Recently
On this page you can see the notes of previous monthly meetings in the current iU3A year. They are exactly as were written at the time, and will not be 'updated' as time goes by.

October — Christine Coates ‘Women Workers in World War One’ Oct 25th

Christine Coates took us through some wonderful archive photographs of women working in a wide variety of occupations, mostly previously reserved for men, during the years of the First World War. Some of these were her own family photos but most were from the TUC collection in Aldgate, where they are available to be viewed by the public. In 1901 the census showed that women made up just 31% of the workforce, most of whom were young and unmarried; about half of them were in domestic service. Men fought hard to keep women out of many work areas and women’s work was very poorly paid. Many men felt it unseemly that women should do work outside the home, or work that was heavy, dirty or unhealthy.

But by 1911, thanks to the militant efforts of the National Federation of Women Workers, women had come out on strike against poor working conditions and low pay and by 1918 over a million women belonged to a trade union. The suffrage campaign was not entirely led by middle-class women, as many think. Many women workers, particularly in the North of England, fought for equal rights both in the workplace and in domestic affairs. In 1914 a million men were recruited into the war effort and this was further increased by conscription and the extending of the age range. Women were called upon to report for work and almost 5 million women eventually registered.

Women began work in dangerous and unhealthy work where skill and precision were required. Examples in Islington were the munitions factory in Brewery Road, the gas mask factory in Holloway, the British Ever Ready torch and lighting equipment factory and the Highgate Aircraft Company. They were also employed in road laying and paint shops, as tram conductors, as well as white-collar work as telephonists and secretaries. They fought for equality in the workplace, for improved health and safety standards, nursery placements and leisure facilities and, when the war ended, women expected lasting change; but this was not to be as men returning home were re-integrated and given back their jobs. In 1918 three-quarters of a million women were made redundant and unemployment figures for them rose significantly. Despite some women being given the vote in 1920 and universal suffrage in 1928, the position of women in society diminished and ‘The new world looked much like the old one’.

A fascinating pictorial and oral review of the role of women in the war years.

September — Nick Higham, a journalist, interviewer and conference moderator, and a former BBC News reporter.

The talk was on: Myddelton's Water: a History of the New River: Nick’s highly informative talk demonstrated that the water course we know as the New River in Islington is neither new nor a river. Its origin dates back to the early 17th century, when it became clear that the supply of generally foul water in London was totally inadequate for the growing population. Edmund Colthurst drew up a grand scheme for a super conduit of water from the Amwell and Chadwell springs in Hertfordshire to the New River Head in Islington, consisting of 42 miles of elm pipes and a number of cisterns. The work began in 1602 but was stopped after three miles. Sir Hugh Myddleton, he of the statue on Islington Green, took over the project, making a deal with James I, who stumped up 50% of the funding. These two men were the first examples of notables who became involved with the project over the centuries. William Chadwell Mylne was the chief engineer of the New River Company in the 19th century and father and son held this position for 94 years. During this period the original elm pipes were lined with lead.

Traces of the new river abound in Islington, although its course is almost wholly underground. New River Walk with its original walkman’s hut is the only surface stretch. New River Head, which is now a complex of residential buildings, includes the former Metropolitan Water Board offices which incorporate a 17th century room from the original Water House with wood carvings reputedly by Grinling Gibbons. The East and West Reservoirs off Green Lanes with their 1856 pumping station were known as the Lake District of North London.

Nick showed us that for those who wish to know more about this fascinating subject, maps from the four centuries of the New River’s existence give a fascinating insight into its construction, course and activities surrounding it. (Report by Julie Howell)


As usual there were plenty of questions from members and we ran out of time.

Archive