My "Health Club For Non-Drinkers" (13 May 1977)

In a recent conversation with a man aged about 28 I happened to mention that I used to be a Rechabite.  “And what on earth’s a Rechabite?” he asked.  “A member of the Independent Order of Rechabites,” I told him.  This answer, of course, only begged a further question.

It then occurred to me that here was an otherwise reasonably well-educated young man who apparently thought the present National Health Service – and Social Security too – had pretty well always been with us, whereas they were only about 30 years old and by no means to be taken for granted.

So I tried to tell him how we coped financially with the vicissitudes of life before the NHS came into being; of the prominent part played by friendly societies such as the Rechabites; and how important it had been that every member of the working class, in particular, should belong to one or other of the many institutions of that nature.

He said that all this was news to him; that it would be news to most of his generation; and I ought to write a book about it.

“But why the Rechabites?” the young man asked.  “My father was one and he put me in,” I said.  “I once asked him the same question and he told me that its members had to be total abstainers from strong drink; and that this enabled them to gain greater benefits for their money than were paid by other societies, except those similarly restricted, like the Good Templars and the Sons of Temperance.”  It’s an odd thought that today total abstinence from smoking would probably be a higher recommendation.

Friendly societies, which include industrial insurance friendly societies, have a long history.  They began with small groups of people contributing regularly to a joint fund and having a claim for assistance from the fund in the event of illness or funeral expenses and the like.  To survive very long a “club,” as they came to be called, had continually to recruit new young members.  Anyone over 50 was classified as old.  Many clubs failed to do so and died a natural death.  An epidemic could also cause a similar failure.  A great improvement was wrought in the latter half of last century by the amalgamation of many solvent but small clubs into “unities.”

These were able to make profitable investments.

By the early years of this century membership of friendly societies and industrial insurance societies had grown to such an extent that Lloyd George relied principally on them in effecting the National Health Insurance Act of 1911, which was a big step towards the creation of today’s National Health Service.  In 1924, 89 per cent of the working population was covered in this way.

In 1908 a number of friendly societies were operating in Fenny Stratford and their local officials and trustees comprised many men still recognised as old “town worthies.”

Much the oldest society then existing was the United Brothers.  This was a purely local society, though its members were Oddfellows. It had 148 members and its financial position was “fairly sound.”  W Bradbury was chairman, W Clarke vice-chairman, and J Loe secretary.

The local “court” of the Ancient Order of Free Foresters had headquarters at the Maltster’s Arms and about 100 members, 60 of whom were young.  J W Plumb was treasurer and W J Brown secretary.

The Sir Philip Duncombe Lodge of Oddfellows, a member of the Manchester Unity, and founded in 1884, had a large and young membership, the average age being 30.  Headquarters were at the Park Hotel.  A Richardson was treasurer, A J Stevens secretary, and T Brace and O Wells were auditors.

There was also the Band of Hope Lodge of Oddfellows.  “Bands of Hope” are usually associated in the popular imagination with junior temperance activity, but this one met at the Bull and Butcher, had an adult membership of 410 and a juvenile branch membership of 86.  J Garner was treasurer and W Daniel secretary.

The main temperance organisation was the local lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars.  In 1892 they built the Temperance Hall (now the George Street Community Centre) and enlarged it in 1905.  T G Kirby was District Chief Templar and also secretary.  There was also a Juvenile Temple which already had over 100 members after only two years’ existence.  Superintendent was E W Walford.

The Sons of Temperance also had a branch in the town, Costa Wells being secretary.

A branch of the National Deposit Friendly Society was likewise said to be on the upgrade.  This included a savings bank.

The cause of health was also supported in those days by the Hospital Sunday Fund.  Hospitals had to rely on voluntary subscriptions for their maintenance and the local friendly societies combined with the fund for that purpose.

Some of the societies are still flourishing, notably the Duncombe Lodge of Oddfellows, for whatever the State does, most people still like to have another standby or two.  All (of) which is why people who draw sickness benefit only from the State, nevertheless, still speak of being “on the club.”