Easterford Highlights

In December Freemasons met at the Angel Hotel in Kelvedon and resolved to found a new lodge Easterford, and petitioned Grand Lodge, which was granted by HRH Prince of Wales, the Grand Master

Easterford banner presented to Lodge by two sisters Miss Turners

In March Easterford Lodge was Consecrated at the Public Hall in Kelvedon

In April the first meeting of Easterford took place with W.Bro. Revd. Thomas Lloyd as Master, W.Bro. John Henry Salter as Senior Warden and W.Bro. James Ogier as Junior Warden

Sir William Abdy Bart. visits as an entered apprentice and is passed and raised in the year and became a joining member

Dr Salter installed as Master. He would later serve as Master in 1914 and 1919

Sir William Abdy Bart. installed as Master, who had generously agreed to provide the funds to build the Easterford Masonic Temple

Laying of the Corner Stone at the Easterford Masonic Temple on 14th June by Sir William

Dedication of the Easterford Temple on 18th April by the Provincial Grand Master, the Earl of Warwick assisted by Provincial officers

This was extensively reported in the Freemason's Chronicle of 27th April. This historic document includes immense detail of Masonic activity including the patronage of Queen Victoria and other members of the Royal Family.

Lodge of Instruction formed, meeting monthly and later developed into a Senior and Junior lodges with their own festive boards. This continued until 1947 when merged into one lodge of instruction

Queen Victoria dies and all craft lodges put into mourning for three months with special black rosettes

Robert Browning Smith installed as Master the first of four generations to join Easterford, three of whom served as Master.

Dr. Salter installed as Deputy Provincial Grand Master which office he held until 1932

A silver trowel presented at the laying of the Hobart Masonic Centre foundation stone in 1873 came into the possession of Easterford through Copley Du Cane, son of Governor Sir Charles Du Cane, who joined the lodge in 1903.

Sir William Abdy Bart. Dies

First World War and 12 Easterford Brethren served in H.M. Forces. W.Bro. Revd. Pierrepoint Edwards, the Chaplain awarded the Military Cross

Meetings resumed and there was such demand for membership that two emergency meetings were held. There were 9 initiates in that year and the years following saw a regular flow of both initiates and joining members.

Dr. Salter presented with an Illuminated Address to recognise his contribution to Freemasonry

The Provincial Grand Master Lord Lambourne presided over the ceremony of Re-opening after renovation of the Temple.

The tradition of the Strawberry Meeting started

Caretaker's cottage built

W.Bro. Cyril Deal installed as Master, the first of four generations to hold office.

Dr. Salter presented with an illuminated address prepared by W.Bro. Cyril and signed by the Masters, Wardens, Treasurers and Secretaries of 121 Essex Lodges. Dr Salter died soon after at the age of 90

Salter Room dedicated by RW. Brig. Gen. R Beale Colvin Lord Lieutenant of Essex and Provincial Grand Master which had been built from a legacy from Dr. Salter and donations from members.

HRH Duke of Kent was installed as MW Grand Master by HM King George VI at Olympia. The event was attended by W.Bros. Arnold and Easton and Bros. Blythe and Eric Deal.

The outbreak of the Second World War in September, but Easterford continued with meetings but there were inevitable breaks which led to two Masters occupying the Chair for two years, W.Bro. Blythe and W.Bro. Barnwell and ceremonies continued. 10 brethren were initiated in the war years. 50 members of the lodge were engaged in home defence. Colvin Lodge 5374 and Tollesbury Lodge 4738 were unable to use their meeting places so Easterford allowed them to use the Temple.

W.Bro. Eric Deal initiated his nephew John Deal and the address to the candidate was given by his Father W.Bro. Cyril Deal.

The MW Grand Master HRH Duke of Kent killed in active service. Past Grand Master King George VI installed the Earl of Harewood as Grand Master in April 1943. In October 1943 W.Bro. Cramphorn visited Easterford to give description of the ceremony together with a lecture on the Constitutions, Catechisms and Masonic Word

Bro. Squadron Leader Forbes Rees-Jones was the only member of Easterford to die in active service five weeks before the war ended in Europe

Regular meetings returned, the Lodges of Instruction resumed and despite rationing a Ladies Festival at the George Hotel in Colchester. There were seven initiates in that year

The popularity of Easterford led to a restriction on joining members as capacity with new initiates was reached in the Temple

Banner renovated by W.Bro. Jack Cooper, a tailor who was Master in 1950

153rd Anniversary RMIB raised £205,010 of which Easterford contributed £1,023

Easterford Lodge Benevolent Association formed

Hall Maintenance and Restoration Funds merged

RMIG Festival raised £262,790 in Essex of which £1,747 was contributed by Easterford

The Grandfather Clock depicting Masonry Universal was presented by Bro. N. Boyd and placed in the Salter Room

Re-introduction of Ladies' evenings and later called Festivals

First joining member since 1950 was admitted, Bro. Anthony Wood

To facilitate the Festive Board Managing Stewards were appointed known as 'carvers' while those behind bar were 'bar stewards' and as pointed out at the time were two separate words!

The office of Charity Steward was established by UGLE and defined the role of Almoner. The jewel of the Charity Steward was a Trowel depicting Benevolence and Charity. W.Bro. Coleman was the first to wear the collar

Lodge agrees to the formation of Easterford Royal Arch Chapter which was consecrated in June 1979

The 1780 Freemason's Hall Medallion owned by Easterford was sought by the Grand Lodge Museum and it was agreed that it could be loaned on a permanent basis

Essential spending on the Hall of £10,000 was necessary and raised from members. At the same time the Trustees confirmed that there would be no change in the Deed to permit other lodges to use the Temple

Easterford contributes £21,000 to the RMIB Festival where every member had subscribed to be a Steward

Extensive renovations to the kitchen costing £20,000 which was possible as a result of contributions from members to the Building Fund

Centenary celebrations marked by a special meeting on Monday 19th March attended by 61 members and the Provincial Grand Master. On Saturday 6th October a celebration event took place at The Moot Hall in Colchester with 163 attending

The Ceremony of the Centenary of the Opening and Dedication of the Masonic Temple

Consecration of Easterford Mark Lodge

Banner renovated by Mrs Jean Lawrence who was widow of W.Bro. Ken Lawrence, Master 1995

The first Easterford Burns Night which has now become a tradition

Royal Arch Special Convocation Dinner to mark 100th meeting

125th Anniversary marked by the Re-enactment of a Ceremony of Consecration by R.W. John Webb PGM followed by special Festive Board

20th Anniversary of Mark Lodge with W.Bro. Peter Curtis aged 90 in the chair who was the prime instigator of its formation

Meetings suspended or curtailed due to Covid and Zoom meetings were held without ceremonies

Extensive refurbishment of kitchen and new bar area