social lodge centenary

SOCIAL LODGE CELEBRATES 100 YEARS

Social Lodge no.3472 celebrated 100 years of Freemasonry on Friday 26 November. The Provincial Grand Master, accompanied by his Deputy and Assistant and a full Provincial Team attended Urmston Masonic Hall where the Centenary Warrant was presented to the acting Worshipful Master, Keith Heesom, and the Provincial Chaplain, Rev. Graham Halsall, delivered a re-dedication prayer following his Oration.

The Consecration

The story began on 25 November 1910 when the 15 proud Founding Members were present at the Roebuck Hotel, Flixton (right) to witness the Consecration of the Lodge by the then Deputy PGM, Robert Wylie. The first WM was H.G. Walker and the first Secretary W.H. Longworth, whose notes appended to the Minutes were a lasting record for the Lodge historians who would follow. Of the day of Consecration he said "A sunny November day - all went off well", and went on to add that the Deputy PGM, "a fine fellow over 80 years of age", opened up Provincial Grand Lodge to invest the Provincial Junior Grand Warden who was unable to attend PGL - a rare occurrence. The Lodge went from strength to strength and there were many happy 'Roebuck days' before the Second World War.

The Second World War

As a result of the "Blackout period", the Lodge resolved to meet between April and November. There were many interruptions due to enemy action and at the height of one particular bombing raid, when the 'ack-ack' guns were replying with "spirited defence and deafening noise", the WM enquired as to whether any Brother would wish to withdraw - no-one did. In 1941 the Lodge moved its meetings to Flixton House and stayed there until hostlities had ceased.

The Post War Years

In 1946 Social Lodge moved to South Manchester Freemasons Hall in Chorlton-cum-Hardy where it was to stay for 20 years. In 1966 the Lodge moved for the last time to Urmston Masonic Hall where it has met ever since. The first meeting at Urmston was held on 15 March 1966 when the annual sub's were 7 Guineas with a 7 shilling dining fee.

The Lodge Warrant Disappears

Between December 1996 and January 1997 the Warrant of the Lodge mysteriously disappeared, causing many problems as a Dispensation had to be sought to hold the Lodge without a Warrant until a new one could be acquired.

The Centenary Meeting

Peter Hosker took the Chair for the meeting and the Provincial Secretary, Geoffrey Lee, read the Centenary Warrant as only he can. After the presentation of the Centenary Warrant and the Oration and rededication prayer from Graham Halsall, Keith Heeson presented the PGM with two cheques amounting to £450 for the Masonic Hall and a local charity. The Festive Board was well attended and was a particularly special occasion for three Entered Apprentices who shared the top table with the PGM.