OTD - 30th January (1890)

From the Devizes Gazette, 30 January 1890

"Great Western Railway Temperance Union: The sixth anniversary meeting of the Melksham branch of the above was held in the City Mission Hall on Saturday evening last, and was preceded by a tea, of which a good number of members and friends partook.

"At the meeting, Mr. John Shadwell, of Meadow Bauk, Whitley, presided, and read letters from the Rev. Canon Warre and Rev. F. Slater regretting their inability to be present — Mr. Matthews, station-master, being called upon to give the report, said he was very sorry the secretary, Mr. Cornish, was unable to attend, and he had not sent any figures, therefore he could not tell them how they stood, but he could say that there had been no decrease in the number of members, and he thought no increase.

"It was very difficult to hold their meeting, the only time the members could attend being Sunday afternoon. Temperance was a great thing among railway men, it insured the safety of the passengers travelling as well as themselves. There had been a great agitation in the country known as strikes, for advances of wages, and he was glad to say that the railway men had not taken part in them. Strikes were good to no one in the end. Mr A. said that be took great interest in temperance, especially among railway men. He thought that the Companies ought to encourage in every way abstinence amongst their men, as it was greatly to their benefit.

"Br. R. Alford general secretary to the Union, said that the Melksham branch was the first country branch that was started, it had been working under great difficulties, as the station and staff were small, and the two other stations, Holt and Seend, were smaller. As Mr. Matthews said, the only day they could meet was on Sunday, and it was difficult to get the members together. But under these difficulties they had flourished, and now numbered some 25 members. He was sorry that they were unable to have the report that evening, as figures were things that could he carried away and remembered.

"He would give one instance of temperance on the Great Western Railway. When the Queen honoured the Company by travelling on their line, the driver and the entire ideal connected with the titan, belonged to the Union, and he thought he might say were total abstainers. Miss Mottram and others afterwards addressed the meeting, and Miss Burford (London) gave three sacred songs in good style, which were well received."

Discussions encourage:
* This history of the temperance movement
* The dangers of drink
* The problems of finding a date and time convenient for all for a meeting
* Live music at meetings