CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE .. AN HISTORICAL STUDY OF THE RESPONSE OF THE DEPARU'lENT \I.. OF RECREATIONAL SERVICES OF l1ANCHESTER, ENGLAND TO THE AVOCATIONAL LEISURE NEEDS OF THEIR COF!l'f.LTNITY A thesis submitted in partial satisfactior~ of the requirements for the degree of 11aster of Sc~.. 2ECe _;_.n Recreation by Phyllis Ke.efer ~- January, 1980 p ' The Thesis of Phyllis Keefer is approved: David Sterle, Dr. Rec. California State University, Northridge i i TABLE OF CONTENTS page Chapter 1 THE STUDY OF THE PROBLEM 1 The Purpose . 1 Definitions . 2 The Scope and Significance 3 2 MANCHESTER - THE COMMUNITY 10 Significance of History 10 Pre-Industrial Manchester 11 Industrial Revolution 15 3 CULTURAL AND FOLK TRADITIONS 26 Significance . 26 Early History . 27 Reformation . 35 Contemporary Customs and Traditions 37 4 LEISURE AND RECREATION IN MANCHESTER 39 Other Municipal and Private Leisure Programs in Manchester 4.5 Art and Crafts . 46 Adult Education . 47 Voluntary Organizations 49 Sununary so 5 MANCHESTER SHOW 53 Introduction . 53 Phase I - The Little Show 57 Phase II - The Middle Years 60 Phase III - The Big Show 64 Participant's Questionnaire 71 Results of Questionnaire . 73 Significance of Manchester Show 78 Summary 79 Bibliography 83 iii page APPENDIX I Los Angeles Times, May 6, 1979 article about social classes 86 II Chronology of English Monarchs 87 III Calendar of Observances 88 IV Recreational Services Department Statistical Information 90 v ~o~_Angeles Times, August 5, 1979 article about Gardening in Britain 91 VI Map of City of Manchester 94 VII Comparison of English Pound and American Dollar . 95 VIII Manchester Show 1977 Advertising 96 IX Questionnaire: Participants Study 97 iv Acknowledgements I wish to express sincere appreciation to those who assisted in the planning and development of this research study. At San Jose State University, Dr. Nellie Arnold, Director of the Center for International Studies in Leisure, provided the opportunity, guidance, and encouragement that made this study possible. In Manchester, England, the Director of the Depart­ ment of Recreational Services, Roy A. Bee, was both a gracious host and expert mentor. The author is greatly indebted to him and to the many persons, in and out of the Department, who contributed so generously to the research and to the enriching and enjoyable experience of living in Manchester, England. At California State University, Northridge, Dr. David Sterle provided the first incentive to study international leisure. His subsequent advice and commentary on the manuscript were most valuable. To Dr. Isabelle Walker, Committee Chairman, I wish to express my sincere admiration of her expertise and insight, both intel1ectual and personal, and to extend to her my deep gratitude for her support. v· ABSTRACT AN HISTORICAL STUDY OF THE RESPONSE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RECREATIONAL SERVICES OF HANCHESTER, ENGLAND TO THE AVOCATIONAL LEISURE NEEDS OF THEIR COMMUNITY by Phyllis Keefer Master of Science in Recreation Administration Literature in the field of Recreation addresses the problem of providing recreation programs and leisure experi­ ences that will enhance the quality of life in today's American work-oriented, urbanized society. In contrast, it has been noted that Britain is fast becoming a society of leisure where individuals express their real personalities in their leisure lives. The characteristics of this leisure life style are not indepen­ dent of a rich and intricate mosaic of culture, history, and tradition. This mosaic is evident in all social classes thAt comprise the Manchester society. Leisure activities in Britain are distinguished by the amount of time given to and ir:portance placed on them vi , by the participants. These activities are less concerned with immediacy, escapism, or popularity; but are generally interests which can grow and play a significant part in the development of self-identity over a life span. Such leisure activities as gardening, wine-making, or perfecting a particular breed or species commonly in­ clude membership in appropriate societies. These leisure organizations participate in planning the many and varied shows and festivals that are held throughout Great Britain, and provide an opportunity for competition, recognition, and rewards for avocational accomplishments. The Show of the City of Manchester, England, spon­ sored by its Department of Recreational Services, attempts to recognize and provide a showcase for many of the leisure interests of the community. The author· reflected that this form of recognition and showcase provided by the City of Manchester for the community in their annual Show might encourage an "in­ depth" quality approach to leisure; ·that is, inspire the individual to develop enjoyable and lasting leisure in­ terests and skills. As the Manchester Show had been held annually since 1951, its structure and growth, problems and goals could be evaluated. This Show in 1977 included 8,000 entries in over 30 categories of leisure-oriented activity enjoyed by more than 50,000 spectators in a three­ day period. vii Chapter 1 THE STUDY OF THE PROBLEH The Purpose In assessing the state of the recreation and parks movement in their 1973 report entitled "Reflections on the Recreation and Park Movement," David E. Gray and Donald A. Pelegrino pointed out: The imperative is that persons planning prog:rams and parks must know intimately the culture, wishes, social patterns, and life­ styles of people who are to use therri (10: 51) . It is the purpose of this historical study to examine enough of the history, culture,· soci~l patterns, and life-styles of·Hanchester, England, to get an under- standing of the leisure needs and interests of its citizen·s. Among the many programs planned by the Departrnent of Recreational Services of Manchester is the Manchester Shovl, an annual three-day event planned in conjunction with many long-established volunteer organizations and leistu.:-e societies of the city, as well as other city departments, the business connnunity, and the media. This particular program, the Manchester Show, will be studied over a 27-year span to illustrate how such a shmvcase of the English leisure tradition truly reflf.=cts 1 2 . ' the leisure needs and interests of the community. Subsidiary goals of this study will be to take a broader look at types of leisure activities that might encourage a sense of belonging and involvement in the community. Such subjects as pride and understanding of the community's history and traditions, socialization, another approach to competition, and enhanced personal growth through continued education and mastery of skills are reviewed. This study does not suggest that Manchester's leisure habits succeed in all these goals, or that the goals themselves are judged universally valuable. It is suggested that studying this approach to leisure can be instructive. Further, it is not the purpose of this study to suggest emulation of the Manchester Show by &11erican recreation departments. Quite the opposite. As Manchester is unique, so is each community, as are the leisure needs and interests of its citizens. The purpose of the study concerns the outcome of an attempt to describe the matching of one community's leisure needs with appropriate programs. Definitions ENGLAND and BRITAIN in this study will be used synonomously. GREAT BRITAIN includes England, Ireland, Scotland, and tl]'ales. 3 Leisure: Refers to c: quality of experience \vhich is recreative or recuperative. The word, derived from the Latin L~cere, implies a personal, self- organized experience. Community: Refers to an active·rather than a passive state, to people working together for common purposes. Culture: Pertains to more than a body of intellectual and imaginative work--rather to a whole way of life. Puritan or Protestant or Work Ethic: An ethic that preaches the gospel of work, glorifying work, and implying that leisure time has got to be earned. Social Class: A large category of people within a system of social stratification who have similar socio- economic status in relation to other segments of their community or sbciety. A social class is not organized, but the individuals and families who compose it are relatively similar in education, economic, and prestige status. Th~ Scope and Significance Some ~egments of Hanchester's social, political, and folk history were barely covered, because they did not seem to fall within the scope of understanding the people. of Hanchester and their leisure patterns. However, it seemed necessary to place a special emphasis on economic history in this study, as Manchester was the crucible for 4 the Industrial Revoluti6n. The staggering changes from rural to urban settings, agrarian to industrial societies, coupled with the results of the Puritan work ethic, can best be viewed in Manchester history. Unlike the Veblenesque view of the "Leisure Class," with its rejection of work and conspicuous display of wealth and free time (30:47), the leisure class of England responded to the work ethic by organizing and con- ducting leisure societies and associations along work- oriented patterns of operation. M. J. Taylor, Chairman of the Recreation Committee of Manchester, observed in an interview in July, 1977, The deep-seated tradition of clubs, associa­ tions, and societies in Britain were originally class-based. The rich as well as the poor were affected by the Protestant ethic and were expected to work. The clubs and societies in Great Britain were formally organized in a business-like fashion to authenticate the activities of the. leisure class. Membership was passed down from family.to family, establishing a tradition (31). That this English tradition of belonging to organizations and specialized societies has been adopted by all classes is noted in a study in 1973. The evidence suggests that membership of groups outside of work and the family and kin group is fairly widespread. Almost everyone has belonged to some organization during their lives and about 40 percent of the adult popula­ tion currently belongs to one (30:131).