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This brass polehead is in the form of a floriated spear with several curved projections, a cut out of a heart in the centre and surmounted by a Dove of Peace. It belonged to the Old Club at Meare, Somerset, which was established in 1793. The Feast Day was held on Whit Monday. Poleheads were carried on processions by members of village clubs or parish friendly societies on their annual ‘walks’. The friendly societies were formed to provide some insurance for members against sickness or death, and also played an important role in the social life of the village.

1 polehead: metal

MERL Object Handling Research, Rachael Rogers, December 2019 - 'This brass polehead is in the form of a floriated spear with several curved projections, a cut out of a heart in the centre and surmounted by a Dove of Peace. It belonged to the Old Club at Meare, Somerset, which was established in 1793. The Feast Day was held on Whit Monday. Poleheads were carried on processions by members of village clubs or parish friendly societies on their annual ‘walks’. // Club brasses, mounted on poles, were carried in procession by the members of village clubs on their annual ‘walks’. These clubs were parish friendly societies formed to provide some insurance for their members against sickness or death, though in addition they played an important part in the social life of the village. Most clubs had a strict code of behaviour laid down in their constitutions and usually the annual meeting was followed by a church service and a ‘walk’ round the parish. Although poles were carried in this procession in many districts, the use of brass heads was confined to Somerset and the adjoining counties. // Brass poleheads such as this were largely found in the West Country. This is thought to have been due to the prevalence of brass industries in Bristol and Bridgwater. Those poleheads used to the north and the east of Bridgwater and Yeovil tended to be flat and cut from sheet brass, while those to the south and west were 3-D. // The majority of these societies dated from about 1793 when the Government passed an act to encourage their foundation. Several more acts followed during the first 60 years of the 19th century, until excessive government protection led to the decline of the clubs. A few however remained in existence until the National Insurance Act of 1911. // The design of the brasses was sometimes conventional, however they also represented an interest of the club such as the inn in which the meetings were held. The addition of a crown could indicate loyalty to the monarchy, while an acorn or oak leaves indicated strength or longevity. Other symbols include clasped hands or two figures shaking hands indicating friendship and community, religious symbols such as anchors or the Agnus Dei, and horseshoes. // The MERL’s collection has an extensive number of poleheads, some of which can be seen in the Town and Country Gallery.', Club brasses, mounted on poles, were carried in procession by the members of village clubs on their annual ‘walks’. These clubs were parish friendly societies formed to provide some insurance for their members against sickness or death, though in addition they played an important part in the social life of the village. The majority of these societies dated from about 1793 when the Government passed an act to encourage their foundation. Several more acts followed during the first 60 years of the 19th century, until excessive government protection led to the decline of the clubs. A few however remained in existence until the National Insurance Act of 1911. Most clubs had a strict code of behaviour laid down in their constitutions and usually the annual meeting was followed by a church service and a ‘walk’ round the parish. Although poles were carried in this procession in many districts, the use of brass heads was confined to Somerset and the adjoining counties. The design of the brasses was sometimes conventional or sometimes represented an interest of the club such as the inn in which the meetings were held., Fuller, Margaret D. 1964. West Country Friendly Societies. Lingfield: Oakwood Press: Catalogue. No. 78., Taunton Museum No. (as identified in Jardine Archive files D DX1787): 52., South Kensington Museum (V & A) No. (as identified in Jardine Archive files D DX1787): 667.

City of Nottingham Museum and Art Gallery (Agent)
Taunton Museum
Victoria & Albert Museum