York: Amethyst Band of Hope of the Society of Friends.

At a meeting at the home of Jemima Spence in September 1874, a group of York Friends decided to set up the Amethyst Band of Hope for the children of Friends. Fielden Thorp was the first president and Elizabeth Burtt acted as secretary. Children pledged 'I promise to abstain from all intoxicating liquors as a beverage' in order to join. The opening meeting was held a month later. The Band of Hope was still active in 1886, and indeed its meetings were attracting record attendances of around 50, but no minutes have survived after this period. Several other Bands of Hope also operated in York.