Bolton Bulletin
There was a full attendance of representatives from the 18 Adult and 24 Juvenile branches at the 58th annual session of the Sons of Temperance, Bolton District, held on Saturday, February 14th, in the Noble Street Independent Methodist School, Bolton. Bro. George Jackson, G.W.P., was in the chair. The reports presented by the officers of both the Adult and Juvenile Sections were of a very encouraging character. Bro. Councillor R Greenhalgh, District Secretary, gave a review of the Society’s activities during the 26 years he has held that office. The total membership when he commenced was 1,031 in seven Adult Divisions and seven Juvenile Sections. Today the numbers were 6,110 in 18 Adult Divisions and 24 Juvenile Sections. The funds at that time totalled £2,381. Today they totalled £14,244, an increase of £11,863. In addition to this accumulation of funds £40,468 had been distributed in sickness and funeral benefits. In 1912 the National Health Insurance Act came into operation, when 2,177 persons joined, mostly members of the private side. There were now over 3,000 N.H.I. members. On June 16th, 1926, the Bolton District attains its Diamond Jubilee, and the Management Committee were asked to prepare a scheme.
The following were elected the officers for the next 12 months:- G.W.P., Bro. Philip Rothwell (Bolton); G. Patron, Sis. Myra Green (Hindley Green); G.W.A., Bro. W E Brennen (Hindley Green); G. Chaplain, Bro. O N Williamson (Leigh); G. Con., Bro. William Payne (Little Hulton); G. Sentinel, Bro. A R Harrop (Tyldesley); G. Treasurer, Bro. D Cooper (Bolton); G. Auditors, Bros. Robert Bentley (Farnworth); George Jackson (Leigh); Female Members of the Executive, Srs. Edith Markland (Boothstown), and Edith Higginson (Tyldesley).
The G.W.P. presented the “Trophy Block and Gavel” to Bro. J Entwistle, of “Atherton’s Hope” S.D., and the G. Patron presented the “Trophy Badge” to Bro. William Tonge, “Rising Star” Section for having the largest increase in membership during the year 1924.
(The Son of Temperance, March 1925)
Having previously been founded in the United States, the Order of the Sons of Temperance of Great Britain and Ireland was instituted in 1855. Thus for over a century and a half the Sons of Temperance, as a Friendly Society, has had an outstanding record of service in providing life insurance and savings schemes exclusively for teetotalers.
If you are a past or present member of the Sons of Temperance (or the Cadets of Temperance), or are teetotal, or share a concern over society’s problems caused by alcohol we’d love to hear from you.
Visit the homepage: www.sonsoftemperance.co.uk
© Sons of Temperance, 26-Nov-2008, E. & O. E.