Saturday’s brilliant weather was ideal for the annual summer outing of the Cuckfield Band of Hope which took place to the Orchard Pleasure Gardens at Hassocks. Waggons lent by local farmers were used to convey the large party to their destination and the Committee are grateful to Mr WJ Clapp, Messrs. Black and Revell, Messrs. Hillman & Sons and Mr H Upton, who by their kindness made the excursion possible.

Over ninety children and a number of adults made the journey, which commenced at nine o'clock, and the Rev. JE Dean, Mrs Conn, Mrs Napper, Mrs Fuller, Miss Matthews, Miss Conn and Miss Pace, members of the Committee, were among the excursionists. A picnic lunch was enjoyed, and a splendid tea was provided, the remainder of the day being spent as the party desired. Home was reached shortly before nine O'clock.

Mid Sussex Times, 12 July 1921

Band of Hope

The Band of Hope was first proposed by Rev. Jabez Tunnicliff, who was a Baptist minister in Leeds, following the death in June 1847 of a young man whose life was cut short by alcohol. While working in Leeds, Tunnicliff had become an advocate for total abstinence from alcohol. In the autumn of 1847, with the help of other temperance workers including Anne Jane Carlile, the Band of Hope was founded. Its objective was to teach children the importance and principles of sobriety and teetotalism. In 1855, a national organisation was formed amidst an explosion of Band of Hope work. Meetings were held in churches throughout the UK and included Christian teaching.

Set up in an era when alcoholic drinks was generally viewed as a necessity of life, next only to food and water, the Band of Hope and other temperance organisations fought to counteract the influence of pubs and brewers, with the specific intention of rescuing 'unfortunates' whose lives had been blighted by drink and teach complete abstinence. Wikipedia.

Contributed by Malcolm Davison.

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