Friendly Society : Glasgow Galloway Brotherly Association was a friendly society founded in 1791.  Friendly societies were in existence in the 17th century but reached their peak in the 19th century. They were originally organisations which provided a mechanism for ordinary people to save or make provision for infirmity, old age, death or burial and are mutual benefit societies owned by their members. They were encouraged by the Registration of Friendly Societies Act 1793 (33 Geo. III, c 54). The Friendly Societies Act 1855 (18 & 19 Vict., c 63) established the Registrar of Friendly Societies. Some friendly societies also acted as social clubs and organisations and included the Free Gardeners, Oddfellows and Shepherds Friendly Society. (Page Index)

Origins : The Galloway Association of Glasgow was formed by a few Gallovidian men who had gone to Glasgow to find better opportunities, and no doubt more money.  Glasgow was a long way from Galloway in those days!  It was with great foresight therefore that in the days long before welfare benefits, they put aside a few bawbees to help the wives and weans back in Galloway, who perhaps had fallen on hard times when the menfolk were off in Glasgow seeking their fortune.  At the same time it enabled retention of a link with their heartland and a real purpose of providing some form of tangible benefit for those at home.  It is believed that the last ‘claim’ on the wives and weans fund was in the early part of the 19th century, and although the Society was inactive for many years, the important thing is that it continued to exist and the money continued to attract interest.  Other similar bodies such as The Galloway Association of Edinburgh and The Galloway Association of London folded.

Progress : This extract from “The History of Galloway: From the Earliest Period to the Present Time” published in 1841, provides an historic perspective of the Brotherly Society and its funding:-
“There are so many individuals connected with Galloway in the city of Glasgow, that they have formed themselves into a society, called "The Glasgow Galloway Brotherly Society," which has done much good work in affording relief to many of its members. All members must be connected with Galloway, either by birth, residence, or marriage, and must have been born in Scotland. They pay a small sum according to their age, as entry money, and six shillings yearly in quarterly payments; and when unable to do any work from accident or ill health, they draw from its funds, from three to five shillings weekly, and their friends at their death receive forty shillings in name of funeral money. In this way upwards of £100 are paid away annually.
Many individuals residing in both Glasgow and Galloway have become free members, by paying a sum at once, in lieu of entry money and quarter accounts, who scarcely ever have occasion to draw from its funds. This has tended materially to increase the capital; and during the early stage of the society, when its members were young and not drawing largely from it, the funds accumulated so as to enable the members to purchase two small properties in the suburbs of Glasgow. The city having extended of late years towards one of them, its value has been so much enhanced, that the stock of the society is now estimated at £1,500. There are nearly 300 members, and its affairs are managed by a preses (Chairman), treasurer, twelve masters, a doctor, secretary, and an officer elected annually.”    (Page Index)

Evolution : The Galloway Association of Glasgow adopted its new constitution and rules at a General Meeting on 29th January 1940.  This was a time of deep conflict in Europe and re-affirmation of the Association’s objectives at that particular time showed an ongoing concern for the welfare of those Gallovidians who may have been affected in one way or another by the ravages of war.  Some further minor tweeking of the Constitution has taken place since 1940, but whilst the original purpose for the Association may have changed over the years, the fact remains that it still contributes in a very real way to the benefit of Galloway and its people.

Over the years there have been many individuals who have given much to the Association through their personal commitment, but perhaps special mention should be made of the Church of Scotland minister, the Rev Sam Aitkenhead who had links with our organisation for well over 30 years, and was its President for 17 years. Sam's first charge was Park Church in Dalbeattie, and he moved with his family from that Galloway town to New Cathcart Church in the south side of Glasgow in 1959. From then until his death in 1995, he worked hard for the Association, and as a man who never did anything by half, many people in Glasgow with a Galloway connection were able to be helped by Sam. That was typical of the man, he rarely used his time for himself, it was always untiringly spent for others.
 
The second half of the 20th century was a time when people suddenly found themselves with more free time, but new interests, driven by television, improved communications and the onset of the information technology era, actually meant that fewer people were interested in 'old hat' organisations like the Galloway Association of Glasgow.  In fact similar Associations linked to Edinburgh and London folded. Sam should therefore be best remembered for his drive, enthusiasm and commitment that kept the Glasgow Association alive through this difficult period, and for the efforts he made to recruit appropriate people to the cause, several of whom are still very active in the Association today.

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