Turvey Society

Turvey has always been a sociable village, with many clubs and societies for its residents. On these pages we explore those organizations and other aspects of village life. You can use the buttons on the left to go to pages dedicated to various aspects of village life.

Schools Railways World Wars Church Choir Special Occasions

Many of Turvey’s clubs and societies were founded by Charles Longuet Higgins.

Brownies and Scouts

The first Turvey Brownie pack was started in the early 1960's by Ethel Umney. In the following years the church organist, Enid Wandsworth became the Brown Owl with Gwen Wooding as her Tawney.

There was also a Scout pack which from 1928-1935 met in the Working Men's Room in Bamford's Yard.

According to Quarter Session records, in 1843, Turvey petitioned that the police force should be discontinued except for the chief constable and superintendents!

Turvey Cricket Club

Here are some old photos of Turvey's cricket team. This was a noted county club in the 1890's. At this time the captain was George Edward Hopkins - the Headmaster of the National School and choirmaster/ organist. There is more about him on the Schools page.

The top right picture is from 1949. Sadly I do not know the date of the others. If you click the two right hand pictures, they will enlarge so you can see more details.

Turvey had its own policemen. A visitor to this site remembers PC Lake and PC Pickering.

Dear Gert

Just found out that I can’t com out today Missus just tolded me because she is going out to tea I think she might have said so before I don’t know wether you will get this be 4 oclock but I hope so She did not tell me while 11:15 this morning

Goodbye Best love

Boss

Picture postcard sent from Turvey to Miss G Roberts of 45 DeParys Avenue, Bedford, dated 1.05 pm, February 13th 1906. Please note that the spellings are as the original.

Villagers had their own ways of saying things.

Postal Services in Turvey

With many postal deliveries throughout the day, people could once send postcards where we would now use a telephone. I know that one could certainly not post a postcard in the middle of the day in Turvey now and expect anyone in Bedford to receive it before 4pm! There is now only one post a day.

Turvey had a branch of the Bedford District of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

It was called Victoria Lodge and was formed in 1842. Between 1926 and 1932, members could receive a payment of 2/ per week if they were unable to work because of sickness.

Turvey Friendly Society

The Friendly Society was formed to help villagers with burial expenses and when wage-earners were ill. Turvey';s Friendly Society was founded by the Rev Legh Richmond. The following is a quote from "A Memoir of the Rev. Legh Richmond" by the Rev. T.S. Grimshawe, published in 1828.

The 1919 Turvey Cycle Club

Turvey Horticultural Society

The Turvey Horticultural Society began its Annual Flower Show in 1875. Competition was tough and a large proportion of the village would turn out to see the exhibits.

Here are the Committee members as of Monday 18 August, 1879.

Turvey Temperance Society

Turvey had a busy Temperance Society - concerned with educating people as to the dangers of alcohol. On 6 August 1879 the committee members were:

Senior Branch - J Mark, G Underwood, C Wallinger, T W Hinds, G West and J Harley.

The secretary was E Harley

Junior Branch - Mrs Munby, Mrs Skevington, Miss Perry, Mr G Wooding, G King, J Bailey.

The secretary was M E Foskett

T.A.T.S.

More recently Turvey has had a particularly good theatre group - TATS - Turvey Amateur Theatrical Society.

They were founded in 1980 and have done some excellent productions (I know this,from personal experience!)

To find out more about their latest productions, why not visit their website - T.A.T.S

Nuns march from the Parish Church carrying embroidered banners from various local church groups.

Mr Gasking
Mr Jas. Whitworth
Mr C Bailey
Mr G Finch
Mr T King
Mr T Lay
Mr C Paine

Mr J Pullen
Mr W Rubithon
Mr C Sinfield
Mr C Wallinger
Mr J Whitmee
Mr R Wooding
Mr F Wright

The Friendly Society of Turvey was composed of three divisions.

First, a club for children of both sexes, from 7 to 16 years of age; each member pays one shilling entrance, and a penny per month; and is allowed in sickness £.18 per week. From £3-£4 is the yearly expenditure on sick members. The society has deposited £50 in the savings bank, after 20 years duration. Its members have varied from 20 to 40 children. At 16 years of age a member becomes eligible to the senior clubs, and is entitled to receive half the entrance fee paid for admission.

Secondly, the club for women, confined to persons from 17 to 35 years of age. The entrance fee is five shillings; the monthly subscription one shilling, or one shilling and eight pence, at the option of the members. Those who subscribe the larger sum received six shillings per week in illness; space and to the lesser subscriber is paid for shillings weekly. The number of members has varied from 30 to 40. The

average payments for the last 20 years and £20, and the society has £200 in the savings bank.

Thirdly, the men's club, also comprises two classes. The members of one pay one shilling, and of the other one shilling and four pence monthly; and they respectively receive eight shillings and six shillings weekly in sickness. The entrance fee is seven shillings and sixpence. Their annual expenditure has been £35, and their present fund amounts to nearly £400. These clubs have about 20 honorary members, who greatly contribute to the opulence and prosperity of the institution; and their bounty, joined to the subscriptions of the constant succession of young members, Mr Richmond considered, on the calculation of the Northampton tables, to be adequate to the demands of the club. The rules and regulations of the Turvey club resemble, in most respects, those of other friendly societies; but some additions and

amendments were made by Mr Richmond too important to be emitted.

First - No persons of immoral character were admissible, or such as were likely to disgrace the society by habits of drinking, impurity, profane swearing, or other notorious crimes.

Secondly - A careful superintendence was maintained over the members by Mr Richmond and the officers of the society. Offenders were admonished; and after three admonitions, if reclaimed, were excluded from the benefits of the society.

Thirdly - The practice of assembling the members of these societies at public-houses, and of spending a portion of their funds in liquor, was prohibited; and their meetings were held in the vestry of the church, at which Mr Richmond constantly attended. By this arrangement nearly a fifth part of the funds were saved, and the temptations of the public house prevented.