Downham Banner Project with UCLan history students
Downham Banner Project Booklet with UCLan history students (pdf)
The banner group, working with the senior tutor Jack Southern, briefed a group of three students on our need for some written material to accompany the exhibition of the banner. The material to be divided into six main areas.
History and purpose of benevolent societies – Acts of Parliament, Rule books
Correlation of purpose/philosophy of society with the images/text on the Downham Benevolent Society banner.
Activities of Downham and other Ribble Valley societies. Conduct of business and distribution of benefits, Membership, restriction and relaxation of rules, position of women, location of meetings rules about alcohol
Decline of Family Societies in UK. Demise of Downham FS and others in Ribble Valley.
Links with present day successors such as insurance companies, credit unions, time banks and food banks
The banner and other regalia - purpose, style and manufacture and Joseph Skerrett’s banner makers company.
Attached is the outcome of their work completed in a single term towards the end of 2016.