BRITISH CONSERVATISM AND THE PRIMROSE LEAGUE ... - ideals

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years later they proposed the establishment of "Imperial Dames," an
intermediate body straddling the ranks of the LGC and Dames membership.
The women were to be eligible to join from the populous Associate
category, contributing one guinea annually inclusive of fees paid to
the Grand Council.
However, the Imperial Dames were to be denied
voting privileges on the LGC and excluded from its more elegant social
functions.66
The measure failed to stimulate interest and appears to
have been quietly tabled.
Grand Council
itself introduced a number of schemes designed to
encourage greater participation.
In 1889 the Champion Banner was
initiated along with second and third prizes to Habitations with the
largest and most active members.
By 1900 the awards had undergone some
modifications.
The Champion Banner was conferred on the Habitation
with the best three year record of activity while Red and Blue banners
rewarded distinguished annual performances.
In 1901 a Metropolitan
Banner was introduced for the most active association in the London
area.67
Two key innovations in these years were the Cycling Corps
(1984) and the Juvenile Branches (1899), the latter comprised of young
children otherwise referred to as "Primrose Buds."
Both programs were
formally proposed by delegates at the 1894 annual meeting and initiated
by local
associations prior to the official endorsement of the Grand
66 "Report of the Executive Committee of the Ladies 1 Grand
Council," 13 May 1892, LGC Executive Committee Minutes, 5 November
1897; 12 November 1897.
67 The Primrose League Gazette, 16 March 1889, p. 5; 1 June
1900, p. 8; 1 June 1901, p. 5.