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Oddfellows and others
Posted on 24/04/09
University of Leicester
The fascinating world of the Victorian friendly societies will be explored in this years W G Hoskins Lecture at Vaughan College, St Nicholas Circle, Leicester on Friday 24th April at 7.15pm.
The annual lecture is given in honour of Professor W.G. Hoskins, who founded the countrys first English Local History Department in 1938 at what was then the University College, Leicester, now the University of Leicester.
The lecture, hosted by the Vaughan Archaeological and Historical Society, will be given by Ron Greenall, who for more than 30 years was a tutor in the University of Leicesters Department of Adult Education.
Speaking about his lecture, Oddfellows and Others: the world of Victorian friendly societies, Ron Greenall said: The Victorian friendly societies always seem to have a strong public appeal. Whenever I lecture on the subject it seems to ring a bell with people, because when they do a bit of local history research they often come across family connections with friendly societies, like Oddfellows, Foresters or local benefit clubs.
People bring along memorabilia, like minute books, cash books or banners theyve got tucked away. Most of the societies are now defunct. Their role was taken by the rise of the Welfare State and National Insurance, which were all locked into now through the taxation system.
Friendly societies did two things. They insured members, who paid a regular monthly subscription, and paid out a death benefit. In the 19th century it was considered very important not to have a paupers funeral but to have a decent Christian burial. The societies also paid benefits when people were sick.
People got together at the village level and formed clubs out of which a number of national organisations grew, like the Oddfellows and the Foresters. These spread round the country until in the late 19th century every biggish village would have one or two local branches as well as their own benefit clubs.
They also employed young doctors starting out on their careers, who considered it a good thing to be employed by a local friendly society.
The role of these self-help welfare societies was gradually eroded by the state from 1911, with the start of the old age pension and medical and unemployment insurance, though the latter did not apply to most people. Friendly societies finally became redundant in 1945 with the onset of social insurance.
They were a great expression of the English spirit of self help and mutuality and the pooling of resources, said Ron Greenall.
They were largely for men, though by the end of the 19th century they had begun to form womens branches, too. There was a spirit of conviviality. Members usually met in pubs and had a few drinks. Lots of pubs are named after these societies, like The Oddfellows Arms, The Foresters Arms etc.
It became a massive network. There were 28,000 of them by 1900 and they were everywhere.
Thats why people enjoy hearing about them, it jogs their memories. By the end of the 19th century members would get together for processions on feast days, to organise sport and so on. They were a big thing in Victorian life.
Ron Greenall was a member of the Adult Education department until his retirement. For many years he tutored the Certificate in Local History, a subject that many people attended before going on to take University of Leicesters part time BA degree or MA in English Local History. He now teaches undergraduates at the University, part-time.
Gerry Stacey, Secretary of the Vaughan Archaeological & History Society, commented: The Society was formed from a Vaughan College class in 1947. The College has given the Society valuable support throughout our 62 year association with them. Each year we have talks on a historical and archaeological subject, during the winter months. In the summer we arrange visits to places of local interest.
The Society was formed by students who attended a class tutored by W.G Hoskins in November 1947 - Leicestershire Landscapes. Their intention was to invite speakers to discuss all elements of Hoskins subject, including archaeology, and he became its first President.
In 1991, the Society began to hold an Annual Hoskins lecture at Vaughan College. Ron Greenalls lecture is the final lecture of this year.
The lecture is open to the public. Tickets cost 2.50 to non-members, payable at the door. Anyone requiring more information about the Society or this lecture should contact Gerry Stacey, tel 01455 636686
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