Frances Farrer
Encyclopedia
The Hon. Dame Frances Margaret Farrer DBE
(17 March 1895- 27 January 1977) was Secretary of the NUSEC and later was named as General Secretary of the Women's Institute (NFWI)
in 1929. The daughter of a senior civil servant, she ran the office on civil service lines; Meriel Withall, one of her successors said "it was a model of [good] government". Partly through her family connections she had a network of contacts which were very useful to NFWI as the organisation became increasingly active in lobbying government.
She was the daughter of Thomas Farrer, 2nd Baron Farrer
and his first wife Evelyn Spring-Rice, daughter of The Hon. Charles Spring-Rice, the son of Thomas Spring Rice, 1st Baron Monteagle of Brandon
.
A founder member, in 1920, and first secretary of Abinger Women's Institute, she later became Director of the Abinger Hall Estate Co. Later she worked as a VCO
in Surrey
and was a member of the County Executive Committee. In 1926 she was appointed as one of the Regular Organisers of the NFWI. In 1929 she was promoted to Assistant Secretary of the NFWI, and later General Secretary, a post she held until her retirement in 1959.
in 1950.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(17 March 1895- 27 January 1977) was Secretary of the NUSEC and later was named as General Secretary of the Women's Institute (NFWI)
Women's Institutes (British)
The Women’s Institute is a British, community-based organisation for women. It was formed in 1915 with two clear aims: to revitalise rural communities and to encourage women to become more involved in producing food during the First World War. Since then the organisation's aims have broadened and...
in 1929. The daughter of a senior civil servant, she ran the office on civil service lines; Meriel Withall, one of her successors said "it was a model of [good] government". Partly through her family connections she had a network of contacts which were very useful to NFWI as the organisation became increasingly active in lobbying government.
She was the daughter of Thomas Farrer, 2nd Baron Farrer
Thomas Farrer, 2nd Baron Farrer
Thomas Cecil Farrer, 2nd Baron Farrer, 2nd Baronet was the second Baron Farrer. He was the eldest son of Thomas Farrer, 1st Baron Farrer and his first wife Frances Erskine....
and his first wife Evelyn Spring-Rice, daughter of The Hon. Charles Spring-Rice, the son of Thomas Spring Rice, 1st Baron Monteagle of Brandon
Thomas Spring Rice, 1st Baron Monteagle of Brandon
Thomas Spring Rice, 1st Baron Monteagle of Brandon, PC, FRS was a British Whig politician, who served as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1835 to 1839.-Background:...
.
A founder member, in 1920, and first secretary of Abinger Women's Institute, she later became Director of the Abinger Hall Estate Co. Later she worked as a VCO
Viceroy's Commissioned Officer
A viceroy's commissioned officer was a senior Indian member of the British Indian Army. VCOs were senior in rank to warrant officers in the British Army, and held a commission issued by the viceroy...
in Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
and was a member of the County Executive Committee. In 1926 she was appointed as one of the Regular Organisers of the NFWI. In 1929 she was promoted to Assistant Secretary of the NFWI, and later General Secretary, a post she held until her retirement in 1959.
Damehood
She was created a Dame Commander of the Order of the British EmpireOrder of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in 1950.