FRIENDLY SOCIETY ANNIVERSARIES.

Many of these societies in the town and neighbourhood have been holding their anniversaries during the past and present weeks. The quiet and romantic village of Brokenborough was dressed in holiday attire on Whit Thursday, it being the anniversary of the parish club. This society, which has on the books 95 old and 8 new members, started from the Rose and Crown Inn, where the club has been held for many years, and headed by the Sherston Brass Band, marched through the village and thence to church, where a most appropriate and forcible sermon was preached by the Rev. G. H. H. Hutchinson, vicar of Charlton and Brokenborough. After service the procession retired to the club room, where they sat down to a substantial dinner served up in hostess Pitt’s usual good style. The Rev. Mr. Hutchinson presided, and was supported by Dr. Salter and the honorary members. The day passed off pleasantly. We are happy to be able to state that this society is in a most flourishing condition, there having been but little sickness throughout the past year.—On Trinity Tuesday, the Castle Friendly Society celebrated its anniversary in its usual loyal and demonstrative style. This society, which is also in a healthy state, has the goodly number of 86 old members, while several new members enrolled their names on the day in question. The Malmesbury Rifle Corps Band, which by-the-bye is second to none in the county, discoursed some most excellent music throughout the day. Host Harper provided a most excellent dinner and which reflects much to his credit. Dr. Kinneir, the medical attendant of the society, presided at the table, and Mr. Bryant Robins most humourously supported the doctor on the right, while other honorary gentlemen and members of the society attended. The day, which was a very pleasant one from beginning to end, passed off satisfactorily.—The day following the Three Cups Club celebrated their anniversary in their usual festive style. At about ten o’clock the strains of the fine old band of the Malmesbury Rifle Corps was heard, thus dispelling all doubt from the minds of those who really had any misgivings from the unfavourable morning, as to this being a day’s pleasure. The band and members of this society which numbered 91 old members, while several new entries were made before dinner, after perambulating the town for two or three hours retired to the club room, which was tastefully decorated with certain devices of evergreens, wreaths, and boquets of flowers, &c., and sat down to an excellent dinner which was served up in hostess Hayes’ usual good style. C. R. Luce, Esq., presided, and was supported by Dr. Salter, the society’s medical attendant, and other honorary members of the club. After dinner, the band and members repaired to Halcombes House, the seat of C. R. Luce, Esq., where the whole company entered into sundry amusements in the pleasure grounds. After subsequently perambulating the town until night had fairly set in, the band with the members of the society retired to the club room, where they spent the remainder of the evening in conviviality. It is very gratifying to know that this society, after suffering severely from sickness, is still in a flourishing condition, and leaves a fair balance in the hands of the treasurer.