The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-12-30 00:00:00

FIRST ANNUAL SOIREE OF THE KIDDER-
MINSTER WORKMENS' CLUB.

This club has now almost completed one year of
its useful career. On Tuesday evening it held its
first soiree in the Music Hall, which was well filled.
An excellent tea having been disposed of the com-
pany as usual settled themselves down to hear
some account of the first year's working of the
club.

Mr. John Stooke, the, newly-elected president,
occupied the chair, and opened the proceedings
in a short address. He had hoped that Lord Lyt-
telton, President of the Worcestershire Union of
Institutes, would have been present, as he, like his
late father, had made the subject of workmen's
clubs an especial study, and would have been able
to have given them some valuable information.
When, however, he looked round the platform he
saw a number of friends who, by their presence,
had shown that they had an interest in the club,
and felt that to give rational enjoyment to work-
ing men was a most important duty. These clubs
would do something to give them this without
their being compelled to go to public-houses to ob-
tain it; and as it was on a very :broad foundation
he had every hope of its success—(cheers).
The Secretary said that the committee, in pre-
senting their first annual report, did so under very
peculiar circumstances, as a financial year had not
passed, and they had no financial statement to
make to them. They therefore gave instead a
short sketch of the rise and progress of the club.
It was founded on the old Church of England
Mutual Improvement Society, an institution which
had its origin in 1856 in connection with St.
Mary's School, its first president being the Rev.
G. D. Boyle. A Workmen's Club was afterwards
formed in connection with the Mutual Improve-
ment Society, new premises having been erected
as a club room, open to all, irrespective of creed,
but above 21 years of age. But last year, in con-
sequence of the great changes in the facilities for
obtaining education by the working classes in
science, art, and also elementary knowledge, by
means of night schools, and, lastly, by School
Boards, it was determined to start on an ep,tirely
new footing as a Workmen's Club for adults, and '
in an entirely different part of the institute, for I
youths under age. This change cost -t 220, of
which £7O has been subscribed, and the institute
is now in excellent working order, and numbers
270 ordinary members, while at is capable of re-
ceiving 400. The sale of refreshments had been
very successful, and the introduction of ale for the
adult members had been entirely unattended with
bad results, and had induced members to join who
might otherwise not have done so. The library
numbered 1,000 works, and amgle provision was
now made f.,; , asses and lectures, and a fort-
nightly en 7.." ...nt was given by the members
in the club And was found to be of great in-
terest to them and their friends.

The Bishop of Rochester, who was lonclly
cheered, said that when he could possibly do Eo
he had always the greatest delight in coming to
see his old parishioners, especially on that particu-
lar occasion upon which the old Mutual Improve-
ment Society had for many years held its anni-
versary. He had to propose the adoption of the
report of the committee of the newly-formed Work*
men's Club, and in doing so he gave the meFbers
a few words of advice, urging them to a temperate
course, and to strugglelor improvement, which by
availing themselves of the opportunities the club
afforded they could easily obtain, and he prayed
that God's blessing would rest on them in their
efforts to do so—(loud cheers).
Mr. Radford (Mayor of Kidderminster) seconded
the adoption of the report, and, speaking from hi
own personal knowledge of the working of the club
said he had had the pleasure on more than one oc-
casion to take the chair at its fortnightly club-room
entertainments, and was delighted at the admir-
able manner in which these were carried out, and
ai the ability brought there both in singing and
reciting by the members. When the men of Kid-
derminster could see the value of the institution
in the right light, he felt assured they would be-
come staunch supporters of it.
The resolution was supported by several gentle-
men.

The Rev. G. Boyle (Vicar) said that he had hoped
tn cloo Mr. Mir Art TZottlo wnaong fhnm. He was a
man who took a peculiar interest in such matters,
and regretted that he could not do so on that oc-
casion, but would come and give a lecture to young
men of both that and the Mechanics' Institute on
some occasion when his official duties brought him
to the town. He was glad (he wrote) to hear on.
all hands that the club was going on well. They
would, he felt sure, welcome such a man among
them. Mr. Boyle went on to state the great
anxiety he felt a year ago (when the Institute
changed its character) as to its success, and his
pleasure that the first year had brought to the new
society 274 members, but regretted that it was in
debt. Some thought it a wholesome thing for an
institution to be in debt, as it spurred on the mem-
bers to get it out of debt and exert themselves for
its welfare in the future. Most of the institutions
of the town with which he was connected were freE
from debt, and he only hoped the club would soon
be. He had pleasure in telling them that Lord
Lyttelton at his late visit, after inspecting the
club and its rooms, said he had not seen any better
than theirs—(cheers). He was glad to hear from
the President that the tendency of the club was not
to take married men away from their homes when
they should be there, but find a comfortable resort
for unmariied men. He lastly recommended the
club to those present.
The Rev. W. G. Mellone, following Mr. Boyle,
said that he welcomed such a club as
.tending to
make men self-reliant and self-respecting. He did
net like to see men pettep, patted on the back, pat-
ronised, or coaxed, or requiring persuasion to do
what it was clear was to their ir.terests to do
Neither did he believe these clubs would make all
men Stephensons or Arkwrights, but they would
• develop what was in them, and make them good
citizens, and lea]. them as sitch to have sympathy.
with others, and to allow for other differences of
opinion.
Mr. A. H. Greaves, in supporting the resolution
said he spoke as one who had closely watched the
institute and foUnd it doing its work well.
Mr. Sweetman and other working men having
spoken, the resolution was carried. Every speaker
gave in his thorough adhesion to the principles of
the club, and as far as they could said they would
give it their support.
Mr. W. H. Green next:proposed a vote of thanks
to the ladies, and Mr. Greaves having seconded
this, it was carried. .
The Bishop of Rochester lastly proposed a
hearty vote of thanks to the Chairman, which,
with the rest of the resolutions, was carried by
acclamations.
The concert which followed was chiefly notice-
able for the charming singing of Miss Kate Pen-in,
a young local artiste who was received with great
applause. The other vocalists were also local,
and performed their parts with much satisfaction
to the audience. Mr. Everist was conductor.