The local Ancient Order of Britons have a very prosperous club which meets weekly at the Angel Inn for social and philanthropic purposes, and from time to time benefit concerts have been given there for members who have fallen on evil days, and the philanthropic aspirations of the club were further evinced on Friday night by the holding of a smoking concert in aid of the new Mayor’s fund for the relief of the Belgian refugees who are coming to Banbury as the guests of the borough. There was a generous response to the appeal, tickets being liberally purchased, and the whole arrangements were of a successful character. The retiring Mayor (Mr A. J. Larkin-Smith) presided and was supported by the Mayor-elect (Mr W. J. Harding), Mr W. J. Bloxham, Mr J. J. Chard, Mr E. S. Holland, Mr F. J. Wilks, Mr W. I. Hirons, Mr F. F. Broodbank, Mr W. W. Trolley, Mr H. J. Webb, jun., Mr W. J. Chard, and others. Mr and Mrs Friswell catered in an efficient manner, and it was a happy gathering, the large club room being crowded in every part. mr Chidzey, jun., presided at the piano, and an excellent programme was provided by the following: Mr H. White, Baker, C. White, E. S. Holland, W. J. Chard, F. F. Broodbank, C. Pratt, C. Olds, F. Riley, J. Arms, Robinson, T. H. Davies and G. Barrett. The entertainment was kept in full swing till eleven o’clock, and prior to separating, the Mayor was heartily thanked for taking the chair by Mr E. S. Holland who expressed the thanks of the company to the Mayor for presiding, and to say how pleased they all were to see him in the chair and to think that his last public duty had been to take the chair at a gathering organised on behalf of a worthy object of philanthropy. The Mayor thanked the company for their kind reception, and said he should always have kindly feelings towards the town he was about to leave, and it was gratifying to him to have been able to preside over a gathering which had been organised to do something for a people who had fought so nobly in the present war, and who had sacrificed so much. Messrs Chapman Brothers kindly lent flags for the decoration of the room.