Friendly and Beneficial Societies
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Glasgow Museums has a collection of almost 1,000 objects related to friendly and fraternal societies in Glasgow which date from between 1765 and 1984. This collection includes regalia, sashes, aprons, ribbons, collars and badges of office. In addition there are medallions, gavels, banners, certificates and books. It also contains ceremonial and ritual objects, seal stamps, portraits and photographs, collectors' boxes, ceramic ornaments and jugs. The largest amount of material from this collection area is related to the Ancient Order of Free Gardeners. Other Glasgow branches of national and international organizations represented in the collection include the International Order of Good Templars, the Ladywell and Drygate Foot Friendly Society, the Irish National Forresters, the Ancient Order of Forresters' Friendly Society, the Loyal Order of Ancient Shepherds, the Independent Order of Rechabites, the Orange Order, the Hibernian Society and the Journeymen Bakers' Friendly Society of Glasgow. Friendly societies are closely linked to the growth and development of trade unions and there are objects in the collection that acknowledge this such as the National Union of Foundry Workers banner that notes its friendly society origins. Glasgow's Friendly and fraternal societies provided working people with insurance, financial security and social networks and support. Some of these would operate an exclusive policy related to gender and faith.
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