The History of the CSRF: A Timeline
23 June 2009
We celebrated our 40th Anniversary last year. But for those of you who don't know our complete history, this timeline below flags up all the important dates of the past 40 years.
January 1964
Douglas Houghton, MP for Sowerby, writes in 'Taxes', journal of Inland Revenue Staff Federation that "a pension is not enough"; he argues that not enough is being done to look after the welfare of retired civil servants.
1964-1966
This captures the imagination of the General Secretary of the Civil Service Benevolent Fund, Philip Wolstenholme, who looks to take the idea forward. Whitehall’s welfare authorities task him with exploring the possibilities of an organisation to cater for the social welfare of retired civil servants.
1966
Meetings are arranged in Guildford and Birmingham to see if there is a demand for such an organisation. In total 2,000 people turn up to the meetings and with support for the scheme so vocal the first “branches” spring up.
1966-1967
A formal pilot scheme tests the waters further. In 1966 branches are successfully formed in Oxfordshire and Merseyside. In 1967 Tunbridge Wells, Southend-on-Sea and Norfolk follow suit.
Meanwhile a formative “Fellowship Office” is established in Victoria.
1967
With the Civil Service Benevolent Fund and Whitehall authorities happy with the results of the pilot scheme a Steering Committee was set up to draft a constitution, consider the raising of funds and plan an expansion programme. At this point an important decision is made – the new organisation will benefit all retired civil servants, not just subscribing members, as well as their spouses and dependants. The key objectives are to fight loneliness and help keep pensioners in touch with one another, with home visits playing a main role in this.
5 December 1967
This Steering Committee’s Report is accepted by both the Staff and Official Sides of the National Whitley Council and the Civil Service Benevolent Fund.
8 March 1968
The inaugural conference is held at the Bonnington Hotel, Southampton Row, London.
9 April 1968
The Charity Commission approves the constitution and The Civil Service Retirement Fellowship is formally registered as a charity. The CSRF we know today is born!
10 April 1968
The first Committee of Management meeting is held. A policy of a five year expansion programme is endorsed.
1968-1969
The initial focus is on the West Midlands, North East England, Devon and Cornwall. A thousand people attend the meeting in Plymouth.
1969-1970
The expansion programme concentrates on London, Central Scotland, Sussex and Hampshire. A thousand people attend in Brighton, while 1,300 people turn up in Portsmouth.
1970-1971
Branches are opened in Yorkshire, Lancashire, Kent, Somerset and Bedfordshire.
1971-1972
The spotlight shifts to the Midlands, Essex and East Anglia.
1972-1973
More branches open in Scotland and Wales.
March 1973
The 100th branch is opened in East Berkshire.
1974
First official visitors’ guide is launched.
1976
First officers’ guide is issued.
1977
The first centrally organised Fellowship Holiday goes ahead, in Yugoslavia.
The Queen Mother becomes the patron of the CSRF.
1978
This year the Fellowship Holiday takes place in sunny Majorca.
1981
Fellowship Office moves from its base in Walworth to Deals Gateway, Deptford.
1989
The CSRF celebrates its 21st birthday. A book tracking the history of the charity, “A Pension Is Not Enough” is published. A special clasped hands sculpture is commissioned and tours the country, bringing many branches and groups closer together.
1993
Another celebration – the CSRF silver jubilee, with celebrations including a “Tree of Fellowship” is planted in Edinburgh.
1995
The Certificate of Merit scheme is introduced, to recognise the invaluable service from loyal volunteers.
1996
Fellowship News, a national magazine, is launched.
November 1997
The “10,000 by 2000” campaign is launched by Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean. The campaign looks to boost recruitment levels and raise awareness of the CSRF in the run-up to the millennium.
May 1998
The 30th anniversary of the CSRF is celebrated at a special holiday on the Isle of Wight.
1999
The CSRF website is launched.
May 2000
The CSRF holidays in Blackpool.
2003
Fellowship Office moves to its current premises.
2004
avanti magazine is launched.
2008
The CSRF celebrates its 40th anniversary
Buy a copy of our specially commissioned 40th Anniversary book by clicking here.
January 1964
Douglas Houghton, MP for Sowerby, writes in 'Taxes', journal of Inland Revenue Staff Federation that "a pension is not enough"; he argues that not enough is being done to look after the welfare of retired civil servants.
1964-1966
This captures the imagination of the General Secretary of the Civil Service Benevolent Fund, Philip Wolstenholme, who looks to take the idea forward. Whitehall’s welfare authorities task him with exploring the possibilities of an organisation to cater for the social welfare of retired civil servants.
1966
Meetings are arranged in Guildford and Birmingham to see if there is a demand for such an organisation. In total 2,000 people turn up to the meetings and with support for the scheme so vocal the first “branches” spring up.
1966-1967
A formal pilot scheme tests the waters further. In 1966 branches are successfully formed in Oxfordshire and Merseyside. In 1967 Tunbridge Wells, Southend-on-Sea and Norfolk follow suit.
Meanwhile a formative “Fellowship Office” is established in Victoria.
1967
With the Civil Service Benevolent Fund and Whitehall authorities happy with the results of the pilot scheme a Steering Committee was set up to draft a constitution, consider the raising of funds and plan an expansion programme. At this point an important decision is made – the new organisation will benefit all retired civil servants, not just subscribing members, as well as their spouses and dependants. The key objectives are to fight loneliness and help keep pensioners in touch with one another, with home visits playing a main role in this.
5 December 1967
This Steering Committee’s Report is accepted by both the Staff and Official Sides of the National Whitley Council and the Civil Service Benevolent Fund.
8 March 1968
The inaugural conference is held at the Bonnington Hotel, Southampton Row, London.
9 April 1968
The Charity Commission approves the constitution and The Civil Service Retirement Fellowship is formally registered as a charity. The CSRF we know today is born!
10 April 1968
The first Committee of Management meeting is held. A policy of a five year expansion programme is endorsed.
1968-1969
The initial focus is on the West Midlands, North East England, Devon and Cornwall. A thousand people attend the meeting in Plymouth.
1969-1970
The expansion programme concentrates on London, Central Scotland, Sussex and Hampshire. A thousand people attend in Brighton, while 1,300 people turn up in Portsmouth.
1970-1971
Branches are opened in Yorkshire, Lancashire, Kent, Somerset and Bedfordshire.
1971-1972
The spotlight shifts to the Midlands, Essex and East Anglia.
1972-1973
More branches open in Scotland and Wales.
March 1973
The 100th branch is opened in East Berkshire.
1974
First official visitors’ guide is launched.
1976
First officers’ guide is issued.
1977
The first centrally organised Fellowship Holiday goes ahead, in Yugoslavia.
The Queen Mother becomes the patron of the CSRF.
1978
This year the Fellowship Holiday takes place in sunny Majorca.
1981
Fellowship Office moves from its base in Walworth to Deals Gateway, Deptford.
1989
The CSRF celebrates its 21st birthday. A book tracking the history of the charity, “A Pension Is Not Enough” is published. A special clasped hands sculpture is commissioned and tours the country, bringing many branches and groups closer together.
1993
Another celebration – the CSRF silver jubilee, with celebrations including a “Tree of Fellowship” is planted in Edinburgh.
1995
The Certificate of Merit scheme is introduced, to recognise the invaluable service from loyal volunteers.
1996
Fellowship News, a national magazine, is launched.
November 1997
The “10,000 by 2000” campaign is launched by Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean. The campaign looks to boost recruitment levels and raise awareness of the CSRF in the run-up to the millennium.
May 1998
The 30th anniversary of the CSRF is celebrated at a special holiday on the Isle of Wight.
1999
The CSRF website is launched.
May 2000
The CSRF holidays in Blackpool.
2003
Fellowship Office moves to its current premises.
2004
avanti magazine is launched.
2008
The CSRF celebrates its 40th anniversary
Buy a copy of our specially commissioned 40th Anniversary book by clicking here.
