The Townswomen's Guild is a British women's organisation. There are approximately 30,000 members, 706 branches and 77 Federations throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Isle of Wight.. The Townswomen's Guild is the second largest British women's organisation. It consists of local branches, known as guilds, and federations, which are groups of local guilds who work together, throughout England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man. The movement was formed in 1929, at the instigation of Margery Corbett Ashby and Eva Hubback, when all women over 21 won the right to vote and with the aim of educating women about good citizenship. Since then, TG has lobbied on national and local issues. Townswomen are encouraged to have ideas and views, develop new skills, campaign on various issues, support each other, make new friends and above all, have fun.
Membership and Organisational Structure
The national headquarters of the Townswomen’s Guilds, is in Birmingham, England.
Hierarchy
The Townswomen’s Guilds’ Patron is Her Royal HighnessThe Princess Royal and the organisation’s National President is Dame Diana Brittan DBE and National Vice-Presidents are; Dame Jocelyn Barrow DBE, Eileen Bell CBE and Baroness Flather. TG’s Honorary Life National Vice-Presidents are; Maggie Chilton MBE, Jean Ellerton JP, Marjory Hall OBE, Jean Hunt, Pamela Pollock, Pauline Myers, Sue Smith OBE, Iris Shanahan MBE, Pauline Myers and Margaret Key. The current National Chairman is Penny Ryan who leads the board of the National Executive Committee in the running the organisation and the staff at the headquarters.
Awards
TG is very proud of its members’ achievements, both for their service to the organisation and for their support to other organisations, charities and their community. Every year, members are recognised and awards are presented at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting. Townswoman of the Year – this is an award presented to a member who has devoted their time and energy to the organisation and is chosen by the National Chairman. Officers’ Trophy – this award is given to a member who has exceptionally gone ‘above and beyond the call of duty’ to support an organisation or charity, or has made an impact to her community in a positive way and is chosen by the National Executive Committee.
''Townswoman''
The Townswomen’s Guilds produces Townswoman, a magazine for its members which is published quarterly every year - it is delivered directly to all TG members. Townswoman contains a mixture of articles covering all aspects of the organisation and more general features of interest to the members.
Activities
Guilds meet at regular intervals, mainly monthly, and their annual programmes include guest speakers, demonstrations for members to learn and develop new skills, and social activities and outings. Townswomen also get involved both locally and nationally in many charitable and fundraising events, International Women's Day events, sports and creative leisure activities and take part in competitions and exhibitions. As well as social and educational activities, TG is proud to do its utmost to influence positive change in our world and has a strong focus on Public Affairs. The organisation harnesses the opinions of its members on important political issues and brings them to the attention of Government and decision-makers.
History
1865 Organised campaigns began for women to have the right to vote 1897 The National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies was formed and led by Millicent Fawcett, a suffragist. Suffragists believed in reasoned argument and worked within the law to bring about change 1918 Some women get the vote. 1928 All women over the age of 21 were given the vote 1929 The idea of urban Guilds was born, for women to meet and learn about citizenship and how to use the vote. The first Guild was opened in Hayward's Heath. Guilds were able to meet and help others locally by forming Federations 1932 The organisation became the National Union of Townswomen's Guilds. It continued to grow. World During the war years the Government asked the NUTG to encourage War married women who were not eligible for National Service to work locally, ll part time, to release others for war work. 1950s Guilds and Federations took the opportunity to join in the Festival of Britain celebrations, Following the AGM Townswomen were able to campaign on national affairs 1960s 1970s 1980s Members campaigned on issues such as: Environmental pollution, mixed-sex wards, nuclear power, food additives, prescription charges, carers' rights 1989 The National Union of Townswomen's Guilds became Townswomen's Guilds 1990 Nearly £200,000 was raised to plant trees in 6 new woods, to help the environment and to replace trees lost in storms in the late 1980s 1990s And members continued campaigning on: Single person supplements, medicinal cannabis, genetic screening 2000s Post office closures, parental accountability, human trafficking 2010s Empty homes, geriatric care in hospitals, gambling advertising, getting rid of cheques, banning FGM and modern slavery 2014 A new logo was introduced to show we were continuing to move forward but we kept our history and heritage in mind 2017 A TG memorial was commissioned for the National Memorial Arboretum 2018 Members took part in activities to mark the 100th anniversary of the first women getting the vote in the UK 2019 is the 90th anniversary of TGs foundation and they look forward to the 100th anniversary
