| Description | The Young People's Extension Committee was established in 1937, at the suggestion of Joan M. G. Lloyd, who was keen for the Midland Adult School Union to develop and support Young People's Groups. She envisaged these either being in already established Adult Schools with suitable space, in community halls or on the new housing estates which had been built in a number of areas in the city.
A 'Young People's Development Enquiry' was held in October 1937 at which attendees were invited to share their experiences of attracting suitable young people to the Union and discuss how the new committee would be organised.
Premises were sought in areas deemed suitable for such extension work. These included the Weoley Castle Estate, Harborne Housing Estate, Glebe Farm Estate and Clark Street Adult School. Further Young People's Groups were subsequently established at Farm Street, Staniforth Hall, Lea Hall, Summer Lane, One and All Institute (West Smethwick), the Beehive, Redditch Youth Centre, Windsor Street, Stirchley branch of Birmingham Union of Girls' Clubs.
To start with, the Committee raised money to support the opening of new schools, but subsequently funding was received from the Midland Adult School Union. The new groups offered social and educational activities such as games, table tennis, adult school classes, dances, rambles and so on.
Joan M.G. Lloyd was Chair of the Committee, with Howard Woodward as Secretary. Harold Harper, Gladys Meggs, Gordon Mear, George Chance and Ralph Barlow were involved in finding premises, group leaders and establishing the youth groups. The outbreak of World War Two hindered the progression of some of the groups which suffered air raids and evacuations.
The Young People's Extension Committee was merged with the Young People's Committee from 3 July 1940 as it was felt that this would strengthen the Committee's ability to support the Young People's Groups. One set of minutes were used from July 1941 under the title of Young People's Committee. See MS 703/2/1/10. |