Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
THE GILBERT INGLEFIELD LODGE NO 8009
THE HISTORY 1964 – 2015
1 Printed by Stonebridges Printers Limited, Willow House, 16 Shuttleworth Road, Bedford, MK41 0EP
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009 Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF BEDFORDSHIRE RW Bro Michael J Sawyer
Email:
Provincial Grand Master
office@pglbeds.org
Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration Meeting Foreword by the Provincial Grand Master I always deem it a great honour to be asked to contribute to the Anniversary Celebrations of a Lodge and when I was asked to write a Foreword for this booklet I had absolutely no hesitation in agreeing. Fifty Years is quite a milestone for anything these days and the Members of this Lodge are to be congratulated in reaching this. On looking back through the records I was surprised and pleased that I knew some of your Founders quite well. In addition to the Provincial Grand Master I knew Percy Rush quite well, my father played cricket with Ron Paice the then Provincial Grand Secretary and we regularly had lunch at the Red Lion in Luton with Reg Robinson the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies. Never did I imagine I would follow in the footsteps of some of these eminent Freemasons. As you can imagine today brings back very happy memories of the 1960’s for me. I must congratulate all the Members, past and present on working so hard to keep up the traditions of the Lodge and thank all those who have held the important Offices in the Lodge over the years for all the work they have done for the Lodge. I thank all the current Officers and all others who have contributed to the arrangements for this Fiftieth Anniversary Meeting, I know only too well how much hard work goes into arranging such an occasion, well done to all concerned. I am also very pleased that I am able to bring the Provincial Team to this Meeting. I hope this has added to the Lodge Celebrations and I thank them all for their attendance. I wish the Lodge every success in the future and long may the name Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009 remain in the Province of Bedfordshire. RW Bro. M J Sawyer Provincial Grand Master 2
1
Gilbert Inglefield History.indd 2
28/04/2015 08:18
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009 Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF BEDFORDSHIRE RW Bro Michael J Sawyer
Email:
Provincial Grand Master
office@pglbeds.org
Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration Meeting Foreword by the Provincial Grand Master I always deem it a great honour to be asked to contribute to the Anniversary Celebrations of a Lodge and when I was asked to write a Foreword for this booklet I had absolutely no hesitation in agreeing. Fifty Years is quite a milestone for anything these days and the Members of this Lodge are to be congratulated in reaching this. On looking back through the records I was surprised and pleased that I knew some of your Founders quite well. In addition to the Provincial Grand Master I knew Percy Rush quite well, my father played cricket with Ron Paice the then Provincial Grand Secretary and we regularly had lunch at the Red Lion in Luton with Reg Robinson the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies. Never did I imagine I would follow in the footsteps of some of these eminent Freemasons. As you can imagine today brings back very happy memories of the 1960’s for me. I must congratulate all the Members, past and present on working so hard to keep up the traditions of the Lodge and thank all those who have held the important Offices in the Lodge over the years for all the work they have done for the Lodge. I thank all the current Officers and all others who have contributed to the arrangements for this Fiftieth Anniversary Meeting, I know only too well how much hard work goes into arranging such an occasion, well done to all concerned. I am also very pleased that I am able to bring the Provincial Team to this Meeting. I hope this has added to the Lodge Celebrations and I thank them all for their attendance. I wish the Lodge every success in the future and long may the name Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009 remain in the Province of Bedfordshire. RW Bro. M J Sawyer Provincial Grand Master 2
1
Gilbert Inglefield History.indd 2
28/04/2015 08:18
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009 Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
2007
Kevin Paul King
PPrAGDC
2008
Geoffrey Vincent Stone
2008
Peter Burnage
2008
Ian Hamilton Walker
2009
Richard Ward
2010
Alan Gilbert Ormsby
2010
David Cayley Lennox-Lamb
2011
John Masson Jappy
2011
Stedley Buckle
PPrGStB
2012
Richard Ward
PrGReg
2012
Alan Stuart Fraser
2013
Adrian A Lennox-Lamb
PrGStwd
2014
Geoffrey Vincent Stone
PPrJGW
2014
Kevin Paul King
PPrJGD
2014
Peter Burnage
PPrGReg
2014
Ian Cecil Mann
PPrGSupWks
PrGReg
Contents The Patron
4
PrGOr
The Conception
7
PrSGD
The Founders
8
The Consecration
9
PPrGSwdB
PrGSwdB PPrGSupWks PrGStB
PPrGSwdB
The Early Years
12
The Middle Years
16
The Later Years
19
Masters of the Lodge
23
Lodge Secretaries
25
Lodge Treasurers
25
Lodge Chaplains
26
Lodge Directors of Ceremonies
26
Grand Rank
27
Provincial Honours
27
The Officers of the Lodge for 2015
31
3
30
30
Gilbert Inglefield History.indd 4
3
28/04/2015 08:18
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
THE PATRON
Sir Gilbert Inglefield 1909 - 1991
4
4
Gilbert Inglefield History.indd 5
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009 Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
1994
Deryck Hartop Clarke
PPrGD
1995
George Alfred Martin Gallop DFC
PPrJGW
1996
Ian Hamilton Walker
PrDGDC
1996
Ian Cecil Mann
PrGStB
1996
Peter Burnage
PPrGPurs
1997
Hugh George Aldous
1997
Malcolm McNeill Campbell
1997
Patrick Eric Nolan
1998
Raymond Sidney Short
1998
David Cayley Lennox-Lamb
1999
Geoffrey Vincent Stone
1999
Robert Charles Spikesley
1999
John Alexander Jappy
PPrGStB
2000
Deryck Hartop Clarke
PPrGReg
2000
Alan Stuart Fraser
2000
Terence John Donnelly
2001
Ian Hamilton Walker
2001
David Kelly Blyth BEM
PrGStwd
2002
Richard Ward
PrGStwd
2002
Ian Cecil Mann
2003
Malcolm McNeill Campbell
2003
Alan Gilbert Ormsby
2004
Raymond Sidney Short
2004
David Cayley Lennox-Lamb
PPrSGD
2005
David Kelly Blyth BEM
PrAGDC
2005
Richard Ward
PrAGDC
PPrGD PPrGSupWks PPrAGDC PPrGD PPrGStB PPrGSwdB PPrGSupWks
PPrGSupWks PPrGStB PrGDC
PrSGD PPrGReg PPrSGD PPrGSwdB
29
29
28/04/2015 08:18
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
1981
Edward Thomas Richardson
PPrGReg
1983
John Frederick Barley
PPrGReg
1983
George Alfred Martin Gallop DFC
1984
George Barry Wake
1985
Alan Stuart Fraser
PPrGD
1987
George William Dicks
PPrGD
1988
Donald Edward Palmer
1988
Robert Charles Spikesley
1988
Frank Edward Yorke
1988
Donald Davidson Muirhead
1988
Paul James Hooley
1989
George Alfred Martin Gallop DFC
PPrGReg
1989
David Melvyn Boston
PPrGStB
1990
George Norman Maxfield
PPrGStB
1991
George Barry Wake
PPrSGW
1991
John Frederick Barley
PPrJGW
1991
Malcolm McNeill Campbell
PPrGD
1991
Paul James Hooley
PrSGW
1992
Raymond Sidney Short
1992
Victor Harold Hose
LGR
1992
Paul James Hooley
LGR
1993
Ian Hamilton Walker
PrAGDC
1993
Hugh George Aldous
PrGStwd
1993
Robert Charles Spikesley
1993
Geoffrey Vincent Stone
1994
George William Dicks
28
Gilbert Inglefield History.indd 6
PPrGD PPrJGW
PPrSGW PPrGPurs PPrGSupWks PPrAGDC PPrGD
PPrAGDC
PPrGD PPrAGDC
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009 Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Sir Gilbert Inglefield was the Provincial Grand Master for the Province of Bedfordshire from 1958 to 1978. The younger son of Admiral Sir Frederick Inglefield, Gilbert Samuel Inglefield was born in Derbyshire on the 13th March 1909. Educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he read English and Classics, Sir Gilbert went on to study architecture with H S Goodhart - Rendel and also learnt to play the flute. A practising architect in London when the Second World War broke out, he promptly joined his Territorial Regiment, The Sherwood Foresters, which was one of the first regiments to go to France with the British Expeditionary Force. On his return to Britain, he became a Staff Captain in the ill-fated 18th Division, which was sent to Singapore and saw only two weeks action before being captured by the Japanese. After a spell in Changi he was set to work with his fellow Prisoners of War on the infamous Burma to Thailand Railway, where his ordeal lasted three and a half years. During this time, Gilbert was reduced to little more than a skeleton, some seven stones in weight. Despite this his courage and leadership with his fellow prisoners of war became legend. A great lover of music he taught his fellow Prisoners of War to sing and there were times when the jungle echoed to the sound of the Hallelujah chorus from Handel’s Messiah. Many Prisoners of War owed their sanity to Sir Gilbert’s inspiration. After the war, he joined the British Council in Cairo, and was the Assistant Representative in Egypt. He left the Council in 1956 to go into business. Three years later Sir Gilbert became Alderman for the Ward of Aldersgate and was Sheriff from 1963 to 1964. In 1967, he was elected as the Lord Mayor of London, during which time the City made great advances and his artistic and charitable commitments shone like beacons. Every letter that left the Mansion House was franked with the legend “The Absent Guest” a reminder that two thirds of the world was starving. At every banquet and luncheon an extra place was laid for the absent guest with the cost of the meal being donated to the charity War on Want. Thanks to Sir Gilbert’s efforts, more than £100,000 was subscribed to the Charity, out of which food to the value of £27,000 was sent to Biafra.
PrGSupWks
In the New Year’s Honours list for 1965, five days before the consecration of the Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009, Sir Gilbert was awarded a Knighthood,
28
5
5
28/04/2015 08:18
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009 Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
and in 1968, after retiring from the position of Lord Mayor of London, was made G B E.
GRAND RANK
Sir Gilbert Inglefield was the seventh holder of the Province’s highest office. Appointed as the Provincial Grand Master of the Province of Bedfordshire in 1958, he served in that office for 20 years, being a member of the Craft for over 60 years. Sir Gilbert never lost an opportunity to tell everyone that Bedfordshire was the Number 1 Province on the roll of the United Grand Lodge of England.
2004
1966
Arthur William Ashdown
PrGrStB
Throughout his long, creative and distinguished life, he led by example and the world around him flourished. From the jungles of Thailand to the City of London and to the Masonic Province of Bedfordshire, Sir Gilbert Inglefield was, quite simply, one of the finest of men and of masons.
1968
William Turnbull Hobkirk
PPrJGW
1968
Frederick James Berrington
1969
Donald Edward Palmer
1970
Ernest Edward Smith
1972
Frederick James Berrington
1973
John Frederick Barley
1973
Brian William Morley Luddington
PPrGStwd
1974
George Barry Wake
Pr AGPurs
1974
Edward Thomas Richardson
1974
Colin Patrick Drury
PrGSupWks
1976
John Garner Smith
PrGSupWks
1977
Brian William Morley Luddington
PPrGStB
1978
George Barry Wake
PrDGDC
1978
John Frederick Barley
PPrGStdB
1978
Charles Frank Howard Crouch
PPrGStwd
1979
Ronald Edward Thompson
PPrGStBP
1980
Donald Edward Palmer
PrJGW
1980
Arthur William Ashdown
PPrGD
1980
Frank Edward Yorke
th
Sadly, on Monday the 14 October 1991, Sir Gilbert passed to the Grand Lodge Above. Sir Gilbert was married to Barbara, who survived him with two sons and a daughter. David Inglefield, one of Sir Gilbert’s two sons, was an Honorary Member of the Lodge as a consequence of his role in escorting his father in pursuit of his duties as Provincial Grand Master. W Bro. David Inglefield subsequently became known affectionately as the PrGC (Provincial Grand Chauffeur). Sadly, W Bro David passed to the Grand Lodge Above in December 2014 just before the start of the Lodge’s 50th Anniversary year. Both Sir Gilbert and David’s Mother Lodge is the Lodge of Antiquity No 2, the oldest Lodge in England after the Grand Lodge itself.
Ian Hamilton Walker
PAGDC
PROVINCIAL HONOURS
PPrAGPurs PPrGD PPrGStB PPrGrSupWks PrGrStwd
PrGOrg
PPrAGDC
27 6
6
Gilbert Inglefield History.indd 7
27
28/04/2015 08:18
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009 Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
LODGE CHAPLAINS
THE CONCEPTION
1965-1967…..…………………………………………………Ernest Edward Smith
The Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009 was consecrated on Tuesday 5th January 1965.
1968-1975…..………………………………………………..John Frederick Barley 1975-1978…..…………………………………………………Joseph Smith Fraser 1978-1985…..……………………………………….….Ronald Edward Thompson 1985-1988…..………………………………………….Donald Davidson Muirhead 1988-1992…..…………………..………………….…….Robert Charles Spikesley 1992-2007..……………..………………………..…………..Deryck Hartop Clarke 2008-2012….…………………………………..………………….Raymond Davies 2013-2014 ..……………………………………...…………….Ian Hamilton Walker 2014 ……..………………………………………...…………..Adrian Lennox-Lamb
LODGE DIRECTORS OF CEREMONIES 1965-1973………………………………………………….Arthur William Ashdown 1973-1992………………………………………………………George Barry Wake 1992-2001….…………………………………………………..Ian Hamilton Walker 2002……………………………………………………...Malcolm McNeil Campbell 2003-2008…….………………...…………………………...David Kelly Blyth BEM 2008 -2009……….…………………………………………………….Richard Ward 2009-2015 ….………………………..….……………………..Alan Gilbert Ormsby 2015………….…………………………………………………………Richard Ward
The Lodge owes its existence to W Bro Donald Edward Palmer who, in early 1964, considered the possibility of forming a new lodge in Bedford and, following discussions with W Bro William Turnbull Hobkirk, it was decided that this aim should be pursued. An informal meeting was held at W Bro Hobkirk’s house over tea, which was also attended by Bro George Barry Wake. Founder Members were discussed and W Bro Palmer proposed several members who were interested and the names of Bro John Frederick Barley and Bro Gordon Basil Kemp Small were proposed by Bro Wake. All these Brethren were invited to W Bro Hobkirk’s house at Moorlands, Box End, Kempston, to further discuss the subject. W Bro Palmer agreed to approach the Sir William Harpur Lodge No 2343 and ask them if they would act as sponsor for the new lodge and this was subsequently confirmed. The ritual to be employed was then discussed and on a proposition from W Bro Palmer, it was agreed to use that of our sponsoring Lodge, but certain elements of the floor work would be that of Castle Lodge, W Bro Ashdown’s Mother Lodge. Various names for the new Lodge were suggested; firstly that of ‘Moorlands Lodge’, being the name of W Bro Hobkirk’s house in which the inaugural meetings had taken place. The ‘Bromham Lodge’ was also suggested, but W Bro. Palmer proposed, and it was decided, that the Lodge should be called ‘The Inglefield Lodge’ after the Provincial Grand Master. It was reported later that this could not be used as there was already a Lodge of that name. Finally, with the agreement of the Provincial Grand Master, it was proposed that the Lodge should be called the Gilbert Inglefield Lodge. Permission was subsequently granted even though Grand Lodge were generally not happy to use the name of a living person. The founding Secretary, W Bro Palmer, then set about the monumental task of organising the Consecration Ceremony.
26
26
Gilbert Inglefield History.indd 8
7
7
28/04/2015 08:18
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009 Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
THE FOUNDERS
LODGE SECRETARIES
The Founders and the First Officers of the Lodge were: Worshipful Master …………..………………………W Bro W T Hobkirk PPrGStdB Senior Warden ……………….……………………………………..Bro J F Barley
1965-1976……..……………………………………………Donald Edward Palmer 1976-1979……..…………………………….……………….John Frederick Barley 1979-1991…..………………………………………..George Alfred M Gallop DFC
Junior Warden……………….………………………………………Bro G B Wake
1991-1995…..………….……………………………………………..Peter Burnage
Immediate Past Master….……………………….…………W Bro F J Berrington
1995-2000….………….…………….……………………..Geoffrey Vincent Stone
Chaplain………………….…………………….….……W Bro E E Smith PPrGStdB
2000-2006…….………….………….……………………………… Peter Burnage
Treasurer………………….……………………….……..…….Bro R E Thompson
2007-2008…………………………………………………….…Alan Donald Fraser
Secretary……………..…………………………...….W Bro D E Palmer PPrGStdB
2009-2015…….…………….…….………………………..Geoffrey Vincent Stone
Director Of Ceremonies……..……………….…….……….W Bro A W Ashdown Senior Deacon……………….……………….……………………Bro G B K Small Junior Deacon ………………………………….……………………Bro J G Smith
LODGE TREASURERS 1965-1967…….....……..……….………………….,…Ronald Edward Thompson
Assistant Director of Ceremonies ……………..………….W Bro W H Reynolds
1967-1973………..………………...……………………..William Turnbull Hobkirk
Organist…………………………………………….………….Bro E T Richardson
1973-1978………..…………….…….…….……………………Colin Patrick Drury
Assistant Secretary…………………………………………………Bro C P Drury
1978………………..………….….………….………………Barrington Braithwaite
Inner Guard……………………………………………………..Bro C F H Crouch
1978-1983…………..………….…..……….….………………..Colin Patrick Drury
Steward……………………………………………………Bro B W M Luddington
1983-1984…………..………….…..………..…………….Harold William Clement
Steward……………………………………………………………Bro E A Poynter
1984-1993…………..………….…..………..………………Edward James Dunell
Steward……………………………….……………….W Bro J W Smith PPrGTyler
1994-1998…………..………….…..……….…..………………..Patrick Eric Nolan 1998 -1999 …….…………………….………..….………….Edward James Dunell 1999-2000……………….……………….….…..………………………Arthur T Bell 2001-2005……………………………………..………David Cayley Lennox-Lamb 2006-2009………………………………………….….………Hugh George Aldous 2009.…….………………………………………..……………………Richard Ward
8
8
Gilbert Inglefield History.indd 9
25
25
28/04/2015 08:18
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009 Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
1990…………..……………………………………………………….Ian Cecil Mann 1991…………..………………………………………………..Hugh George Aldous
THE CONSECRATION
1993…………..………………………………..………David Cayley Lennox-Lamb
The Consecration took place on Tuesday 5th January 1965, at Robert Bruce School, Bedford Road, Kempston, by kind permission of the headmaster W Bro T Booth.
1994…………..………………………………………………John Alexander Jappy
The Consecrating Officers were:
1995…………..…………………………….……………….Terence John Donnelly
R W Bro Gilbert InglefieldTD., MA…………...……….
1996………….……………………………………………….Edward James Dunell
W Bro P W Rush PGD ……………...……...…. Deputy Provincial Grand Master
1997………….………………………………………………………..Peter Burnage
W Bro C W Clarabut …….….………………… Provincial Senior Grand Warden
1998………….…………………………………………………Alan Gilbert Ormsby
W Bro E R Arnold ……….………….…………. Provincial Junior Grand Warden
1999………….……………………………………………..James Robert Donnelly
W Bro Canon F Cottam PAGChap….…………..…….. Provincial Grand Chaplain
2000………….…………………………………………….David Kelly Blyth B.E.M.
W Bro Rev V J French ……….……………………….Provincial Grand Chaplain
2001………….…………………………………………………..Roy Edward Tench
W Bro R L Paice PAGDC ………….....……………….Provincial Grand Secretary
2002……..……………………...………………………………………Richard Ward
W Bro R L Robinson PGStdB….……………………………..Provincial Grand D C
2003……..……………………..…………………………………….Kevin Paul King
W Bro D W Gooch ………….………………………… Provincial Grand Organist
2004……..……………………………………………………….Steven Victor Hose
W Bro A G Stevens ……….……………………….. Provincial Grand Pursuivant
2005……..………………………………………………………..John Mason Jappy
Bro F Murphy ………………….…………………………. .Provincial Grand Tyler
2006…………………..……………………………………………….Stedley Buckle
These Brethren were made Honorary Members of the Lodge. In addition to the Consecrating Officers, the Names, Ranks and Lodges of 168 other brethren were recorded in the Attendance Book
1992…………..……………………………………………………Patrick Eric Nolan
2007………………………..………………………………………….Stewart Panter 2008…………………….………………………………………Ian Hamilton Walker 2009………..…………..……………………………………………Kevin Paul King 2010 ………..…………………………………………………………Peter Burnage 2011…………..……………………………………………………….Peter Burnage 2012…………..………………………………………………..Adrian Lennox-Lamb 2013 ……..………………………………….…..………….Terence John Donnelly 2014 …..…………………………………..….…………….Terence John Donnelly 2015…..…………………………..……………………………Alan Gilbert Ormsby
24
24
Gilbert Inglefield History.indd 10
Provincial Grand Master
The Procedure for Consecration having been followed, items of Lodge Business were then conducted including the Installation of the Master Designate, Investiture of Wardens Designate, election of Treasurer and the appointment and investiture of the other Officers. Interestingly, following the Installation of W Bro Hobkirk as Worshipful Master, the Lodge was resumed in the First Degree and the Working Tools of the three degrees were presented collectively to the Worshipful Master. At this point, the Warrant of the Lodge was presented to the Worshipful Master. On the Second Rising, the newly installed Worshipful Master, expressed the thanks of the Lodge to the Provincial Grand Master, for his generous gift of the 9
9
28/04/2015 08:18
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009 Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
beautiful VOSL. He added that the sheets therein provided for the signatures of the Initiates offered the opportunity of introducing a custom novel in Bedfordshire Freemasonry, which he hoped visitors might find of added interest when they came to see our working. The Worshipful Master also thanked the Provincial Grand Master for his kind permission to use his family crest and for having a block prepared for the Lodge Summons and Letterhead. The Worshipful Master also expressed the sincere thanks of the Lodge for the great kindness and interest of the Provincial Grand Master in designing a cushion for the pedestal which would not only bear the Lodge name and number but also the crest on the fall. The cushion was not completed at the time of the Consecration but the Worshipful Master added, he was sure that it would become a prized possession. During the Third Rising Mr Frank Edward Yorke and Mr Frederick Thomas Andrews were proposed as candidates for initiation. Mr Yorke subsequently became the first Lodge Initiate. The Festive Board Menu was Salmon Mayonnaise, Cream of Chicken Soup, Roast Saddle of Lamb, and Peaches in Rum Sauce.
MASTERS OF THE LODGE 1965………..…………….………………………………...William Turnbull Hobkirk 1966………..……………………..………………….……….John Frederick Barley 1967……….………………………..………………..…………George Barry Wake 1968……….……………………...…………………..………….John Garner Smith 1969………..……………………………….…………….Aubery Bertram Chappell 1970………..……………………………………………Ronald Edward Thompson 1971………..….……………………………………………….Frank Edward Yorke 1972………..………….………………………………Edward Thomas Richardson 1973………..…………………..………………………Frederick Thomas Andrews 1974………..…………………………..…………….George Alfred M Gallop DFC 1975…………..………………………………………………………..David Grundy 1976…………..…………………………………………Malcolm McNeil Campbell 1977…………..….……………………………………………….Alan Stuart Fraser 1978…………..………………………………………………George William Dicks 1979…………...………………………………………….Robert Charles Spikesley 1980………….…………..……………………………..Donald Davidson Muirhead 1981…………………………..………………………...Edward Raymond Johnson 1982……...…………………………………………………….David Melvyn Boston 1983………..……….…………………………………….George Norman Maxfield 1984………..…………………………………………………Leslie Frank Newman 1985………..……………………………………………….Raymond Sidney Short
Order of Procedure – Front Cover
1986………..………………………………………………….George Frank Martin
The Festive Board Menu
The Consecration was held in the school gymnasium and the Festive Board in the school hall. At subsequent nights of installation, Founder Members would regularly regale the assembled brethren with anecdotes concerning remarks 10
10
Gilbert Inglefield History.indd 11
1987………..…………………………….…………………….Ian Hamilton Walker 1988………..………………………………………………….Deryck Hartop Clarke 1989…………………………..……………………………James Leonard Logsdail 23
23
28/04/2015 08:18
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
of Ceremonies in October 2001, a post that he occupied for four years. In April 2004, he became the first member of the Lodge to be appointed to Grand Rank when he became Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies. A further honour was conferred on W Bro Ian when, in October 2007, he was appointed Provincial Grand Orator. The last two Provincial Grand Registrars are also members of this Lodge, W Bro Geoff Stone, appointed in 2009, succeeded by W Bro Richard Ward, appointed in 2012.
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009 Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
made by pupils of the school on seeing the chairs, pedestals and other items being moved into the school gymnasium. At the Consecration, ‘The Bedford Singers’ provided the ceremonial music. There being no other business, the Lodge closed in peace and harmony and with solemn prayer at 7:35 pm. The National Anthem was sung prior to leaving the Lodge Room.
With fewer members, Gilbert Inglefield Lodge has adjusted its programme accordingly, so that in 2011 the decision was taken to reduce the number of meetings each year from seven to six. Since its Consecration, additional items have frequently been included in the ceremonies; The Five Noble Orders of Architecture; Reading the Ancient Charges of a Freemason; Lecture on the Symbolism of the Square; The Walking Charge in the Third Degree and the Landmarks of the Order. An amusing parody on the Duties of a Steward has also been delivered when the Lodge has been called from Labour to Refreshment. A number of these items have been delivered to other Lodges within and outside of the Province of Bedfordshire. In its fiftieth year, the Lodge is in good heart. There are currently twenty-six members with several candidates in line for Initiation. A full programme of ceremonies is arranged for the next two years. Undoubtedly, the Lodge will move forward with that love and harmony establish by its Founders and carried forward by each generation.
22
22
Gilbert Inglefield History.indd 12
11
11
28/04/2015 08:18
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
THE EARLY YEARS The first Regular Meeting of the Lodge was held on Tuesday 2nd February 1965 to initiate Mr Frank Edward Yorke. It was also at this meeting that the bylaws of the Lodge were approved. At this first meeting, there were present fifteen members and thirty-five visitors. It should be remembered that this was at a time before the advent of personal computers, email, mobile phones, and other products of information technology. The amount of time spent by the Lodge Secretary in drafting the summons, sending it to the printers, and after printing, posting it to members must have been considerable. All letters, Minutes, and other correspondence were hand written. There will be many initiates who still treasure the Secretary’s letter, handwritten in elegant copperplate, inviting them to come to interview. The Steward’s role would also have been, without the aid of IT, time consuming in terms of collecting and collating the orders for meals, arranging the menu, seating plan, and a host of other tasks ensuring that the tables were properly furnished, and that every Brother was suitably provided for. At this time, together with the other Bedford Lodges, meetings were held in the Newnham Rooms, the entrance being via a narrow alley on the east side of St Cuthbert’s Street. More long-standing members of the Lodge recall that there was an entrance lobby for changing and this led on to a large dining hall, a small bar area with a large open fire and the Temple.
12
Gilbert Inglefield History.indd 13
Masons to move to other parts of the country and indeed, abroad. A current member of the Lodge lives in Thailand leaving little scope for his attendance at Lodge meetings! There are numerous examples of particularly enthusiastic younger brethren frequently working long hours in locations that do not allow them back in time for even an later evening opening. One ingenious plan to alleviate some of the impediments described above was conceived and implemented by W Bro Peter Burnage. He spent many hours meticulously transcribing our ritual into individual booklets for the ceremonies of Initiation and Passing. These pocket-sized publications, presented to the candidate at the conclusion of the ceremony, had several benefits. A candidate could, after their Initiation or Passing, read through the proceedings and, with the help of his proposer or a mentor, in a relaxed setting, achieve a clearer understanding of what had taken place. The booklets are also beneficial in allowing a brother below the rank of a Master Mason to attend Lodge of Instruction where the ceremony to be practiced is appropriate. From its early years, Gilbert Inglefield Lodge had established, and still maintains, a policy of encouraging ‘younger’ Masons to be engaged in the ceremony. Examples include the presentation and explanation of the Working Tools, repetition of Obligations and other roles commensurate with their level of confidence and the constraints of work and family life. The temptation to rush ‘younger’ brethren into office before the constraints of their personal life allow that step to be taken with confidence has been avoided. In order to maintain the quality of ceremonies it has been necessary for Past Masters to take up offices, which would normally be filled by the progression of ‘younger’ brethren. Many of the Principal and Assistant Offices have been filled in this way and four brethren have occupied the Chair of King Solomon on two occasions. It is a fitting tribute to the energy, dedication, and enthusiasm of the Past Masters of the Lodge that, in recent years, five of their number have been appointed or promoted to Acting Rank in the Provincial Grand Lodge of Bedfordshire. Foremost of these honoured brethren is W Bro Ian Hamilton Walker who was Initiated into the Lodge in April 1975. Even before his Raising, he established a reputation for proficiency in the delivery of ritual. He was installed as Worshipful Master in 1987 progressing to Assistant and then Director of Ceremonies to which Office he was appointed in 1992. W Bro Walker served as Director of Ceremonies for ten years. Having been Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies, he was appointed as Provincial Grand Director
The Temple in the Newnham Rooms showing the Gilbert Inglefield Banner, VSL and cushion.
12
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009 Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
21
21
28/04/2015 08:18
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009 Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
THE LATER YEARS
The Ritual
Since the twinning, in April 1978, exchange visits, both formal and informal, between Gilbert Inglefield Lodge and zur Verbruderung an der Regnitz have continued. The brethren from Bamberg have been most generous in their hospitality on the occasions when our brethren have visited Germany. The Lodge has endeavoured to reciprocate this hospitality so that apart from receptions that were more formal, our visitors have also been taken on outings to Cambridge and London. Highlights have included tours of Grand Lodge and a ‘flight’ on the London Eye.
Following the Consecration, Sir Gilbert Inglefield was asked if he would like to suggest any changes to the Lodges ritual. He submitted a list of several which were subsequently incorporated in January 1967 when Bro. Wake was installed in the chair of King Solomon and also gave permission for the Lodge to change the ritual where and as it pleased providing the original Landmarks of the Order were not changed in any way. Whilst most of these changes were of a minor nature, one caused considerable interest; this concerned the Worshipful Master who, after giving the Senior Warden permission to close the Lodge, would dismiss his sign and sit alone; it is believed that this practice is unique. The Banner The Dedication of the Banner was carried out by Sir Gilbert Inglefield, the Provincial Grand Master on 3rd October 1967 and the Oration was given by W Bro Canon F Cottam PAsstGChaplain. The Banner bears the Lodge Crest, which is Sir Gilbert’s family Coat of Arms and, as he forcibly pointed out, carries a most appropriate Masonic motto: ‘The Sun My Compass’.
A visit to the Bamberg Lodge at the Johannisfest in 2007
In common with many other Lodges in the Province, and in Freemasonry in general, the number of subscribing members in Gilbert Inglefield Lodge has steadily declined in recent years. The pressures of employment and life in general have become all too apparent. The stresses of the work place have put a premium on family life, which is of paramount importance to Freemasonry in general and individual members in particular. Reviewing the backgrounds of Lodge members in the early years suggests that many were in managerial roles, were self-employed, or in other professional positions where busy schedules could be adjusted for the purposes of making advancements in Masonic knowledge and practise. The general population is also more mobile so that promotion, in their chosen occupation, regularly requires 20
20
Gilbert Inglefield History.indd 14
13
13
28/04/2015 08:18
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
The drape on the cushion on which the Volume of the Sacred Law rests when in Lodge was part of a Footman’s livery when Sir Gilbert was the Lord Mayor of London. Sir Gilbert presented both the cushion and the Bible itself to the Lodge. On the fly-leaf of the Bible are recorded the names of all the Founders and Initiates of the Lodge. The Banner Dedication Ceremony was a lengthy affair being preceded by a double Second Degree ceremony, at the conclusion of which W Bro Barry Wake, on the first of many occasions, delivered the lecture entitled ‘The Five Noble Orders of Architecture’. The Provincial Grand Master then took the Chair and appointed W Bro Wickson as Senior Warden, W Bro. Ayres as Junior Warden, W Bro Cottam as Junior Warden, and W Bro Robinson as Director of Ceremonies. At the conclusion of the ceremony, W Bro Wake resumed the Chair and expressed the sincere thanks of the Lodge members to the Provincial Grand Maser and his officers. It was recorded in the Minutes of a subsequent meeting that the Banner had cost £52.00. This was a considerable sum of money in 1967, as the lodge accounts for that year show a balance of £97.16.11. The full cost was borne by donations from the members. By the end of the third year, the Lodge had grown from the original sixteen Founder Members to thirty-three by the addition of eight Joining Members and nine Initiates. The fifth Installation Meeting in January 1969 must have been a memorable, if not nerve wracking, occasion as it was graced with the presence of the Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro Sir Gilbert Inglefield GBE TD, and the DepPrGM, W Bro Ronald L Paice. Also in attendance were two PDepPrGM’s and the PrGSec, W Bro Cyril Robinson. In addition to the thirty-three members, there were also fifty-four visiting brethren. However, in the presence of such august company his predecessor, W Br. John Garner Smith, installed Bro Aubrey Bertram Chappell in the Chair of King Solomon in exemplary manner.
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009 Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
A significant event occurred in 1978 with the move from the Newnham Rooms in Bedford to the Keep, Bedford Road in Kempston. Although, by 1967 every essential item of Lodge equipment had been purchased, there still remained a requirement to borrow some artefacts, in particular a set of Tracing Boards. This situation was rectified by the artisanship of W Bro George Dicks who was both a speculative and operative Mason. W Bro George was Initiated into the Lodge on 1st February 1966, becoming the Worshipful Master in 1978. After the move from the Newnham Rooms to the Keep, W Bro Dicks was one among many who spent countless hours repairing, maintaining, and decorating the new premises. Perhaps his greatest achievement in this respect was the creation of the Tracing Boards that adorn our meetings to this day. We fondly recall his description of how he would sketch a small section of a Board, return home and reproduce this segment before revisiting the Keep for the next instalment. Other artefacts created by W Bro. Dicks include, column stands, gavels, the Ballot Box in the shape of The Keep, and two Alms collection bowls. For the general benefit of all users of The Keep, W Bro. Dicks was also responsible for the design, construction, and installation of, ‘The Glory in the Centre’. This was constructed incorporating a clock mechanism so that when in operation it rotates once every hour.
Records for this period indicate a Lodge that was growing in size, maturity, and ambition. By 1970, membership of the Lodge had risen to forty by the initiation of thirteen brethren in the first five years of its existence. In 1969, it was decided to take out a subscription to the Quatuor Coronati 14
14
Gilbert Inglefield History.indd 15
19
19
28/04/2015 08:18
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009 Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Correspondence Circle regarded, by its proposers, at the time, as the premier Lodge of Research. The benefits of this subscription in expanding the Masonic knowledge of the Lodge members soon became apparent when an extract from the Quatuor Coronati Lodge summons, on the, ‘History of Wearing Gloves’ was delivered at a subsequent meeting; this was received with much interest. Other Agenda items to widen interest, understanding, and knowledge are exemplified by the presentation, in February 1970, of a paper by W Bro Wake entitled, ‘The Symbolism of the Square’. The Lodge Accounts for 1969 show that donations to charity were made to provide for the ‘Absent Guest’ at the Festive Board, building on and maintaining the custom established by Sir Gilbert when Lord Mayor of London. Ceremonies continued to be enhanced in various ways; such an example being the occasion when the brethren sang, ‘Lead Kindly light’ as Bro Muirhead entered Lodge for his raising to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason.
The ‘Three Wise Men’ of the Twinning: l to r Barry Wake, Dr Werner Bolling, George Dicks
The following year, W Bro. George Dicks as Worshipful Master, along with a small party, travelled from Bedford and the Twinning ceremony was held in the Bamberg Lodge on 10th April 1978. The formal Twinning Certificate was signed by W Bro Dicks and W Bro Wake as Master and Director of Ceremonies of the Gilbert Inglefield Lodge and Bro. Dr Werner Bolling as Master of zur Verbruderung an der Regnitz. Whilst the general precepts remain the same, there are many differences between the ceremonial and ritual of the two Lodges. The Opening of the Lodge is impressive as pairs of Brethren wearing top hats process arm in arm into the Lodge. Equally impressive is the ceremony performed at Johannisfest (Midsummer’s Eve) when the Lodge is decorated with three thousand roses and is followed by a special festive board. On a subsequent visit to Bedford, the Master of zur Verbruderung an der Regnitz presented a Bavarian earthenware jug, which has become known as, ‘the Bamberg Jug’. It is now a tradition that at the festive board the goblets of the Master and Wardens are filled from the jug. There have been regular visits between the Lodges since then, and a true bond of fraternal friendship has developed between the Brethren of the two Lodges.
18
18
Gilbert Inglefield History.indd 16
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009 Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
During this early period, the Lodge grew steadily, numbers increased and all meetings had a very full Agenda. As an example, the meeting held on nd Tuesday 2 October 1973, began at 5:00pm with a double Second Degree ceremony to Pass Bros J W Thomas and E K Jennings; this was followed by the Initiation of Mr Raymond Sidney Short. In addition, during the evening a ballot was taken, which proved unanimously in favour of Mr John William James as a candidate for Initiation. The meeting closed in peace and harmony at 7:53pm! The fact that the Lodge had rapidly grown in stature was exemplified by the fact that in September 1973 the Lodge was invited to host the annual Provincial Grand Lodge Meeting. The meeting was, by all accounts, a great success and W Bro Palmer was commended for the comprehensive arrangements that he had put in place to ensure a splendid outcome. At the meeting in October 1972, it was recorded that on the 11th August 1972 W Bro William Turnbull Hobkirk, Founder, first Worshipful Master of the Lodge and Treasurer had ascended to the Grand Lodge Above. The Minutes record that ‘the Brethren stood in silent tribute to a Brother,…who could truly be referred to as the ‘Father of the Lodge’ and to whose sterling work and personality the success of the Lodge could, in no small measure, be attributed. Not only had W Bro Hobkirk been a fine Mason but his splendid work had extended to many wider fields outside the Craft’.
15
15
28/04/2015 08:18
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
THE MIDDLE YEARS In the early years, the Lodge was grateful for the support of its sponsor, Sir William Harpur Lodge No. 2343. This support took many forms with one of the most significant being the sharing of a Lodge of Instruction. The growth in membership of the Lodges would have meant that these combined meetings must have limited the opportunities for practice to those progressing to the next Office. Consequently, a resolution carried at the October 1975 meeting resulted two months later in the proposal, “The Lodge sanctions, in accordance with Rule 132 Book of Constitutions, a Gilbert Inglefield Lodge of Instruction”. This proposition was put by W Bro Barry Wake, seconded by W Bro D Palmer, and approved unanimously by those present. This proposal highlighted W Bro G B (Barry) Wake’s influential and inspirational role as a leading light in the Lodge. W Bro Barry was appointed Director of Ceremonies at the Installation Meeting in January 1973, and held this Office for the next nineteen years. During which time, he was also Preceptor of the Lodge of Instruction, a position he held until his retirement from office in 1992. In addition to the regular Lodge of Instruction meetings, W Bro Barry hosted an informal Lodge of Instruction on a Sunday morning in the sitting room of his home in Bromham. His philosophy was that, given the length of time it would take to progress from Initiation to becoming an Officer off the Lodge, it would be beneficial for new Masons to take some part in ceremonies at the earliest opportunity. During his time in office, it became established that, on nights of Installation, the youngest Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason in attendance presented the Working Tools of each degree. This philosophy was also applied to ceremonies at Regular Meetings. As W Bro. Wake was an excellent judge of potential, it was not considered unusual by members of the Lodge, when he arranged for Enter Apprentices to deliver the Explanation of the First Tracing Board or the Charge after Initiation. In 1 professional life, W Bro Wake was a schoolteacher and became renowned for his skill and ability in leaning, retaining and delivering most aspects of the Craft ritual. As a member of and an officer in many other degrees, the extent
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009 Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
of his knowledge was universally admired and regarded. His dedication to learning is exemplified by a conversation, reported by a reliable source - an ex-pupil that he proposed into Masonry. A discussion between two of his pupils is related thus; “Mr Wake must be a very religious person because every time you see him around school he seems to be saying his prayers from his little blue prayer book”! As an enthusiast for Masonic research, W Bro. Wake had unearthed a script for the demonstration of, ‘The Making of a Mason in the Eighteen Century’. This demonstration was first delivered at a LoI Festival and subsequently at a Regular Lodge Meeting in May 1977. The demonstration was given by members of the Lodge who, for the most part, had not reached the Master’s Chair; in fact two members of the cast were brothers who were not yet Master Masons. This demonstration was then taken ‘on the road’ and performed on visits to Lodges both within and outside the Province. A number of Gilbert Inglefield Lodge members were prominent in local politics and no less than four have been Mayor of Bedford, namely; W Bro T R Donnelly (1976/7), W Bro P J Hooley (1978/9), W Bro David Lennox-Lamb (1979/80) and W Bro Barry Wake(1983/4). It was in his political capacity that, in 1977, W Bro. Wake visited Bamberg in Northern Bavaria, still at this time West Germany. He was there, as Mayor, to officiate at the twinning of the towns of Bamberg and Bedford. During this visit, he conceived the notion of twinning Lodges in the two towns. Due enquires were made, the suggestion was well received and it was subsequently agreed that the Gilbert Inglefield Lodge would formally twin with the Bamberg Lodge, zur Verbruderung an der Regnitz. The Bamberg Lodge was consecrated in 1874, its name meaning, ‘The Brotherhood of the Regnitz’; the Regnitz being the picturesque river that flows through the centre of Bamberg.
1 As there were a number of schoolteachers amongst the Founders, Joining Members and Initiates, Gilbert Inglefield Lodge was frequently referred to as, ‘The Teachers Lodge’.
16
16
Gilbert Inglefield History.indd 17
17
17
28/04/2015 08:18
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
THE MIDDLE YEARS In the early years, the Lodge was grateful for the support of its sponsor, Sir William Harpur Lodge No. 2343. This support took many forms with one of the most significant being the sharing of a Lodge of Instruction. The growth in membership of the Lodges would have meant that these combined meetings must have limited the opportunities for practice to those progressing to the next Office. Consequently, a resolution carried at the October 1975 meeting resulted two months later in the proposal, “The Lodge sanctions, in accordance with Rule 132 Book of Constitutions, a Gilbert Inglefield Lodge of Instruction”. This proposition was put by W Bro Barry Wake, seconded by W Bro D Palmer, and approved unanimously by those present. This proposal highlighted W Bro G B (Barry) Wake’s influential and inspirational role as a leading light in the Lodge. W Bro Barry was appointed Director of Ceremonies at the Installation Meeting in January 1973, and held this Office for the next nineteen years. During which time, he was also Preceptor of the Lodge of Instruction, a position he held until his retirement from office in 1992. In addition to the regular Lodge of Instruction meetings, W Bro Barry hosted an informal Lodge of Instruction on a Sunday morning in the sitting room of his home in Bromham. His philosophy was that, given the length of time it would take to progress from Initiation to becoming an Officer off the Lodge, it would be beneficial for new Masons to take some part in ceremonies at the earliest opportunity. During his time in office, it became established that, on nights of Installation, the youngest Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason in attendance presented the Working Tools of each degree. This philosophy was also applied to ceremonies at Regular Meetings. As W Bro. Wake was an excellent judge of potential, it was not considered unusual by members of the Lodge, when he arranged for Enter Apprentices to deliver the Explanation of the First Tracing Board or the Charge after Initiation. In 1 professional life, W Bro Wake was a schoolteacher and became renowned for his skill and ability in leaning, retaining and delivering most aspects of the Craft ritual. As a member of and an officer in many other degrees, the extent
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009 Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
of his knowledge was universally admired and regarded. His dedication to learning is exemplified by a conversation, reported by a reliable source - an ex-pupil that he proposed into Masonry. A discussion between two of his pupils is related thus; “Mr Wake must be a very religious person because every time you see him around school he seems to be saying his prayers from his little blue prayer book”! As an enthusiast for Masonic research, W Bro. Wake had unearthed a script for the demonstration of, ‘The Making of a Mason in the Eighteen Century’. This demonstration was first delivered at a LoI Festival and subsequently at a Regular Lodge Meeting in May 1977. The demonstration was given by members of the Lodge who, for the most part, had not reached the Master’s Chair; in fact two members of the cast were brothers who were not yet Master Masons. This demonstration was then taken ‘on the road’ and performed on visits to Lodges both within and outside the Province. A number of Gilbert Inglefield Lodge members were prominent in local politics and no less than four have been Mayor of Bedford, namely; W Bro T R Donnelly (1976/7), W Bro P J Hooley (1978/9), W Bro David Lennox-Lamb (1979/80) and W Bro Barry Wake(1983/4). It was in his political capacity that, in 1977, W Bro. Wake visited Bamberg in Northern Bavaria, still at this time West Germany. He was there, as Mayor, to officiate at the twinning of the towns of Bamberg and Bedford. During this visit, he conceived the notion of twinning Lodges in the two towns. Due enquires were made, the suggestion was well received and it was subsequently agreed that the Gilbert Inglefield Lodge would formally twin with the Bamberg Lodge, zur Verbruderung an der Regnitz. The Bamberg Lodge was consecrated in 1874, its name meaning, ‘The Brotherhood of the Regnitz’; the Regnitz being the picturesque river that flows through the centre of Bamberg.
1 As there were a number of schoolteachers amongst the Founders, Joining Members and Initiates, Gilbert Inglefield Lodge was frequently referred to as, ‘The Teachers Lodge’.
16
16
Gilbert Inglefield History.indd 17
17
17
28/04/2015 08:18
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009 Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Correspondence Circle regarded, by its proposers, at the time, as the premier Lodge of Research. The benefits of this subscription in expanding the Masonic knowledge of the Lodge members soon became apparent when an extract from the Quatuor Coronati Lodge summons, on the, ‘History of Wearing Gloves’ was delivered at a subsequent meeting; this was received with much interest. Other Agenda items to widen interest, understanding, and knowledge are exemplified by the presentation, in February 1970, of a paper by W Bro Wake entitled, ‘The Symbolism of the Square’. The Lodge Accounts for 1969 show that donations to charity were made to provide for the ‘Absent Guest’ at the Festive Board, building on and maintaining the custom established by Sir Gilbert when Lord Mayor of London. Ceremonies continued to be enhanced in various ways; such an example being the occasion when the brethren sang, ‘Lead Kindly light’ as Bro Muirhead entered Lodge for his raising to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason.
The ‘Three Wise Men’ of the Twinning: l to r Barry Wake, Dr Werner Bolling, George Dicks
The following year, W Bro. George Dicks as Worshipful Master, along with a small party, travelled from Bedford and the Twinning ceremony was held in the Bamberg Lodge on 10th April 1978. The formal Twinning Certificate was signed by W Bro Dicks and W Bro Wake as Master and Director of Ceremonies of the Gilbert Inglefield Lodge and Bro. Dr Werner Bolling as Master of zur Verbruderung an der Regnitz. Whilst the general precepts remain the same, there are many differences between the ceremonial and ritual of the two Lodges. The Opening of the Lodge is impressive as pairs of Brethren wearing top hats process arm in arm into the Lodge. Equally impressive is the ceremony performed at Johannisfest (Midsummer’s Eve) when the Lodge is decorated with three thousand roses and is followed by a special festive board. On a subsequent visit to Bedford, the Master of zur Verbruderung an der Regnitz presented a Bavarian earthenware jug, which has become known as, ‘the Bamberg Jug’. It is now a tradition that at the festive board the goblets of the Master and Wardens are filled from the jug. There have been regular visits between the Lodges since then, and a true bond of fraternal friendship has developed between the Brethren of the two Lodges.
18
18
Gilbert Inglefield History.indd 16
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009 Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
During this early period, the Lodge grew steadily, numbers increased and all meetings had a very full Agenda. As an example, the meeting held on nd Tuesday 2 October 1973, began at 5:00pm with a double Second Degree ceremony to Pass Bros J W Thomas and E K Jennings; this was followed by the Initiation of Mr Raymond Sidney Short. In addition, during the evening a ballot was taken, which proved unanimously in favour of Mr John William James as a candidate for Initiation. The meeting closed in peace and harmony at 7:53pm! The fact that the Lodge had rapidly grown in stature was exemplified by the fact that in September 1973 the Lodge was invited to host the annual Provincial Grand Lodge Meeting. The meeting was, by all accounts, a great success and W Bro Palmer was commended for the comprehensive arrangements that he had put in place to ensure a splendid outcome. At the meeting in October 1972, it was recorded that on the 11th August 1972 W Bro William Turnbull Hobkirk, Founder, first Worshipful Master of the Lodge and Treasurer had ascended to the Grand Lodge Above. The Minutes record that ‘the Brethren stood in silent tribute to a Brother,…who could truly be referred to as the ‘Father of the Lodge’ and to whose sterling work and personality the success of the Lodge could, in no small measure, be attributed. Not only had W Bro Hobkirk been a fine Mason but his splendid work had extended to many wider fields outside the Craft’.
15
15
28/04/2015 08:18
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
The drape on the cushion on which the Volume of the Sacred Law rests when in Lodge was part of a Footman’s livery when Sir Gilbert was the Lord Mayor of London. Sir Gilbert presented both the cushion and the Bible itself to the Lodge. On the fly-leaf of the Bible are recorded the names of all the Founders and Initiates of the Lodge. The Banner Dedication Ceremony was a lengthy affair being preceded by a double Second Degree ceremony, at the conclusion of which W Bro Barry Wake, on the first of many occasions, delivered the lecture entitled ‘The Five Noble Orders of Architecture’. The Provincial Grand Master then took the Chair and appointed W Bro Wickson as Senior Warden, W Bro. Ayres as Junior Warden, W Bro Cottam as Junior Warden, and W Bro Robinson as Director of Ceremonies. At the conclusion of the ceremony, W Bro Wake resumed the Chair and expressed the sincere thanks of the Lodge members to the Provincial Grand Maser and his officers. It was recorded in the Minutes of a subsequent meeting that the Banner had cost £52.00. This was a considerable sum of money in 1967, as the lodge accounts for that year show a balance of £97.16.11. The full cost was borne by donations from the members. By the end of the third year, the Lodge had grown from the original sixteen Founder Members to thirty-three by the addition of eight Joining Members and nine Initiates. The fifth Installation Meeting in January 1969 must have been a memorable, if not nerve wracking, occasion as it was graced with the presence of the Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro Sir Gilbert Inglefield GBE TD, and the DepPrGM, W Bro Ronald L Paice. Also in attendance were two PDepPrGM’s and the PrGSec, W Bro Cyril Robinson. In addition to the thirty-three members, there were also fifty-four visiting brethren. However, in the presence of such august company his predecessor, W Br. John Garner Smith, installed Bro Aubrey Bertram Chappell in the Chair of King Solomon in exemplary manner.
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009 Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
A significant event occurred in 1978 with the move from the Newnham Rooms in Bedford to the Keep, Bedford Road in Kempston. Although, by 1967 every essential item of Lodge equipment had been purchased, there still remained a requirement to borrow some artefacts, in particular a set of Tracing Boards. This situation was rectified by the artisanship of W Bro George Dicks who was both a speculative and operative Mason. W Bro George was Initiated into the Lodge on 1st February 1966, becoming the Worshipful Master in 1978. After the move from the Newnham Rooms to the Keep, W Bro Dicks was one among many who spent countless hours repairing, maintaining, and decorating the new premises. Perhaps his greatest achievement in this respect was the creation of the Tracing Boards that adorn our meetings to this day. We fondly recall his description of how he would sketch a small section of a Board, return home and reproduce this segment before revisiting the Keep for the next instalment. Other artefacts created by W Bro. Dicks include, column stands, gavels, the Ballot Box in the shape of The Keep, and two Alms collection bowls. For the general benefit of all users of The Keep, W Bro. Dicks was also responsible for the design, construction, and installation of, ‘The Glory in the Centre’. This was constructed incorporating a clock mechanism so that when in operation it rotates once every hour.
Records for this period indicate a Lodge that was growing in size, maturity, and ambition. By 1970, membership of the Lodge had risen to forty by the initiation of thirteen brethren in the first five years of its existence. In 1969, it was decided to take out a subscription to the Quatuor Coronati 14
14
Gilbert Inglefield History.indd 15
19
19
28/04/2015 08:18
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009 Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
THE LATER YEARS
The Ritual
Since the twinning, in April 1978, exchange visits, both formal and informal, between Gilbert Inglefield Lodge and zur Verbruderung an der Regnitz have continued. The brethren from Bamberg have been most generous in their hospitality on the occasions when our brethren have visited Germany. The Lodge has endeavoured to reciprocate this hospitality so that apart from receptions that were more formal, our visitors have also been taken on outings to Cambridge and London. Highlights have included tours of Grand Lodge and a ‘flight’ on the London Eye.
Following the Consecration, Sir Gilbert Inglefield was asked if he would like to suggest any changes to the Lodges ritual. He submitted a list of several which were subsequently incorporated in January 1967 when Bro. Wake was installed in the chair of King Solomon and also gave permission for the Lodge to change the ritual where and as it pleased providing the original Landmarks of the Order were not changed in any way. Whilst most of these changes were of a minor nature, one caused considerable interest; this concerned the Worshipful Master who, after giving the Senior Warden permission to close the Lodge, would dismiss his sign and sit alone; it is believed that this practice is unique. The Banner The Dedication of the Banner was carried out by Sir Gilbert Inglefield, the Provincial Grand Master on 3rd October 1967 and the Oration was given by W Bro Canon F Cottam PAsstGChaplain. The Banner bears the Lodge Crest, which is Sir Gilbert’s family Coat of Arms and, as he forcibly pointed out, carries a most appropriate Masonic motto: ‘The Sun My Compass’.
A visit to the Bamberg Lodge at the Johannisfest in 2007
In common with many other Lodges in the Province, and in Freemasonry in general, the number of subscribing members in Gilbert Inglefield Lodge has steadily declined in recent years. The pressures of employment and life in general have become all too apparent. The stresses of the work place have put a premium on family life, which is of paramount importance to Freemasonry in general and individual members in particular. Reviewing the backgrounds of Lodge members in the early years suggests that many were in managerial roles, were self-employed, or in other professional positions where busy schedules could be adjusted for the purposes of making advancements in Masonic knowledge and practise. The general population is also more mobile so that promotion, in their chosen occupation, regularly requires 20
20
Gilbert Inglefield History.indd 14
13
13
28/04/2015 08:18
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
THE EARLY YEARS The first Regular Meeting of the Lodge was held on Tuesday 2nd February 1965 to initiate Mr Frank Edward Yorke. It was also at this meeting that the bylaws of the Lodge were approved. At this first meeting, there were present fifteen members and thirty-five visitors. It should be remembered that this was at a time before the advent of personal computers, email, mobile phones, and other products of information technology. The amount of time spent by the Lodge Secretary in drafting the summons, sending it to the printers, and after printing, posting it to members must have been considerable. All letters, Minutes, and other correspondence were hand written. There will be many initiates who still treasure the Secretary’s letter, handwritten in elegant copperplate, inviting them to come to interview. The Steward’s role would also have been, without the aid of IT, time consuming in terms of collecting and collating the orders for meals, arranging the menu, seating plan, and a host of other tasks ensuring that the tables were properly furnished, and that every Brother was suitably provided for. At this time, together with the other Bedford Lodges, meetings were held in the Newnham Rooms, the entrance being via a narrow alley on the east side of St Cuthbert’s Street. More long-standing members of the Lodge recall that there was an entrance lobby for changing and this led on to a large dining hall, a small bar area with a large open fire and the Temple.
12
Gilbert Inglefield History.indd 13
Masons to move to other parts of the country and indeed, abroad. A current member of the Lodge lives in Thailand leaving little scope for his attendance at Lodge meetings! There are numerous examples of particularly enthusiastic younger brethren frequently working long hours in locations that do not allow them back in time for even an later evening opening. One ingenious plan to alleviate some of the impediments described above was conceived and implemented by W Bro Peter Burnage. He spent many hours meticulously transcribing our ritual into individual booklets for the ceremonies of Initiation and Passing. These pocket-sized publications, presented to the candidate at the conclusion of the ceremony, had several benefits. A candidate could, after their Initiation or Passing, read through the proceedings and, with the help of his proposer or a mentor, in a relaxed setting, achieve a clearer understanding of what had taken place. The booklets are also beneficial in allowing a brother below the rank of a Master Mason to attend Lodge of Instruction where the ceremony to be practiced is appropriate. From its early years, Gilbert Inglefield Lodge had established, and still maintains, a policy of encouraging ‘younger’ Masons to be engaged in the ceremony. Examples include the presentation and explanation of the Working Tools, repetition of Obligations and other roles commensurate with their level of confidence and the constraints of work and family life. The temptation to rush ‘younger’ brethren into office before the constraints of their personal life allow that step to be taken with confidence has been avoided. In order to maintain the quality of ceremonies it has been necessary for Past Masters to take up offices, which would normally be filled by the progression of ‘younger’ brethren. Many of the Principal and Assistant Offices have been filled in this way and four brethren have occupied the Chair of King Solomon on two occasions. It is a fitting tribute to the energy, dedication, and enthusiasm of the Past Masters of the Lodge that, in recent years, five of their number have been appointed or promoted to Acting Rank in the Provincial Grand Lodge of Bedfordshire. Foremost of these honoured brethren is W Bro Ian Hamilton Walker who was Initiated into the Lodge in April 1975. Even before his Raising, he established a reputation for proficiency in the delivery of ritual. He was installed as Worshipful Master in 1987 progressing to Assistant and then Director of Ceremonies to which Office he was appointed in 1992. W Bro Walker served as Director of Ceremonies for ten years. Having been Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies, he was appointed as Provincial Grand Director
The Temple in the Newnham Rooms showing the Gilbert Inglefield Banner, VSL and cushion.
12
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009 Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
21
21
28/04/2015 08:18
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
of Ceremonies in October 2001, a post that he occupied for four years. In April 2004, he became the first member of the Lodge to be appointed to Grand Rank when he became Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies. A further honour was conferred on W Bro Ian when, in October 2007, he was appointed Provincial Grand Orator. The last two Provincial Grand Registrars are also members of this Lodge, W Bro Geoff Stone, appointed in 2009, succeeded by W Bro Richard Ward, appointed in 2012.
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009 Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
made by pupils of the school on seeing the chairs, pedestals and other items being moved into the school gymnasium. At the Consecration, ‘The Bedford Singers’ provided the ceremonial music. There being no other business, the Lodge closed in peace and harmony and with solemn prayer at 7:35 pm. The National Anthem was sung prior to leaving the Lodge Room.
With fewer members, Gilbert Inglefield Lodge has adjusted its programme accordingly, so that in 2011 the decision was taken to reduce the number of meetings each year from seven to six. Since its Consecration, additional items have frequently been included in the ceremonies; The Five Noble Orders of Architecture; Reading the Ancient Charges of a Freemason; Lecture on the Symbolism of the Square; The Walking Charge in the Third Degree and the Landmarks of the Order. An amusing parody on the Duties of a Steward has also been delivered when the Lodge has been called from Labour to Refreshment. A number of these items have been delivered to other Lodges within and outside of the Province of Bedfordshire. In its fiftieth year, the Lodge is in good heart. There are currently twenty-six members with several candidates in line for Initiation. A full programme of ceremonies is arranged for the next two years. Undoubtedly, the Lodge will move forward with that love and harmony establish by its Founders and carried forward by each generation.
22
22
Gilbert Inglefield History.indd 12
11
11
28/04/2015 08:18
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009 Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
beautiful VOSL. He added that the sheets therein provided for the signatures of the Initiates offered the opportunity of introducing a custom novel in Bedfordshire Freemasonry, which he hoped visitors might find of added interest when they came to see our working. The Worshipful Master also thanked the Provincial Grand Master for his kind permission to use his family crest and for having a block prepared for the Lodge Summons and Letterhead. The Worshipful Master also expressed the sincere thanks of the Lodge for the great kindness and interest of the Provincial Grand Master in designing a cushion for the pedestal which would not only bear the Lodge name and number but also the crest on the fall. The cushion was not completed at the time of the Consecration but the Worshipful Master added, he was sure that it would become a prized possession. During the Third Rising Mr Frank Edward Yorke and Mr Frederick Thomas Andrews were proposed as candidates for initiation. Mr Yorke subsequently became the first Lodge Initiate. The Festive Board Menu was Salmon Mayonnaise, Cream of Chicken Soup, Roast Saddle of Lamb, and Peaches in Rum Sauce.
MASTERS OF THE LODGE 1965………..…………….………………………………...William Turnbull Hobkirk 1966………..……………………..………………….……….John Frederick Barley 1967……….………………………..………………..…………George Barry Wake 1968……….……………………...…………………..………….John Garner Smith 1969………..……………………………….…………….Aubery Bertram Chappell 1970………..……………………………………………Ronald Edward Thompson 1971………..….……………………………………………….Frank Edward Yorke 1972………..………….………………………………Edward Thomas Richardson 1973………..…………………..………………………Frederick Thomas Andrews 1974………..…………………………..…………….George Alfred M Gallop DFC 1975…………..………………………………………………………..David Grundy 1976…………..…………………………………………Malcolm McNeil Campbell 1977…………..….……………………………………………….Alan Stuart Fraser 1978…………..………………………………………………George William Dicks 1979…………...………………………………………….Robert Charles Spikesley 1980………….…………..……………………………..Donald Davidson Muirhead 1981…………………………..………………………...Edward Raymond Johnson 1982……...…………………………………………………….David Melvyn Boston 1983………..……….…………………………………….George Norman Maxfield 1984………..…………………………………………………Leslie Frank Newman 1985………..……………………………………………….Raymond Sidney Short
Order of Procedure – Front Cover
1986………..………………………………………………….George Frank Martin
The Festive Board Menu
The Consecration was held in the school gymnasium and the Festive Board in the school hall. At subsequent nights of installation, Founder Members would regularly regale the assembled brethren with anecdotes concerning remarks 10
10
Gilbert Inglefield History.indd 11
1987………..…………………………….…………………….Ian Hamilton Walker 1988………..………………………………………………….Deryck Hartop Clarke 1989…………………………..……………………………James Leonard Logsdail 23
23
28/04/2015 08:18
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009 Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
1990…………..……………………………………………………….Ian Cecil Mann 1991…………..………………………………………………..Hugh George Aldous
THE CONSECRATION
1993…………..………………………………..………David Cayley Lennox-Lamb
The Consecration took place on Tuesday 5th January 1965, at Robert Bruce School, Bedford Road, Kempston, by kind permission of the headmaster W Bro T Booth.
1994…………..………………………………………………John Alexander Jappy
The Consecrating Officers were:
1995…………..…………………………….……………….Terence John Donnelly
R W Bro Gilbert InglefieldTD., MA…………...……….
1996………….……………………………………………….Edward James Dunell
W Bro P W Rush PGD ……………...……...…. Deputy Provincial Grand Master
1997………….………………………………………………………..Peter Burnage
W Bro C W Clarabut …….….………………… Provincial Senior Grand Warden
1998………….…………………………………………………Alan Gilbert Ormsby
W Bro E R Arnold ……….………….…………. Provincial Junior Grand Warden
1999………….……………………………………………..James Robert Donnelly
W Bro Canon F Cottam PAGChap….…………..…….. Provincial Grand Chaplain
2000………….…………………………………………….David Kelly Blyth B.E.M.
W Bro Rev V J French ……….……………………….Provincial Grand Chaplain
2001………….…………………………………………………..Roy Edward Tench
W Bro R L Paice PAGDC ………….....……………….Provincial Grand Secretary
2002……..……………………...………………………………………Richard Ward
W Bro R L Robinson PGStdB….……………………………..Provincial Grand D C
2003……..……………………..…………………………………….Kevin Paul King
W Bro D W Gooch ………….………………………… Provincial Grand Organist
2004……..……………………………………………………….Steven Victor Hose
W Bro A G Stevens ……….……………………….. Provincial Grand Pursuivant
2005……..………………………………………………………..John Mason Jappy
Bro F Murphy ………………….…………………………. .Provincial Grand Tyler
2006…………………..……………………………………………….Stedley Buckle
These Brethren were made Honorary Members of the Lodge. In addition to the Consecrating Officers, the Names, Ranks and Lodges of 168 other brethren were recorded in the Attendance Book
1992…………..……………………………………………………Patrick Eric Nolan
2007………………………..………………………………………….Stewart Panter 2008…………………….………………………………………Ian Hamilton Walker 2009………..…………..……………………………………………Kevin Paul King 2010 ………..…………………………………………………………Peter Burnage 2011…………..……………………………………………………….Peter Burnage 2012…………..………………………………………………..Adrian Lennox-Lamb 2013 ……..………………………………….…..………….Terence John Donnelly 2014 …..…………………………………..….…………….Terence John Donnelly 2015…..…………………………..……………………………Alan Gilbert Ormsby
24
24
Gilbert Inglefield History.indd 10
Provincial Grand Master
The Procedure for Consecration having been followed, items of Lodge Business were then conducted including the Installation of the Master Designate, Investiture of Wardens Designate, election of Treasurer and the appointment and investiture of the other Officers. Interestingly, following the Installation of W Bro Hobkirk as Worshipful Master, the Lodge was resumed in the First Degree and the Working Tools of the three degrees were presented collectively to the Worshipful Master. At this point, the Warrant of the Lodge was presented to the Worshipful Master. On the Second Rising, the newly installed Worshipful Master, expressed the thanks of the Lodge to the Provincial Grand Master, for his generous gift of the 9
9
28/04/2015 08:18
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009 Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
THE FOUNDERS
LODGE SECRETARIES
The Founders and the First Officers of the Lodge were: Worshipful Master …………..………………………W Bro W T Hobkirk PPrGStdB Senior Warden ……………….……………………………………..Bro J F Barley
1965-1976……..……………………………………………Donald Edward Palmer 1976-1979……..…………………………….……………….John Frederick Barley 1979-1991…..………………………………………..George Alfred M Gallop DFC
Junior Warden……………….………………………………………Bro G B Wake
1991-1995…..………….……………………………………………..Peter Burnage
Immediate Past Master….……………………….…………W Bro F J Berrington
1995-2000….………….…………….……………………..Geoffrey Vincent Stone
Chaplain………………….…………………….….……W Bro E E Smith PPrGStdB
2000-2006…….………….………….……………………………… Peter Burnage
Treasurer………………….……………………….……..…….Bro R E Thompson
2007-2008…………………………………………………….…Alan Donald Fraser
Secretary……………..…………………………...….W Bro D E Palmer PPrGStdB
2009-2015…….…………….…….………………………..Geoffrey Vincent Stone
Director Of Ceremonies……..……………….…….……….W Bro A W Ashdown Senior Deacon……………….……………….……………………Bro G B K Small Junior Deacon ………………………………….……………………Bro J G Smith
LODGE TREASURERS 1965-1967…….....……..……….………………….,…Ronald Edward Thompson
Assistant Director of Ceremonies ……………..………….W Bro W H Reynolds
1967-1973………..………………...……………………..William Turnbull Hobkirk
Organist…………………………………………….………….Bro E T Richardson
1973-1978………..…………….…….…….……………………Colin Patrick Drury
Assistant Secretary…………………………………………………Bro C P Drury
1978………………..………….….………….………………Barrington Braithwaite
Inner Guard……………………………………………………..Bro C F H Crouch
1978-1983…………..………….…..……….….………………..Colin Patrick Drury
Steward……………………………………………………Bro B W M Luddington
1983-1984…………..………….…..………..…………….Harold William Clement
Steward……………………………………………………………Bro E A Poynter
1984-1993…………..………….…..………..………………Edward James Dunell
Steward……………………………….……………….W Bro J W Smith PPrGTyler
1994-1998…………..………….…..……….…..………………..Patrick Eric Nolan 1998 -1999 …….…………………….………..….………….Edward James Dunell 1999-2000……………….……………….….…..………………………Arthur T Bell 2001-2005……………………………………..………David Cayley Lennox-Lamb 2006-2009………………………………………….….………Hugh George Aldous 2009.…….………………………………………..……………………Richard Ward
8
8
Gilbert Inglefield History.indd 9
25
25
28/04/2015 08:18
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009 Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
LODGE CHAPLAINS
THE CONCEPTION
1965-1967…..…………………………………………………Ernest Edward Smith
The Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009 was consecrated on Tuesday 5th January 1965.
1968-1975…..………………………………………………..John Frederick Barley 1975-1978…..…………………………………………………Joseph Smith Fraser 1978-1985…..……………………………………….….Ronald Edward Thompson 1985-1988…..………………………………………….Donald Davidson Muirhead 1988-1992…..…………………..………………….…….Robert Charles Spikesley 1992-2007..……………..………………………..…………..Deryck Hartop Clarke 2008-2012….…………………………………..………………….Raymond Davies 2013-2014 ..……………………………………...…………….Ian Hamilton Walker 2014 ……..………………………………………...…………..Adrian Lennox-Lamb
LODGE DIRECTORS OF CEREMONIES 1965-1973………………………………………………….Arthur William Ashdown 1973-1992………………………………………………………George Barry Wake 1992-2001….…………………………………………………..Ian Hamilton Walker 2002……………………………………………………...Malcolm McNeil Campbell 2003-2008…….………………...…………………………...David Kelly Blyth BEM 2008 -2009……….…………………………………………………….Richard Ward 2009-2015 ….………………………..….……………………..Alan Gilbert Ormsby 2015………….…………………………………………………………Richard Ward
The Lodge owes its existence to W Bro Donald Edward Palmer who, in early 1964, considered the possibility of forming a new lodge in Bedford and, following discussions with W Bro William Turnbull Hobkirk, it was decided that this aim should be pursued. An informal meeting was held at W Bro Hobkirk’s house over tea, which was also attended by Bro George Barry Wake. Founder Members were discussed and W Bro Palmer proposed several members who were interested and the names of Bro John Frederick Barley and Bro Gordon Basil Kemp Small were proposed by Bro Wake. All these Brethren were invited to W Bro Hobkirk’s house at Moorlands, Box End, Kempston, to further discuss the subject. W Bro Palmer agreed to approach the Sir William Harpur Lodge No 2343 and ask them if they would act as sponsor for the new lodge and this was subsequently confirmed. The ritual to be employed was then discussed and on a proposition from W Bro Palmer, it was agreed to use that of our sponsoring Lodge, but certain elements of the floor work would be that of Castle Lodge, W Bro Ashdown’s Mother Lodge. Various names for the new Lodge were suggested; firstly that of ‘Moorlands Lodge’, being the name of W Bro Hobkirk’s house in which the inaugural meetings had taken place. The ‘Bromham Lodge’ was also suggested, but W Bro. Palmer proposed, and it was decided, that the Lodge should be called ‘The Inglefield Lodge’ after the Provincial Grand Master. It was reported later that this could not be used as there was already a Lodge of that name. Finally, with the agreement of the Provincial Grand Master, it was proposed that the Lodge should be called the Gilbert Inglefield Lodge. Permission was subsequently granted even though Grand Lodge were generally not happy to use the name of a living person. The founding Secretary, W Bro Palmer, then set about the monumental task of organising the Consecration Ceremony.
26
26
Gilbert Inglefield History.indd 8
7
7
28/04/2015 08:18
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009 Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
and in 1968, after retiring from the position of Lord Mayor of London, was made G B E.
GRAND RANK
Sir Gilbert Inglefield was the seventh holder of the Province’s highest office. Appointed as the Provincial Grand Master of the Province of Bedfordshire in 1958, he served in that office for 20 years, being a member of the Craft for over 60 years. Sir Gilbert never lost an opportunity to tell everyone that Bedfordshire was the Number 1 Province on the roll of the United Grand Lodge of England.
2004
1966
Arthur William Ashdown
PrGrStB
Throughout his long, creative and distinguished life, he led by example and the world around him flourished. From the jungles of Thailand to the City of London and to the Masonic Province of Bedfordshire, Sir Gilbert Inglefield was, quite simply, one of the finest of men and of masons.
1968
William Turnbull Hobkirk
PPrJGW
1968
Frederick James Berrington
1969
Donald Edward Palmer
1970
Ernest Edward Smith
1972
Frederick James Berrington
1973
John Frederick Barley
1973
Brian William Morley Luddington
PPrGStwd
1974
George Barry Wake
Pr AGPurs
1974
Edward Thomas Richardson
1974
Colin Patrick Drury
PrGSupWks
1976
John Garner Smith
PrGSupWks
1977
Brian William Morley Luddington
PPrGStB
1978
George Barry Wake
PrDGDC
1978
John Frederick Barley
PPrGStdB
1978
Charles Frank Howard Crouch
PPrGStwd
1979
Ronald Edward Thompson
PPrGStBP
1980
Donald Edward Palmer
PrJGW
1980
Arthur William Ashdown
PPrGD
1980
Frank Edward Yorke
th
Sadly, on Monday the 14 October 1991, Sir Gilbert passed to the Grand Lodge Above. Sir Gilbert was married to Barbara, who survived him with two sons and a daughter. David Inglefield, one of Sir Gilbert’s two sons, was an Honorary Member of the Lodge as a consequence of his role in escorting his father in pursuit of his duties as Provincial Grand Master. W Bro. David Inglefield subsequently became known affectionately as the PrGC (Provincial Grand Chauffeur). Sadly, W Bro David passed to the Grand Lodge Above in December 2014 just before the start of the Lodge’s 50th Anniversary year. Both Sir Gilbert and David’s Mother Lodge is the Lodge of Antiquity No 2, the oldest Lodge in England after the Grand Lodge itself.
Ian Hamilton Walker
PAGDC
PROVINCIAL HONOURS
PPrAGPurs PPrGD PPrGStB PPrGrSupWks PrGrStwd
PrGOrg
PPrAGDC
27 6
6
Gilbert Inglefield History.indd 7
27
28/04/2015 08:18
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
1981
Edward Thomas Richardson
PPrGReg
1983
John Frederick Barley
PPrGReg
1983
George Alfred Martin Gallop DFC
1984
George Barry Wake
1985
Alan Stuart Fraser
PPrGD
1987
George William Dicks
PPrGD
1988
Donald Edward Palmer
1988
Robert Charles Spikesley
1988
Frank Edward Yorke
1988
Donald Davidson Muirhead
1988
Paul James Hooley
1989
George Alfred Martin Gallop DFC
PPrGReg
1989
David Melvyn Boston
PPrGStB
1990
George Norman Maxfield
PPrGStB
1991
George Barry Wake
PPrSGW
1991
John Frederick Barley
PPrJGW
1991
Malcolm McNeill Campbell
PPrGD
1991
Paul James Hooley
PrSGW
1992
Raymond Sidney Short
1992
Victor Harold Hose
LGR
1992
Paul James Hooley
LGR
1993
Ian Hamilton Walker
PrAGDC
1993
Hugh George Aldous
PrGStwd
1993
Robert Charles Spikesley
1993
Geoffrey Vincent Stone
1994
George William Dicks
28
Gilbert Inglefield History.indd 6
PPrGD PPrJGW
PPrSGW PPrGPurs PPrGSupWks PPrAGDC PPrGD
PPrAGDC
PPrGD PPrAGDC
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009 Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Sir Gilbert Inglefield was the Provincial Grand Master for the Province of Bedfordshire from 1958 to 1978. The younger son of Admiral Sir Frederick Inglefield, Gilbert Samuel Inglefield was born in Derbyshire on the 13th March 1909. Educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he read English and Classics, Sir Gilbert went on to study architecture with H S Goodhart - Rendel and also learnt to play the flute. A practising architect in London when the Second World War broke out, he promptly joined his Territorial Regiment, The Sherwood Foresters, which was one of the first regiments to go to France with the British Expeditionary Force. On his return to Britain, he became a Staff Captain in the ill-fated 18th Division, which was sent to Singapore and saw only two weeks action before being captured by the Japanese. After a spell in Changi he was set to work with his fellow Prisoners of War on the infamous Burma to Thailand Railway, where his ordeal lasted three and a half years. During this time, Gilbert was reduced to little more than a skeleton, some seven stones in weight. Despite this his courage and leadership with his fellow prisoners of war became legend. A great lover of music he taught his fellow Prisoners of War to sing and there were times when the jungle echoed to the sound of the Hallelujah chorus from Handel’s Messiah. Many Prisoners of War owed their sanity to Sir Gilbert’s inspiration. After the war, he joined the British Council in Cairo, and was the Assistant Representative in Egypt. He left the Council in 1956 to go into business. Three years later Sir Gilbert became Alderman for the Ward of Aldersgate and was Sheriff from 1963 to 1964. In 1967, he was elected as the Lord Mayor of London, during which time the City made great advances and his artistic and charitable commitments shone like beacons. Every letter that left the Mansion House was franked with the legend “The Absent Guest” a reminder that two thirds of the world was starving. At every banquet and luncheon an extra place was laid for the absent guest with the cost of the meal being donated to the charity War on Want. Thanks to Sir Gilbert’s efforts, more than £100,000 was subscribed to the Charity, out of which food to the value of £27,000 was sent to Biafra.
PrGSupWks
In the New Year’s Honours list for 1965, five days before the consecration of the Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009, Sir Gilbert was awarded a Knighthood,
28
5
5
28/04/2015 08:18
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
THE PATRON
Sir Gilbert Inglefield 1909 - 1991
4
4
Gilbert Inglefield History.indd 5
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009 Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
1994
Deryck Hartop Clarke
PPrGD
1995
George Alfred Martin Gallop DFC
PPrJGW
1996
Ian Hamilton Walker
PrDGDC
1996
Ian Cecil Mann
PrGStB
1996
Peter Burnage
PPrGPurs
1997
Hugh George Aldous
1997
Malcolm McNeill Campbell
1997
Patrick Eric Nolan
1998
Raymond Sidney Short
1998
David Cayley Lennox-Lamb
1999
Geoffrey Vincent Stone
1999
Robert Charles Spikesley
1999
John Alexander Jappy
PPrGStB
2000
Deryck Hartop Clarke
PPrGReg
2000
Alan Stuart Fraser
2000
Terence John Donnelly
2001
Ian Hamilton Walker
2001
David Kelly Blyth BEM
PrGStwd
2002
Richard Ward
PrGStwd
2002
Ian Cecil Mann
2003
Malcolm McNeill Campbell
2003
Alan Gilbert Ormsby
2004
Raymond Sidney Short
2004
David Cayley Lennox-Lamb
PPrSGD
2005
David Kelly Blyth BEM
PrAGDC
2005
Richard Ward
PrAGDC
PPrGD PPrGSupWks PPrAGDC PPrGD PPrGStB PPrGSwdB PPrGSupWks
PPrGSupWks PPrGStB PrGDC
PrSGD PPrGReg PPrSGD PPrGSwdB
29
29
28/04/2015 08:18
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009 Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
2007
Kevin Paul King
PPrAGDC
2008
Geoffrey Vincent Stone
2008
Peter Burnage
2008
Ian Hamilton Walker
2009
Richard Ward
2010
Alan Gilbert Ormsby
2010
David Cayley Lennox-Lamb
2011
John Masson Jappy
2011
Stedley Buckle
PPrGStB
2012
Richard Ward
PrGReg
2012
Alan Stuart Fraser
2013
Adrian A Lennox-Lamb
PrGStwd
2014
Geoffrey Vincent Stone
PPrJGW
2014
Kevin Paul King
PPrJGD
2014
Peter Burnage
PPrGReg
2014
Ian Cecil Mann
PPrGSupWks
PrGReg
Contents The Patron
4
PrGOr
The Conception
7
PrSGD
The Founders
8
The Consecration
9
PPrGSwdB
PrGSwdB PPrGSupWks PrGStB
PPrGSwdB
The Early Years
12
The Middle Years
16
The Later Years
19
Masters of the Lodge
23
Lodge Secretaries
25
Lodge Treasurers
25
Lodge Chaplains
26
Lodge Directors of Ceremonies
26
Grand Rank
27
Provincial Honours
27
The Officers of the Lodge for 2015
31
3
30
30
Gilbert Inglefield History.indd 4
3
28/04/2015 08:18
Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009 Gilbert Inglefield Lodge No 8009
THE OFFICERS OF THE LODGE FOR 2015 W Bro A G Ormsby PPrGSwdB
Worshipful Master
W Bro A S Fraser PPrGSwdB
Senior Warden
W Bro J M Jappy PPrGStB
Junior Warden
W Bro A Lennox-Lamb PPrGStwd
Chaplain
W Bro R Ward PrGReg
Treasurer
W Bro G V Stone PPrJGW
Secretary
W Bro R Ward PrGReg W Bro T J Donnelly PPrAGDC W Bro IH Walker PAGDC PPrGDC
Director of Ceremonies Almoner Mentor
W Bro K P King PPrJGD
Charity Steward
W Bro K P King PPrJGD
Senior Deacon
W Bro P Watkins
Junior Deacon
W Bro S M Panter PPrAGDC W Bro B Jappy W Bro D Bentley W Bro S Buckle PPrGStB W Bro T Pope PAGDC PrGSec (PM7048) W Bro T J Donnelly PPrAGD
Asst Director of Ceremonies Inner Guard Steward Tyler Guest Organist Immediate Past Master
31
31
Gilbert Inglefield History.indd 3
28/04/2015 08:18