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PLYMOUTH CITIZENS' ADVICE BUREAU

The first Citizens' Advice Bureaux were established on September 4th 1939, the day after the Second World War was declared.  It had been decided by the then National Council of Social Services that these centres of free advice 'should be established throughout the country, particularly in the large cities and industrial areas where social disorganisation may be acute'.  Only 200 centres were opened that day.

The Plymouth Citizens' Advice Bureau was established on Friday September 26th 1941, in the wake of the March and April blitz of Plymouth, Devonport and Stonehouse.   It was situated at 5 Marlborough Road, off Tavistock Road.

From the beginning, the purpose of the CABs was misinterpreted by the public.  It is claimed that one of the earliest enquiries received by the fledgling Plymouth office was a request for the recommendation of a reliable Pettifogger.  When the answer was given, the caller revealed that he was a schoolboy and the question had been part of his homework!

 

Copyright: Brian Moseley, Plymouth, UK

Page created: 13 November 2005

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