Beyond the weather-boarded cottage is the Foresters Inn owned then by Gardner's Brewery.
The Foresters was home of the 'Miss Nightingale Court' number 5,383 of the 'Association of Foresters' and was founded here in 1856. Members paid a subscription to become eligible for support when ill.
In 1885 the annual report shows that there were 128 members, its capital was £605 5s 7d and £52 1s had been given in sick pay over the past year.

In 1872 the sixteenth anniversary was celebrated, 'A procession was formed at the lodgehouse, Forester Inn, Stoneham-street, at one o'clock, of about 80 members of the lodge in full regalia, headed by blue banner, with the name and number of the lodge, next came the brass band, then the drum and fife, followed by the members the lodge.' This annual fair was much anticipated and took place on a meadow near the river where all sorts of rides and games and sporting competitions were set up and the day finished with dancing until late.

The other big Coggeshall friendly society was the 'Good Samaritan' Lodge of Oddfellows (No 3997) which was also founded in 1856. Its 28th annual report of 1885 showed that it had 173 members on the lodge books. The sick pay amounted to £156 9s. 8d, and the funeral allowances to £36 8s. Id. with a total capital of £1,701.

There was also a United Patriots' Benefit Society. In 1895 the half-yearly report of the local branch shows that the receipts were £23 7s. 6d. and the expenditure £8 13s. 4d, leaving a balance of £14 14s. 2d. The branch numbers 80 members, 39 having joined since July last
Date: c1905
Ref: 05/00b