Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received
The Editor
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© F.Coakley , 2026
[from A.M Harrision's Descriptive List of Insular Societies]
In a report 'from a correspondent' published in the Manx Advertiser of 3 April 1828 'a number of persons styling themselves the "Ballanard Sick Club",' mindful of the financial difficulties of the chronically sick poor, presented, in contrast to the constitution of the benefit society so popular on the Island, the constitution of a dividing society which would pay out annually from moneys deposited with the committee by members, and divided equally between all depositors, an equal dividend. Every member was to pay monthly 1s.2d., 1s. of which was retained for division and 2d.of which was used for defraying expences. Only members who were fully paid up at the end of the year and who attended the general distribution of money in person would receive the dividend.
There is no later feedback on the reception of this proposition by the inhabitants of Ballanard, a small area in the south-west of Onchan parish, very near to the border with Braddan, well known for the production of bricks and later the development of terra cotta wares, and possibly even in 1828 feeling the effects of industrialisation. The Kewleys of Ballanard, the talented and inventive principal family, may well have been concerned with the development of this initiative.
M.N.H.L., Isle of Man newspapers, ut supra et passim
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Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received
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