BEDS & BUCKS DISTRICT
of
THE ODDFELLOWS
Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity Friendly Society
EXTENDS A VERY WARM WELCOME TO VISITORS.
Thank you very much for visiting - it's lovely to meet you - I hope I can tell you a bit more about our Society.
The Oddfellows has over 200 years of history in taking care of its members. In the Beds & Bucks District we have five branches, based in Bedford, Hitchin, Wellingborough, Buckingham and Dunstable. Social functions are arranged by each branch, but also at District level for all branches to enjoy together. There are also occasional functions held on a national level. Members are free to join in any of the functions advertised.
Our members are free to take part in as many or as few events as they wish. We try and organise a wide range of events to suit everybody, but are always open to new ideas - if there's something you'd like us to organise that you can't see listed already, then please let us know.
Business meetings take place monthly in each branch. Some are formalised, others less so. Many of the meetings incorporate a social event - a talk or demonstration - to make the evening even more enjoyable. Attendance at business meetings is entirely optional, although it is a very interesting part of our Society.
Our head office is based in Manchester, and many of the services available to members are run centrally from there. They have a dedicated "Care" team who are on hand to help members with health, legal, welfare issues and more. If they don't have the answer to your question, they'll doubtless know someone who does!. There is also a dedicated Citizens Advice Line for members to call if help is needed working through the benefits maze for example. We have a Credit Union to help savers and borrowers at reasonable rates.
Members are entitled to discretionery benefits after a certain period of membership, including help towards optical and dental costs, benevolent grants for cases of severe hardship, convalescence stays for those recovering from illness etc.
We also support our more youthful members with a small number of annual educational awards, and financial help for junior members suffering the loss of a parent by bereavement or abandonment. Our District also currently organises free panto trips for "Young Oddfellows" (when accompanied by a paying adult) at Christmas time.
EVERYBODY is welcome as an Oddfellow, regardless of age, background, or anything else!
This all adds up to a fantastic package of benefits for a very reasonable sum of £25 per year (at the 2011 rate), or only £23 per year if paying by direct debit.
To join, send your name and address to sue@oddfellowsbedsandbucks.co.uk, and we'll send you further details and an application form.
Still not sure if this is for you? E-mail (sue@oddfellowsbedsandbucks.co.uk) or call the District Secretary, Sue, on 07971 853881 for a chat, and maybe pop along to a social event or meeting to meet other members and find out more.
Thanks again for visiting - please do come back regularly - most of our events are open to non members, and you are very welcome to attend.
Yours fraternally
Sue Hill - District Secretary
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