Thomlinson Girls’ Grammar School Magazine, 1931
Courtesy of Cumbria Archive Service, Archive ref: DEC 4/40
A junior branch of the League of Nations Union (LNU) was formed in school in May 1928. Each year it held a full programme of activities, including several lectures, For example, Professor Darnley-Naylor spoke on disarmament in 1931 and Frederick Whelen spoke on the work of the League in 1934 and 1935. Other topics included the situation in Central Europe, Russia, Ireland and the aims of Mr De Valera. The school had links with local LNU branches: pupil delegates attended lectures in Carlisle in 1928 and 1929 and in 1931 the school entertained the Wigton branch. Two pupils attended the Geneva Junior Summer School annually (1934-36) and reported fully on their lectures and visits. Pupils were encouraged to participate. A mock conference on disarmament and a mock dinner party occurred in 1932 and two pupils won prizes in an essay competition on disarmament. Plays were performed about peace in 1931 (‘Paddly Pools’ by Miles Malleson) and 1935 (‘The Little Man’ by Gallsworthy and ‘X = 0’ by Drinkwater) and a Pageant of Peace, showing the horror of war and advantages of peace, was held in 1934.
The LNU set up Nansen Pioneer Camps in England and Wales for children interested in the League to exchange their views and to make them ‘intelligent and useful citizens in a difficult world.’ Two pupils from the school attended the first two Scottish camps in 1936 and 1937. They met and learned about pupils from other European countries.
References/Further Reading:
Thomlinson Girls’ Grammar School Magazine, 1931-38. Archive ref: DEC 4/40, Cumbria Archive Service.