Barkway Excelsior Society
This society was founded in 1876 as the Prince Arthur Court of the Ancient Order of Foresters (A.O.F.) with initially 23 members. The main objects of the Society were to insure money on members lives, bury their wives, to pay weekly allowances to sick members, to supply medical attention and medicines, and to grant relief to members in “distressed circumstances”.
The AOF local branches were termed courts rather than lodges as in other like societies. Up until 1936 meetings were held in what's described as the Court Room at the Chaise and Pair Inn. A somewhat confusing description, especially as there is mention of keeping Mrs Thrussell happy as
they want to change the lock. Mrs Thrussell was the Chaise and Pair landlady. After 1936 committee meetings were still held in the Chaise and Pair, but now referred to as the registered office!
Officers consisted of a Chief Ranger, sub Chief Ranger, Treasurer, Senior and Junior Woodwards and Senior and Junior Beadles. There were also 3 trustees, a surgeon, and an arbitration committee. A display cabinet in the Reading Room holds various items of the society. There are a number of ribbons to be worn over a shoulder carrying the rank of the holder. There are also 2 small trumpets, 2 small axes, and 2 wooden gavels. There is a printed note saying Barkway Rules for a Society of Men. There is also mention of an 1889 book of rules. This stated that there were fines for
misbehaving at meetings, failing to accept office, and not wearing ribbons. Financial records exist for every year, and minute books from 1914. The number of members paying a small regular subscription, increased to 70 by 1889, and to 177 in 1944.
There was a rather poignant comment in an early minute, to the effect that as pointed out by a committee member, it was all very well passing out printed notices for members, but it should be borne in mind that some members were unable to read or write. It has been recorded elsewhere that there were village groups providing assistance to those less fortunate, and run successfully by ladies, but as soon as men got involved, came rules, offices and regalia.
The Society recorded considerable assets over the years. In 1915 for instance they recorded a total fund value of £2900, with interest earned that year of £69, and sick pay and death payments of £67. The society was wound up in 1959.