New Buckenham Men’s Social Club - Lady President's 1920s Minute Book

A handwritten minute book from the inter-war period which reveals a woman, Ellen Maud Godfrey in the position of President of New Buckenham Men’s Social Club in rural south Norfolk. The volume documents the very era when women of high social standing first broke into local government and judicial roles, (research reveals Miss Godfrey listed as a local magistrate), earning enough respect in this case that an all male committee would willingly place her in command of a space previously strictly defined by a homosocial male culture.

The early leaves reveal Miss E M Godfrey to be instrumental in introducing the idea of a new club and offering the use of a room within the Primitive Methodist Chapel. The first entry records Dr Cloud as elected President and Miss Godfrey as Vice President. By the third meeting Miss Godfrey holds the position of elected President of this men’s social space and entries reveal her to be ‘unanimously re elected’ hence forth. Written entries between 1923 - 1935 record the minutes of Annual General Meetings all signed by Miss Godfrey; a new wireless set is purchased, the financial health of the club is recorded, founding and committee members’ names are listed, club rules and membership charges are laid out, donations are noted, a billiard league is formed and newspapers and a reading room on Sundays agreed.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Hardbacked marbled boards age worn; partially faded label to upper reads ‘New Buckenham Men’s Social Club. Minute Book’. Cracking over front and rear gutters but holding well otherwise. 46pp lined leaves contain handwritten minutes, blank leaves to rear. c5000 words.