Provincial Grand Lodge

Priory Lodge

The Priory Lodge was formed by Abbey Lodge No. 3341. As in the Middle Ages, when a Monastery became overcrowded, Brethren would rehouse themselves elsewhere, and call their new home a Priory. This is what Abbey Lodge undertook. Priory Lodge was consecrated at The Salisbury Hotel, Barnet. The formation meetings were held in Room 13, House of Commons, at the invitation of the first Master RW Bro The Rt Hon. G A Isaacs, PGW (later Minister of Labour in the Attlee Cabinet). The name Priory is thought to take its origin from the Priory at Blakenham in Suffolk, illustrated on the Lodge Banner.

Lodge News
75 Glorious Years

Priory Lodge No 5152 celebrated its first 75 years by holding a memorable 75th Anniversary Meeting at Ashwell House, St Albans on 22nd January 2005.

The Meeting was honoured with the presence of The Deputy Provincial Grand Master, W.Bro. Allan Atkinson who was accompanied by thirteen Provincial Executive Officers. Other specially invited guests included members of our Mother Lodge, Abbey Lodge No. 3441, and those of Stamford Hill Lodge No. 5113 with whom the Lodge is closely associated, together with many other Brethren intrigued to witness a Banner Re-Dedication.

Unfortunately, due to the Tsunami disaster, members of Lodge Kedah No. 3830 (Malaysia) were unable to attend but sent Fraternal Greetings to the Worshipful Master and the Brethren of Priory Lodge and hoped that they would be able to visit during the course of 2005. Invitations were also sent to National Sojourners of USA of whom an association was made in 1955 when Priory Lodge carried out ceremonies on US servicemen on behalf of their own Lodges in the USA for which the Lodge was presented with an illuminated Volume of the Sacred Law, which is still in use to this day and contains the signatures of all Initiates into the Lodge together with those of the newly Installed Masters. Unfortunately, the UK arm of the National Sojourners has now been disbanded but contact is still maintained via the US, National Sojourners Headquarters.

Before the Meeting took place photographs were taken recording the Lodges' present members, which regrettably, only included six members who had appeared in the 50th Anniversary Meeting photograph taken in 1980.

The Lodge was opened at 3 pm and the minutes of the previous Meeting were read, confirmed and approved by the Worshipful Master, Salutations were appropriately given the minutes of the Lodge Consecration Meeting were read by the Secretary.  Then followed by the Installation of the 76th Master of the Lodge, W. Bro. Donald Hitchcock, PPSGD, which was performed in an immaculate ceremony. All Officers of the Lodge were invested and a recycled Past Master's Jewel was presented to W. Bro. Timothy Brockbank in recognition of his services as the 75th Master of the Lodge. The Lodge continued with its business and was then 'Called Off'.

After the Lodge had been 'Called On', the assembled brethren were treated to the ceremony of  'Re-dedication of the refurbished Lodge Banner' during which members were given time to reflect on not only the Lodge's history but also those members who had departed to 'The Grand Lodge Above'. The Ceremony concluded with members of Priory Lodge parading behind the Lodge Banner circulating the Lodge floor three times whilst singing, as a symbol of joy and rejoicing.

On completion of the 'Re-dedication' Ceremony the Secretary rose and presented engraved goblets on behalf of Lodge Kedah No. 3830 (Malaysia) to the Worshipful Master and Wardens and stated that there was similar goblets for each Lodge Member to commemorate this 75th Anniversary occasion, with the words
            "Though Water Divides - Masonry Unites"

The Lodge being closed, the assembled Brethren retired to the Festive Board where they received a 24 page coloured book that recorded the first 75 years of Priory Lodge which was composed by the Secretary over a 4 year period. All proceeds from the raffle were donated to Lodge Kedah for the Tsunami Disaster that affected their area.  The 'Tyler's Toast' brought an end to a spectacular afternoon and evening that would remain in the memories of those fortunate enough to be present and all were now looking forward to celebrating our 100th Anniversary!

The Priory Lodge continued with its celebrations in March, with a 'White Table Meeting' where member's Wives together with Lodge Widows and other guests and potential candidates were in attendance. All were given an invitation card entitled

"Its time to Dispel Some Myths About Joining Freemasonry".  Again, due to the Asian Tsunami disaster, members of Lodge Kedah were unable to attend, but suitably inscribed copies of the books “Happy Hertfordshire ”, “Freemasonry A Celebration of the Craft” and “The Million Masonic Peace Memorial” which was to be presented to Lodge Kedah at the White Table, but it was decided to send the books by post as it was unsure when Lodge Kedah would come to the UK.

The association between Lodge Kedah and Priory started in February 1946 when (W Bro Lt Col M E Barrett) a visiting Brother of one of the members and a former Japanese POW in Malaysia, gave greetings from Lodge Kedah but was sad to inform the Meeting that the Japanese had completely destroyed the Temple and all fitments but they were hoping to rebuild and furnish after the war. Members of the Priory Lodge in association with Abbey Lodge initiated a scheme immediately whereby exact copies of UGLE furniture would be copied and sent to Lodge Kedah together with regalia and all other essential furniture.   A 'Lloyds of London' insurance document dated 18th June 1947 records " a case of Masonic equipment from Paddington to Penang, Malaysia" and most of that equipment still remains in use today and a regular exchange of communication still exists.

The Lodge was opened and normal business carried out and then closed. Non-Masonic guests were then invited into the Temple thus opening a new chapter in the Lodge's history. W.Bro Brian Hedger, PPGSuptWks gave a short talk on the Officers of the Lodge and Masonic Charities, which was followed by a short history and important landmarks of the Lodge by the W.Bro. Michael Allman, PPSGD concluding with a short reading and explanation of the Initiates 'Antient Charge' by W.Bro. Edwin Chalk, PPAGDC.

The 'White Table' Meeting was attended by 96 people, all-enjoying a 6-course meal whilst being entertained by a programme of music provided by W.Bro. Peter Slade (Pianoforte), which proved a fitting climax to an enjoyable day.

Michael Allman, PPGSD Secretary