STALBRIDGE HISTORY SOCIETY APPEAL
Save our Sunburst
The Sunburst is a large display piece using eleven brass poleheads mounted in a semi-circular wooden base. The shape of the poleheads is catalogued by the Museum of English Rural Life at the University of Reading and is identified as the emblem of the Stalbridge branch of the Union Society of Foresters.
Before the advent of the Welfare State and the NHS, these Friendly Societies, or “Clubs”, formed locally and financed by small weekly sums from Club members, were widespread in Britain. But it was the Clubs in West Country villages and towns, like ours, that were distinguished by their brass poleheads and their annual Club Walks.
For nearly two centuries, the Clubs were a vital lifeline for millions of the poor and needy. They also provided an excuse for the local community to let its hair down. Stalbridge was no exception and, once a year, after the customary Church Service, it celebrated “Club Day” with processions, brass bands, banners, dancing, feasting and the consumption of large quantities of beer and cider. An important feature of the day was the Club Stewards leading the parade, dressed in their Sunday Best, decorated with sashes, buttonholes and floral cockades, and carrying their painted staffs and polished brass polehead emblems.
How and why eleven of these poleheads came to be made into a display is not known. It could be the result of an amalgamation of the two Stalbridge Clubs in the early 19th century, which might explain the date plate with the broken date changer (at the centre of the wooden base). If so, the Sunburst is more than 200 years old.
At present the Sunburst belongs to Phillip Hoyland of Burnham on Sea, who has been researching West Country Friendly Societies and collecting their poleheads since the 1970s. During this time he has never seen a similar display piece.
The Stalbridge History Society and Mr Hoyland have been exchanging research and information about the Stalbridge Clubs for more than three years, which resulted in him giving a talk to the Society in September this year. He acquired the Sunburst in 2018 and, along with other pieces from his collection, brought it to the talk.
Because of a serious deterioration in his health, Mr Hoyland is disposing of his poleheads collection and has offered to sell the Sunburst to the History Society for £650 - the price he paid for it. The Society accepted his offer and is now launching an appeal so that this unique piece can return to Stalbridge and be put on permanent display as part of the Town’s heritage. We need to raise £650, plus c£300 for a secure case.
Before the advent of the Welfare State and the NHS, these Friendly Societies, or “Clubs”, formed locally and financed by small weekly sums from Club members, were widespread in Britain. But it was the Clubs in West Country villages and towns, like ours, that were distinguished by their brass poleheads and their annual Club Walks.
For nearly two centuries, the Clubs were a vital lifeline for millions of the poor and needy. They also provided an excuse for the local community to let its hair down. Stalbridge was no exception and, once a year, after the customary Church Service, it celebrated “Club Day” with processions, brass bands, banners, dancing, feasting and the consumption of large quantities of beer and cider. An important feature of the day was the Club Stewards leading the parade, dressed in their Sunday Best, decorated with sashes, buttonholes and floral cockades, and carrying their painted staffs and polished brass polehead emblems.
How and why eleven of these poleheads came to be made into a display is not known. It could be the result of an amalgamation of the two Stalbridge Clubs in the early 19th century, which might explain the date plate with the broken date changer (at the centre of the wooden base). If so, the Sunburst is more than 200 years old.
At present the Sunburst belongs to Phillip Hoyland of Burnham on Sea, who has been researching West Country Friendly Societies and collecting their poleheads since the 1970s. During this time he has never seen a similar display piece.
The Stalbridge History Society and Mr Hoyland have been exchanging research and information about the Stalbridge Clubs for more than three years, which resulted in him giving a talk to the Society in September this year. He acquired the Sunburst in 2018 and, along with other pieces from his collection, brought it to the talk.
Because of a serious deterioration in his health, Mr Hoyland is disposing of his poleheads collection and has offered to sell the Sunburst to the History Society for £650 - the price he paid for it. The Society accepted his offer and is now launching an appeal so that this unique piece can return to Stalbridge and be put on permanent display as part of the Town’s heritage. We need to raise £650, plus c£300 for a secure case.
Please give generously so that we can Save our Sunburst.
More Information or offers of donations? Please contact:
stalbridgehistorysociety@gmail.com
More Information or offers of donations? Please contact:
stalbridgehistorysociety@gmail.com
