Culmstock Silver Band

Culmstock Silver Band at a White Monday Friendly Society celebration in the early 1900s. The Friendly Society was one of thousands throughout the country that provided benefits for it’s members who suffered hardship through illness, accidents or death, in exchange for weekly contributions. These clubs played an essential part in our villages in pre-Welfare State provision. Hemyock’s club was a branch of the Rational Friendly Society. Several of the men are wearing badges of office.