80 A Bride To The Past

In 1956 the group changed its name to Wilmot Valley E'ening Circle. Another change took place in 1963, but this time on a wider sale when all women of the United Church of Canada were grouped togetier under the name United Church Women.

Each community group is now called a unit and a pastor.l charge may have several units. These units carry on with their regular monhly meetings but all units meet jointly every three months. These general neetings serve to impress on the minds of the members a deeper sense of the initedness of their organization and provide an opportunity to renew acquiintances and discuss activities with members from more distant parts 0‘ the pastoral charges such as: Lot 16, North Bedeque, Freetown, Kensingon and Sum- merfield.

Meanwhile the young girls of the United Church were aking advan- tage of the leadership training offered to them. They were iivited to meet with the Flora Toombs Mission Circle and take part in the prigram. These younger members included: Beulah Jardine, Phyllis Hogg, letty Huestis, Shirley Agnew, Doris Agnew, Georgie Burgess. This was betveen the years 1945 to 1952 and a few years later, during the 1960’s, a Canidian Girls in Training group was underway at North Bedeque with Mrs. R)b€'TI Shaw in charge.

Leadership in the Explorers was given by Mrs. Dingwel. Among the girls who attended these groups were: Darlene Clark, Beverl' Clark, Judy Folland, Faye Farrar, Juanita Hogg, Judith Hogg, Debbit Folland and Karen Millar.

Mrs. Betty Millar, Wilmot Valley, a member of Kensngton United Church was leader in Explorers and C.G.I.T. for twelve yea‘s .tnd among the graduates under her training were Jayne Hogg and Heathc.r Millar.

EXCELSIOR DIVISION, SONS OF TEMPERAI‘CE WILMOT VALLEY

The first Temperance Society on Prince Edward Island was organized in 1827 at Bedeque. T0 Rev. Robert S. Patterson, Presby :riin minister goes the credit for its organization and before long membfrs were being drawn from surrounding areas, including Wilmot Valley.

It is not known if any taverns were in operation localy at this time but, in general the consumption of intoxicating beverages was all too prevalent. From the homemade wines to the gallons of w‘isly and rum carried home from the taverns it was a growing problem. It is n(t surprising that the Bedeque Temperance Society in its first pledge did ntt try to impose total abstinence but allowed its members to enjoy themselve: 0: Christmas Day and Election Day. This pledge was later changed to t)ta abstinence and before long the good effects of this society were being noiced.