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Sick Societies.
For many generations there have been societies in Arnold for providing relief in sickness, and for funeral benefits. Among allotment gardeners these societies have been a marked success, well, carefully, and economically managed, and of great service to the people. They usually met in public houses, but have of late years been managed chiefly in school rooms. A testing and trying time has now come to them, for since the Workmen's Compensation Act came into force it is said the claims on the clubs have been heavier, and the change of occupation has had a detrimental effect on the funds; for colliers are more liable to accident and sickness than stocking makers were. State Insurance having now come into force, many men will not pay to a sick club as well as the insurance money, although the contributions may be reduced. The absence of young men joining will be a serious trial to these useful institutions. However they have done a good work, and we will hope for the best.
The Swarm Friendly Society is thought to have been the first to purchase garden land for its members—six acres. They started in 1815, and were enrolled in 1837.
The Nottingham Ancient Imperial Order of Odd Fellows recently celebrated its centenary. Their records show that in 1815, "on the application of a respectable body of individuals at Arnold, couched in respectful language, a dispensation was granted to hold a lodge there." This was one of their earliest lodges to be formed outside Nottingham.
In 1870 the Arnold U.I.O. of Odd Fellows had 403 members, being in the Thorneywood Lodge 98, Sherwood 78, Pride of the Village 148, St, Albans 79: and they expended in sickness, funerals and medical attendance, £254 12s. 111/2d.
Arnold Sick and Funeral Benefit Societies.
The Most Independent Order of Oddfellows.
Corresponding Secretary:—Mr. Geo. Clay, Front Street.
The following named Lodges form the above Order :—
Thorneywood Lodge.
Secretary:—Mr. Arthur Ward, Byron Street, Daybrook.
Sherwood Lodge.
Secretary:—Mr. John Bower, Duke Street, Arnold.
Pride of the Village Lodge.
Secretary:—Mr. Henry Godfrey, High Street Avenue, Arnold.
St. Albans Lodge.
Secretary:—Mr. Wm. Turner, St. Albans Road, Arnold.
The Sherwood Foresters.
Secretary:—Mr. Geo. H. Holmes, Ash Cottages, St. Albans Rd.
The Sherbrooke Lodge,
Secretary:—Mr. Arthur Rattenberry, High Street, Arnold.
The Swarm Friendly Society.
Secretary:—Mr. Peter Darker, Gedling Road.
Manchester Unity Branch.
Secretary:—Mr. John Baguley, Church Drive, Arnold.
The National Deposit Friendly Society Branch.
Secretary:—Mr. David Whitt, St. Albans Road, Arnold.
The Pinfold is a relic of the olden times when there were few enclosures, and when cattle were turned out to graze on the grass verges by the road sides. The parish pinder, who was elected annually at the Easter Vestry meeting, took charge of stray animals and shut them up in the pinfold, from which the owners had to redeem them by paying a certain sum per head. Mr. John Hearson was the last Parish pinder; he was appointed by the District Council in 1886. The pinfold became dilapidated and part of its area has been used to widen the road.
The Easter Vestry was formerly the local parliament for all matters concerning the welfare of the Parish; now it concerns itself with church matters only. Then it was the annual meeting for the election not only of churchwardens, but of overseers, guardians, overseers of highways, constables, parish pinder, school managers, free school scholars, church rates, etc.
Almshouses. Sir John Robinson, in 1899, erected twelve almshouses and a nurse's home in memory of his highly respected son, John Sandford Robinson. These buildings have fulfilled a very useful purpose in softening the sorrows of a number of meritorious people.
Rateable Value.
The net annual value as assessed to the County Rate is £37,114; one-half of the net annual values of agricultural land, £2,873. Net annual values of the buildings and other hereditaments, not being agricultural land, £31,368 Assessable value,
The Ancient Grave Cover.
Note on The Ancient Grave Cover.
It is thought that the above sketch, due to the industry and ingenuity of Mr. H. Gill, and partially obtained by running a lead pencil along the lines traceable on the stone, may be interesting to the general reader, as giving some indication of what the device may have been. It is not, of course, claimed that this sketch reproduces with absolute accuracy and fidelity to fact what was on the slab, the worn condition of which makes close approximation to reality impossible. But the suggestion of the sketch is interesting, and with this cautionary explanation is not likely to mislead experts, especially if it is used as supplementary to the heel-ball illustration on p. 39.
Many attempts have been made to decipher the inscription, but so far they have not met with complete success. It is probable that in accordance with the custom of the time the whole of the inscription is in Latin hexameters ; and that neither surname nor date is given.
The first couplet is :—
The remainder is uncertain.
Extract from Nottingham Journal of 1813. Reprinted in Nottingham Daily Express, June 27, 1913.
Boarding School, Arnold, near Nottingham.—The Revd. Isaac Russell begs leave to inform his friends and the public, that his School, where a limited number of young gentlemen (not exceeding ten) are genteelly boarded and educated on reasonable Terms, will be re-opened after the present Midsummer Recess, on Monday, 19th July next.—Arnold, June 23, 1813.
Dec, 1813, another advt., and June 25th, 1814, notice of Sale.
The Revrd. Isaac Russell begs to inform his friends and the Public that his School re-opens (after the present Christmas Recess) on Monday, 17th of January, 1814. There will be vacancies for four Boarders.
Arnold,
December 24, 1813.
Jan. 3, 1812.
Mrs. Bonington, impressed with gratitude for the numerous favours received from her long-tried friends, with confidence solicits a continuance of that Patronage they have hitherto so liberally conferred on her. The present Recess will close on Monday, January 20th.
Mr. Bonington, availing himself of the present medium, informs the Public that in the course of the ensuing Spring, he will publish a view of Nottingham Market Place, to correspond in size with the large view of the Town. The Print will be highly executed and coloured, size 26 inches by 18. Impressions, 1 guinea each. Subscriptions received by Mr. Bonington, Park Row, and by Messrs. Stretton, Tupman, Dunn, Barnett, Robinson, and Sutton. The Prints to be delivered in the order of subscription. Mr. Bonington is happy in announcing to his Friends and the Public that the Plates of his last Views are still in excellent preservation, and that he has just received from London a fresh supply of prints.
Park Row,
Jan. 2, 1812.