Court Powis Foresters Records,

Records of Court Powis Foresters, 1844-1968, relating to the administration of the Society and the management of funds, comprising contribution books, 1844-1901; initiation books, 1853-1900; rules and rituals, 1853-1939; accounts, 1867-1954; financial and administrative papers, 1875-1968; minute books, 1882-1968; annual returns, 1910-1954; and records relating to the sick fund, 1959-1967.

Court Powis, No. 1505, of the Ancient Order of Foresters Friendly Society was established in October 1842. The Society met in Welshpool once every four weeks and was one of several branches of the Montgomeryshire District Branch. Its intention was to provide financial relief to Society members when afflicted with illness or in old age. The monthly fees contributed by members were placed within various funds from which specified sums were given to those in need. Sick allowances were given to those unable to work because of illness and funeral allowances were provided on the death of a member or a member's wife or child. A subsidiary benefit fund was also established to provide benefits other than sick and funeral allowances to members in distress or to provide travelling relief for those workers seeking employment further afield. A small proportion of the contributions received was set aside to cover administrative costs.
Only men between the ages of 18 and 45 were admitted to the Society and were required to abide by the rules imposed by the Court and the Ancient Order's governing body, the Executive Council. Fines were imposed for numerous offences, including not attending meetings of the Court when summoned and for drinking, fighting and swearing at Court meetings or whilst receiving sick pay. Members were also expected to observe the rituals and formularies of the Ancient Order of Foresters during meetings and initiation ceremonies, and to wear specific regalia, according to their status within the Society, on certain occasions.
A Juvenile Branch of Court Powis Foresters was also established in 1868 for boys between the ages of 3 and 14. Following the same principles as the adult Court, members were required to pay monthly contributions to the sick fund until the age of 16 when they were initiated into the Parent Court.
Court Powis was eventually dissolved in 1968 as a result of a decline in membership.

Arranged at NLW into eight series: contribution books; initiation books; rules and rituals; accounts; financial and administrative papers; minute books; annual returns; and sick fund records.

Readers consulting modern papers in the National Library of Wales are required to abide by the conditions noted on the 'Modern papers - data protection' form issued with their Readers' Tickets.

Mr J. P. T. Bebb; Welshpool; Donation; July 1969

Court Powis, No. 1505, of the Ancient Order of Foresters Friendly Society was established in October 1842. The Society met in Welshpool once every four weeks and was one of several branches of the Montgomeryshire District Branch. Its intention was to provide financial relief to Society members when afflicted with illness or in old age. The monthly fees contributed by members were placed within various funds from which specified sums were given to those in need. Sick allowances were given to those unable to work because of illness and funeral allowances were provided on the death of a member or a member's wife or child. A subsidiary benefit fund was also established to provide benefits other than sick and funeral allowances to members in distress or to provide travelling relief for those workers seeking employment further afield. A small proportion of the contributions received was set aside to cover administrative costs.
Only men between the ages of 18 and 45 were admitted to the Society and were required to abide by the rules imposed by the Court and the Ancient Order's governing body, the Executive Council. Fines were imposed for numerous offences, including not attending meetings of the Court when summoned and for drinking, fighting and swearing at Court meetings or whilst receiving sick pay. Members were also expected to observe the rituals and formularies of the Ancient Order of Foresters during meetings and initiation ceremonies, and to wear specific regalia, according to their status within the Society, on certain occasions.
A Juvenile Branch of Court Powis Foresters was also established in 1868 for boys between the ages of 3 and 14. Following the same principles as the adult Court, members were required to pay monthly contributions to the sick fund until the age of 16 when they were initiated into the Parent Court.
Court Powis was eventually dissolved in 1968 as a result of a decline in membership.

Title based on contents.

April 2009.

Compiled by Rhian Lyn James. The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: The Ancient Order of Foresters Friendly Society: 150 Years: 1834-1984, Walter Cooper (1984); and items within the archive;

Usual copyright laws apply.

Action: All records donated to NLW have been retained.

Accruals are not expected.

A sash which belonged to a member of the Court Powis Foresters is held at the Powysland Museum and Montgomery Canal Centre, Welshpool.

Published

Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru = The National Library of Wales