1956

1956 ‘According to the Oxford Dictionary a true translation of the word ‘Institute’ used in our connection Florence Institute is ‘an organised body for the promotion of a public object,’ and according to our trust deed the Public Object in our case is to promote the welfare of working boys, more especially during the critical […]

1955

1955 This year’s report began on a sombre note, ‘The past year has been one of some disappointment, as we anticipate it has been for most clubs. Response has been poor, attendances bad and counter attractions innumerable.’ However, there was good news on the sporting front, trophies won this year included the Reynolds Cup, Walker […]

1954

1954 This year’s report began with a question:  ‘Are you happy? If we put this question to our members at a general club assembly, we feel sure that the majority would answer YES. One of the reasons for this is that being a member of the ‘FLORRIE’ they have found a corner of life were […]

1952

1952 The resignation of Mr Ivor Snaith, Warden,  prompted the Committee to reflect rather begrudgingly that ‘Wardens of recent times come and go too often. The reasons for this are various and this is no place to go into them but we should say that all our Wardens and some of our sub-Wardens have used […]

1950

1951 Anxieties loomed in this year’s report over the ‘loss’ of impressionable youngsters ‘Membership has remained at the same level as previous years but one seems more conscious than ever of the numbers of boys who are not connected with any Club or Organisation. The loss of boys, previously quite good members between the ages […]

1949

1949 This was yet another year for reorganisation. In an attempt to counter the impact of ‘juvenile delinquency’, the Florrie had begun to admit 10 year olds to the Pioneer’s Club, and the main club also lowered the Junior ages to 13-14, and 15-18 for the Seniors.  The Committee commented “We are still testing the advantages […]

1948

1948 This year a complete overhaul and refurbishment of The Florence Institute was granted. This involved an entirely new electrical circuit being installed, the repointing of exterior walls, roof and windows repairs, and the redecorating of rooms, which included the extermination of dry rot in the library. This extensive work caused major disruption throughout the […]

1946

1946 In this report, the Committee were keen to clearly outline the Institute’s influential community role post WW2: The Florence Institute was affiliated with The Liverpool Federation for Boys Club, who in turn were affiliated with The National Association of Boys Clubs in London. Commonly, Youth Organisations played their part in the furtherance of the […]

1936

1936 The Forty-Seventh Annual Report of 1936-7 was somewhat brief, and recorded the Club in a state of transition, with Mr F. Newton retiring from the position of Warden and Mr. Glyn T. Amos, from the City Boys’ Club, Wakefield, appointed in his place. The usual comprehensive report was not needed, but the Committee assured […]

1935

1935 The 1935-6 report regretfully announced the death of former President Sir Frederick C. Bowring. The Committee provided a detailed portrait of the Institute member, and the role the Institute intended to play in his social development: ‘The adolescent boy is by nature an idealist. He is laying aside the solitary pursuits of pre-adolescent childhood […]