Chap. 3.] SOCIAL A>fD POLITICAL HISTORY. 



91 



Bamber, N.G.A. ; Jolin CounseU, V.G.A. ; James Eoper, Secretary; 

 are T. Fletcher, Treasurer. The Lodge meets at the Townley Arms 

 Hotel. 



The Mechanics' Club, "Pride of the Village Lodge," was formed on 

 May 9th, 1874, at the instigation of E. Cai^stick. The number of 

 members the fii-st year was 19. Its first officers were: E. Capstick, 

 J.G. ; T. Airey, D.M. ; John Jones, S.D. ; T. Cotton, P.S. ; Isaac 

 Wilkinson, P.T. ; J. Hawthornthwaite, O.T. 



The Lodge is worth " close upon £300 ;" the number of members 

 IS 130. This is the only Society in Longridge which gives permanent 

 sick pay, according to the degrees taken up. This varies from 6s. to 

 9s. a week permanently. Ten pounds is paid on the death of a 

 member, and £6 on the death of a member's wife. The present 

 officers are : Isaac Wilkinson, J.G. ; John Pinder, senior, D.M. ; John 

 Pinder, junior, S.D. ; Thomas Cotton, P.S. ; Eichard Seed, P.T. ; 

 Thomas Sharpies, J.T. ; E. Marsh, O.T. The Society meets at the 

 Eed Lion Hotel. 



"The Star of Temperance Tent" of the Independent Order of 

 Reehabites was formed in 1881, chiefly through the exertions of John 

 Campbell. Commencing with ten members, the Society now has 60 

 members. The original officers were : T. Carefoot, C.E. ; W. H. 

 Knowles, D.E. ; John Pinder, treasurer ; W. H. Pinder, secretary. The 

 amount of funds is now £104 19s. 8d. The benefits vary from 2s. 6d. 

 to 15s. a week for sick pay, and from £5 to £30 for funeral pay. The 

 present officers are: W. Ryding, C.E. ; H. Greenwood, D.E. ; W. 

 Kay, treasurer ; and J. Campbell, secretary. The Society meets in 

 the Board Eoom of the Co-operative Hall. 



An allusion has been made to the Floral Society, which was formed 

 in 1878, and is still flourishing, its eleventh annual show, held in 1888 

 having proved a success. 



The Longridge Debating Society, formed in 1881, came to a 

 temporary end early in 1887, owing to the lack of interest taken in 

 its proceedings by the member.?, and to the determined hostility of a 

 section of its members. During the six years it existed much good had 

 been effected through its agency. In connection with this Society, 



