History/Background
The Dolphin Society aims to help all impoverished elderly and disabled people in the Greater Bristol area to remain safe and secure in their own homes and maintain their independence for as long as possible.
Founded on 13th November 1749 in memory of Edward Colston, the Society was created by a number of his friends who wanted to continue the charitable work he had started. They attended a dinner organised by Francis Woodward on Colston's birthday to mark the occasion, and decided that the money raised should be used for charitable work within Bristol.
The name of the society comes from the dolphin in Edward Colston's coat of arms. The story goes that on one of his voyages a dolphin became stuck in a hole in his ship. This saved the vessel from sinking and everyone from a watery death.
The Grateful Society (1758) and the Anchor Society (1769) were formed shortly after The Dolphin Society with the similar intention of helping to continue Colston's charitable work.
The Tomb of Edward Colston
2003 Presidents of the Anchor, Dolphin and Grateful Societies in November 2003
Annually, each Society elects its own President whose task is to raise money during the first two weeks of November by writing to friends and supporters of the Societies. As part of the fund-raising activities each Society continues to hold dinners on November 13th, not unlike the original founders. A friendly rivalry exists between the Societies, much to the benefit of charitable causes. Last year the three societies raised more than £200,000 in just two weeks!
There are around 35 members of the Dolphin Society who meet several times each year to administer the charity, giving their time at no cost.
Dolphin Society AGM, 2005
Colston Day, 2002