Accessibility navigation


State and society in the English countryside: the rural community movement 1918-1939

Burchardt, J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9483-1494 (2012) State and society in the English countryside: the rural community movement 1918-1939. Rural History, 23 (1). pp. 81-106. ISSN 1474-0656

Full text not archived in this repository.

It is advisable to refer to the publisher's version if you intend to cite from this work. See Guidance on citing.

To link to this item DOI: 10.1017/S0956793311000161

Abstract/Summary

This paper assesses the relationship between state and society in interwar rural England, focusing on the hitherto neglected role of the Rural Community Councils (RCCs). The rise of statutory social provision in the early twentieth century created new challenges and opportunities for voluntaryism, and the rural community movement was in part a response. The paper examines the early development of the movement, arguing that a crucial role was played by a close-knit group of academics and local government officials. While largely eschewing party politics, they shared a commitment to citizenship, democracy and the promotion of rural culture; many of them had been close associates of Sir Horace Plunkett. The RCCs engaged in a wide range of activities, including advisory work, adult education, local history, village hall provision, support for rural industries and an ambivalent engagement with parish councils. The paper concludes with an assessment of the achievements of the rural community movement, arguing that it was constrained by its financial dependence on voluntary contributions.

Item Type:Article
Refereed:Yes
Divisions:Arts, Humanities and Social Science > School of Humanities > History
ID Code:24409
Publisher:Cambridge University Press

University Staff: Request a correction | Centaur Editors: Update this record

Page navigation