Mid-September saw an amazing sight at the South Brent Lodge, to celebrate the Centenary of Dartmoor Lodge No:4604.
Bro. Peter Hawken MBE opened the lodge in due and ancient form, with seats squeezed into every available corner to accommodate the one hundred and four Brethren in attendance.
The Provincial party lead by Provincial Grand Master Rt. W. Bro. Nicholas Ball demanded entry into the lodge and with the Provincial party banners flying squeezed their way in and with due ceremony the sword was placed and all were seated. It must be noted the W. Bro. Keith Williams Provincial Director of Ceremonies aided by W. Bro. Richard Annetts of the Lodge’s Centenary planning Committee did an amazing job in choreographing the whole event.
Rt. W. Bro. Nicholas Ball as PGM on this occasion chose to take the Chair of King Solomon to conduct the meeting.
The original warrant of the Lodge was read by V. W. Bro. Dr. Richard Ebrey, Deputy Provincial Grand Master.
The History of the Lodge had been researched by W. Bro. Bernard Elms who has produced a fabulous book,he gave a summary to the assembled, the amount of work that was put in to produce it was huge, a brief snippet: –
“In the beginning it was debatable as to which lodge would sponsor, this the Dartmoor lodge, as the founders were made up of members of both The Trinity Lodge, 2595, Buckfastleigh and Pleiades 710, of Totnes, plus a few other masons from around the South Hams. Trinity lodge was a daughter lodge of Pleiades many years previously.
A proposition was put to the early founders by W. Bro the Rev. T. Parry, as to which of the two lodges would sponsor the formation of the Dartmoor Lodge. The vote was split 50/50. The chairman at the meeting gave the passing vote in favour of Pleiades Lodge
The lodge’s birth came about at what you could say one of the darkest times in English History, the Great War had ended only four years previously with the loss of many men, of all ages, from the effects of war, and not long after the lodge was formed, when the country and the world was heading towards the financial crisis, the great depression, of 1929..
Yet despite these challenging circumstances the founders still went ahead with the planning and received sponsorship of the Pleiades lodge and were further boosted by the blessing on the PGM, R.W. Brother George Davie.
There were 20 founding members of the lodge, and their names can be found in the official minute book of the time and also written on the reverse of the lodge Warrant.”
W. Bro. Anthony Jordan Prov Grand Secretary of Devonshire read the Centenary Warrant to the Lodge.
The WM, W. Bro. Peter Hawkin MBE received the Centenary Warrant and was granted permission for him and all brethren of Dartmoor Lodge to wear the Centenary jewel from Rt. W. Bro. Nicholas Ball.
Bro. Dr. Adrian Rogers the Provincial Grand Chaplain was delighted to unveil and bless a new past masters board made by W Bro Matthew McCann ProvAGStdB.
“It is great you are looking to the future-with huge thanks to W. Bro. Matthew McCann who has both made and donated your new past master’s board.
He modestly describes himself as “maker” who produces – I quote “Quiet furniture which looks as if it belongs to compliment and harmonise with their historic surroundings.”
That is most certainly the case here; deeply beautiful, rare and priceless Cuban Mahogany with pediment and dentils matching the existing board.
Well, this beautiful board certainly belongs here, compliments and harmonises and will be a pleasure to dedicate and bless.”
A vibrant festive board was held a few miles down the road at Ivybridge in Erme Lodge where the PGM formally cut a cake. The reply to the Visitors was made by W. Bro. Sibley from Pleiades Lodge No 710 to complete the historical moment.
Rt. W. Bro. Nicholas Ball PGM:
“It was such an honour to bring the whole Provincial executive down and fit us all into the South Brent Lodge on a fabulous occasion to celebrate such a milestone in Dartmoor Lodge’s history. My thanks must go to the Dartmoor 4604 Team and Keith Williams for making it all happen, and i wish you all the best for the next one hundred years!”
Bro. Peter Hawkins MBE WM Dartmoor Lodge No 4604:
“The founders would have been proud of the Lodge they had started, as there were over 100 brethren present to match the number that attended the consecration and that the atmosphere of the Lodge hadn’t changed, always welcoming, with typical Village hospitality.
It was also good to see W Bro P A W Moore present being the longest serving brother in the Lodge and the fact that Peter is a ( Brent Boy ).
The 12th September had a significant meaning to me as Worshipful Master as it was 56 years to the day when I was initiated into Dartmoor Lodge. All in all a fabulous day.”
Bro. Dean Dunscombe (most recent member of 4604):
“What an experience it was to witness the Centenary meeting which I probably won’t see again. Having the Provincial Grand Master and his officers take part in the ceremony was really good to see. Also watching the blessing of the new Past Master’s board and the reading of the Warrants. At the festive board these people weren’t shy about talking to us younger members which really puts into perspective the beliefs about freemasonry. We are all equal.”
Alec Collyer MBE
Press Officer Devonshire Freemasons
pressofficer@devonshirefreemasons.org.uk
07747607978