Graphical version

Royal Holloway, University of London

Clubs and Societies of Bedford College


IDENTITY STATEMENT

Reference code(s): GB 0505 BC AS210-215

Held at: Royal Holloway, University of London

Title: Clubs and Societies of Bedford College

Date(s): 1894-1974

Level of description: sub-fonds

Extent: 6 boxes or 0.06 cubic metres

Name of creator(s): Bedford College

CONTEXT

Administrative/Biographical history:

Student societies began to emerge at Bedford College in the 1880s, and were actively encouraged by the first Principal, Emily Penrose, in order to increase the sense of community felt by the students. Types of society included subject-based academic groups, sporting societies such as the Boating Club, and political clubs. The Bedford College Union Society was created in 1913, and all the student societies except the Athletics Union and restricted societies (such as religious groups) came under its control. The Athletics Union, also formed in 1913, was responsible for sporting groups. Each society had its own set of rules (some even had magazines) and reported regularly in the College news sheet until World War Two. The number of student societies continued to increase, with 32 in 1936, 42 in the 1950s and 51 in 1980-1981. The Athletics Union ceased to exist as a separate body in 1969-1970, when it was replaced by a Sports Committee of the Bedford College Union Society.

CONTENT

Scope and content/abstract:

Papers relating to the Athletics Union, comprising correspondence concerning the purchase and equipping of College sports grounds, 1919-1934, and an accounts book, 1937-1944; correspondence of the Sports Club, 1912 and 1942; minutes of the Architectural Society, 1894-1919; programmes and posters relating to the Bedford Light Opera Group, [1960-1970]; copies of Bots Up, the magazine of the Botany Department, 1972-1974; copy of Bio-Log, the magazine of the Biological Society (and successor to Bots Up), 1977; copies of Ho, the magazine of the Psychology Department, 1972-1974; minutes and member lists of the Geological Society, 1910-1944.

ACCESS AND USE

Language/scripts of material: English

System of arrangement:

Arranged according to subject.

Conditions governing access:

Open to registered users of the Royal Holloway, University of London Archives.

Conditions governing reproduction:

Copies may be supplied, subject to the condition of the original. Requests to publish original material should be directed to the Archivist.

Physical characteristics:

Finding aids:

'A catalogue of the Archives of Bedford College (University of London), 1849-1985' by Claire Gobbi Daunton and Elizabeth Bennett, 1987.

Detailed catalogue

ARCHIVAL INFORMATION

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information:

Accruals:

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

The papers were transferred from the Bedford College Archives when the College merged with Royal Holloway in 1985.

ALLIED MATERIALS

Existence and location of originals:

Existence and location of copies:

Related material:

The Royal Holloway, University of London Archives hold photographs of student activities, including sport and drama, 1887-[1970] (BC PH6).

Publication note:

A history of Bedford College for Women, 1849-1937 (Oxford University Press, London, 1939), by Dame Margaret Jansen Tuke; Educating women: a pictorial history of Bedford College, University of London, 1849-1985 (Alma Publishers, Surrey, 1991), by Dr Linna Bentley.

DESCRIPTION NOTES

Note:

Archivist's note: Compiled by Sarah Aitchison as part of the AIM25 project.

Rules or conventions: Compiled in compliance with general International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Date(s) of descriptions: Apr 2000


INDEX ENTRIES
Subjects
Accounting | Financial administration | Finance
Clubs | Leisure time activities | Leisure
Musical performances | Music | Performing arts
Opera | Theatre | Performing arts
Sport | Leisure time activities | Leisure
Sports facilities | Recreational facilities
Student organizations | Educational associations | Educational administrative structure | Educational organizations
Universities | Higher education institutions | Educational institutions
University campuses | Educational buildings
University students | Students
Vocal music | Music | Performing arts
Women students | Students
Educational facilities

Personal names

Corporate names
Bedford College x Bedford College for Women
Bedford College | Architectural Society
Bedford College | Athletics Union
Bedford College | Biological Society
Bedford College | Botany Department
Bedford College | Geological Society
Bedford College | Light Opera Group
Bedford College | Psychology Department
Bedford College | Sports Club

Places