Westbury Friendly Society was founded in the late eighteenth century as an early form of community social security.  It is one of five surviving Friendly Societies in Somerset.  Each society would help members and their families in times of hardship and provide assistance with funeral expenses when a member died.

Some of these traditions live on in Westbury today.  When a member dies a small donation is made to the bereaved family and donations are also made to good causes in the village.

The Westbury Friendly Society is now responsible for many of the events in the village such as the Wassail, Club Day, the Senior Citizens Outing and Quiz Night.  (See the menu on the left of the page.) The biggest event of the year is the annual Club Day on Spring Bank Holiday weekend. This is spread over two days and is combined with the Church Fete.

Everyone in the village is welcome to join the Friendly Society and to become involved with the various events. New residents are particularly welcome.

If you are interested in joining the Society, contact the Chairman, Secretary or any committee member. (For a list of the committee and further details see Read more.)

In addition to the Westbury Friendly Society, there are friendly societies at Langport, Long Sutton, Priddy and Nether Stowey.  The Nether Stowey Friendly Society is unique as it has only female members.

The Westbury Friendly Society has a fixed term of three years (recently reduced from five) and the current term runs from 2007 to 2010.  At the end of this term there is a short 'club break' when the Society ceases to exist. A village meeting is convened to decide whether or not to re-establish the Society for a further three years.  So far the decision has been to carry on! 

COMMITTEE 2007-2010

President: John Field - 870654
Chairman: Sue Reece - 870618
Secretary: Peter Bright - 870640
Treasurer: Tony Shepherd - 870871
Raffles: Lesley Hill - 871022