SPRING GROUP MEETING
Eight members travelled to Shapwick Village Hall for the Spring Group Meeting. Speaker Philip Hoyland from Burnham gave an amusing and instructive illustrated talk on the origins and history of Friendly Societies which were widespread in the late 18C and early 19C. He regarded the Societies as the precursor of our modern Insurance Companies.
Philip saw his first Friendly Society Brass in 1978 and became hooked on the social aspect and the fact that carrying the brasses (wooden poles topped with metal emblems) is very much part of Somerset history. Since then he has researched the customs of the Societies as well as collecting brasses. He now has 200. The brasses would be carried by the members in procession round the village on their Feast day, often Oak apple day, May 29th, which was the birthday of Charles the second and also the date of his restoration to the throne
The groups were set up by those workers who were willing to contribute regular sums for distribution to members in times of sickness, old age or for funeral expenses.
Many of our local villages had Friendly Societies and Philip had brought a selection relevant to the WIs in our group, including Woolavington.
All Societies had rules – one club would bar any member who was caught playing shove ha'penny in church!
Eight members travelled to Shapwick Village Hall for the Spring Group Meeting. Speaker Philip Hoyland from Burnham gave an amusing and instructive illustrated talk on the origins and history of Friendly Societies which were widespread in the late 18C and early 19C. He regarded the Societies as the precursor of our modern Insurance Companies.
Philip saw his first Friendly Society Brass in 1978 and became hooked on the social aspect and the fact that carrying the brasses (wooden poles topped with metal emblems) is very much part of Somerset history. Since then he has researched the customs of the Societies as well as collecting brasses. He now has 200. The brasses would be carried by the members in procession round the village on their Feast day, often Oak apple day, May 29th, which was the birthday of Charles the second and also the date of his restoration to the throne
The groups were set up by those workers who were willing to contribute regular sums for distribution to members in times of sickness, old age or for funeral expenses.
Many of our local villages had Friendly Societies and Philip had brought a selection relevant to the WIs in our group, including Woolavington.
All Societies had rules – one club would bar any member who was caught playing shove ha'penny in church!