Club Day - 25th May 2019 (Established in 1827 and reformed in 1959) Click here for a few historical photographs. Also see the album 'Bygone Days' on this website for similar period photographs - Webmaster.

ANNUAL MARCH AND FEAST OF LANGPORT & DISTRICT FRIENDLY SOCIETY 2019
On Saturday 25th May the members of the Langport and District Friendly Society met for their Diamond Anniversary annual march and luncheon since the reformation of the Society in 1959. The weather was wonderful and the spirits of the members of the Friendly Society were high.
They all met at Langport Sports club in the memorial field in Langport at 07:00hrs, where the members paid their annual subscriptions and set off together with Kingsbury Episcopi Band through the principal streets of Langport and Huish Episcopi. The President, Bill Langford and Secretary, Simon Martin marching ahead of the new club banner, which had been procured through the TESCO Bags of Help scheme, along North Street and up Langport Hill, all were greeted by the ringing bells of All Saints Church, where the first stop was made 60 years ago. There followed a wonderful service given by the Rev Jess Pitman. The President gave a short reading and the Rev Jess Pitman embellished upon this to remind the members of the Society of their duties as members of the club. She also reminded members of some of the rules from the Society’s rule book, including Rule 2: The objects of the Society shall be: The Encouragement of Thrift, Self-help, and Sobriety of Conduct. The promotion of a Spirit of Comradeship, Friendliness and Brotherly Love towards all. Kingsbury Band provided rousing music for the Hymns; Praise my soul the King of Heaven and Onward Christian Soldiers. Following the service the society made their first stop of the day at ‘The Rose and Crown’ (Eli’s). The club and the band then made their way through the roads and streets and visited both public and private houses of Huish Episcopi and Langport, as well as the two care homes in Langport, where the residents always show their enthusiastic appreciation. Both the society and the band were provided with sustenance to help them on their way. Everyone the society visited was provided with music from the band. The Society also presented their hosts with a Peony and an especially commissioned bottle of celebratory beer, after a short toast from a guest speaker the hosts were given three cheers by the members of the society. Following the walk around both the Town and Parish and finally along a wonderfully flag adorned Bow Street, (courtesy of The Langport and Huish Youth Group), the members and band stopped at the Langport Arms Hotel where they met the invited guests of the society for luncheon. The secretary gave a short report and toast to the Society was made by Mr Tommy Tulk, (President of Long Sutton Friendly Society). Responding and thanking the guests for their toast, a younger member of the Friendly Society, James Feltham, toasted the guests. The President addressed all the assembled members, guests and Kingsbury Band and special mention was made to Les Male and Mike Standon, who both walked on the initial walk of the reformed society 60 years ago. Both men who still play with Kingsbury Band were made honoury lifetime members of the Langport District Friendly Society and received a standing ovation by all present. All present for making the day the successful event that it was. The members and the guests then repaired to the bar for further convivial conversation and merrymaking.
Friendly Societies can be traced back to the early 17thCentury. They are the forerunners to modern day savings institutions and trade unions and served members in the absence of any kind of welfare state. Langport and District Friendly Society is identified as one of only a handful remaining Friendly Societies in the Country. The Langport & District Friendly Society now runs to raise money for local good causes and to ensure that this important link with history is maintained.

Bill Langford. (President) Langport and District Friendly Society.

 

friends march 400friends march 400c

friendly club walk 19

friends march 400b

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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