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Thank you Graham Johnson for supplying the following:

Sitting down to write this post, I am a little overwhelmed by the task in hand (or is that the hangover?), since this is really the subject of books, or at least several posts setting the scene, positioning today’s events in the context of 172 years of history of the Laurel and Crown Lodge of The Oddfellows Society. However, this has been covered much more ably and eloquently by others in the past (for instance the excellent paper in issue 4 of The Parwich and District History Society No. 4(January 2001) by Brian Foden. So I will confine my post to a walker’s description of the day, rather than try to explain the why’s and wherefores of the Oddfellows movement, and the origin’s and symbolism of the Oddfellows Anniversary Walk.

Due to Carolyn’s temporary incapacity, my wife Amanda gamely volunteered to provide a couple of fellow brothers with “the full monty” (that’s the breakfast – not the floor show!) in order to ensure we were well positioned nutritionally to enjoy the day. A dry warm day beckoned, in contrast to last years rather damp affair which ensured the walk this year was very well attended. All gathered at the Sycamore from 9am onward to toast the start, and at 9:45 having “sung” the opening ode, we were off, the linking of hands, a public display of the mutually supportive aims of the society. The Burbage Band led the procession, adding a wonderful sound track to the colorful occasion. 

First stop was Parwich Hall, where we were greeted by several generations of the Shields family, and pausing briefly for a group photo, proceeded to enjoy Robert and Alice’s Shields’ hospitality. A second stop to enjoy the kind hospitality of Mike and Dot Hart’s at Pool Croft (the original site of the start of the Oddfellows Anniversary Walk), and then it was on to the Church for the traditional Oddfellows service. This year the service was led by Andrew Robinson, and the hymns were sung with the accompaniment of the Burbage brass band. It was really rather a rousing sing along with the brass band playing inside the church and Andrew’s sermon reminded us of the namesake of our Church, St. Peter.

Following the service, it was back to serious marching (!) – on to Croft Avenue to Sharon and Brother Tim Rider’s for some further light refreshment, thence to Jean and Brother John Wayne’s at Nether Green house, before our final stop to enjoy the beauty of The Fold, in all its summer fineness, greeted by Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Gibson.

Dinner beckoned at the Memorial Hall, and following Grace delivered by Andrew, Val Kirkham and her band of helpers from Top Notch Catering served us up an excellent dinner – soup followed by a full roast beef dinner, apple pie and cream, and just in case that wasn’t enough, cheese and biscuits to finish. It is a modern miracle that Val can turn out such a great meal for 85 Brothers and visitors, with such limited facilities, and everything was served up piping hot.

We were especially honored to be joined at our dinner by Provincial Deputy Grand Master, Severn Trent District Alan Hyatt all the way from Church Stretton who addressed us, along with Brother Dennis Laycock and Brother Arnold Chadfield, who relayed the request for any help from Oddfellows for Project Parwich, and the rebuilding of the Memorial Hall.

A grand day was enjoyed by all Oddfellows, and to quote Brother Ray Mather – we certainly “kept the banner flying”. As all departed to continue the Wakes festivities at the Legion, Pub and on The Green, I couldn’t help but think of a line I remember hearing from a fellow Brother in the depths of a dull, cold wet November – never mind lad, it’ll soon be Wakes…………