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Somerset Lodges
Tyntesfield Lodge No. 4494
warranted 1922
Regular meetings: the first Tuesday at 18.45hrs: Jan, Feb, Mar, May,
Oct,
Nov, Dec.
Installation meeting: the first Tuesday at 17.30hrs: Apr.
Contact the Lodge Secretary:
Peter Wootton
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Meeting at
The Masonic Hall
Nailsea Park
Nailsea
BS48 1BA
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On September 9th 1922, Bro. H. G. Hedges of the Coleridge Lodge, having read Rule
166 of the Book of Constitutions, presented the petition for a new Lodge to be
called Tyntesfield, to be founded at Nailsea. It was duly Consecrated on March
20th 1923 by the then Provincial Grand Master for Somerset Rt. Worshipful Bro.
Col. William Long C.M.G.
It
appears from past records that the prime instigator of Tyntesfield's formation
had been W. Bro. Tom Locke, Master of the Lodge of Agriculture in 1919 and
founding Master of Tyntesfield. He also spearheaded the formation of the
Winscombe Lodge No.6474 and was elected and installed as its first Worshipful
Master.
Apologies were received from W. Bro. The Bishop of Bristol and R. W. Bro.
Colonel George Gibbs, Provincial Grand Master of the Province of Bristol in
who's honour the new Lodge had been named.
The original Masonic Hall consisted mainly of a single storey building attached
to a small cottage. In late 1934 it was decided to extend the building and
consequently a ceremony for the laying of the Foundation Stone of the new work
was held on March 21st 1935 with the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Somerset,
W. Bro. Rowland T. A. Hughes P.G.D. attended by Provincial Grand Wardens, and
assisted by the Worshipful Master, Past Masters and Officers of the Tyntesfield
Lodge.
The alterations and enlargement were completed during the close season of 1935
and in October 1935, R. W. Bro. Gen. C. L. Norman P.G.D. Provincial Grand
Master for Somerset was cordially invited to visit Tyntesfield Lodge for the
purpose of its Re-Consecration. This Ceremony took place on December 11th 1935
and in accordance with the new Ritual, specially composed for the purpose and
used for the first time.
A minute entry of November 5th 1935 records the transfer of the Title Deeds of
the building to Somerset Provincial Masonic Trust Ltd.
In September 1940, the Lodge premises, with the exception of the Temple and a
small Masters room, were requisitioned by the War Office and were continually
occupied by them until March 1945. The Ceremonies in the Temple continued but no
festive board was possible. After the War, the Lodge re-occupied the whole
premises and by 1947 membership had risen to eighty-eight.
In 1963 the Tyntesfield Lodge passed ownership of the Masonic Hall to the newly
formed Nailsea Masonic Hall Company which has carried out extensive alteration
and refurbishment in recent years.
The Lodge Banner bears the Arms of "Gibbs of Tyntesfield in the County of
Somerset and Clyst St.George in the County of Devon" and "Gibbs of Clifton
Hampden Oxfordshire". The Motto " Tenax Propositi" translates to "Firm of
Purpose"
The original Lodge Banner was presented to the Lodge by Bro. Lt. Col. W. O.
Gibbs of Barrow Court, who had been appointed as first Chaplain of the Lodge.
This Banner was refurbished by Bro. Donald West, Senior Steward in 1972. The
present hand made Banner which was two years in the making, was dedicated on
September 5th 1995 at a Ceremony conducted the R.W. Bro. Stanley H. A. F.
Hopkins, Provincial Grand Master for Somerset, and supported by members of the
Provincial Team.
(Historical notes supplied by A D Priddle, PPG. Supt. Wks.)
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