Band of Hope
 

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.

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Phew Bob glad ya didn't mention my name there:D:rolleyes:

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

:rolleyes:

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

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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.

Re: Band of Hope
 

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?

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

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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:D

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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.

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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.

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



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

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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.;):D

Re: Band of Hope
 

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.;):D


.....so she didn't get a good snog on the staircase at a party then?:D

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I hasten to point out that this thread is about the Band of Hope, not about those for whom there is no hope.

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There used to be a big sign painted on the back of the Rechabites building that I can still remember. "Thou shalt not take strong drink, neither thee nor thy sons with thee."

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Not until she met me;):D:D

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The Temperance Movement was very popular after World War 1 and a lot of my family signed up but I don't think the pledges lasted long and the Movement died off.
Those were the days when it was quite common for a working man to get paid on Friday and disappear straight into the pub until late Sunday night( that WAS 24 hour drinking) and come home with no money for the rent,food etc.That is no exaggeration, I knew of families where it had happened.
You can see why the Temperance Movement was popular with wives although it probably didn't help them much.

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Thee sensative, who arti kidding, even 1/2 a Nori wouldn't mek much impression on thee.
Retlaw

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I think there was some of them Band of Hoper's in a building on Nuttall St, I remember my dad telling me him and his mates wedged the doors, and then pour a concoction of vinegar & dolly blue thro the letter box, they were hanging out of the upstairs windows shouting for help.

Retlaw.

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question ... was the 'Band of Hope' related to the 'Toch H ' (sp?) seem to remember a Toch H sign (not the proverbial lamp) somewhere in Arrod when I was a kid :confused: ;)

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Hence the saying as dim as a Toch H lamp:D

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No connection, although I think the Accrington TocH may have met close by the Rechabites. TocH was originally for servicemen to gather together in some form of religious meeting, or friendship brought about by the leaders who were often clergymen. Band of Hope was for children to be told the evils of drink. Rechabites were adults who campaigned against drink.

Re: Band of Hope
 

A reminder about her study from Susan Bailey (see first posting in this thread) has prompted me to resurrect it. She is wanting to talk to people who were members.

In a back room in the library is a big notice board belonging to an Accrington Band of Hope. I shall ask them to incorporate it in a display.I have told Susan about it.

Just writing this has made me thirsty.I could murder an East Lancs Pale Ale that's been kept somewhere cold but not in a fridge.I can even smell it as I am taking the red cap off.

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Seen to remember a Toc H sign outside St Bartholomews church in the 60s Steely, when I went past on the bus, to whalley when I worked at Brockhall, what was the name of the road it was on, ?. Toc H always seemed to have a dance on,

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I remember from my younger days that Toc H in Accy was above the building next to the post office now occupied by Maundy Grange. The angled doorway on the corner of Abbyt street and Infant street had the words Toc H and the lamp symbol either on the glass above the door or on the window above. It was ages before I found out what it meant.

I see from this link that its founder was honoured in Accrington.

Toc H in Rishton