The Offley Family Society  

It is now over twenty years since the formation of the Offley Family Society and to celebrate the 20th anniversary a weekend event took place from Friday, 31st August to Sunday, 2nd September 2007. This was a great success and a report of the meeting can be read below.

20th Anniversary Meeting - a Report by John M Offley

                It was delivered with the perfect timing of a champion boxer. First there was the softening up period, during which I was plied with quantities of Offley Port and tasty tit-bits from the Richards’ abundant table; this engendered feelings of conviviality and well-being. Then there was verbal sparring to be followed by the rhetorical killer blow: “You will write a report on the Gathering,  won’t you?” I’m not sure whether I replied “OK” or “KO”, but I was well and truly on the canvas.

                A select group of Society members met at the Richards’ well-appointed residence in Codicote, where the conversation ebbed and flowed over a variety of subjects, not necessarily pertinent to family history. It gave us the opportunity to renew acquaintances and exchange news whilst partaking of the aforementioned delicacies. For those of us who remember the Second World War (or global conflict in today’s parlance), the conversation seemed to centre on the efficacy of certain medications, which makes a change from the complaints of aches and pains by our forebears.

                The following day we gathered in the wooden-clad extension at the back of “The Goat” in order to implement the formal business of the weekend. There were various displays to whet the appetites of those present, who included, we were pleased to see, Jane Evans.

                Our Chairman set the meeting in motion by looking back on the Society’s twenty years of existence and thanking those no longer with us but who had been influential in its development. He then produced a copy of the new “Offley Family in England”, the production of which suffered from the quirkiness that is computer technology. There were also problems on the Offley Port side, but nevertheless the Society were now in possession of a box of the said drink for sale to members.

                Those present were surprised at how little we benefited from our membership of FFHS now that its News & Digest had ceased publication, and voted to resign, feeling that the subscription would be better spent on our own projects. After many years at the helm, Jack tended his resignation as Chairman, at which point Harold nominated David Nicol, who agreed to take over the position, if not with alacrity, at least with some acquiescence to the needs of the Society. I personally am in no doubt that he will do an excellent job. Jack’s rather incredulous reaction at this turn of events would definitely not gain him entry to RADA!

                Jane Evans then eloquently addressed the meeting, revealing that she, herself, had attempted to form an Offley Society in the 1970s, but with no success, and congratulated Jack on his achievement in this respect, plus all the subsequent work in its development.

                The other major change in the officers was Kevin Offley taking over as Publicity Officer, something he had done on an ad hoc basis at the Society’s very beginnings. Kevin, always a strong supporter, now has more time to devote towards the Society, and also agreed to organise next year’s Gathering at Fenstanton. A good choice.

                The meeting ended with a radical suggestion, as ever, from our now ex-Chairman that we spend some money on DNA tests to see whether there was any relationship between the different branches of the Offley family. The meeting agreed that this is an important issue, and a sub-committee was set up to look into its viability.

                We then adjourned to the bar and a buffet lunch provided by the pub, where there was much to be discussed. It was a good idea for us to get together at lunch instead of dispersing to various hostelries in the area.  Then back to the meeting room, where, due to the non-appearance of the booked speaker, Jack regaled us with some of his theories as to how the different strands of the Offley/Offiler/Offler family were connected. Although the theme of the talk was that we should keep our options open, some of his suggestions were, to my mind, preposterous and the evidence so flimsy that any court of law in the country would declare them out of order. But as a method of generating discussion, they were successful.

                Social events were occurring thick and fast on this our 20th Gathering, so we joined forces again in the evening at “As You Like It” Chinese restaurant, where everybody seemed to enjoy the dishes laid before them and tongues were soon loosened by the liquid accompaniments.

                As we had started, so we finished the weekend at 2 The Green with a buffet lunch and, guess what, more talk, before we wended our way home. For Beryl and I, our wending to Cumbria took place the following day, but memories of an enjoyable event will last a long time. It is a pity there were not more members to enjoy it.

                                                                                                                                             John M. Offley