Friendly Societies

Before the welfare state existed, many working class people depended on friendly societies to look after them and their families if they hit hard times. Friendly societies met at specific times in a set local pub for social evenings or club nights. Members paid a small subscription at each meeting and could be fined for missing a meeting, for being ‘insulting, quarrelling with or striking a Member’ or for not behaving ‘soberly and sociably’ The money raised was used to support members and their families in case of illness or death. There were more friendly societies available to men than to women.

In the mid and late 1800s there were many friendly societies (and pubs) in Mold including:

  • Count Mont Alto Ancient Order of Foresters (Star Inn)
  • Ancient Bailey Hill Lodge of the Independent Order of Oddfellows (Crown Vaults)
  • Mold Tontine Benefit Society (Kings Head)
  • Mold United Friendly Society (Dolphin Inn)
  • Mold Cambrian Friendly Society (Globe)
  • Working Men’s Friendly Society (Royal Oak Hotel)
  • Female benefit and Assurance Society Mold (met at the National School)

The highlight of the year for these societies was an anniversary meeting, normally held on ‘Whit Monday’ in May. Club business such as finances and voting in new officials for the next year was completed, and there would be a dinner, for which members paid extra subscriptions. There was a grand parade, where members, accompanied by each society’s music band processed to the Church wearing sashes and rosettes in colours that demonstrated their rank in the friendly society.

This was also a big day of festivities for the people of Mold. Most of the shops closed at mid-day and then (after 1870) at 4pm, Bailey Hill would be officially opened for the season. Once the procession was finished there was an evening of dancing, music and fireworks on the Hill which ran until dusk. The entry fees taken on the gate were then used to improve and maintain Bailey Hill.