Lancashire gathering

[Pennines]

Tony -- thank you for your reply. At least you know such a society existed in your area of interest and it is a possibility - but with any such gathering, unless there is an insignia or a definite sign - it is unfortunately still speculation.

I am from Lancashire and I know these societies spread northwards as well. There was definitely one in my town. You can often find articles in the old local newspapers about their meetings. It could be worth placing your photo in the local newspaper now and asking if anyone has any idea what it may be -- someone may recognise one of their ancestors!! You never know.

Brigidmac - yes I noticed the lack of people smoking also - but I don't know if smoking was forbidden in these societies (I doubt it in those days actually, but I really don't know.)

[Treetotal]

Could the man far left be standing on a beer crate?
Carol

[artisann]

I wonder if it is a photo of a 'Pleasant Sunday Afternoon Society'?

These were Men's Societies, usually attached to a Church - who met -- as the name suggests -- on a Sunday afternoon. It was supposed to stop them from going to the pub!!

There is a very similar photo of the 'Zion Pleasant Sunday Afternoon Society' below. Many towns had them in the late 1800s - early 1900s.

I posted a similar photo on the photo forum asking for a date and the purpose of the gathering

I closed the topic see below

thanks for all the help
lesson learnt that access to the original photo will maximise chance to get a result
learnt that others looking always gives a different perspective
learnt that speculation helps but can also send you down blind alleys

what I can say
probably a club or society gathering, highly likely in London
roughly circa 1900-1909, although likely in the earlier part of that range

No one mentioned the pleasant sunday afternoon societies  but now it makes more sense than any of the other responses  particularly after reading the article on google, link below

https://www.richmondhistory.org.uk/wordpress/history-of-richmond/richmonds-congregational-church-vineyard/pleasant-sunday-afternoons-late-victorian-richmond-glimpse-1893-94/

In the article it states the movement started in the West Midlands in 1875

quote
The popularity of the meetings spread over the next ten years throughout the Black Country, across the Midlands and then beyond. The first meeting in London were held in 1888 in Tottenham and five years later the movement spread south of the Thames to Richmond in Surrey.

This is very informative and as the location of my great grandfather in that period was in SW London the purpose of the gathering could well be a pleasant sunday afternoon society.

regards
Tony

Very interesting Tony ..your photo  is very similar to the one I posted and I notice some of the gentleman in your picture also have what looks like badges in their lapels...learn something new every day 🙂

[artisann]

Thank you all for your interest in the photo....

Pennines I think it very likely what you say, Pleasant Sunday Afternoon Meeting and it  is quite possible one such meeting  that the photo was taken...thank you.

[davidgp]

Third man from the left front row in the RBwhite picture is holding a pipe - suggests he was a smoker.

[Treetotal]

I gave it a clean for you.
Carol

[Treetotal]

...and a black & white version.
Carol

[artisann]

Hello Carol
Thank you so much for doing your magic on the photo, I really appreciate what you have done ...you have done a beautiful job...thank you again.

And thank all the wonderful/kind people on Roots who give their time and expert restores, you are amazing.......

[Treetotal]

What a lovely response  ....it makes what we do on here so much more worth while 
Carol