LKE Fitness

DATE: 1937-1939

LEVEL: Series

Leonard Elmhirst's records of the National Fitness Council and the National Fitness Campaign. The records were accumulated by Leonard while serving at the invitation of Lord Aberdare as a member, and later, as chairman of the National Advisory Council for Physical Training and Recreation Area Committee for Devon and Cornwall (1937-1939). The records contain information relating to the planning and actions of the National Fitness Council, and the National Advisory Council for Physical Training and Recreation Area Committee for Devon and Cornwall. Materials in this series include pamphlets; programmes; press cuttings; publications; reports; grant applications; minutes; memoranda; regional reviews; and bulletins.

The National Advisory Council for Physical Training and Recreation was established in 1937 and suspended in 1939 due to Britain's involvement in World War II. In 1937 it was the Government's intention to supplement existing health and educational services by promoting measures for the improvement of the 'National Physique'. These measures included the appointment of the National Advisory Council for England and Wales to survey existing facilities for physical training and recreation, and to suggest ways by which the needs which are revealed may best be met. At the same time, the Government appointed a Grants Committee to advise on the expenditure of additional funds for these purposes. The Physical Training and Recreation Act, 1937, provided for the establishment by the National Council of Area Committees consisting of members of the local bodies qualified to give expert advise. The main functions of these Area Committees was to review the needs of an area, to stimulate interest in physical training and recreation and encourage the promotion of better facilities; to consider regional grant applications and to forward them with recommendations to the Grants Committee.

Information for Researchers

All papers belonging to The Dartington Hall Trust Archive (with the exclusion of Dartington Hall School pupils individual records) are held at the Devon Record Office. All enquiries relating to research should be made to Devon Records Office, Great Moor House, Bittern Road, Sowton, Exeter, Devon EX2 7NL
+44 (0)1392 384253
+44 (0)1392 384256
devrec@devon.gov.uk
www.devon.gov.uk/record_office

The following requests should be made direct to the Archives & Records at The Dartington Hall Trust as shown below:
Copies of images as seen on The Dartington Hall Trust online catalogue with appropriate reference number (Ref No.)
Permission to publish or quote from any document held in the Dartington Hall Trust Archive
Former pupils of Dartington Hall School wishing to view their records
Archives & Records
The Dartington Hall Trust
Dartington Hall
Totnes TQ9 6EL
01803 847200
yvonne.widger@dartington.org

This information is copyright The Dartington Hall Trust