History of Bingley United Lodge No. 774.

Bingley United Lodge 774 was formed in 1844 under the name of "Rose without a Thorn". The name was changed to "Bingley United" in 1901 when it merged with three other Lodges in the Bingley District. Bingley United Lodge 774 is one of the oldest Lodges in the Grand United Order of Oddfellows Friendly Society and was 177 years old in 2021.

History of the Order

Various historians have advanced the theory that an Order of Odd Fellows was established in 1452 by various knights who were said to have met at the Boulogne-sur-Mere (Bull and Mouth) London and formed a fraternity. No records of meetings have been found as in those days meetings of large bodies were viewed with some suspicion, and wisdom possibly dictated it prudent only to keep records on matters that it was imperative to document. Although no formal records exist, it is known that there were two Orders of Odd Fellows: "Patriotic" and "Ancient". The existence of the "Patriotic" Order has been confirmed, as a copy of the rituals revised by a meeting of the Grand Lodge held in London in 1797 has come to hand. The first constitutional record of the Order's founding is the Bond of Union to establish "Amicable Lodge" Sheffield, and although a framed copy of this Bond signed by the Grand Master and Grand Secretary on behalf of the meeting of the Grand Lodge of the United Order of Odd Fellows held 6th January 1796 is held at Head Office it is questionable if this is the true date of the establishment of the Order. (Past publications intimate the "Amicable Lodge" declared independence in 1813). Records do not dispute the claim of the Grand United Order of Oddfellows being the oldest Branch Friendly Society. Over a period, disagreements between the Grand Lodge and branches led to a special meeting being held where a number of branches re-grouped and formed a new Order in 1810, now better known as the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (Manchester Unity) Friendly Society. Subsequent breakaways from the parent Order and the new Order resulted in the formation of further Orders of Odd Fellows. In the case of the parent Order, various Lodges seceded in 1832 to found the Ancient & Noble (Bolton Unity) which subsequently dissolved in 1962, and in the case of the new Order, the Nottingham Odd Fellows. During the early part of the 19th century there were further disagreements regarding the undemocratic way Rules were made and revised without the approval of Branches, which restricted the growth in membership. Eventually, the differences were resolved and overall government became the prerogative of the biennial delegate General Meeting vested with powers to make or amend rules, appoint a Central committee (Board of Directors) with authority to administer between meetings, The General Meeting is now held annually and is known as the Annual Movable Conference. The importance of membership in the early days was to safeguard family interests in times of sickness and adversity as such protection was not provided by the State. However, in the period 1912 to 1946 the Order administered State Benefits. Branch meetings provided the opportunity to practice skills in debate and became a training ground for members with political ambitions. There was also a feeling of security in belonging to a fraternal organization with Branches throughout England, enabling members to meet fraternal brethren during their travels. It has and remains the proud boast of the Grand United Order of Oddfellows that there are no artificial barriers to membership, as membership is open to all, and any member may attain the office of Grand Master or other principal position in the hierarchy of the Order. The motto, or watch words, "Friendship, Love and Truth" spread abroad with traveling or emigrating members, and branches were established overseas leading to the formation of Sub- Committees of Management in America and States of Australia. The General rules of the Order were amended at the 1925 A.M.C. with the introduction of a new Rule 1 to provide authority to appoint a full Committee of Management to administer an overseas jurisdiction's affairs. The A.M.C. of the Order and Board of Directors retain overall authority to issue dispensations for the establishment of new Branches, for the design of regalia and passwords to be used. The Order is established overseas as follows: America: from 1843 which governed Sub-Committees in Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic before they, in turn, were granted full Committee of Management status in 1962 and 1966 respectively. Australia: New South Wales from 1848. Queensland from 1863. (The fraternal conferences in the States of Victoria, South and Western Australia now cease to exist). Ghana: from 1879 - Committee of Management established in 1951. Nigeria: Districts and neutral Lodges were formed in the early days, granted Warrant to hold Fraternal Meetings and appoint a Committee of Management in 1976. Cuba: District 46 of the BMC of America currently exists in isolation, but the large number of members are in touch with their fraternal brethren in Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and America. West Indies, South America and Netherlands: Branches affiliated to either the AMC of the Order or BMC of America have been founded. The following legislation governing the activities of the home Order has been enacted: 1793 "The Encouragement and Relief of Friendly Societies Act" gave legal standing which was followed by further legislation throughout the 19th century. 1896 "The Friendly Societies Act" consolidated all previous Acts and introduced the need for actuarial valuation of a societies' Assets and Liabilities and provisions to protect against fraud and misuse of funds. Further Acts were placed on the Statute Book in 1908, 1924 and 1955. 1974 "The Friendly Societies Act" consolidated all previous legislation. 1992 "The Friendly Societies Act" contains provisions for Friendly Societies to incorporate, and through subsidiaries engage in business not previously open to them. The various sections come into force in stages. Other legislation has governed the operation of Friendly Societies including: 1946 National Insurance Act 1961 Trustee Investments Act 1966 Finance Act 1970 Taxes Act 1986 Financial Services Act The Board of Directors, who form the governing or Central body of the Order, are elected biennially by the delegate AMC, and the Principal Directors of the Society's Trustee and Grand Secretary once elected, serve at the pleasure of the Society.

HISTORY