Ancient Order of Foresters

The Ancient Order of Foresters is a Friendly Society which was formed in 1834. The society is now known as Foresters Friendly Society, and provides its members with insurance policies against sickness and death. There are also policies for children, under the 'teddy trust fund'. 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.

In 1874 the American and Canadian Foresters seceded from the Ancient Order of Foresters (A.O.F.) and set up the Independent Order of Foresters (I.O.F.). [Solt-Dennis, V., "Discovering Friendly and Fraternal Societies: their badges and regalia", p.118 (Princes Risborough:Shire Publications Ltd, 2005) ISBN 0-7478-0628-4.] Their UK head-office is in Bromley, Greater London. ["The Square:The Independent Magazine for Freemasons", Vol. 34, No.3, September 2007, p.61.]

The society became incorporated on the 1st January 2003, in accordance with the provisions of The Friendly Societies Act 1992, and since this date they have taken over two smaller Friendly Societies, the first being the Tunstall Assurance Society, the second being Leek Friendly Society.

The society had a few Courts, which used to be pure ritual-based Courts that performed the Ancient Ritual of the Society. The most famous was Court LUD No. 10,100, which was formed in 1947, by members of the London District Management Committee. However, owing to lack of members, this Court was closed in 2004. [Quigley-Ferriday, M., "A Short History of the Ancient Order of Foresters", pp. 31-32, "The Square:The Independent Magazine for Freemasons", Vol. 32, No.1, March 2006.]

The society has its own bi-monthly magazine called the "Foresters Miscellany" which has been published continually since 1836. The editor of the magazine is Mrs Janet Clements, who is based in Upminster, Greater London. ["Foresters Miscellany", Jan/Feb 2008.] The Chief Executive (until May 2008) is Mark Rothery, who is based at the Society's head office in Southampton.

External links

*A comprehensive collection of Foresters related material can be seen on the Library and Museum of Freemasonry website [http://www.freemasonry.london.museum]
*The society is regulated by the Financial Services Authority, and its website is http://www.forestersfriendlysociety.co.uk where a list of its branches can be found.

References