Masonic lodge at Newby Bridge celebrates 100 years

One hundred members of the brethren met to celebrate the centenary in ‘great style’.

Gary Mansfield, Worshipful Master of the Newby Bridge Lodge with RW Bro. Mark Matthews, Provincial Grand Master (Image: Alan Tomlinson) After the duties of the business meeting, Master Gary Mansfield opened the lodge and was followed by Right Worshipful Brother Mark Francis Matthews who received the gavel of the lodge. He then opened the Provincial Grand Lodge in due and ancient form.

The lodge was then closed down to the first degree, and the Tyler, Brother Barry Saunders, and Brother Nick Smith, a Fellow Craft of Ulverston Lodge were admitted.

Provincial Grand Chaplain John Hall orated the history of the Newby Bridge Lodge, from its foundation and first 40 years at the Swan Hotel, and the transition into new premises for the next 60.

The tribute ended with a solemn prayer of rededication.

Work to form a Masonic Lodge at Newby Bridge began over 100 years ago in February 1922 and initially focused on starting a second Lodge at Windermere.

The Grand Officers, assembled with Gary (Image: Alan Tomlinson) Interest moved to Lakeside Hotel, however, this was halted when it was found out that the hotel was likely to be sold in the near future.

Attention turned to Newby Bridge, where a lease of a piece of land was sought from the Revell family who owned the Swan Hotel.

In the end, they secured lease of a barn for the new lodge, which held a ceremony of consecration on October 28, 1924.

The ceremony was followed by a banquet at the Swan Hotel, at which the thirteen founder members and 50 guests enjoyed ‘excellent fare’.

World War Two saw the Lodge close for three months and on February 12, 1940, the Lodge suffered a ‘disastrous’ fire which blazed for five hours and was quelled by the brigade from Ulverston using water pumped from the lake.

After 20 years, it was necessary for the Lodge to find a new premises, and a move to Newby Bridge was completed in 1964.

Gary is joined by the acting officers of Provincial Grand Lodge (Image: Alan Tomlinson) The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new building was followed by a service at St Mary’s church Staveley in Cartmel and afternoon tea at the Newby Bridge Hotel.

At the centenary celebration, Past Provincial Grand Superintendent of Works, Alan McDougall was promoted to the high rank of Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden, in recognition of his services to both the Newby Bridge Lodge, and the wider community.

Immediately after Provincial Grand Lodge was closed, Master Gary Mansfield advised that the lodge would be donating a ‘magnificent’ sum of £4,598 to Masonic Charities.

At the first rising, Secretary Phil Preston revealed a Grand Lodge certificate for Brother Roger Baker, which was then presented to him by the Provincial Grand Master, Mark Matthews.

Alms were collected after the ceremony, at the Feast of St. John in the Newby Bridge Hotel, raising a total of £1,138.