Record

Ref NoMS 2141/C/5
TitleBritish Soviet Friendship Society, Birmingham branch
LevelFile
Date1960 - 1962
DescriptionPolicy papers; reports; financial statements; and campaign material of the Birmingham branch of the organisation, mostly dating from 1961. Several papers concern the 1961 General Conference of the British Soviet Friendship Society, which was held in Birmingham at the Digbeth Institute. It is likely that Jagmohan Joshi and Avtar Jouhl and probably other members of the Indian Workers Association were members of this organisation.

Material consists of:

/1-/7 papers concerning the 11th General Conference of the British Soviet Friendship Society, May 1961. These include a flyer inviting delegates to the conference; resolutions; additional resolutions submitted by the Birmingham branch to the Conference, together with a list of nominations for office; Biennial Report and financial statements of the British Soviet Friendship Society for 1959 and 1960 prepared for the General Conference; report on the Conference proceedings, including details about those elected to the National Council, and some of the recent activities of the Society

/8 leaflet about the history and activities of the Birmingham branch of the British Soviet Friendship Society issued to delegates attending the 1961 General Conference in Birmingham

/9 circular letter inviting individuals or organisations to participate in a British Soviet Friendship Society Birmingham branch coach outing to the Soviet Exhibition and Trade Fair at Earls Court, London, 15 July 1961

/10 circular letter from the secretary of the Birmingham branch of the British Soviet Friendship Society giving information about a public meeting at which a member of the Institute of World Economic and International Affairs will present the Soviet Union's proposals on disarmament, nuclear tests, and Berlin, July 1961

/11 copy of a joint press statement issued by the Secretary of the Birmingham branch of the British Soviet Friendship Society; Councillor J. T. Webster and the Secretary of the Birmingham and District Co-operative Party following their return from a visit to the Soviet Union. The press statement attempts to explain the views of the Soviet people on disarmament and Germany, September 1961. This statement was circulated to members, and includes an advertisement for a talk given by Commander Edgar Young on 'The Soviet Union, Disarmament and Germany' at the Midland Institute, October 1961

/12-/13 letter from Progressive Tours giving information about a holiday to Czechoslovakia for groups of Trade Unionists and their families, together with an itinerary and information about the dates and cost of the trip

/14 leaflet giving information about a holiday to the Soviet Union organised by the Birmingham branch of the British Soviet Friendship Society which will include visits to factories, collective farms, and co-operative organisations in various cities, including the Birmingham branch's sister city Sverdlovsk in the summer of 1962

/15 invitation from Brains Trust on the Soviet Union to a display of coloured slides of the Soviet Union at the Midland Institute, December 1961

/16 circular letter to members giving information about forthcoming branch meetings, and events at the Midland Institute which include a film show on a Birmingham teacher's holiday in the Soviet Union in 1960, and a talk by Mr Mateveyev from Moscow's 'Izvestia' on 'The Soviet Union and Peace', January 1962

/17 circular letter to members giving information about branch activities, including the Soviet Union holiday in July 1962; and exhibition on the teaching of Mathematics in the Soviet School, held at Birmingham University; and a film show at the Midland Institute
Extent1
FormatFile
Related MaterialSee also MS 1824 for minutes and papers of the Birmingham branch of the British Soviet Friendship Society, 1975-1990. The University of Hull Archives and Special Collections holds some records of the British- Soviet Friendship Society, 1941-1972
Access StatusClosed until assessed
AccessConditionsThe records give the names and addresses of members.
AdminHistoryThe British Soviet Friendship Society was established in 1927 to promote peace, friendship and mutual understanding between people living in Britain and the Soviet Union. The organisation arranged cultural activities and exchange visits, and many local branches were twinned with towns and cities in the Soviet Union and developed links with trade unionists, schools, universities, theatres and museums. It appears that the Russia Today Society and the National Committee for British-Soviet Unity merged with the organisation.
Source: http://www.hull.ac.uk/oldlib/archives/pressure/friends.html Available March 2007
LanguageEnglish
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