Although simply a Friendly Society, which provided sickness and pension benefits to its members, the Ancient Order of Foresters adapted Masonic regalia and rituals for its own purposes.

This is a ceremonial apron of green silk on a canvas backing. It has a coarse fabric waistband with hook fastenings. The front is decorated with a printed silk panel surrounded by silvered wire fringes and braid.

The Ancient Order of Foresters had many separate 'Courts', in many towns and villages. The ethos of the Society was expressed by reference to a mythological fraternity of woodsmen and was reinforced by wearing ceremonial dress and carrying symbolic artefacts.