| AdminHistory | The Stepney branch of the Independent Order of Oddfellows was established in 1841. By the early 20th century, its offices were based in Stratford. The Stepney District Secretaries' Association was formed in 1915 (1). The District, now known as the Stepney and South Essex District, still exists but all its branches are outside the Tower Hamlets Area.
The modern Oddfellows has evolved from the old fraternal societies, whose purpose was to support workers who had fallen on hard times (2). In the early years, the Oddfellows represented fellow craftsmen from different trades.
C. late 18th century, the Oddfellows, like many Friendly Societies, were driven underground by the Government's persecution of organisations which were, supposedly, both secret and illegal (3). In 1810, a group broke away from the parent Grand United Order, to form the Independent Order of Oddfellows Manchester Unity. In 1851, its illegal status was overturned when Branch Friendly Societies were declared legal.
The Oddfellows boasted considerable expertise vis a vis the provision of old age pensions, arguing that 'the cumbrous English workhouse system' (3) indicated the importance of 'maintaining the honest poor by voluntary subscriptions' (4). Oddfellows advocated the formation of societies 'for mutual help and co-operative reform...on a religious basis' (5).
Locally, the Stepney branch championed the proposed extension of social insurance (6), including the proposed new pension scheme for black-coated workers. This was encapsulated in The Widows' Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions (Voluntary Contributions) Bill. The Bill was commonly known as 'the black-coated workers bill' (8), although the term covered a wide range of occupational categories.
Today the Stepney remit is covered by the Stepney and South Essex District. Nationwide, the Oddfellows have 404,000 members, and over £700 m in funds (9).
Sources of information:
1. S/MIS/10/2 Statement of the Loyal Lodge 2763 of The Independent Order of Oddfellows Manchester Unity, Stepney District, Year ending 31 December 1938 (THLHLA) via National Archives.
2. The Oddfellows (Historical Archive) oddfellows.co.uk
3/4/5. 'The Best Way To Reform' : p.6 in East London Observer Saturday 16 April 1904 (BNA)
6. 'Stepney and District Oddfellows Meet' : p.7 in East London Observer, Saturday 22 January, 1938 (BNA)
7/8. 'Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions ( Voluntary Contributions) Bill : HoC Debate, 8 April 1937, vol 322 cc 385-437 apl.parliament.uk
9. oddfellows.co.uk (Ibid) |