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Somerset Lodges
Gerard Lodge No. 8999
warranted 1981
Regular meetings: the third Saturday at 14.30hrs Mar, Sep,
also the first Saturday at 14.30hrs Feb, Dec
Installation meeting: the third Saturday at 14.30hrs Jun.
Contact the Lodge Secretary:
Denis Bradbeer
Gerard Lodge has its own website here:
www.gerard8999.co.uk (opens a new window)
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Meeting at
The Masonic Hall
Bath Road
Keynsham
Bristol
BS31 1SR
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The creation of
Gerard Lodge 8999 was due to the long connections with the St. John
Ambulance of W. Bro. Lennard E Burden and that of his family since 1900.
The Lodge takes its name from the Blessed Gerard founder of the first hospice of
St. John in Jerusalem from which the Hospitaller Order of St John began. The
Lodge banner incorporates the eight pointed cross of Amalfi, a pilgrim’s stave
and a motto. The cross, which is also used by the Order of St. John, was
originally used by the merchants of Amalfi on the products they sold. The
merchants financed the hospice and the monks asked if they could wear the cross
on their cloaks in order to recognise one another. The stave was used by
pilgrims to help them on their way and also to have a means of protecting
themselves while on pilgrimage.
The motto “Summo Ducente Deo” means “Under the Guidance or Leadership of God”,
and was selected by W. Bro. Burden as very appropriate due to pilgrims making
their pilgrimages under God’s leadership and as the Masonic Order meets under
guidance. The white represents Purity, the red the Blood of Life and the black,
Death.
The Petition for the formation of a new Lodge at Keynsham was signed by 21
Founder Members and presented to St. Keyna Lodge No. 1833 at their regular
meeting on 13th April 1981 and was unanimously approved. Gerard Lodge was
consecrated on September 19th 1981 by the Provincial Grand Master, RW. Bro. K C
Kinnersley. The Banner was also dedicated on that day. The Founders each
received a Founder’s Jewel to commemorate the occasion.
The Consecrating Officers and the Past PGM RW. Bro. H Owen-Hughes were made
Honorary Members.
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All the Founders gave a collar and jewel to the Lodge, these were engraved with
their names. Various items were also given by other members. Mrs Diana Burden
made, and gave to the Lodge, the Bible Cushion with front drop, the Lodge Banner
and the Alms Bags. A number of firing glasses were given by Prior Walter Lodge
of London.
At its inception, Gerard Lodge was rather unusual, meeting four times a year as
a daylight lodge and on a Saturday. During the early years there was a focus on
a regular social programme such that the Lodge met early afternoon and following
a Festive Board of a light meal concluded with a dinner dance having returned
home to collect the Ladies.
Given the St John focus of the Lodge, effort was made to recruit members of St
John. Of the Founders 7 were actively involved promoting first aid training,
competitions and in the uniformed Organisation. Bro. Herbert Bourns FRCS a
retired orthopaedic surgeon, was the first Treasurer and prominent in his work
for St John in the Bristol area for many years.
At the first regular meeting of the Lodge on 5th December 1981, two further St
John stalwarts were Initiated. Bro. Leslie Webber, Chairman of the Bristol
Centre of St John and Bro. Stuart Hadler, who in later years became Commissioner
and then Commander of the County of Avon. Bros Leslie and Stuart became
Worshipful Master in 1988 and 1989 respectively.
Over the following seven years a further 9 St John members were either Initiates
or Joining Members of Gerard Lodge so helping to create a fraternal bond and
link with St John.
With a steady stream of Candidates, it became necessary to increase to five
regular meetings a year. An increasing number of brethren lived at a distance,
travelling from Cornwall, Wales and Devon. Although the Lodge continued to meet
on a Saturday afternoon, the evening function declined in popularity and the
tradition of evening dress was replaced by more standard dress.
The 1990’s brought a more challenging period. Declining membership, and a lack
of Candidates saw numbers reduce from 44 to 18 over a period of several years.
Nevertheless, a determination to persevere, a happy core of committed Members
and Provincial support gradually produced results so that by the 25th
anniversary year in 2006 Gerard Lodge was looking forward to a brighter future
and membership numbers were on their way up.
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Three of the Founders remain as full Members and continue to give sterling
service to the Lodge in various capacities and have helped to sustain it through
the leaner years. W. Bro. Len Burden our Almoner for over 12 years; W. Bro David
Kingscott, Lodge Treasurer for over 15 years and for 20 years our representative
Director on the Keynsham Board of which he was also Treasurer for many years;
and W Bro. Denis Bradbeer, Secretary for over 12 years and Social Secretary for
the last 15 years.
A highlight in 1999 was a visit by the Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro Stanley
Hopkins and the Provincial Team who performed a Third Degree Ceremony.
To commemorate the 25th anniversary W. Bro. L E Burden, the founding Master, was
again Installed as Master. In preparation for the anniversary, the Lodge Banner
was refurbished by Mrs Burden.
In December 2006 the Provincial Grand Master of Somerset, RW Bro David Jenkins
attended with the Provincial Team to Dedicate the Lodge Bible and to
congratulate the Lodge on its achievement. The occasion was enhanced by the
singing of the Provincial Choir and an Oration by the Provincial Grand Chaplain
W. Bro F R Clarke. The meeting was further marked by the attendance of 18
visiting members of the Order of St John, wearing their Insignia and Uniform. A
success for the Lodge in its anniversary year was the appointment of W Bro C A
Stuart Hadler as Assistant Provincial Grand Master in what was also the 25th
anniversary of his Initiation into Gerard Lodge.
On 1st March
2008, W Bro E C (Ted) Fowler a Founder and widely respected brother in many
Masonic orders at Keynsham celebrated his 100th birthday and his 60th year as a
Freemason. Co-incidentally in the year when the Lodge had its youngest
Worshipful Master, Bro Sam Mayer, who was 28.
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