Our history
Learn about The Peel’s fascinating history, from its roots in 1898 to help the local community. We are still guided by these principles today in our activities.
Our founder
The Peel was founded in 1898 by Sir George Masterman Gillett (1870-1939). He was MP for Finsbury between 1923-1935 and a member of a well-known Quaker family.
The original deeds
Stated The Peel was to:
Advance the mental, physical, religious, moral and social education of persons, and the promotion of facilities for the recreation or other leisure time occupation of those who by reason of age, youth, infirmity, disablement, poverty or social and economic circumstances are in need of such facilities, with the object of improving their conditions of life.
The first meetings of The Peel Institute (as it was back then) took place in a Quaker Meeting House on the site of an old woodyard that had made the long-handled implement used for putting dough into ovens to bake bread. That implement is known as a ‘peel’ which is where our name comes from.
Over the years
The Peel has survived two World Wars and two pandemics. We’ve had some high-points, including a royal visit from Princess Diana in 1986, and some not-so high points (our HQ was destroyed by enemy action in 1940!), but for well over 100 years and counting we have continued to offer a warm welcome, activities and support for our local community.
