THE HENPECKED CLUB

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 129, 4 June 1927, Page 7

THE HENPECKED CLUB

ANNUAL JEST WHICH NEVER FAILS.

Keeping up an'old Easter Monday custom, the members of the Ancient and Honourable Henpecked Club held their annual gathering on 18th April last, the only day in the year when they aro supposed to be free to indulge in absonco from domestic toil (states a correspondent of tho "Manchester Guardian"). The meotingplaco was a tiny hamlet on tho Halifax side of Blackstone Edge Moor, and miles away from the beaten tracjk of motorists and ramblers. In a hollow of the hills, on the fringe of tho Lan-cashino-Yorkshire boundary, tho extrcmo isolation of the placo formed an excellent "secret" meeting centro for the club.

Tho gathering was officially aescribod as tho "5820 th annual," for, bo it known, tho first member to bo enrolled was Adam, in 3890 B.C. Since that date tho henpecked ones, by work and service, have constantly been qualifying for membership, until now the movement is world-wide. Many branches have been sot up, but tho club at Boulderclough, near Halifax, is the recognised parent body, and the Easter ■ Monday assembly of that august organisation is consequently counted as one of supremo importance to tho movement.

The members turned up in strong force, travelling to the camp by devious routes. It had been rumoured that an attempt would be made this year to broadcast the official proceedings, while the membors of the "Nagging Wives' Society" had also expressed a desire to meet at' the same pls.ee! Fortunately those proposals were not proceeded with, or thero' would have been a breach of the peace, for the, henpecked ones had declared that they would resist all interference on their one day of freedom in the year to the last ditch. They were prepared to carry out that threat by force, being well "armed" with brooms, whitewash brushes, and pans, their workaday utensils! As the members tramped ovor the hills in twos and threes they were subjected to many taunts from local people who suspected their identity. ■Having safely run the gauntlet and entered the littlo Mothodist school, however, they were happy for the rest of the day. The official business was secretly transacted. Officials were'appointed for the year; new recruits were carefully examined and enrolled; and, perhaps most important of all, two sub-, stantial meals w,ere consumed, during which old times were recalled and the domestic hardships of the year were related. It was a day of joyous fun and happy frolic, with grey-bearded men as lively as butchers'^boys. One question debated at length was in regard to a badge. Eventually it was agreed to issue a badge to all members, so that all may know that the wearers are truly henpecked. •