AMBLESIDE’S historic Association for the Prosecution of Felons held its 204th annual Bond dinner at The Salutation Hotel, when 125 sat down to the traditional dinner of roast beef, Christmas pudding and brandy sauce. When the Association was founded in 1813 some 40 years before the introduction of a regular police force, the control of crime was in the hands of the Magistrate, aided by his Village Constable. The role of the constable was to arrest, detain and bring before the Magistrate anyone breaking the law -but not to investigate. This meant that evidence of the identity of any culprit as well as necessary evidence to secure a conviction depended entirely on witnesses coming forward and appearing at court – and this required the payment of rewards and expenses. Sometimes a case would be pursued by the aggrieved person, but in the main it became the duty of the community, and in Ambleside’s case it was the Association which provided the funds and organisational assistance to enable this to be done.

Many areas had similar prosecution bonds but Ambleside is the only bond to have lasted continuously throughout 204 years while others disbanded when the police force was established. Direct descendants of two families listed at the Bond’s first meeting still hold membership, and others have been known to put their sons’ names down on the Bond’s waiting list at birth, to enable them one day to attend the annual dinner which is the Bond’s only remaining activity.

Grace before dinner was said by the Revd Bob Barker, and Association Chairman, Judge Anthony James presided over the occasion, during which fines of ‘half a crown’ each were paid on behalf of 70 absentees. The Toast to the Prosecution Bond was proposed by Sir David Trippier who was Conservative MP for Rossendale from 1979-83 and for Rossendale and Darwen from 1983-92, and a pupil at Bury Grammar School with Judge James. While in Parliament Sir David served as Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and for Employment and latterly as Minister of State for the Environment. He is also Provincial Grand Master of Freemasons in East Lancashire.

The Toast to Town, Trade and Farming was proposed by local estate agent, Derrick Hackney who commented on the state of the economy locally. Six new members were admitted to the Bond, leaving a waiting list of 14. Heads were bowed in silent memory of Bondsmen David Benjamin and Ollie Webb whose deaths occurred during the past year.