What was known as the goose club in Victorian times?

Answer 1

There is a reference in a Sherlock Holmes story. A poor or working class person paid a couple pence a week to a landlord (pub keeper) and around Christmas, they would receive a goose. Sort of a Victorian/Edwardian "Christmas Club." There are 240 pence in pound. During that period, 1£ = about $11. If someone gives 2 bob a week for 52 weeks, it would come out to about 5 shillings. I don't know what a goose would cost then! Maybe the pub keeper got a deal buying in bulk or "invested" the money during slower times in the year to make it worth the trouble?

Answer 2

A Victorian Goose Club allowed poor families to afford goose for the holidays. The family would pay into the fund a little each week. By Christmas, they would have enough to purchase the goose.

Answer 3

It was a method of saving up money for a goose for christmas.