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Somerset Lodges
Forest of Selwood Lodge No. 8912
warranted 1980
Regular meetings: the third Thursday at 18.30hrs Sept, Nov, Dec.
Installation meeting: the third Thursday at 17.30hrs Mar.
Contact the Lodge Secretary:
Ray Coneely
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Meeting at
The Masonic Hall
North Parade
Frome
BA11 1AU
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The commissioning secretary described the
Crest as an Oak Tree suitably surrounded - Selwood ("sallow wood") is the
Anglo-Saxon name for a forest. To the Britons, Selwood Celtic name was "Coit
Maur" -both mean the Great Wood. or "big forest". Its name is recorded in
Anglo-Saxon around 894 as Seluudu=(perhaps) Sealhwudu="Sallow wood". An
Anglo-Saxon period document states for it a Latin name Silva Magna The Saxon
occupation of Frome (From) is the earliest of which there is evidence, the
settlement being due to the foundation of a monastery by Aldhelm in 705. A
witenagemot was held here in 934, The name witenagemot derives from the Old
English for "meeting of wise men" (witan, wise man or counsellor; gemot,
assembly).
Our Mother Lodge had a large membership and
offered restricted opportunity for new candidates or advancement. W Bro, Jim
Dore the subscribing Secretary, Frank Mounty C H Evemy being Past Masters
approached a number of Brethren of Royal Somerset, and other Lodges, whom they
thought would be interested and were willing to act as founder members. W Bros:
E Naylor, J Padwick, D Wright, and the writer of this history Bob Morgan were
amongst those founder members and are still regular attendees. Connaught Lodge
No 3573 is our Sister Lodge.
The Provincial Grand Master for Somerset at
that time RW Colonel H Owen Hughes OBE ED gave his blessing for the founding of
the new lodge. The petition for a warrant to form a lodge was sponsored by the
Master, Wardens and Brethren of Brethren of Royal Somerset on the 10th May 1979
and the Lodge was duly consecrated on 20th March 1980, by the Provincial Grand
Master for Somerset assisted by all his officers and in the presence of 100
Brethren. The Most Worshipful the Pro Grand Master Earl Cadogan signed the Lodge
Warrant.
At the Lodge Consecration in 1980 the then
Provincial Grand Chaplain W Bro Rev W.T.R. Daven-Morris in his oration referred
to the name of the Lodge which had been well chosen. The timber from Selwood
Forest that covered some 20,000 Acres extended from what we now call Braydon
Forest (nr Cricklade) in the very north of Wiltshire to Blackmoor Vale in north
Dorset, and straddled the Wiltshire/Somerset border in between. Like other
Forests the Oaks and other Timber were used for many great works of Charity They
were dragged out of the woods on the order of the Lord of the Manor for the
Building and repair of religious houses and hospitals set aside for the care of
the sick and the homeless.
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The Forest of Selwood Lodge Symbolises Charity
and loving kindness - a warm flame for the cold - food for the hungry - shelter
for the homeless - love charity and brotherhood - offered in good measure,
shaken down and running over and given to all men everywhere. He ended his
oration with "May the great architect endue the Officers and Brethren of the
Forest Of Selwood lodge with the wisdom and strength essential to it proving to
the world the happy and beneficial effects of our ancient order".
The trust shown by our founding members has been justified as The
Forest of Selwood Lodge continues to prosper and endure more than twenty seven
years after the issue of its charter. Today it draws its members from far and
wide, having members who were initiated in Scotland, Wales, and the City of
London amongst its Brethren. Recently the 35th Initiate took his place in the
Lodge. When you hear the shout "Timber" at a roll call of lodges at Provincial Grand Lodge you
will know we are in and are about the Forest. No matter where you call home if the opportunity to visit The
Forest of Selwood Lodge should present itself, you can be certain that you will
be offered a warm sincere and hearty welcome - an excellent festive board and
equal hospitality.
The Officers and brethren of the Lodge adhere to the Masonic
principal of being happy and promoting happiness they support charities both
outside of freemasonry and within it and have achieved the Fifth Acorn for the
RMBI Somerset appeal.
The Tyler's Sword
The Tyler's sword presented to the Lodge by W Bro Alex Carter
PPrJGW SLGR a genuine Officers Dress Sword C1895 from the USA used in similar
degree to the Knight Templar with Etched designs to the Blade. The new Lodge
Collars and cuffs were generously donated by Bro John Golding (JD) our 31st
Initiate.
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