Reference
Z1426
Title
Records of the Bedford Branch of Toc H, known as the Bedford Tinkers
Date free text
1926-1946
Production date
From: 1926 To: 1946
Admin/biog history
The following history of Toc H at national level is a summary from the Toc H website: www.toch-uk.org.uk
Toc H is an international movement instigated by the Reverend Philip Thomas Byard (Tubby) Clayton as a way to perpetuate the Fellowship developed in Talbot House, a soldiers’ club run by him in Poperinghe, Belgium from 1915-1918. It is from the contemporary phonetic alphabet for TH (Talbot House) that Toc H takes its unique name.
Fellowship sits alongside Service as a fundamental aim of Toc H and many branches still meet regularly to share in this aspect. Toc H is a Christian based Movement that welcomes those of other, and of no religion, into its fold and chooses to promote Christianity through deed and example rather than by preaching. There is some ceremony involved in branch meetings most notably the act of taking Light. Tubby’s birthday (which almost coincides with the anniversary of the original opening of Talbot House) is also celebrated annually with the World Chain of Light which unites branches around the world. There are strong overseas pockets of Toc H – particularly in Australia and Belgium –which carry out activities in the name of Toc H. In post-colonial countries such as Zimbabwe too, remaining members make small but vital contributions to the community.
Toc H has branches and members in the UK; Australia; Belgium; India; Zimbabwe; South Africa; Gibraltar; France and elsewhere. The commonality of this worldwide movement is its shared ethos which is best summed up in the Four Points of the Compass which express the fundamental beliefs of Toc H and were originally drawn up in 1920. These are Fellowship (To Love Widely); Service (To Build Bravely); Fairmindedness (To Think Fairly); and the Kingdom of God (To Witness Humbly).
Current status of Toc H in the UK
The changing face of the charity sector and a number of other factors brought Toc H to a critical stage at the end of the 20th century. The traditional branch meeting approach does not suit the lifestyle of many and increased regulation had an affect on branch activities and the project scene that had been prevalent in Toc H for many years. Membership had been in decline and Toc H faced a financial crisis. Thankfully, it had acquired an extensive property portfolio over the years, and the sale of this is allowing it to meet its obligations. All paid staff were made redundant by 2008 and Toc H is now run entirely by volunteers (except for a part-time administrator and accounts staff). However, the passion and determination of these people is ensuring that Toc H overcomes its problems and enters a period of renewal. As it approaches its centenary in December 2015, Toc H stands proud in its mission to bring people together in reconciliation and reach out to those members of society most in need.
Structure and Constitution
Toc H in the UK is a membership organisation managed by a board of trustees and governed by Royal Charter first granted in 1922. It is a registered charity (No. 211042).
Its charitable objectives as set out in the Royal Charter are: to advance the Christian religion, to advance education especially in regard to the study and practice of the social sciences, to promote the rehabilitation of offenders, to provide or assist in the provision of facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupations with the object of improving conditions of life, particularly among young people, to give relief to the poor and aged, to give assistance to the sick and to promote such other charitable purposes which Toc H may determine.
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History of Bedford Branch Toc H
There is a detailed history of Branch in the log book (ref: Z 1426/2 pp.163-167) from which the following time-line is taken:
1925: 13 July 1925. Padre Hew calls a meeting at his house at Rothsay Gardens with the aim of forming a branch
1925: November: first guest night at the Silver grill, Bedford
1925: December; first Rushlight procured, Albert Hall, London. Request for Lamp refused.
1926: acquired club house; disused room over Canvin’s sausage shop. Applied for Lamp again in July 1926, accepted in November and lit in December at Manchester by the |Prince of Wales [later Edward VIII] as Patron
Level of description
fonds