwright, Archives Placement Student, May 2006.
Description Alterations: Revised by Carole McCallum, University
Archivist, May 2006.
Last Updated:
03 May, 2006
Edited by: webteam@gcal.ac.uk |
