The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1868-07-21 00:00:00

AMALGAM kTED FRIENDLY SOCIETIES'
FETE AT BLANDFORD.

"Unity, Equality, Fraternity."—terms which,
If need by a socialist or communist, would, in all pro-
bability' cause the greater part of the inhabitants of our
quiet little town to shrug up their shoulders, open their
eyes, button up their pockets, and stand on the
defensive—would have been DO unfitting motto for a
banner beading that noble prowation which paraded
our town on Monde, last. "Unity," for could any.
thing have given • stronger proof of cioneord and unity
than the arnalgtnittion of five different wetielies, all in
their g al working generate and distinct, joining
together in one body to enjoy the pleasures of a fatties
pthering ? "Equality" for it may be fairly wonted
that each and all who formed that procession felt they
belonged to that one great family which, notwith-
standing its social distinctions of rich and poor, learned
and illiterate, are yet one in their 'truffles with
affliction and sorrow, and in their aspirations after
peace, happinew, and rest; wad "Fraternity,4 for did
not each and •Il cordielly fraternise, wishing increased
prosperity one to another, and to the several societies
with which they were connected?
Before detailing the proceedings of the day, it may
Interest our umbers if we give • short outline of the
progress and establishment of the friendly and benefit
societies in Blemdford. And we are disposed to do this
for a very important reason. It must he apparent to
every one who gives the subject any consideration, that
such societies are productive of • vast amount of good
and benefit, not only to those who are members, but also
the whole inhabitants of the town, espeeially the rate-
payers. Tube the case of • married man with a large
family, who when in work ges, my 15.. to
18a. per week, suddenly laid by through accident or
Illness. In a very short time if he is not a member
of a friendly society, his little stock of furniture mow
disappear, and should he be laid by for any length of
time, having no other resturoe, he must apply to the
parish for assistance; but if, on the contrary, the same
man become • member of one of the friendly societies,
and should again be visited with affliction, not only
will he be able to shield from want those who hob to
him for support, but as he is now depending on the
fruit of his own forethought and care, he will be mewed
that last, and to an honourable man degrading, resort
—dependence on parish relief. Wo say, then, that
wherever such societies are established, they confer •
boon on the whole community, and it is to the
interest of all, and especially to those who are in
affluent eircumatanees, to give them not only a cordial
but • very liberal support
Taking theme societies in the order of date of their
establishment In the town, the Blandford Friendly
Society, or as it is generally oiled "The Old Club,"
first claims our attention. It was started in the year
1831, the greater part of ita members being respect-
able mechanic*, and for many years it was the only
friendly satiety in Blandford. The good which it bag
been the means of accomplishing has been very con-
siderable, and taking the PIA year as • guide we find
that no lees a sum than £93 13t. was paid to the sick,
in !addition to a large stun to superannuated members.
It has now a capital of £2,379 ss. 40., being an increase
of about £l6 °ter the previous year. The number of
members is 120. The society's meetings are held at the
working men's club room, and the club livery fairly
supported by the gentry of the town and neiehbourbood.
The next in order of establishment is &branch of the
United Patnote Benefit &duty, tshish was sommessed
In 180. The chief office is in London, and the society
has • capital of over £lO.OOO. It has em s divisions,
ranging in benefits from 18e. per week to 7.., and at
death from £2O to £210,, There are branches in venous
carts of the kingdom; and the society is in a very
fiourishiog otndition. The Blandford branch has
enrolled over 30 members during the put year, and now
numbers 97. The amount paid far moknest daring the
past year was £7B 16c 84. The society has also a fire
insurance fend concocted with it, and several other
ad vantages.
The Blandford Building Operatives Benefit Society
is composed of men working in the building trade. Etch
man pays 2,1. per week, and receives in eh:knees be. per
week. About 1:340 b.' bees paid out for sickness end
for deaths sines its formation, and • bonus of £l4O has
been divided amongst its members. It has at the
present time icapital 01E160. Number of benefitinenbers.
150...Peid to sick members last year 08 15a. 6i,
. . . . . . .

Wilfellowship ass introduced into Bleadford in lb.
'Aar 18%. The Ant loip established is called " The
Loyal Illandford Lodge." Its members meet at the
White Horse inn.New-baildings. sod from its

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meat it hat steraily progressediO numbers and in oentia,
The number of benefit members at the Glom of the year
1867 was 159, and the wealth of the lodge was
£712 7s. 118 d., being an increase of £ll6 3s. 51. on the
year 1866. The sick pay for the year wee 1336 14e, 61.
At the end of the year 1860 another lodge was
opened,'called " The Loyal Fidelity," which bolds
itt meetiogs at the Greyhound lon, and notwithstand-
ing the formation of a Foireatere coort. and other
cause., the young lodge shows every likelihood of
suodseding. The number of members is 53, and its
wealth £169 18a. The mount of sick pay to members
last year was £27 4a. [Tilts lodge tiok no part in the
demonstration on Thursday).
In the year 1860, a wort called "The Court Golden
Arrow," of the ancient order of Forester., was opened
by • few of the brothers whomme to reside in the town,
and from that time it has rapidly incr.-aged in public
favour; it now numbers 133 members. The total worth
of the court being 1206 18e. 5d., an illCSalkle of
£45 Bs. Pia. over the return of the previous year. The
sick pay to members last year tees £5O 4s. In canners,
lion with this court, there is a separate brisoch called
"The Shepherd.," by which Foresters are enabled, by
paying en additional contnbutioa, to secure a higher
rats of sick pay. The wart is held at the King's Arm',
White Cliff, Mill-street.
The following is • summary of the above:—
No. of Paid to dck 1867.
members A L
Blandford Club
lJnitod Patriots ....... 97 78 16 8
Building Operatives
Odgfellows (1 lodges)
Foresters

OKI $177 7 5
From an early hoer on Thursday morning prepara-
tions for the day's feetivities oommenoecl. Flags and
banners were suspended from the booms of those who
wished to show their interest in and good wishes for
the sumees of the societies, and several of the shop-
keepers ornamented the front, of their homes with
evergreens, but the diaphy in this respect was Dot such
as might have been expected, the Market-square being
especially barren of any such ornamem. About six
o'clock • merry peal sounded from the church tower,
. . . . .

_ .
and tb• town bogus to unr.....dadie-tion• thLt • very-
largo compsay would be prwent, by the arriwul of •
goodly nonliar of country people

-
"Alto their 6;4, iron top to toe."
Both the up and down trains arriving at Bland-
ford station about 9 a.m. brought • large eccession of
petriota—Oddfellows. Foresters and visitor, from
Sturnsinster Newton, Southampton, Wimborne, Dor-
chester, and other towns ; and by the time appointed
for athembling-10 e'eloth—the greater portion of the
members forming the procession were present Through
the kindness and liberality of Mr. Look and Mr. Byers,
a large tholocure of ground forming • portion of the
noble demeans of the Right Hors. Lord Portman, was
placed at the disposal of the eogornittee. From this
ate an rarellont view is obtained of Bryanthone House,
one side being bounded by the Cliff, and the other by
the residencies of the Mayor, the Rector. and Mr. Park.
The committee of management consisted of five
members from oath of the Ave societies forming the
iieLnlgnmation, three of whom were deputed to arrange
the order of procession. To this they were greatly
'added by Mr. W. H. Atkinson, the Depety Grand
Master of the Poole district of Ws:Hallows As moon
as the arrangements were completed for leaving the
Sold, the chairman for the day, Ca. I'. Loath, Esq., (who
through the unavoidable absence of Lord Ashley bad
kindly commute] to preside), Revs W. Percy, J. R.
Quirk and Nicholay, joined the processing), whit&
marched in the folwing order to church

Promotion commithre—if awn frac Lanai, and Ben.
• The Chairmen end Orrln
Committee of Manerenent.
Ist Mean Royal Band
Banners of the Blandford 7fl.tolly BonetY.
Members of ditto wearing blue ember end white rosettes.
Benner of lb. United Pitts.lob Banat Society.
Members of ditto treanng reariet sub. sad blue and white

1,10.14011.
Benner of Use Building Operative. Society.
Members of ditto.
E'en' Chamtdon Bram Band.
Decimation of Loyal Blandlord Lodge of Oddfeßowe, M.U.
Poole District Banner.
Brothers of the Friendship Lodge, learn. Minster.
Listrin Banner.
Brother, 01 thil Hop. Evermore Lodge, Whaboree.
District Banner.
Brother. of Use Friend-in-Need Lodge, Bturmineter Newton.
District Benner.
Brother, of loyal filandlord Lodge.
Part Orand. and IfAcers.
The whole of the brethren were in full costume and carried the
regalia of the Pools district.
Dispensation of the Golden Arrow Court (Blaodford) of the
Ancient Ordered Foresters.
Brothers of ditto 1. 1.11 cooturna.
Vidlon from Courts at Poole Bomberger, Wimborne, and
80uthaMpton.

Tbe prooossion, wiliehnool;ad from tits Crown
meadow to tba ehnrob gates, soesisted of from 40010
SOO meow, awl was sarroluarl on all Ida hi • brie