The Overseas Buffalo Association
The OBA was formed in 1936 to help Buffs returning from Palestine by providing them with some home comforts, friendship and introducing them into Buff Lodges throughout the country. Buffesses and daughters were admitted a few years later as Associate Members without any voting rights. A number of years later the ladies were given full rights of membership including ALL the top offices at Council level.
CHORLEY BRANCH 220
In the spring of 1982 Bro. Jim Strickland CP joined the Lord Balcarres Lodge and after a few months asked if there was an Overseas Buffaloes Association Branch in the Province. The plain and simple answer was no.
As lodge secretary I promised to make some enquiries. No joy from the Grand Secretary, in fact no help at all!!
Eventually I was directed to a buffess in Blackpool, Mrs. Joyce Chambers, who was the Hon. Sec. of the OBA. We corresponded by post and telephone - no e-mail in those days - and eventually I met her at an OBA meeting and within a few weeks Chorley Branch was on its way to being formed and opened.
The inaugural meeting was at the Hollinshead Arms, -now Trader Jacks-Clifford Street Chorley on 16 April 1983. The opening ceremony was performed by Bro. Russ Chambers RoH President of the OBA, and, husband of Joyce. Apart from the founder members there were members from places as far away as Whitby, Huddersfield and Cumberland plus a few from Halifax where the next Branch was due to be opened later in the same year.
We enjoyed a very pleasant evening and Bro. Jim Strickland was overjoyed and until his passing away regularly expressed his gratitude several times a year!!
Since that eventful night the Branch has moved its home several times within Chorley and Leyland to such venues as The Wheatsheaf – now the George – in Chorley and the Priory Club in Leyland. The current meeting place is the East Ward Conservative Club in Chorley.
Chorley Branch currently meets on the fifth Tuesday of those relevant months which generally means four meetings a year, but, this can be altered by the members at a regular Branch meeting. Each Branch has its own number; ours is 220.
Who can join the OBA?
Any Buff in compliance in his lodge no matter what degree or standing.
Buffesses are more than welcome to become members as are daughters of compliant Buffs.
Please note; there are no degrees in the OBA just Brothers and Sisters.
The cost on joining is £3, which is also the current annual membership fee. Each Branch has its own registration fee for each meeting. To put it in easy terms a new member pays £3 which takes them on to the year end unless they join after July when the fee pays their membership until December the following year. Annual renewal is due on 1 January each year. Annual dues are paid to the Area Representative who then sends the payments to the Hon. Sec. of the OBA.
What do we do?
Each Branch organizes its own agenda, which is generally very relaxed, for its meetings. Some Branches, especially those that meet monthly, have themed meetings e.g. Easter Bonnet competitions in March/April. Others decide their agenda a month, or meeting, in advance dependant on how often they meet. There are visits to other Branches. Social nights;
Quiz nights the options are as many, or few, as the Branch decides.
The Hon. Sec. produces the quarterly newsletter, and distributes them to the Branches via the Area Reps. it contains letters, information and missives from a variety of members.
The Council of the OBA meets quarterly there is an AGM and TGM (three yearly meeting). Also there are quarterly reunions at Grand Lodge meeting venues on the Friday night social gathering prior to Grand Lodge on the Saturday. Grand Lodge meets on the first Saturday of March, May, September and December each year.
If you feel that we could be part of your life then contact me,Bro. Lionel Barker, Branch Secretary and Area Representative by whatever way suits you best. My phone number is 01257 410598, or you can Mail Me
