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Conservative Party Archive: Conservative Central Office - Young Britons

 Collection

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Comprises the following papers:
  1. Young Britons - Committees and working groups
  2. Young Britons - General administration
  3. Young Britons - Photographs and press cuttings

Dates

  • 1937-1965

Extent

1.0 linear metre (6 boxes)

Language of Materials

  • English

Preferred Citation

Oxford, Bodleian Libraries, Conservative Party Archive [followed by shelfmark, e.g. CCO 506/8/1].
Please see our help page for further guidance on citing archives and manuscripts.

Full range of shelfmarks:

CCO 506/7/3-6; CCO 506/8/1-7.

Collection ID (for staff)

CPA CCO 506/B

Additional Description

Abstract

Archive of the Conservative Party Youth Organisation: Young Britons, 1937-1965.

Biographical / Historical

The Young Britons Organisation was formed in 1925 as the juvenile branch of the National Union of Conservative and Unionist Associations. The organisation was closed down during the Second World War and was reformed in 1948, but never returned to its former popularity. It catered for the 6-16 age group, recruiting both boys and girls. Attempts to revitalise it were made in the 1950s and in 1954 a Young Britons Central Committee was established which included representation from the Women’s, Young Conservatives’, and Teachers’ Advisory Committees of the National Union, although the Central Committee itself was never accorded the same status as a National Advisory Committee. Under its constitution, it also had representation from each Young Britons Area Advisory Committee, three representatives appointed by the National Union’s Executive Committee, and the Party’s Vice-Chairman responsible for Women. In February 1955 it adopted the motto, ‘Learning to Serve’. In June 1965, Party Chairman Edward du Cann set up a working party chaired by Lady Silverstone to look into and re-evaluate the Young Britons Organisation in the context of the changing pattern of children’s leisure-time activities. As the result of this, it was formally closed down with effect from 31st December 1965.

Custodial History

The archive of the Conservative Party was established as a source for academic study at the Bodleian Library in 1978 by an agreement made between the University of Oxford and the Conservative Party, and brought together surviving historic papers of the Party previously held in various locations including Newcastle University Library and the former Conservative Central Office in Smith Square, London. Since 1996, ownership of the archive has been vested in the Conservative Party Archive Trust. The archive includes records from all three areas of Party organisation: parliamentary, voluntary and professional.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The Conservative Party.

Indexed Names and Subjects

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Conservative Party Archive: Young Britons
Status
Published
Author
Finding aid prepared by Annaliese Griffiss and Abigail Spokes
Date
2021
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Bodleian Libraries Repository

https://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/weston
Contact:
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom

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