THE ODD FELLOWS

 

In spite of the temptation and the pretty widespread practice to write the word as Oddfellows, that would not be correct. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Manchester Unity, was founded in 1810, and the Loyal Prince Albert. Lodge was established in Bunbury in 1830, with meetings in the Odd Fellows Hall. The movement grew into a worldwide organisation, dealing with a comprehensive variety of Sickness Benefits and Insurances,

 

The Bunbury Lodge was always actively concerned with village life and promoted and organised "The Wakes" for more than 100 years. Many older residents well remember the Odd Fellows Parade to Church on Wakes Day, led by the Bunbury Brass Band. The Odd Fellows Hall was in frequent use by local bodies such as the W.I. and the Baby Clinic, and it was a loss to the village when the Odd Fellows were obliged to sell it, unfortunately it was becoming less viable with each year, and the annual deficit was growing, with no possibility of provision for proper maintenance.

 

Similar things were happening all over the country, and District meetings slowly came to be more important than those of smaller local Lodges, which were gradually turning to amalgamation within a larger District. Bunbury Lodge meetings are still held from time to time, in Trinity Church meeting room, but Bunbury is now one of eight Subsidiary Lodges of the Border Counties District Lodge, of which Bunbury Odd Fellow George Vernon is Provincial Grand Master.

 

Many memories will be revived and it will be a great honour for George when, on the 23rd, July, there will again be an Odd Fellows Parade through Bunbury, to St. Boniface Church for the annual Odd Fellows Service, and a Return Parade to the Pavilion for cups of tea and refreshments.

 

Another "special"' for Bunbury in this year of the Millennium!