FIRST WOMEN'S CLUB.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20538, 12 April 1930, Page 19

FIRST WOMEN'S CLUB.

ORGANISED BY A MAN.

There are so many women's clubs these days that some of their members may be interested to hear how tho first women's club camo into being.

Tho oldest, women's club, probably in the world, certainly in England, was organised 123 years ago last Juno. It is still held at Bridgwater, Somerset, England. Strangely enough it. was a man who formed tho first club, a great man, too, Samuel Thayer Coleridge, the poet. At first tho club was held in a small village a few miles distant from its pres- , ent habitat. Each year its members have a parade and still carry the banner, inscribed for them by Coleridge, at tho head of tho procession. The first meeting of this club was held during the midsummer of 1807. The first parade of its members (attired in hoop skirts and poke bonnets) almost caused a public scandal. But as every woman in tho village, from tho titled lady of tho manor to tho humblest villager's wife, was a member, what could tho poor men do but submit with as good a grace as possible. Every year tho parade is held. As far as is possible it is similar to tho first one, even to the costumes.

The youngest member leads the procession, carrying the precious banner, each of tho other members carrying a small bouquet. Last summer a girl of eight was the proud banner bearer, while the older girls scattered flowers in tho villago streets. A church service is always held at the close of the parade, followed by an entertainment at tho village inn, to which the men and boys are invited.