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The Editor
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© F.Coakley , 2026
[from A.M Harrision's Descriptive List of Insular Societies]
Now in its 185th year, the Benevolent Society of Andreas exists chiefly for the observance of its anniversary as a celebration of the parish's unique relic of its communitarian past. The procession on Ascension Day with a band, the church service, and the high tea served on the Club's antique, monogrammed china are now historical events to be cherished and viewed appreciatively by increasing numbers of onlookers. Founded by Thomas Allen of Ballavarry, Captain of the parish of Andreas, Member of the House of Keys, and Captain in the North Corps of Manx Volunteers, a militia regiment - the Andreas parish company, being 'enthusiastically attached to him' - an obituary, in the Manx Advertiser of 11 July 1822, recorded that 'when he had resigned all public situations, his active and benevolent mind, ever on the alert to devise plans of usefulness, suggested to him the great benefits which must arise to his parish from having a Friendly Society established in it. He tried and succeeded. It is now a useful and thriving institution.'
It accepted as members men under the age of forty without bodily infirmity or criminal records' and operated over a wider area than most parish clubs, taking in members not only within the home parish, but also 'in some part of the Isle of Man Ireland or Great Britain'. These out-members, if fully paid-up and certified, usually by post, as being 'incapable of getting a living' had the money due to them sent to their nominees Always supported by the membership of the substantial and able men of the parish, the society, a power for social Stability, prospered. At length, like all benefit clubs, it experienced the problems of ageing members and dwindling returns, and the competition of the large centralised groups of English Friendly societies with considerable reserves, the teetotal Rechabites and Foresters, and the Oddfellows, and reforms of its financial base were made from time to time. It says much for the cohesion of the parish and the resolve of the members that the society did not end with the social reforms of the twentieth century and the coming of the welfare state which effectively made them redundant.
Isle of Man newspapers ut supra et passim;
Rules and orders of the Benevolent Society of Andreas, (Douglas,1813 [MM D126/3/a]).
William Radcliffe, 'Andreas Club some notes and digressions', Ramsey Courier, 3 June 1927, 'Last of the Village Clubs,' Ramsey Courier, 13 May 1932.
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Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received
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