b'The Foresters and Bishop WiltonMike Pratt - using material left by the late Kath NevensAt an exhibition in 2003 in the old Village Hall, we had a display of Foresters regalia and memorabilia loaned to us by Malcolm Burgess. To accompany this, the late Kath Nevens provided background information on the Bishop Wilton branch, Court Sykes. This article is based on her account.T he Ancient Order of Foresters was the secondmarshals them in order for dismissal.largest Friendly Society in the East Riding, following the Oddfellows. It was founded in 1834, andThe following days entry reads:Court Sykes, the Bishop Wilton branch, was foundedThe number in attendance this morning is very in 1841; unlike most areas it still had a small but activesmall, only nine, they have half-holiday this afternoon membership in 2003 [when this was written]. as is customary, if they have not it given they take it In Bishop Wilton the monthly meeting and thegenerally.Anniversary Feast were held in the Cross Keys InnEvery year efforts were made by the headmaster when James Jebson was innkeeper. A few years later,to terminate the two days unofficial school holiday, but when Robert Seamour was landlord, the Fleece Inntry as he might the children would not miss the event, became the venue. whatever the punishment. By this time the school The Anniversary Feast attendance officer was making regular visits and this use of the school was stopped unless the school was In his study of the Friendly Societies of the area,officially closed for a holiday. Over a period of time David Neave says that the Feast was: this proved to be the only way to solve the problem; most likely to be held on a weekday in June orby the beginning of the 20th century the official early July, which was a slack period in the agriculturalSchool Summer Holidays incorporated the Foresters year and at a time when the weather was likely to beAnniversay Feast.more favourable than on the other great holiday for the East Riding agricultural population at Martinmas: 116The Bandout of 189 known East Riding club feast days wereIn the mid 1800s the band accompanying the held in June or early July. 1 march of the Foresters came from Pocklington; at a Links with the Village School later date Bishop Wilton formed their own band.It would seem that the march around the village The very first entry in the oldest remaining Schoolstarted at the school - originally from the schoolLog book, for 1863, introduces the Foresters: which became Fishers Office, and later from the July 1st: The children have a holiday today it beingschool as it stands now.the anniversary of the Foresters who assemble here. It has been said by older villagers that the last July 2nd: Today only four children were in attendanceForesters march was just prior to the Second World in as much as the feast is prolonged by a tea party,War. If this is correct that would mean there were just the children were dismissed early in the afternoonshort of a hundred annual marches.there not being a sufficient number to continueIt is recalled that Charlie Serginson played the school. tenor horn and that George Wilson was also a band The schoolmaster, George Fryer, provided thismember. The late Henry Newby remembered that his detailed description the following year, 1864, whichGrandad Newby played the flute.would have been the 22nd anniversary of Bishop Wilton Foresters: The Foresters in the 20th CenturyJune 29th: The Foresters Anniversary is held in theChief Ranger Charlie Cullum lived in a small school this morning at eight oclock to transact thecottage on Main Street (where Cordwainer house is business, from whence they repair to the church atnow) where he worked as a shoe-maker and repairer 10.30 preceded by a band of music from Pocklington.besides working as a gardener and handyman for After the service they march in procession roundMrs Singleton at Givendale Hall. He retired from his the village accompanied by Martial airs and thenceposition as Chief Ranger just before World War II.to dinner provided in a tent, in the yard at the CrossWilliam Jebson took over from Charlie. He lived, Keys. Toasts and speeches wile away the white hoursand held meetings, at West End Farm. It was there until twilight when they once more march around,that Henry Newby was enrolled as a member when he accompanied by Orpheus and his train when finallycame out of the armed forces after the war.the Chief Ranger harangues his Forester brethren andIt is said that a Forester had the right to be buried 1East Riding Friendly Societies, David Neave, East Yorkshire Local History Society, 1988 416 BULLETIN 20'