|
Somerset Lodges
Royal Somerset Lodge No. 973
warranted 1863
Regular meetings: the second Thursday 18.30hrs Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Nov, Dec.
Installation: the second Thursday 17.00hrs Oct.
Contact the Lodge Secretary:
Ray Guthrie
|
Meeting at
The Masonic Hall
North Parade
Frome
BA11 1AU
|
|
Even before the present Charter of the Royal Somerset Lodge was granted on June
11th 1863. Freemasonry had been established in Frome, a Lodge having existed
prior to the year 1811, for in that year the Masons of Frome attended as a body
the Parish Church of St. John, when a sermon was preached by the then vicar of
Horningsham, the Rev. Skurry. There is also further evidence of masonry in Frome
prior to 1863 appears in a Minute of January 11th 1917, when Bro. A. Duckett on
behalf of Bro Palmer, presented a framed record of music sung in the Parish
Church in connection with a Provincial Grand Lodge meeting held in Frome in
1822. Even earlier than this there apparently appears the following extracts
from the Minutes of the Love and Honour Lodge, Shepton Mallet of December 11th
1792……. “It was unanimously agreed to have a Dinner on St John’s Day the
Evangelist, and the letters of invitation be sent to Masters and Officers of the
Bath, Wells and Frome Lodges.”
The Royal Clarence Lodge No. 560 was the first Lodge of
Freemasons to function in Frome, with a Warrant dating back to 2nd June 1790. It
derived its title from H.R.H. the Duke of Clarence, brother of the then Grand
Master, who last later to become King William IV. This lodge carried on until
1833 when the Warrant was surrendered.
The Bruton Masons obtained a Warrant on November 2nd 1840,
and called it the Royal Clarence Lodge No. 695, which was constituted on the 6th
April 1841. They used furniture belonging to the now surrendered Lodge No 560,
and also the By-Laws; but this lodge did not last long, its Warrant being
surrendered in 1851. The present Royal Clarence Lodge at Bruton No. 976 received
its Warrant in 1863. From the year 1833 to the year 1863, the Frome Lodge was in
abeyance and no records remain, except that which might be held in Grand Lodge.
The Warrant under which we are now working was granted by
the Grand Master of England, the Earl of Zetland K.G. dated
11th June 1863 was constituted, into a Lodge of Free and
Accepted Masons under the title of the Royal Somerset Lodge
No. 1275. Meeting at the George Hotel, Frome on the Thursday
nearest the full moon every month.
William Addams Grimes…. Worshipful Master
Lord Edward Thynne...Senior Warden
Malin Messiter...Junior Warden
back to top of page
The number of the Lodge was amended from 1275 to 973 in a
Dispensation dated 25th July 1863 and to meet as authorised
until the Consecration of the Lodge. The first regular lodge
meeting was held at the George Hotel on 27th August 1863.
Two further meetings were held before the consecration. At
the second meeting; Lord Henry Frederick Thynne, the second
son of the Third Marquis of Bath was proposed as a candidate
for initiation.
The Consecration Ceremony took place on Thursday 29th
October 1863 at the George Hotel, Frome. The ceremony was
conducted by W. Bro. Henry Bridges, P.G. Swd.Br. (England)
the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Somerset. The Lodge held its meetings for some six years at the George
Hotel, when members at last thoughts right and proper to
have their own premises. They secured, on lease, premises in
Palmer Street, Frome. Formerly used as Frome Museum. This
was now designated The Masonic Hall. It was dedicated by the
Deputy Provincial Grand Master W. Bro. Henry Bridges on
October 21st 1869. A princely sum of around £200 was spent
on the conversion. Masonry prospered within this building
for the next Twenty-two years. During this time, many
distinguished brethren held either office or passed through
the chair. These included; Lord Dungarvan, Bro. Lord Henry
Thynne, Bro. Lord Justice Lopes, W. Bro. R.C. Else.
After this period of time, and with the success of the
Lodge, it was felt that again new premises ought to be
sought, this time land and property owned by the Masons of
Frome. At last a piece of land was found, which to this day
remains the home of Frome masons. The land was purchased for
£100. The building of the temple and fitting it out to its
proper purpose was carried out to a cost of £1,400. What a
change in monetary values since that time.
back to top of page
Dedication of this new Masonic Hall was held on October 13th
1891. The R.W. Provincial Grand Master Viscount Dungarvan
performed this dedication Ceremony. After the ceremony W.Bro.
Viscount Dungarvan proceeded to lay the foundation stone. In
1903 an additional piece of land adjoining the Lodge was
purchased for £75. Towards which the Royal Arch contributed
£10 and the Portal Mark Lodge 5 Guineas. In 1925 certain
other improvements were carried out at a cost of £800. A
further piece of land was later purchased for £150.
In February 1893 a resolution was passed for the formation
of a new Chapter of Royal Arch Mason to be attached to the
Royal Somerset Lodge 973. The Dungarvan Chapter thus came
into being.
In September 1911 the Lodge was asked to support the
formation of a new Lodge at Midsomer Norton. On April 11th
1912 the Daughter Lodge named the Connaught Lodge No. 3158
was consecrated.
In the early days Brethren must have spent long hours in the
Lodge room for example;
3rd September 1868 – three raisings and four passings.
1st October 1868 – four raisings and an Installation.
10th June 1890 – twin initiations, four passings and one
raising
10th November 1891 – The regular meeting was followed by the
consecration of the New Lodge at North Parade; there were
also five initiations.
Life seemed not to be always that hectic. At a regular
meeting held on 5th January 1871 only the Secretary and
Tyler were present! Also in June, July and August 1883 the
regular meetings were not held “there being not sufficient
Brethren to hold same.”
The new banner replaces the original, which had been in use
since 1884. The old banner is now on display in the robing
room. It is very frail and is behind glass. Accounts show
that this original banner cost 7.18s.0d. There appears to
have been no official dedication or other ceremony. The new
banner was completed in March 1991.
It can be noticed that the design of the banner is closely
similar to the Coat of Arms of Frome Town. The difference is
that the banner shows two stylized bobbins above the
chevron, whereas the Frome badge shows two sallow – or
willow – trees. The Frome Urban District Council was granted
by letters patent from the College of Arms their Coat of
Arms on 14th August 1953.
The black background of the Frome shield is common to the
arms of the Worshipful Company of Cloth makers, and also to
the Leversedge family. From the former comes the chevron and
teagle, the gold chevron from the Leversedge. The ermine
also refers to the arms of Bishop Ken, who is buried in
Frome.
The Cloth makers shield has, on occasion, been used to
represent Frome on account of the cloth industry so long
associated with the town. The Leversedge family held the Manor of Frome in Tudor
times. Henry VII granted to Edmund Leversedge the right of
holding fairs in the town. The Frome shield is coupled with
two sallow trees for Selwood, alluding to the forest, which
surrounded the town at one time.
back to top of page
|
|
