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Somerset Lodges
Priory Lodge No. 6913
warranted 1949
Regular meetings: the second Friday at 18.30hrs Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Oct.
Installation meeting: the second Friday at 18.00hrs Dec.
Contact the Lodge Secretary:
Tony Guthrie
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Meeting at
The Masonic Hall
Bath Road
Keynsham
BS31 1SR
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In 1948 Keynsham Masonic Hall provided a home
for two craft lodges; St. Keyna, No.1833, founded in 1879, and Abbey, No. 4491
founded in 1922. With the village of Keynsham rapidly growing into a small town
and to some extent acting as a suburb of Bristol, it was decided that the time
had come for the founding of a new lodge; both the existing ones had a large
membership and offered limited opportunity for new candidates or advancement.
Wilfred Milton, a Past Master of St. Keyna and a founder member of Abbey Lodge,
approached a number of Brethren whom he thought would be interested and
collected sufficient names to press forward with the project.
The Provincial Grand Master for Somerset at
that time gave his blessing for the founding of the new lodge, but specified
that the Emulation form of Ritual should be used rather than the Old Bristol
style that had be proposed by the founders. As both the existing Keynsham Lodges
worked in the Bristol form, a number of would-be founders withdrew, as they were
not conversant with Emulation working. Wilfred Milton however was made of
sterner stuff and set about gathering replacements. He was successful and drew
together twenty Brethren who were willing to act as founder members, among whom
were some with experience in the Emulation Ritual.
Two possible names were suggested for the new lodge, Buckingham
and Priory. On the recommendation of Grand Lodge the name of Priory was adopted.
A founders meeting was held in Keynsham Masonic Hall on 26th August 1949 and the
usual officers organised.
The petition for a
warrant to form a lodge was sponsored by the Master, Wardens and Brethren of St.
Keyna Lodge, No. 1833 in September 1949 and the Lodge was duly consecrated on
Friday 28th October 1949, by the Provincial Grand Master for Somerset assisted
by seven of his officers and in the presence of seventy-two Brethren. The Most
Worshipful the Grand Master the Duke of Devonshire signed the Warrant of the
Lodge.
The faith shown by our founding members has been vindicated as
Priory Lodge continues to flourish more than fifty years after the issue of its
charter. Today it draws its members from far and wide, having members who were
initiated in Ireland, Scotland and the most Northern Provinces of England among
its Brethren. It is also fortunate in attracting a most faithful band of regular
visitors from all over the Province of Somerset and beyond, who are always sure
of a hearty welcome. No matter where you call home, if the opportunity to visit
Priory Lodge No. 6913 should presents itself, you can be certain that you will
be made most welcome.
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