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--ANNIVERSARY OF PENCOED j…

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ANNIVERSARY OF PENCOED j ODDFELLOWS. j [BY <)]•:>;IX.1 Tiio -first week in .Juno is an important epoch I in tin* iiuiuils of Pi.ncood. for that is tbo week that brings in its train Pencoed Fair. and the annual gathering of Pencoed Oddfellows, or. as the latter is popularly called. Frest yr Inn." Bran ac Hid Lodge of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, is 110 novice, for it has borne the brunt and heat of -)-) years, and those who saw its splendid turn-out on Saturday last will agree in the sentiment that its appearance on that day was like that of a yuetii dd'nutc ocd. The acorn sown at the Fox and Hounds. Velindre, in 1by the late Myryr Morgan wg. Mr Thomas Rees and few others whose memory only remains, is now a stately oak tree, under whose branches upwards of seven sroure adults and one score juvenile members assemble in safety fro-ii the arrows of poverty and want. The lodge has p;oue from strength to strength it has had difficulties to contend with. but it has marked vitality left, and nearly El,000 between it and the cold charity of the world. The trustees are Messrs W. Powell, J. Evans. and Thomas Thomas; the treasurer is Mr J. Edwards, the secretary is Mr D. »Saniu">l; the Noble Grand is Mr T. Watkins; and between all those officials the Society cannot well be otherwise than a success. On Saturday Brothers T. Thomas, T. Davies. and D. Watkins acted as marshalls. and suffice it to say that they performed their arduous duties faultlessly. At an early hour on Saturday, men, women and children were early astir, and if there were any late sleepers in the hamlet they must have been aroused by the beautiful strains of the instruments of that ban I. and probably thought that udf/oru i/r utaf ,ldy,ld was sounding. The verandah of the Brittania Inn had been tastefully decorated for the occasion, and the Union Jack and other flags suspended across the street in front of the inn. At 12.30 the marshalls called the members present (about 120 in number) to form a procession, and headed by banner and band, a move was made for Penprisk Church. There the Rev Mr Jenkins read prayers in a very effective manner, and the Rev Mr Llewellyn, rector, delivered a very appropriate address founded upon Luke, xv., 2 verse. This is not the place to summarise the sermon, but it may be stated that Air Llewellyn's remarks were as pointed and practical as they were well received. Mr Win. Owen ably presided at the organ, and the service concluded by singing 0 Fryniau Caersalein' in a very hearty manner, the latter portion of the hymn being enthusiastically repeated over again and again. On leaving church the procession was reformed, and a move was made for Penylan, the fair residence of the genial Mrs Griffiths and her family. Unhappily Mrs Griffiths was not in the enjoyment of the best health, but notwithstanding that the lady was to receive her visitors whom it did not take long to con- vince were welcome at Penylan, where the 1 company was partaking of the kind hospitality of Mrs Griffiths, Mr J. Edwards, treasurer, and one of the oldest members of the Society, spoke, and said they all should be better members after listening to Mr Llewellyn's appropriate address. He encouraged all to remain steadfast in the faith of Odufellowism, and at last do as he hoped—to die good Oddfellows. Mr T. Davies next sang Take this message to my mother' in his own good style, and was followed by a selection from the band. ) Mr W. Elliott, G.W.R., Cardiff, the worthy son of the late respected Mr Uriah Elliott, Heolycyw, next spoke partly in Welsh and partly in English. He said he was no great speaker, but coming as he did that day to the neighbourhood of his old home, meeting as he did so many familiar and dear faces, and seeing did so many familiar and dear faces, and seeing such a splendid turn-out, he must be very tongue-tied indeed not to be able to say some- j thing. He bad not been in the habit of con- ¡ ce sidering himself old, but the sight of so many young faces rallying around their banner that day, made him feel that he must be going down life's declivity. He trusted all would profit by Mr Llewellyn's remarks of that day; that they would go on more determined than ever to bear life's declivity. He trusted all would profit by Mr Llewellyn's remarks of that day; that they would go on more determined than ever to bear one another's bus^ens, and so lighten their own. 'Twas a duty and a privilege to do so. The speaker concluded a very interesting address with some humorous remarks to the effect that 29 women should only marry 29 men who were members of this or some such friendly society. Mr Jenkin Watkins, late Gibbett Farm, Coity, but now of Wenvoe, was glad as a very old neighbour to be present to visit Mrs Griffiths to whom he proposed a hearty vote of thanks, on I behalf of the lodge, for her generosity and hospitality. Those votes were characteristic of her and her fa: uly. Mr W. Powell seconded, and added he was glad to see the rector and curate among them. Those gentlemen were ever ready to share their sorrows, and it was therefore but meet that they should partake also of their joys. Mrs Griffiths was good everywhere, and he sincerely wished her and hers God's protection. Mr T. Davies responded on behalf of Mrs Griffiths and said that that lady hoped that visit would not be their last, but that many were yet in store. Another selection by the band followed, and afterwards all marched to a spacious marquee erected in the Inn Field, where the hostess, Mrs Griffiths, served a sumptuous dinner. The quality of the dinner as usual, and the splendid army of waiters left nothing to te desired. Dinner being over, the youngsters of Pencoed were then regaled with pudding to their hearts content. Mrs Griffiths and Mrs Chatterton on such occasions always deal liberally with the rising generation, and now they look as eagerly as any for their portion. The next and last march was then made for Tregroes, the charming residence of Mr and Mrs Christie, who very kindly and liberally re- ceived the company. Mr Elliott returned thanks on behalf of the lodge in suitable terms. Mr Christie responded, and thanked all for the very kind wishes expressed for himself and Mrs Christie. He bad great faith in Friendly Societies they taught their members the noble spirit of independence, aud he hoped to live there many years to receive and welcome them annually. The return journey was then commenced, and the head quarters was again reached at 8 p.m. The marquee was quickly filled by mem- bers, their wives, and children, and visitors, and a previously arranged programme was at once proceeded with. Mr J. Edwards occupied the chair, Mr T. Davies being conductor, and both I gentlemen worthily filled their respective positions. The Chairman, in his introductory remarks, said that the present age was said to be the age of action. Individuals and institutions were at their level best to make one and all better. That proved that there was evil somewhere. Many bothered their heads with the question How came that evil into the world ?' That question was an interesting and important one, but much more so was the question How to get that evil cut of the world ?' Much had been don" in that direction already, but much more remained to be done. He hoped those present who were members of Friendly Societies j would s'und aloof no longer, but at once come forward and join their or some kindred institution. (Cheers.) n- A selection by the band followed, and then Mr D. Thomas gave a capital rendering of 4Yr Wyddfa.' Mr J. Matthews recited < Bwthynod Cymru in a very spirited manner, and Mr T. Davies followed with a, song, •Monte C.-lo,' in his own characteristically popular style. Mr Daniel Samuel, the indefatigable secretary of the Lo lire, aud to whom much of its success must be attributed, was next called upon. Mr Samuel at tne outset read a telegram which he had received in the course of the afternoon from Mr Evans, Court House, who was away from home, announcing his inability to be present with them and regretting the same. The speaker then gave a resume of the position of the' Society, from which it appeared that the number of members was 142, and their capital nearly £ 900. Their motto was still 'Excelsior,' and with their Juvenile Lodge to feed the adult one, he confidently predicted a very bright future for them. That was the 27th anniversary he had attended in succession, and he had never seen them looking better. He had heard recently that some friend from another lodge had said that his (the friend's) lodge could buy up Bran ac Ilid' Lodge. That friend was either joking or dreaming, for Bran ac Ilid was and could not be bought. Those who know Mr Samuel know also he can sing well, and it is enough to say that lie concluded his address by singing Aelwyd Lan in a most 11 11 patheticilmanner. Another selection having been given by the band. Mr T. Thomas, Box Cottage, was next called upon for an address. Mr Thomas responded in Welsh. He said he would stand up in response to the call, but he was not going to say much for he saw his old friend, the representative of the Guzeitr, there recording all he saw and heard, and if he said much he might say something lie would'nt care to see in print. He had not been absent from one anniversary, and had not missed even one lodge meeting for 14 years. He had learnt the virtne of faithfulues to some extent from the fathers who had gone before, and whose memory he still cherished very dearly. That was the best anniversary he had ever seen at Pencoed. Mr Thomas having congratulated all present on the sobriety and perfect good temper maintained throughout the day, concluded with some verses he had specially written for the occasion, but a copy of which the writer failed 10 secure. Mr D. Watkins next sang Is?belle' in splendid form, and was followed by Miss C. A. Thomas, Box Cottage, who recited Macbeth's Soliloquy in a very effective manner. That was the soliloquy for the best recitation of which a chair was offered at the last Pencoed Eisteddfod, and it will be remembered that Miss Thomas took the chair, though she had several grown-up competitors to measure swords with. Mr Rees Jenkins, Coychurch, next spoke, and said^ he rejoiced to see such an assemblage. Legitimate enjoyment was stamped upon every face present, and that did credit to officers and all concerned. To promote the interests of friendly societies was everybody's duty, were it only for the relief of taxation. It was a pleasure to find that this Society was so sound financially. Those anniversaries woke up and cheered the youngsters, who should watch and learn so as to be ready to take the reins them- selves when called upon. The speaker concluded with some poetical lines which will be seen in the Welsh column. Mr J. Pearce next sang Simon Lloyd' in a manner which elicited rounds of applause, and was followed by the band which gave The life of a Soldier' (Monson), a piece that was only published some two weeks ago. Mr T. Francis having sung another popular sang, and Mr J. Evans having spoken on the statistics of the Manchester Unity, Mr W. Lewis sang 'Just before the battle, mother,' in a very touching manner. Mr T. Davies proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman. This was duly seconded and carried amidst cheers. Finally, Mr Samuel proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mrs Griffiths, the generous hostess, and her excellent staff of waiters, for the splendid hospitality enjoyed at their hands during the day. This was seconded by a chorus of voices and carried with the greatest enthusiasm. So thus ended the proceedings of a day which was remarkably enjoyable from its opening to its close. 0

.,.MISCELLANEOUS. -

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