To help relieve poverty there were Sick Societies, three in Dale. The Sick and Annual met in the pub. At one stage Harvey’s father was the secretary and Charlie Green was also involved. The Odd Fellows had a tuppence per week subscription and provided support if you were off work. It had a silk banner. Its 29th anniversary was celebrated on 18th May 1853, when it was recorded that it had 120 members and assets of £1500. On that occasion, the members dined together. They walked round the village first, then proceeded to church where a sermon was preached by Revd J.G. Howard, rector of Stanton and Dale. People then marched down to the clubroom led by a band playing the National Anthem and had a ‘sumptuous dinner’. Robert Murray, medical officer to the club, led ‘toasts, songs and sentiments’ and the evening was spent in the most agreeable and harmonious manner.  The club had been in existence thirty years.

The Friendly Benefit Society held its anniversary on Whit Wednesday in 1858, in the church, then people processed around the village to a room ‘where a bountiful dinner was provided’. Revd J.G. Howard presided and several honorary members were present. The Pioneer  for 3rd June that year records:  ‘the society numbers nearly 100 members and is in a flourishing condition, their capital being nearly £1700’.  

Probate records  for Dale for the period 1753 to 1856 can be found on www.londonfhc.org.

Fundraising for various purposes went on until recently. They frequently took the form of dances, held in the clubroom (which is now a private house) and in the school after it was enlarged, and until it ceased to function as the village’s hall in 1983. At this time, the Chevening Trust which owns the building allowed it to be used as a private school: the founder of this school, giving no warning to the village, changed the locks and excluded the village. There is still resentment as a result.

Memorable fundraising events usually included the village band, which played till three a.m. every fortnight to raise funds for recommends who needed to go to hospital. At one stage Harvey was the band’s drummer (a task he undertook because he was courting Chris at the time!), Olga from Hagg House played the big drum and Chris Cross played the cornet; they practised in Thelgarth’s orchard. It was found that the Smedleys were natural musicians and sometimes the band practised around the base of the Cat and Fiddle mill. Sometimes a band ‘gig’ would finish with a parade to the Stanhope Arms at the Flourish.