Band of Hope Formation 1847 – Leeds, UK - Signs of History on Waymarking.com

In the 19th century in the UK there was great concern about the levels of alcholoism. Various Temperance Societies were formed and people pledged to give up drinking.

There was also great concern about the influence of adults on children and that they started drinking at a very young age.

The Methodist church was a great advocate of temperance societies. At a meeting in this building in 1847 the Reverand Jabez Tunnicliffe proposed creating societies for children.

He believed that if children were taught from a young age not to drink, then they would also abstain as adults.

The societies became to be known as the Band of Hope. The children were enrolled at the age of six and they signed a pledge of total abstinence.

The society formed divisions throughout the country and met weekly. As well as having lectures they also formed choirs and arranged inter group competitions. By 1935 there were 3 million members of the movement but by 1950 the numbers had dropped dramatically.

The movement still exists but is now called Hope UK, and tries to teach abstinence of all drugs, not just alcohol.

There is a brown sign on the building marking the band’s formation.

There is also a blue plaque next to the sign recording a separate event. A pioneering film maker recorded what is believed to be the first moving pictures.

The text on the sign is as follows.

IN 1847 AT A MEETING ON THESE PREMISES
THE "BAND OF HOPE" MOVEMENT
WAS FORMED. ITS TITLE BEING SUGGESTED BY
THE REVEREND JABEZ TUNNICLIFFE
A PROMINENT LEEDS TEMPERANCE WORKER

Group that erected the marker: Band of Hope URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: [Web Link] Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary: 19 Bridge End Leeds, West Yorkshire United Kingdom LS1 4DJ

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