Ancient Order of Foresters
Encyclopedia
The Ancient Order of Foresters is a friendly society
which was formed in 1834. The society is now known as Foresters Friendly Society, and has approximately 70,000 members. Its head office is in Southampton
, and the current Chief Executive is Kevin Dann, who was appointed in September 2008.
in August 1834, when over 300 branches of the Royal Foresters society (established in the 18th century) formed the new Ancient Order of Foresters.
In 1874 the American and Canadian Foresters seceded from the Ancient Order of Foresters and set up the Independent Order of Foresters (IOF). The IOF's UK operation is now called Forester Life, based in Bromley
, Greater London.
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's local branches were termed Courts, rather than "lodges" as in other friendly societies. They were named after the law courts of the royal forest
s, and 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.
The society has its own magazine called The Forester which began in the Winter of 2008, and now incorporates the previous magazine Foresters Miscellany which ran from 1862 to 2008. The editor of the magazine is Mrs Janet Clements, who is based in Upminster, Greater London, and it is published by Specialist Publications Ltd who are based in Bristol.
being one of the largest.
The society is regulated by the Financial Services Authority
.
Friendly society
A friendly society is a mutual association for insurance, pensions or savings and loan-like purposes, or cooperative banking. It is a mutual organization or benefit society composed of a body of people who join together for a common financial or social purpose...
which was formed in 1834. The society is now known as Foresters Friendly Society, and has approximately 70,000 members. Its head office is in Southampton
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
, and the current Chief Executive is Kevin Dann, who was appointed in September 2008.
History
The Society was formed in RochdaleRochdale
Rochdale is a large market town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies amongst the foothills of the Pennines on the River Roch, north-northwest of Oldham, and north-northeast of the city of Manchester. Rochdale is surrounded by several smaller settlements which together form the Metropolitan...
in August 1834, when over 300 branches of the Royal Foresters society (established in the 18th century) formed the new Ancient Order of Foresters.
In 1874 the American and Canadian Foresters seceded from the Ancient Order of Foresters and set up the Independent Order of Foresters (IOF). The IOF's UK operation is now called Forester Life, based in Bromley
Bromley
Bromley is a large suburban town in south east London, England and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Bromley. It was historically a market town, and prior to 1963 was in the county of Kent and formed the administrative centre of the Municipal Borough of Bromley...
, Greater London.
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's local branches were termed Courts, rather than "lodges" as in other friendly societies. They were named after the law courts of the royal forest
Royal forest
A royal forest is an area of land with different meanings in England, Wales and Scotland; the term forest does not mean forest as it is understood today, as an area of densely wooded land...
s, and 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.
The society has its own magazine called The Forester which began in the Winter of 2008, and now incorporates the previous magazine Foresters Miscellany which ran from 1862 to 2008. The editor of the magazine is Mrs Janet Clements, who is based in Upminster, Greater London, and it is published by Specialist Publications Ltd who are based in Bristol.
Products
The society provides its members with insurance policies against sickness and death. There are also policies for children, including an Ethical Child Savings Plan, Child Tax Exempt Savings Plan and Ethical Child 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 IrelandPolice Service of Northern Ireland
The Police Service of Northern Ireland is the police force that serves Northern Ireland. It is the successor to the Royal Ulster Constabulary which, in turn, was the successor to the Royal Irish Constabulary in Northern Ireland....
being one of the largest.
The society is regulated by the Financial Services Authority
Financial Services Authority
The Financial Services Authority is a quasi-judicial body responsible for the regulation of the financial services industry in the United Kingdom. Its board is appointed by the Treasury and the organisation is structured as a company limited by guarantee and owned by the UK government. Its main...
.
External links
- Foresters Friendly Society - official website
- Foresters Heritage Trust - independent charity, info on AOF and other friendly societies
- Library and Museum of Freemasonry has a comprehensive collection of material about the Foresters