Description:Friendly Society banner, belonging to the Union Friendly Society, Rocester, Staffordshire (founded 1832, closed 1981). The Society's registered office was the Red Lion Inn in Rocester. Consists of painted silk banner, carrying poles, silk and wool cords and tassels, leather straps and brass finials in a lidded rectangular wooden storage box. Banner is made from silk cloth with a blue central panel and magenta border. Central panel is painted: pictured side bears an image of two men shaking hands with Rocester church in the background and inscriptions 'Union Friendly Society' and 'Unity is Strength'. Corded blue silk fringe attached to lower edge. Maker: Toy & Co., 18 Little Britain, London, E.C. and Old Ford Road, London, E. In good condition, split in silk underneath lower inscriptions. Dimensions: width 2038mm, height 2071mm
From the collections of Staffordshire County Museum.