I've been to the Masonic Hall mentioned above by Les from Hull, someone from work who was retiring hired the hall for their function. The people behind the bar serving drinks and washing glasses had "pinnies" on, that may answer your question eric the red - purely functional - we read to much into these things. On entering the hall someone was scrubbing the steps, they also had a "pinnie" on. I believe a book has been written about the subject "Pinnie the Wooh".