1889 Certificate of Membership in Ancient Order of Foresters. Reads "This is to certify that Mr. A Wm. Harvey was duly admitted a Member of the Order in Court No. 1822 on the 11th day of February in the Year 1889. Henry Fellows, Chief Ranger. Harry C . Moore, Sub Chief Ranger. John Jolliffe, Secretary. Samuel Shawcross, Permanent Secretary." Surrounded by illustration of woodsmen, forests, woodland creatures, angels, and the all-seeing eye.
Condition: Commensurate with age. Significant wear to right and bottom edges, heavy crease and tear through middle from folding.
Size: 19 1/2 x 15 in.
#4483
The Foresters Friendly Society is a British benevolent society which was formed in 1834 as the Ancient Order of Foresters. Founded on “a shared duty to assist their fellow men who fell into need as they walked through the forest of life,” the society was first formed in Rochdale (in Greater Manchester, Lancashire, England) when over 300 branches of the Royal Ancient Order of Foresters society established in the 18th Century joined together. Membership was originally gained by combat, first with quarterstaffs, then with swords and finally with cudgels, until initiation by combat was abandoned in 1843. In 1874 the American and Canadian Foresters seceded from the Ancient Order of Foresters and set up the Independent Order of Foresters (IOF). Due to opening up to female members in 1892 and their widespread dedication to both charitable and financial support for its adherents, it survived the rapid drop-off in benevolent societies that occurred after the creation of the National Health Service made their purpose somewhat obsolete. The society became incorporated in 2003 in accordance with the provisions of The Friendly Societies Act of 1992, and was acquired by Tunstall Assurance Friendly Society, followed by the Leek Assurance Collecting Society in 2005. In 2014 it acquired the Post Office Insurance Society (POIS), which added 21,000 members and a further £69 million in assets. The society’s local branches are termed “courts” rather than “lodges” as in other friendly societies. They were named after the law courts of the royal forests, and performed the Ancient Ritual of the Society. The society offers a range of member benefits, and in 2018 nearly £1m was paid out in discretionary grants and benefits, and charitable donations. The society had its own magazine, Foresters Miscellany, which ran from 1862 to 2008 and was revived in 2016. The society provides its members with savings policies, including tax exempt savings which are only available via friendly societies. Foresters also offer insurance policies against sickness and death, and policies for children, including a child tax exempt savings plan. In addition to this, it is also the provider of group insurance to several police forces in the United Kingdom, the Police Service of Northern Ireland being one of the largest, and its Guernsey business mainly consists of medical insurance. The society is regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority. As of 2016 the society had approximately 75,000 members, with its head office located in Southampton, England.
Condition
Commensurate with age. Significant wear to right and bottom edges, heavy crease and tear through middle from folding.
