Band of Hope

Bob Dobson · 23-01-2011, 10:37

There were probably more than one Band of Hope in Accrington area. Most, but no att, were connected to churches. All were concerned with getting the temperance message over to youngsters.

I cannot remem,ber any such groups, but I do remember spakers coming to school and to Sunday School telling us about alcohol. As a young teenager, I won an essay compeition after hearing a lecture in the library on the coming of the Romans. I won a book token. The compeition was organised by the Lancashiree & Cheshire Union of band of Hopes - the biggest in the country.

Mrs Susan Bailey of Preston is researcghing for a degree and want to know about people's recollections of the band of Hope, especially but not specifically, in the Preston area. Email her:-
[email protected]

Of course, tell Accywebbers too. There has not been a thread on this subject.

I confess - I signed the Pledge, but failed to keep my promise. I've no doubt others did too - Atarah, Katex, MargaretR come to mind.

jaysay · 23-01-2011, 10:39

Phew Bob glad ya didn't mention my name there

MargaretR · 23-01-2011, 10:53

I never signed - I only went to sunday school for the social life it provided.

Barrie Yates · 23-01-2011, 15:53

I certainly didn't sign, enjoyed the thrill of running out the back doors of the Cattle Market and Australian too much when the Police came in the front - especially the DS of the time.

katex · 23-01-2011, 16:29

Was never asked to, Bob. In actual fact always thought it was just a saying .. not something real.

Was brought up a Methodist too, but can't remember the sins of the demon drink ever being rammed down me throat.

I, like Margaret, did enjoy Sunday School ... it was fun. Storytelling, crayoning, the walks, pantomimes, Rose Queen (never made it) and the other children.

Did win a prize now and then for attendance. 5/- voucher you took to Wardleworths to chose a book and they were then sent to the chapel to be handed out on a special day.

garinda · 23-01-2011, 17:14

There are two old photograhs of the Oswaldtwistle Band of Hope on this link, both taken on New Lane I think.

Lancashire Lantern | Subjects | Gallery

Some children, if prize book hungry, managed to to attend three different Sunday school, because they met at different times.

jaysay · 24-01-2011, 10:16

When I was in my teens I attended a Methodist Youth Club every Friday night, after first visiting the Bay Horse

didn't go down too well with the people running the club. I remember one night we had a visit from Fletcher Richardson (think that was his name) who was minister at Antley Methodist, he ran a type of questions and answers session, one of the leaders asked about people drinking alcohol and attending this club, his reply was fair to say the least, I would never ask anybody to abstain if they didn't want to, it is their decision alone, because those of use who do abstain think its the right thing to do, why force our opinions on others who are not like minded. I always found this chap a very interesting speaker and often listened to him when he packed in the ministry and went on to work for Radio Lancashire

Bob Dobson · 24-01-2011, 10:32

In Accrington there was also a Rechabites grioup. They met in an upstairs room some where top of Infant St/Abbey St I think. They too were a temperance/total abstinence movement. Their name comes from a Biblical paragraph linking them to not drinking wine.

garinda · 24-01-2011, 10:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaysay

When I was in my teens I attended a Methodist Youth Club every Friday night, after first visiting the Bay Horse

didn't go down too well with the people running the club. I remember one night we had a visit from Fletcher Richardson (think that was his name) who was minister at Antley Methodist, he ran a type of questions and answers session, one of the leaders asked about people drinking alcohol and attending this club, his reply was fair to say the least, I would never ask anybody to abstain if they didn't want to, it is their decision alone, because those of use who do abstain think its the right thing to do, why force our opinions on others who are not like minded. I always found this chap a very interesting speaker and often listened to him when he packed in the ministry and went on to work for Radio Lancashire

He was Radio Blackburn's shock jock of his day. His phone-in was very amusing.

BBC - Lancashire - Radio Lancashire - Fletcher Richardson

Which youth club did you go to, half-cut?

jaysay · 24-01-2011, 11:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

He was Radio Blackburn's shock jock of his day. His phone-in was very amusing.

BBC - Lancashire - Radio Lancashire - Fletcher Richardson

Which youth club did you go to, half-cut?

Weren't as bad as Alan Beswick when he started his late night phone in on RL G. the airways were blue mate

jaysay · 24-01-2011, 11:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

He was Radio Blackburn's shock jock of his day. His phone-in was very amusing.

BBC - Lancashire - Radio Lancashire - Fletcher Richardson

Which youth club did you go to, half-cut?

I only noticed you asking about which club after posting G. was Mount Pleasant Youth Club, was dragged there at first with the young lady I was dating at the time

Gordon Booth · 24-01-2011, 12:12

Quote-Bob Dobson-(I confess - I signed the Pledge, but failed to keep my promise. I've no doubt others did too - Atarah, Katex, MargaretR come to mind.[/quote]

YOU signed the pledge? You were already a full blown sinner by the time you went to the Grammar School! There was never a chance you would repent your sins, you enjoyed them too much.

Bob Dobson · 24-01-2011, 12:56

Booth, I suspect you are confusing me with my brother. When I picked up that prize from the temperance people, my dad linked it to my ability in Latin and RE and thought I might become a vicar.

Webmaster - please consider removing this slur on a good-living lad's reputation. I am of a sensitive disposition.

MargaretR · 24-01-2011, 13:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Dobson

Booth, I suspect you are confusing me with my brother. When I picked up that prize from the temperance people, my dad linked it to my ability in Latin and RE and thought I might become a vicar.

Webmaster - please consider removing this slur on a good-living lad's reputation. I am of a sensitive disposition.

I didn't know you had any religious traits in your youth - it didn't show

your dad had a twinkle in his eye too - chip off the old block

Barrie Yates · 24-01-2011, 13:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordon Booth

Quote-Bob Dobson-(I confess - I signed the Pledge, but failed to keep my promise. I've no doubt others did too - Atarah, Katex, MargaretR come to mind.

YOU signed the pledge? You were already a full blown sinner by the time you went to the Grammar School! There was never a chance you would repent your sins, you enjoyed them too much.[/quote]

I also found it difficult to believe that you actually signed the pledge Bob - no doubt if you did you had everything crossed at the time of signing.
By the way Bob, someone we both know well wanted to know why her name wasn't included in your first post - she was apparently a very good girl in those days.