DELEGATES from the branches and lodges of the Oddfellows Friendly Society (OFS) meeting in Redruth, Truro and Plymouth have returned home following a successful four day regional conference held in Bournemouth. 

Attended by hundreds of members of the Oddfellows from around the south of England, the conference was opened by the chairman of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council Leslie Dedman who welcomed those present to Bournemouth and thanked the society for choosing the town as the venue for the four day event. 

A packed agenda considered the appointment of the officers of the Southern Group Oddfellows executive committee, the financial accounts as well as agreeing the many matters to be placed before the Oddfellows National Conference to be held in Llandudno later this year. 

Members attending from Cornwall were particularly delighted to establish that there was widespread support for membership fees to remain the same but that benefits to members were likely to be extended to include improved access to dental grants as well as members’ optical, care and emergency grants, legal advice services and more besides. 

A formal gala dinner was attended by all members in the presence of guest of honour, Councillor Dedman and her consort and this was followed by dancing. Between meetings, delegates were able to participate in visits to local places of interest. 

Oddfellows Conference 2
(Some of the delegates from Cornwall, (l to r) Joan & Ken Thomas from Helston, Bill Cook from Penzance and Tina & Pete English from Redruth)

Two past presidents of the Southern Group attended from Cornwall, Ken Thomas from Helston and Pete English from Redruth.

Speaking during the conference and following formal introductions to the incoming Southern Group president as well as to the chief executive of the OFS, Ken said: “Although this was a well-run and business like conference with a formal agenda, it was so good to meet again with old friends from around the Southern Group and to enjoy the social side of this popular annual fixture.

“The Oddfellows offers so much to its members and the benefits available to those who join are impressive. We have been extremely well looked after throughout as befits a friendly society which has been around since at least 1810. You’re never on your own when you’re a member of the Oddfellows.”