Oddfellows Groups any experiences?

Yes my Father belonged to them many years ago, I believe they mainly tried to provide help for anyone who was going through difficult times either practically or emotionally .
It was always confidential & non judgmental.
As I recall it was known as The Oddfellows Fellowship.

I’m still undecided as to wether My Hubby fits in with your last sentence ?

I looked online for groups near me as your post interested me , Dec46. I'd never heard of The Odd Fellows but sadly no groups within 100 miles of me ! Nae mates !

I suppose you could try it and see how you get on.....

I had heard of them many years ago as there was an Oddfellows Hall near where I worked but I assumed it was a men's club. I didn't know they were still going.

I have heard of the Oddfellows but have no experience. For women I have been in contact with the Soroptomists who seemed a very nice group of women, with social meetings and a charitable focus. They were lovely but a bit too heavy on protocol for me. I've also met lovely women who belonged to the Townswomen's Guild (town version of WI) which is apparently short of members. The WI is another organisation found in most places and with very different meetings everywhere. If you are looking for company have you thought about something that is a hobby or interest? There are lots of history groups, art groups, music goups and choirs who are very welcoming. Ask at your library or Google. Hope you find omewhere to suit you.

I was recently invited along to an Inner Wheel lunch with a view to joining.
Very pleasant women but it wasn’t for me.
The rules etc quite strict as trisher said about another group and the business part of the lunch long and formal.
Also as it is another charitable organisation it could be very costly if you go to everything and if you don’t go to everything you seem to be rather out of it.

Thank you for your helpful posts. I like the idea that Oddfellows are a mixed sex group which can have a different feel to all women organisations. I am going to explore local WI though.
I have joined a local Theatre going group and am already in a reading group and games group at my local library.
I will go along to next Oddfellows meeting and report back on my experience.Pity there isn't one near you,tiredoldwoman we could have exchanged notes and decided which is best.

I knew a lovely Oddfellows Group where I used to live. I think though, that any of these groups are completely dependent on a few individuals and the group dynamics.
I have known people in most of the organisations mentioned above and the different experiences are less to do with the organisation and more with the personalities at ground level.

My grandmother helped to found a local Townswomen's Guild and told me that it was because the WI ' was against women's suffrage'. I have since found out that this was not so, so I think she must have meant the women at the local group!

We have a large and popular U3A locally, and as it runs several groups, does seem to be less 'cliquey' than some.
We also have a large and popular Co-operative Women's Guild (in which my other grandmother was an active member)