Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 21 May 1904
The Ancient Order of Foresters
Half-yearly Meeting at Conisboro’
Successful Proceedings
Conisboro’ on Saturday last was en fête, and visitors swarmed round the pretty little village all day, owing to the fact that the Ancient Order of Foresters were holding their half-yearly meeting in this historic centre. It seemed quite fitting that a friendly society, such as the Foresters, should choose Conisboro’ for its gathering place, and one would really have thought that the inhabitants had suddenly reverted a century or two, when they had seen the procession which had been formed. It was marshalled at the Reresby Arms Hotel, Denaby, and consisted of delegates and members of the Wath and Mexboro’ A.O.F.
The Denaby and Cadeby Prize Brass Band, who by the way were in brand new uniform, headed the procession, and played lively tunes all along the route, which was by way of Doncaster road to Conisboro’, Low road, Sheffield road, Park road, March street, High street, Church street to the Board Schools. The marshals were Mr. G. Gregory and Mr. W. Humphries.
The following were in costume on horseback: George Gregory, “Robin Hood”; Walter Downing, “Little John”; Samuel Dunning, “Will Scarlet”; Henry Dunning, “Friar Tuck”; Tom Taylor, “Maid Marion”; Fred Riche, “Houf”; Chem. Walker, “Alan a Dale”; Jas. Dudley and John Wingfield, bowmen.
It might be interesting to state that the local lodge, the “Court Montagu,” although they are not very strong numerically, having a total membership of about 100, have a good balance in hand. A great deal of the success of the lodge is due to Mr. Geo. Lewis, who is the local secretary, and who has worked very hard. A splendidly got-up book of views of Conisboro’ had been arranged, and some interesting information is contained therein, supplied by the “Times” Publishing Co., Mexboro’. The book contains ten local views.
Afterwards a splendid tea was provided by Mrs. Hardy, of Mexboro’, at the old Board Schools, to which over 400 sat down. A public meeting followed, at which Bro. John Dixon, J.P. (P.D.C.R.), Mexboro’, presided. He was supported by Bros. Jos. Cotton, District Secretary, Wath and Mexboro’; Geo. Cotton, Blackburn, district trustee; Charles Smith, Rawmarsh, P.D.C.R.; Geo. Abbott, D.S., Sheffield; Blossom, P.H.C.T., Sheffield; Stephenson, Hull, D.T.; Howarth, Bradford, D.S.; Ireson, D.T., Sheffield; H. Briggs, P.D.C.R., South Kirkby.
The Chairman said the main object of the gathering that afternoon was to secure support for their convalescent home at Bridlington. It was something like 11 years since they had had a similar meeting at Conisboro’, when the results had proved most gratifying. Since the time of the initiation of the institution a great amount of good had been done, and their endeavour that day was to raise the necessary funds for its maintenance during the coming year. During the past 12 months 112 invalids had been admitted to the home, and the total days of their stay was 1554, as compared with 85 convalescents the previous year and 1361 days. The gross expenditure had been £556 1s. 1d., as against £50 16s. 2d. the corresponding year. The accounts last year showed a deficiency of £200 in the subscriptions. This falling off was a serious matter, and some effort would have to be made if the institution was to be satisfactorily upheld. They needed £600 a year for working expenses, and as the institution had been erected at the request of Yorkshire Foresters, it was their duty to see that the means for carrying on the work was forthcoming. Sixpence per member per annum would produce all that was required, and he was sure that none of them would feel such a small sum as that. They had 34,000 members, and there ought to be no difficulty in raising the amount. He hoped the meeting would do as well as its predecessor years ago.
Bro. Geo. Cotton, speaking upon the Ancient Order, said he would have felt better pleased had some of the older members present been asked to occupy his position. The subject he had to introduce was a grand subject, yet the greatest difficulty to him was to find something suitable to say. The grand old Order followed the flag, the Union Jack, which was accompanied by liberty and freedom wherever it was set. He believed their Order was almost as extensive and universal as the British Empire. No matter where they went they would find the brotherhood of Forestry amongst all the great organisations that existed. There was no organisation amongst them, however, that could outstrip the grand old Order of Foresters in its aims to provide benefits and blessings for the people of this country. He did not forget the fact that the ancient orders had dark days as well as bright ones; days of storm as well as calm, times of adversity as well as prosperity, but he was not going to be pessimistic. He was not going to lie down and weep among the mangled ruins of a grand organisation. When they spoke of the universality of the brotherhood of Forestry they meant an organisation which helped its members towards thrift, as they would find was the case in any clime. When they referred to the progress of Forestry they could rest assured that the grand old Order had made glorious strides in the relief of distress, assisting the weak, and helping its members to attain self-reliance, and in every way to become true Britons. Yet there was Balby-with-Hexthorpe with 6781 population, Cudworth 3400, Glass Houghton 2800, Houghton (proper) 1200, Denaby 28,600, Goole 16,000, Morley 23,000, Pudsey 21,000, Shipley 26,000, nearly 174,000 population, and not a Court of Forestry in the lot. Where were they working as an organisation? They were a great company banded together to help one another and the Empire, and it behoved them to extend to the districts. The noble work of the Order was deserving of the sympathy and help of the highest as well as the lowest in the land. He urged the members to individual effort in the advancement of the cause.
Bro. Blossom said that the numerical progress had not been so rapid as the advancement of the Order financially. He was optimistically inclined, however, and believed that the growth of the Order would continue. He did not believe in discouraging words. He would have them “go and speak to that young man,” pointing out to him the advantages of association with a society such as theirs, and enlist him under the banner. Another text: “The people whose laws are diverse from other people.” It seemed to him that this aptly applied to the A.O.F. The laws of the people were every man for himself, and Foresters’ law was every man for his brother, not that the weakest should go to the wall, but rather extend to him the hand of fellowship, which should help and uplift him.
Bro. Blackburn, appealing on behalf of the funds of the home, said that out of 34,000 Foresters there had not been 500 who would promise to contribute 6d. a head towards the debt. He hoped the question would be taken up by the Courts. Two hundred pounds had been expended in the maintenance fund, which should have gone towards the building fund. He hoped that they would be able to say after that day’s proceedings that they had done their duty towards the home.
Bro. J. Cotton, speaking of Bro. Abbott, who, he said, had grown old in the service of Forestry, described him as one of the pillars of the Order. He hoped them very well for many years of continued prosperity for the Order with which he himself had been identified for more years than he cared to think had passed over his head. He urged them to stick to their cause, and assist the institutions which arose from its working. He (Bro. Cotton) thanked, on behalf of the district, the visitors, and said he hoped the financial success would be such as would make them feel that their coming had not been in vain.
Mr. Geo. Cotton responded.
Bro. Abbott also briefly spoke.
Bro. S. Harris, in a short speech, referred to the work of the Wath and Mexboro’ district.
In conclusion, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mrs. Hardy, of Mexboro’, for the excellent tea which she had provided.