Monday 14th November 2016
Phillip Hoyland writes:
Hello Mr. Howell,
I am trying to find some information on the 19thC friendly society in Sutton Veny, known as the “Whitsuntide Club’.
A couple of weeks ago an example of the brass emblem carried by the members on the annual feast day came up for sale on e-bay.
I have an example of the brass but my interest was roused by the fact that, as far as I could make out, this brass was on its original pole!
Needless to say that not too many of the original wooden poles have survived the passing of the decades. I should point out that my bid to buy it was unsuccessful.
Do you have any information concerning the old Club? Dates of formation and winding up, did they have ribbons and if so what colour were they, what was the colour of the pole and was it decorated????
I know the Club met at the Bell Inn and that they may have purchased their brasses in around 1861.
I have contact with Helen Taylor and her last e-mail had an attachment from your book, ‘Wylye Valley —-‘. The photograph of the group parading with a banner, in about 1910, could easily be of the local Friendly Society. However, as there are no poles and brasses in sight it could be that the old Club had been superseded by one of the national fraternal societies, Oddfellows, or Foresters for example. Many of the village/parish Clubs suffered this fate.
Any information you may be able to give me would be most welcome, and appreciated.
Regards. Phillip Hoyland. Burnham on Sea, Somerset.