Watford Lodge

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0n the 28th September, 1829 nine Brethren residing at Watford petitioned the Grand Master to form a new Lodge because the nearest Lodge was then in Uxbridge. It was consecrated at the Spread Eagle Tavern, Watford. The Lodge was originally called Bamborough because the first Master came from that village in Northumberland, but in 1833 the name was changed to Watford Lodge. The number was originally 851 but it changed to 580 in 1832 and then to 404 in 1863.

Members of the Lodge have included, Stewart Majoribanks, MP, PSGW; William Stuart Prov GM (1844‑1873); Sir Frederick Halsey MP, Prov GM (1873‑1924);  Dep GM (1903‑1927);  C E Keyser, Prov GM (1924‑1930); Admiral Sir Lionel Halsey, Prov GM (1930‑1949); Canon Frederick Halsey, Prov GM (1949‑1952; G M Halsey, Prov GM (1974‑1985).

Several Members were responsible for forming Lodges and chapters in other degrees which now bear their names, in particular William Stuart, Dr. F W. Wilson-Iles and The Rev. Dr. Oliver Cockrem.

Lodge News

REPORT OF 175TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF WATFORD LODGE No. 404

On 12th November 2004, on the eve of the Lodge's consecration date in 1829, Watford Lodge No. 404 held its 175th anniversary celebration at Halsey Masonic Hall, Watford. The focus of the meeting was the Rededication of the Lodge's newly refurbished banner, which had been first presented 75 years earlier by W. Bro. Surgeon Commander James W. O. Underhill, RN, and was Dedicated at the centenary meeting held on 1st November 1929. The temple at Halsey Hall was crowded with members and their guests. Including the Provincial Grand Master and his entourage, the total number over was 100.

After the Opening and reading of the Dispensation (the meeting was being held a week later than usual) came the knocks on the door of the Lodge. W. Bro. James Young, the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, was admitted and informed the Worshipful Master (Bro. Colin Baldock) that the R.W. Provincial Grand Master, Bro. Colin Harris, was outside and demanded admission. W. Bro. James Young then listed the 18 distinguished masons who were accompanying the PGM, announcing the names and their Masonic ranks individually without referring to notes, a most impressive feat of memory. These included the Deputy Provincial Grand Master (W. Bro. Allan Atkinson), all five Assistant Provincial Grand Masters (W. Bros. Rowland Mecklenburgh, John Tapster, Brian Tierney, Paul Gower and Derrick Flowers), the Provincial Grand Secretary (W. Bro. Keith Gilbert), the Provincial Grand Master of Mark Master Masons of Hertfordshire (W. Bro. Keith Emmerson) and the Deputy Grand Superintendent of the Provincial Grand Chapter of Hertfordshire (W. Bro. John Ilott).

The Provincial Grand Master was admitted, took the chair of the Lodge from the Worshipful Master and was then saluted with seven. The PGM then requested the Provincial Senior Grand Warden (W. Bro. George Taylor) and the acting Provincial Junior Grand Warden (W. Bro. James Sharpley) to take the Wardens' chairs and requested the Provincial Grand Secretary to act as Chaplain, in the unavoidable absence of the Provincial Grand Chaplain (W. Bro. the Rev'd Andrew Davey).

The participating Brethren of the Lodge then retired and assembled outside the temple, while the Brethren inside sung a hymn. The participators then returned in procession with the banner being carried by the Lodge's Director of Ceremonies (W. Bro. Gordon Ratcliffe). The banner was carefully laid on a table and Bro. Ratcliffe asked the WM to accept the banner on behalf of the Lodge. The WM then requested the PGM to dedicate it.

Another hymn was sung after which W. Bro. Gilbert delivered the Chaplain's prayer. He then proceeded to deliver the Chaplain's Oration, which had been e-mailed to him that morning, in a most impressive style. Of particular interest was the listing of happenings in 1829 when the Lodge was consecrated, including such items as the formation of the Metropolitan Police and First University Boat Race.

Then a further hymn, after which the PGM re-dedicated the banner. A procession was then formed, including the PGM and the Provincial Wardens, the Worshipful Master and the participating Brethren of the Lodge. This group processed three times round the Lodge Room, during which time the hymn "Immortal, Invisible" was lustily sung by everyone. The PGM then invited the WM to resume the chair, following which the banner was placed in a stand behind the WM. The WM then thanked the Provincial Wardens for their work and instructed the Lodge Wardens to resume their seats.

The closing hymn was then sung after which the acting Provincial Chaplain gave the Patriarchal Blessing. The WM concluded the rededication ceremony by expressing the thanks of the Brethren of the Lodge to the PGM, as Dedicating Officer.

W. Bro. John Godman then took the floor to give a brief talk entitled "The Minutes and Portraits of Watford Lodge". Those present were held enthralled, on what may have been expected to be a rather dull subject, by a tour de force delivered with brio by Bro. Godman. It was immediately apparent that he had meticulously researched his subject, was highly knowledgeable, and about which he obviously felt passionately. His oratory was received in complete silence as he held the full attention of everyone present, and when he ended he received a well-deserved tumultuous applause from everyone.

Appropriately at this point, the Provincial Grand Master, on behalf of the Lodge, presented a portrait of the Past Provincial Grand Master to R. W. Bro. Michael Jones, to be hung in the temple along with those of the other illustrious Masonic Brethren, about whom Bro. Godman had just been talking. This presentation has been recorded for posterity by a number of photographs taken at the time.

After the meeting the Brethren made their way downstairs to the dining hall and bar to partake of the complimentary drinks that were provided. With over 100 dining the dining hall was crowded with a very long top table and six sprigs, all fully occupied. The diners enjoyed a six-course meal prepared and served by the Hall's usual caterers. Wines were served at the tables and after-dinner drinks came with the coffee. There were the usual toasts and a few speeches, all of which, in 404 tradition, were mercifully short.

The WM expressed the appreciation of the Brethren to the caterers by presenting a large bouquet to the caterer herself, and smaller ones to each of the helpers working in the kitchen and at the dinner tables. At the end of the meal each diner was presented with a blue-boxed, cut-glass firing glass and a printed history of the Lodge for the period 1979-2004.

A collection was held which raised £525. Of this £475 has been donated to the Provincial Grand Master's 2009 Festival in aid of the Grand Charity, and £50 was allocated to augment the Lodge Widows' Christmas Fund.

The whole evening was a total success due to the considerable time and efforts of four of the Brethren of 404. W. Bros. Peter Prior, Peter Richards, Gordon Ratcliffe and Dallas Banfield. They ensured that, through meticulous organisation and planning, the celebrations were such that they will live in the memories of all present for many years. As an acknowledgement of his considerable personal efforts, which included the updated Lodge history, the WM presented W. Bro. Peter Prior with an original copy of The Times newspaper of 13th November 1829 as a memento.

Indeed, so great was the delight and pleasure of all present that some expressed the wish that such 404 celebrations came more often than every 25 years. It is thought that the younger Brethren have already started preliminary preparations for a grand celebration of the Lodge's bi-centenary in 2029.

Report by:
W. Bro. Peter Prior, PPJGW,
53 Stratford Road,
Watford, WD17 4NY

01923 222583
8 December 2004