55/737/1-2

These two poles were used to suspend the banner of a local branch of the Ancient Order of Foresters, a Friendly Society. They were used by the Singleton, West Sussex, branch, called the 'Court Royal Victoria No. 2288'. The poles are coloured red, with red, silver and gold cords attached to metal rings at the top. The base of the poles are shaped to fit into metal sockets on a stand.

2 Poles: wood; metal; good condition

MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Institute of Agricultural History) – 'Two long poles coloured red with red, silver and gold cords attached to metal rings at the top. The metal tips at the top of the poles have holes through which bolts on the banner holes would be fitted. The base of the poles is shaped to fit into a metal socket on a stand. // Length: 11 ft // They would be used to help suspend the banner 55/736.', Press cutting [Valley News. July 1999] – 'Slap-up dinners, pubs and savings // some early Friendly Societies provided thrift and fun. // In the middle of the last century, if you wanted to put money aside in case of sickness you did it through a Friendly Society. In many Sussex villages these small societies were often based on a local Public House. As a member you would have made weekly payments and the society provided you with protection against unemployment and sickness, with funds for funerals, and sometimes for pensions too. // In 1848 a Society calling itself The Ancience Order of Free Foresters based one of their branches at the Horse & Grrom in Singleton. It was a nation-wide organisation and its proceedings were very formal. But other, smaller societies were more relaxed. After paying out the necessary funds, they used the remaining money for a feast day once a year. This was a great local event. Members gathered in a central area and marched to church for a service preceded by a band. After the service they paraded through the village again and visited the homes of the more affluent members of the community, who responded by making donations to the funds. Members then marched back to the village where a slap-up dinner was served in the public house to which the group was affiliated. Even though these 'feast days' were often held in summer, the usual fare was boiled beef and Christmas pudding! // The official name of Singleton's society was Court "Royal Victoria" No. 2288 and pomp and ceremony were considered to be most important. The President wore a chain of office, members addressed each other as Brother, and strict secrecy was upheld regarding the affairs of individual members. The society became very popular, and in 1896 when William Staples was secretary of the club he announced that during the previous sixteen years £2224 eight shillings and sixpence had been paid out in sickness benefit among the 147 members, while widows and orphans had received £295 ten shillings during the same period. In the same year the local doctor, Dr Henry Harlock was initiated as an Honorary Member. His successor, Dr Garrett, who lived in the Corner House transformed one of his outbuildings into the village Surgery, where local members of Court Royal Victoria No: 2288 were given free treatment. // Bill Smith who for many years lived in Singleton and West Dean and now lives in Chichester, joined as a junior member in 1930. At that time the Secretary of the Court was Brother Pilcher, who was the foreman painter on the West Dean estate. Mr Pilcher set about recruiting in the valley and increased the membership to nearly 400...', Letter, Frank A. Pilcher to Mr Higgs, 23rd August 1955 [in file for 55/359-60] - 'The times have changed + members do not like parades + for this reason I have been instructed to dispose of the banenr of the Court, if fixed to a ceiling in your museum would make a good condition in fact would look like a decorated ceiling. You can have the banner + if you like the poles but the poles would be useless as an exhibit. // All old or nearly old Friendly Societies have become branches of larger Societies. We are Registered with the Register of Friendly Societies of North Audley Street, London. No rule is effective until registered with him, I cast your attention to page 8 of our General Laws enclosed...'

1825-01-01 - 1874-12-31

Mid-nineteenth century

Wood, Metal