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History of Quorn Oddfellows - 1934
Oddfellows' Centenary at Quorn - Loyal Blooming Rose Lodge
The present year witnesses the centenary of the founding of the Loyal Blooming Rose Lodge, 830, Quorn, Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester, Unity 123.
The actual date is uncertain, and there was also some doubt as to whether the Lodge was not founded until the year 1836. Fortunately, however, Mr H Thornton, the secretary, has some old minute books, and was able to prove from one of these that the Jubilee of the Lodge was kept on Easter Monday, 1884, by the holding of a dinner at the Bull's Head Inn. The committee responsible for this were Messrs W Y Swain, W Hollingsworth, J Thornton, W L Rumsby, and A Sheffield, of whom Mr Thornton remains alive today.
The Lodge has been well served by its officials, some of whom have held office for may years,. For example, the secretaries for the last 74 years have held office as follows: Mr W Phipps retired from 28 years' service in 1887; Mr Henry Disney, who have up in 1931, was secretary for 33.5 years, being followed by Mr Herbert Thornton who is the present secretary.
The name of Phipps recalls an old sexton of the church, the last, it is believed, to keep Quorn worshippers awake in sermon time with a wand of office, with which sleepers were tapped on the head.
The Lodge, which today numbers 265 members, has still some officials of long standing, and some old members. Mr William Lockwood, of Barrow, was initiated as long ago as 67 years, and is now 87 years old. P.G. T Bates has been a trustee for 42 years , and P.P.G.M J Thornton treasurer for 41 years, both being still in office.
During the last 50 years the Lodge has disbursed in sick benefit no less than £11, 150, the amount being paid out for funerals being £2,540.
With a view to celebrating its 100 years of life, they held centenary celebrations in the Village Hall on Saturday, consisting of a meat tea followed by a social, with concert and dance. Over 240 sat down to tea, for which two sittings were necessary. D.R.G.M. Clark welcomed the members in a brief speech, and congratulated the management on such a splendid gathering. Grace was said and the company proceeded to do full justice to the meal, well served by the Quorn Co-operative Society, under the direction of Mr Seagrave, the manager.
Among those present were P.P.C.S. I.E Saunders, Dr J A Unitt (medical officer), P.G.M A S Clark, P.P.G.M J Thornton, P.P.G.M. J Smith, P.G. Bunney, Dep. G.M. James, etc.
After tea, an excellent concert was given by the Rothley and District Prize Male Choir, under the able conductorship of Mr Alf Freer, who had his forces well under control, as was shown in such popular items as "O peaceful night" and "Annie Laurie" in which the tone of the second basses in the melody was particularly good. Songs were given by Messrs Geoffrey Preston and Joe Taylor, tenor and bass, gold medallists of the Loughborough Eisteddfodd; and humorous numbers by Mr G L North, who brought the house down with "Albert and the Lion".
Mr Murray Rumsey occupied the chair. After the concert the floor was cleared and the Gregorian Band from Sileby, played for dancing. The Lodge must be congratulated on a most successful event, a chief feature of which was the presence of such old members as Mr John Burton, who was initiated 58 years ago, and the meeting of many old friends of past years.
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Submitted on: |
2011-01-07 |
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Submitted by: |
Kathryn Paterson |
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Artefact ID: |
1153 |
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Artefact URL: |
www.quornmuseum.com/display.php?id=1153 |
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