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 Ever heard someone who is off work sick say they are “On the Club”? This odd expression goes back to the middle of the 18th century, when there was no such thing as sick pay. Working men, and their wives, began forming benefit societies. Members paid subscriptions in return for a weekly sum of money when they were off work ill.
A benefit society at Flash is affectionately known as the Teapot Club. It is said to take its nickname from a Feast Day competition where the first prize was a teapot. The contest was to see who could pull the ugliest face, known as “pullin yer roggin”. One year a Longnor man won the teapot and objected furiously. “I anna pewd yet!” he yelled. And that translates as “I haven’t pulled yet”.
Benefit societies were also known as friendly societies or sick clubs. Two of the earliest in the Peak were Wensley Jubilee Friendly Society and the Old Sick Club of Youlgreave, both established in 1763.
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Health and Sickness
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