Band of Hope

There was a large attendance at the Band of Hope garden party and conference at Cairndhu House, Helensburgh, on June 6 1908. The Band of Hope, a temperance organisation for working-class children, was founded in Leeds in 1847. All members took a pledge of total abstinence and were taught the 'evils of drink'. Members were enrolled from the age of six and met once a week to listen to lectures and participate in activities. Music played an important role and competitions were held between different Band of Hope choirs. Members of the local Temperance Societies also organised outings for the children, and with the growth of the railways, trips were arranged to the nearest coastal resorts.