The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1874-07-07 00:00:00

OE/MELLOWS' IKTE AT BRIDPORT.

It is but very recently that the good old holiday of I
'onnuttion day WiL4 duly kept by well-nigh all the towns
in the county, and throughout England generally. Tito
Rink holiday, however, has supersrled the 'Pith of June,
and its public observance is become a thing of the past.
There are, notwithstanding. litany of our working polotla- I
thm, who, not being able to afford keeling three or four '
holidays in a year, still adhere he the oil day ; hence, we
find that the Otltlfellows, Forester, and other societies
often fix their ftes and tttttt strations for the tuthiver-
: guy of Iler Most Gracious Majwity the Queen's coronation.
! Itrialistrt is an instance of this kind. Last year the
F 'natters had a successful gathering, and now we have to
chronicle the doings of the Loyal Great Western Lodge of
Othlfellows. It is about a month ago that at a suituuoned
lodge it wa.s re:caved to bass a fete on Monday, the 2.fith
of Joie, and the following committee were appointed to
make the necessary arrangements, and superintend the
proceedings :—Bros. W. Tucker (chairman), W. Adams,
, G. Thome, J. House, I'. Richards, I). Isaacs, J. Itoberts,
C. Ballwa, G. Ackerman, J. Lawrence, 11. Lathey, T. L.
rrabli, S. Allen, R. Spencer, and the indefatigable secre-
tary, Bro. J. 1.. Cornick. These gentlemen Intro had a
bent time of it. Numerous meetings had to be hell, stale
scriptions solicited, a programme drawn up, hills issued,
and many other things attended to. Through the liberality
of friends of the order, upwards of £7 was ottertal in
Prizes for racing, jumping, climbing, and other contests,
and nothing but tine weather was wanted to render the
tlemonstmtion a success. .Itol here, perhaps, it would
not be amiss to say • word or tot as to the present posi-
tion of thltlfellowship. More than half a century has
elapoul since the formation of the society, since which
tune great changes have taken plwai ilk Friendly Societies,
not the least of which is, that affiliated societies have
hcOolue leg:ll64XL as OUO Of the institations of the country.
A person joining this Society can insure for any sum not
exceeding one pound per week, and twenty pounds at
death, with a proportionate sutu at the decease of a wife.
Last year the Society numbered 170,00 niembers, and it
is undoubtedly the largest, and will titan,' favourable com-
parison with others, for its amount of funds and careful-
nests in management and expenditure. It is kiarticularly
adapted to working men, who, from changes in localities
of trade, and other causes, are daily becoming more
migratory hi their habits, and who are also emigrating in
Feat numbers trout our chores to our colonies; tool foreign
lands. It has branches in nearly every town in England
3nuf Wales, many an Ireland and Scotland, in the West
Indies, Gibraltar, Malta, South Africa, the whole of the
Australian Colonies, the Canaries, North America, and
Goluttruitinople. Into any of these lodges members can
'lay their contributions and receive from them their
benefits, subject to the rules. Members forfeit no privil-
eges by joining the army and navy of their country, and
the (tools are under their own control. In addition to
other benefits, a small travelling relief is given to mem-
bers when necau-itated to seek employment. The "Loyal
Great Western" lodge now numbers :N5 benefit members,
and 25 hon. member, and its capital in hand amounts hi
£l,lOO. The lodge has been in existence nearly fourteen
. years, and during that period has expended more than
£3,000 for sickness, death, and benevolent purposes. It
will thus be seen that the lodge is In a flourishing condi-
tion, that a large aniount of good has been conferred on
its members, and also on the public at large by the im-
mense amount that it must have saved in poor rates dur-
ing the fourteen years it has carried on its work. It is
certainly the duty of eJI young men to join a society of
this kiwi, and we would urge on those who have not done
' so their duty of making a provision for times of sickness
and death.
On Saturday morning the preparationawere commenced
by having the gas earned into the field in which the fete
was to be held, ancl shortly afterwards the MargiOco of the
Bridport Horticultural Society arrived on the groutol,
and a numerals body if willing brothers were engaged
during the aftenioon in erecting it and entailer tents,
enclosing the ring for dancing, arranging the polo for
climbing, tte., ice. The weather in the evening ttf that
day was very WHlCttled, and the heave storm which fell
between eight and Mae o'clock slightly damped the
ardour of thtme interested, but a fine, though somewhat
cloudy morning on Sunday ralstal hopes and inspired con-
fidenee only to be again dispelled by the very wet evening
that followed. . .

soo,
The early morning of Monday was cloudy and chilly
notwithotanding which the committee connuenced work
shortly after day-break, ao there was much to do in the
held, and arches to be erect.' in the town. The decora-
tions, when completed were as followo :—At the Seven
Stars Inn, Bro. Lathey and others ffiol erected a very
pretty arch, warming the road and having on the north
and south side.. "The talilfellows Welcome, ' words very
appropriate at the entrance to the town. A flag also hung
from the window. At the corners of Barrack-street
branches of trees were planted, whilst at Dr. flay 's
(inolical officer) in knot-street, almost a little forest had
berm,: up in the " wee ma' hours." Further down the
street brancheo were al. planted. At Bro. Cornick
foecretary) is fir tree stood "as natural as life," in front of
his well-known shop. Leaving East-street, we Promeded
down South-street, where we found Hags Hying from the
windows of Bro. Brownadon and " tili. whilst at
Bro Allen's near the church, a beautiful or Ii spanned the
road, having lissn sunnountin-' the poles at either end.
The mottoes were : on the one side, " Friendship, Lovei
and Truth ;- on the other "Unity, Peace, and Concord.'
Lower down the street, at the Slui;wrights' Anus and the
Sailors 'llome the doorways were %%mailed with flowers
and ;,,reenery, which had a very pretty effect and at the
Fusliermens Arnie, there were similar decoration,.
Leave we then that part of the town, and proceed to
North Allington. At the Boot Inn, Bro. D. Intim: had
erected anieely-designoil arch, having for its mottoes 'May
Success Attend Us. and " Unity, Peace, and Concord.
Next dour lien. Allen displayed a Hag, and at the Odd-
fellows' Arms IBre. J. Pearce', there was a capital arch,
well trimmed, having on the one side " In time of need."
and on the other " !kip one another. The branches of
trees planted in the town were knell).- given by Mr. ti. 8.
I Miller of Brailisole, and the greenery and flowers by
gentleineu of the town and neighbourhood. Whilst this
, decorating had been going on, use morning had ad vaw" and shortly befoni seven o'clock rain began to fall, ansl,
, those at work .in the field haul to seek the shelter of the
rent. "I dint think it will last long," one remark,- "I
don't know," says another, "you should have heard the
sea roll in this morning; a sure sign of wet." And so it
proved to be, for the rain which then commenced, did not
cease for some hours, Shortly after nine o'clock, the
excellent band of the :ird D.R.V. under
Bandmaster Wellspring arrived from Dorchester, and
the time drew near for the pronewion to start, hut still
the rain ceased not, and disconoolate par ties of Übldlellows
mid Foresters were gathered together here and there,
depleting the unfortunate state of the wwither. Half-
past ten Waa the thine announced for the commencement
of the preeredings, hut sj WI; tulm the rain fell in

no Conlin
on each aide.
75 o.ldfellow
would have
in-dance of t
1•!,oke h.
4,oupanied b
by way of Mo
iwlls ringing
Arrived at th
Triers 4 .4
C
of the Forest,

it wee utterly impossible to attempt a start,
R.V. Iland met in the lodgeeoom of the
zul there played tonne lively musk to chase
Iness of the oceasiou. At 11.15 the rain
ted, and the members having been mar-
rove-4)40n left the Seven Stars Inn. proceeding
.street, theme through Last-street, stopping
4 tak Inn, where it was joined lay brethren
rs, mid then the whole body tisibol Went
I afterwards North .111ington, where at halt
Ilm. .1. Pearce's, the iiiiilfellows' Anus, it
t that after so inurh wet outiiile a little
not be Altogether ithjet•titticilale Whilst
tar a few iniuuten the rain ceased. and some
rs went for their banner, which had been
Tile consequence of the wet, and thin having
e was again male. The original members
received many additions during their
arid the order of processioa was now as

uncr of Court "Star 01 thr
Memburs of ComndUce.
d of 3au Ihtnoct KUL: Voluutrtra.
itnd : carr) Ur,: swan and axes
d Mothers of Conn "Star of the West,*
Two and two.

„
Tylt r*. with Drawn Swnnia. _
•n ni th- tinier, handsomely framed, and
ell nth flows. L..rne by tw•• l•ndhcnh

ni it.r,-,ther,, ••.(:mt 'Western" Lodge,

-
two and two.
tme men, who wore while rosettes, walked
AK a spocta,le the procession, nunibering
and 'Li Foresters, was nothing like what it
been had the weather licen tine, hut a,t an
to perseverance and fortitude of the order it
Having left Allington, the procession, ne.
• an immense crowd' of people, nrmsmiled,
est.street and South-street, to church, the
nerrily, and a flag limiting f the tower.
0e gate the Foresters opened a passage, the
011 MAI gide with drawn swords, mot the
itered the church, followed by the brethren

The Rev.
took the lob
first lea.en,
mond lessor
after the 3rd i
the coacludil

MINI,. sumer.
L. IL Henslowe (chaplain of the lodge).
sinewry nun of the service, awl read the
iftcr which the Ito% A. A. Leonard read the
r, and the collect* and prayer*. The hymn
rolltsrt Hymn* Ancient and Modern,
ite verse being as follows :
"God of the widow, hear
Our uork of mercy bli.-.*:
God of the fetherkes, be near,
And grant us good curie's."
pier of the prayers having been soil, the
was heartily sung. awl then the Rev.
41enslon.! :wended the joilpit The rev,

10150.4,

The renuth
1114 h
E. .1. L. R.

'Anln4

gentleman I
provi.le not
own lipose.

1114 text,-i Tim., V. S. "But if ally
nr his own, and specially for tlmNc of his
linth denied the fnith, and is wonw than an
. .

wsm
mutual reMI

preach;reiuzkc 'that tlie religion of
. . .

not a solitary one : it taught theiii their
iims one to another. and the some they
_Arm e

to help each
greater woull
her

she rested

brother had been sick he wax enabled to go to work free
of debt. The money accumulated was to pay what would
be required when some of their members bemuse sled,
and were unable to work. The Otklfellows had exposed
their own system before the world, had taken steps for
its reforniation, and Government would now compel
others to do what they hal done voluntarily. By and
Iwo they should have members of other societies that
were smashed up, running to them andasking to be taken
into their societies, lie would may to all young men,
" Gone and join one society or the other," so that when
' married they would have something to keep themselves
and their families in time of sickness—(alfnistufe).
Bro. T ut.gyit, GAL. said he must apologiae that he was
not present just now when called upon. official
duties called him into the field, and he was very glad the
Clerk of the Weather had given them such a fine after.
noun ; he was much obliged for the manner in which they
had received the toast.
I Bro. COUNIWK proposed the health of the Chairman.
They: were much indebted to him as the Mayor and Chief
Magistrate of Britlport, for ceming forward and taking
the chair;_
forthat they gave him their hearty thanks.
When the time came for the election of Mayor, he felt
sure the people of Bridport would say, "Put him in
I again—he's the right man in the right plare."—(lionours
I of the Order, and the Band : "Fine Old English Gentle-
r ")
:: .

......... .
alter, both spiritually. as well as morally, the
l be their blessing. liaglaml owtsl .ll
to the work of tlaristian unity on whirl.
. . .

the text,
one who w
happiness
not exist.

for it.ren.th.

( 11.1111111 AN returned thanks. Ile took it as a com-
pliment that he bail been asked to preside, and he must
soy he had spent as pleasant an afternoon as he hall ever
spent in his life, and when he could be of service, he
should is; happy to do what he could. Bro. Cornick had
talked about puttt:tig him in as Mayor again—all he could
say wm if they did be hotiel he should have a salary like
sonic Mayors bail. as he found he had now plenty of work
but very little pay --(laughter and applawet
The CIIAIRMAN then gave the health of the "Medical
Oilier." Ile knew they all respected Dr. Hay too much
for it to be ueeeicary for him to say anything—farldausa
, Dr. nay assured them that over since the lodge had
been in existence, during which tinie he bad been their
medical talker, he hail meeived nothing but kindness
front every member, and this rendered his duties ex-
ceedingly light—(applause). lie thanked them sincerely
for the manner in which they had drunk his health.
The CliAliwAN then gave "Kindred Societies," wishing
them every success. lie should call upon Mr. Charles
powett, secretary of the Foresters, to respond. The
amount of good these two societies had done i,, the town
it win impossible to calculate. Ile hoped, therefore, the
thldfellows and Foresters would long go hand in hand.
Mr. Powgm. responded. He was certain that a better
feeling never existed between the societies than at the
present time : and when the invitation was sent for the
Foresters to take part in the demonstration that day, it
was received with much enthusiasm. Mr. Radford had
referred to the Friendly Societies Bill ; he was certain if
all societies mere like the Otitlfellowit and Foresters they
might be let alone to take care of their own business.
Where reform was needed was in those little Iburial clubs
that paid Iris. out of every ',mind they had. All he could
,ay was that what ( overnment wanted them (the Foresters)
to do. thcv sl Id be Mewled to do.
" The Ladies," and "The Host and
Hosteet," brought the toast list to a close, and the tent
was soon cleared, all being anxious to witness

:T COUNTY EXPRESS AND AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE, TUESDAY, JULY 7,1874.