Reminiscences of Rotherham
by Alderman Geo. Gummer, J.P.
« « prevI have in my possession one of the circulars printed for distribution amongst the delegates attending the assembly. Whilst it gives a fair illustration of the Drill Hall, where it was suggested the conference should hold its meetings, and views of the Parish Church, the lndependent College, Roche Abbey, etc., its appeal cannot be described as either strong or attractive, describing the Drill Hall, which had recently been built, and other buildings, it says, We have respectable hotels and inns, and the accommodation, both public and private, we believe would meet with your approval. This circular was signed on behalf of the Rotherham district by W. Eskhohne, Prov. G.M.; B. Tyler, D.G.M.; H. C. Tayler, P.P.G. M.; G. J. Jackson, Prov. CS. (deputy); G. Strother, P.P.G. M. (deputy). It is not very convincing to have to tell people your hotels are respectable or that you believe the accommodation will meet with approval. This the rock on which the Rotherham District struck. Had they been able to promise accommodation for all the delegates, the assurance of civic support, backed by invitations from Lords Fitzwilliam and Scarbrough to visit Wentworth house and Sandbeck Park, the appeal might have met with a better fate. It is not too late, nay, the time is overdue, when another effort should be made to secure the honour of a visit from the annual parlia ent of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows.
An interesting gathering of Oddfellows worth recalling took place at the Mechanics’ Hall in 1880, when, in commemoration of his elevation. Brother Outram (of Sheffield), the Grand Master of the Order, received from his Rotherham friends several handsome presents, all of which were the handicraft of his brethren in the town.
Another event of great interest to Odd- fellows was the initiation of 18 of Rotherham’s prominent men, including the Reverends Dr. Falding, D.D., P. C. Barker, MA., and T. Nicholson. MA., Councillors J.Newsum, Robert Marsh, Thomas Tyler, and Joseph Wells, all of whom were made honorary members of the Phoenix Lodge.
I possess a programme of the annual dinner of the Covenant Lodge, held at the Cross Daggers Inn in 1879, over which Bro. Albert Crookes. P.P.G.M., presided, the vice-chair being occupied by Bro. James Purnell,P.P.G.M. Our chief guests on that oocasion were Bro. Outram (the Grand Maste’r of the Order), Mr. Jeremiah Robertsbaw (Chief Ranger Ancient Order of Foresters), and Mr. Richard Turton (P.G.M. British United Order of Oddfellows). Amongst those present were Councillors W. H. Gummer and William Saville, M.D. Our local big guns in Oddfellowship, Brothers B. Pinkerton,P.P.G.M.,Geo. Stother, P.P.G.M., and H. C. Tayler P.P.G.M., were let off on the principal toasts. To the toast of the Covenant Lodge, I, as Noble Grand, had the honour of responding, aod was supported by Brothers Robert Winder and James Purnell.
The Covenant Lodge was always considered to be one of the most progressive in the district. This reputation we were determined to maintain. When Mr. Arthur Dyke Acland became Member of Parliament for the Rother- ham Division in 1885, I induced him to join the Lodge. He entered as an ordinary paying member, and in order to make the occasion a notable one, we initiated at the same time another 25 members, thus creating a record for the district.
Later it became the proud boast of the Lodge that it had a Cabinet Minister as an ordinary paying member, the only Lodge in the country so distinguished. During my term of office as Deputy Grand Master, the Loyal George’s Lodge was founded. It derives its name from the district officials of that year namely, George Illston (Grand Master), George Gummer (Deputy Grand Master), and George Joseph Jackson (corresponding secretary).
In 1901 the Grandfather of the Order. MV. Bro. R J. Vallender, of Gloucester, paid a visit to the town for the purpose of opening a new billiard room in the Odd- fellows’ Hall. This visit was of considerable importance to Oddfellows.
» next