Foreword
By W.Bro. Tony Saunders P. Prov. S.G.D. LGR – Secretary & 62nd Master of Heritage Lodge (1997)
This is the third in a series of articles using information abstracted from a bound book ‘Our Heritage’ written by one of our Founders L. H. Powell.
In this section I summarise how the Lodge emerged from the ‘Dark War Years’ and marched forward, forming a Royal Arch Chapter, starting a Lodge of Instruction and returning ‘Home’.
Tony Saunders
February 2018
The Light Undimmed
The ‘Torch’ of Heritage Lodge continued to burn with undiminished brightness through the remaining 1940s and at the 40th meeting which was held at Freemasons Hall, London, on January 26th, 1946 the Brethren were informed of a circular issued by Grand Lodge expressing appreciation of the manner in which the directions issued to the Craft in September 1939, had generally been observed. The Board of General Purposes wrote:
It will be generally agreed that by maintaining the activities of the Craft during the exacting conditions which have existed, there has been provided an inspiration and comfort for a large part of our nation which, in no small degree, contributed to that spirit which has brought the world conflict to a victorious termination.
It is also clear from the records kept and as described in this series of articles that Heritage Lodge played its part in this tribute and for which we should all today be eternally grateful to those of our predecessors in this respect.
It is in this sense why I have added to the nine 0’clock toast at our November meetings those words made famous at the various remembrance services held in that month ending;
… we shall remember them
Whilst the conflict was over the lasting effects continued on, not just for the Nation, but the Craft in general and the special conditions imposed in 1939 were amended to include such matters as dress. Gloves were not needed, and uniform could still be worn over the need to wear evening dress.
Wor. Bro. Powell wrote in his book:
It must be remembered that, however, that the period referred to was one in which clothes were rationed. Coupons were valuable; few Brethren could afford to use them for other than strictly utilitarian purposes. Fortunate was the man who had a well-stocked wardrobe when war broke out; but before it ended even he had sometimes to have his clothes patched, his linen darned, his socks refooted and, quite often, his suit or overcoat turned.
When scripting this article and using Wor. Bro Powell’s original words, not even spellcheck recognised ‘refooted’ and I wonder today how many Brethren have had to ‘turn’ a suit or an overcoat?
The nearest I can think of in today’s language is maybe ‘going commando’ but that relates to an altogether different article of clothing and for a different reason!!
Wor. Bro. Powell continues:
Costs were continually rising (no change there then!!), and at the Installation meeting 0n March 23, 1946 it was agreed that the subscription should be increased to 4 guineas. The Secretary, who had been acting as Lodge Librarian resigned the position and Bro. C. Maddison-Roberts was appointed in his place. He has held the office ever since (Wor. Bro. Powell’s book was released in 1956) and made the library a fruitful source of help and guidance to the Brethren who have taken advantage of it.
(Reference once again to the stock of books held by the Lodge at that time!)
At this same meeting a response was given in asbentia to the toast to the Founders by Bro. H.E. Mann who himself was critically ill which, having read it summarised well events up to this point and is still, I believe at the core of the how the Lodge operates today.
The Lodge however no longer toasts its Founders, and this is a matter that may need addressing which I will consider seeking the Lodge’s advice on reinstating?
In his reply to the Founders toast on that night which was read out at the Festive Board Bro. Mann wrote:
W.M., Officers and Brethren, I thank you for the kind way in which you have received the toast of the Founders proposed by Bro. Scattery. I must admit my first impulse on receiving the suggestion from the W.M. that I should reply to the toast was that I did not wish to be a skeleton or sepulchral voice at your feast. Besides which, I felt my cable tow would not stretch sufficiently far enough and I doubted if the President of The Board of Trade would issue a licence for rubber to have one made of elastic. Besides which, I had never heard during my 40 years in Masonry of such a reply being made. Still on second thoughts, the idea had its points; for one thing I could not get a rap over the knuckles for any omission in my thanks and it would be churlish not to say, ‘thank you’ to Bro. Scattery for his flattering remarks, some of which I am sure were deserved by my confrères. As a Founder I was an ‘after-thought’, having been introduced by W.Bro. Brook (who I had met in 1914) after the Committee of Founders had been formed. I was introduced to a happy band of conspirators whose object was to found a Lodge with an outstanding reputation for the practice of the principles and rites of Masonry. Heritage Lodge is the result of their endeavours. We have had our growing pains and have emerged all the stronger for having sustained them, and that it is of proof that the foundations of The Lodge were well and truly laid. May Heritage Lodge long be a distribution point for Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. Brethren, although I cannot be with you in the flesh I shall be with you in spirit, and I thank you.
Wor. Bro. Powell appended this note in his reference to this poignant reply when drafting his book:
The small typing mistakes and alterations are evidence of the courage of Bro. Mann as he tapped out with fingers hardly responsive to his will a message for the Secretary to read at the Festive Board.
At the meeting held on January 24, 1947 reference is made in the minutes that the Lodge maybe returning to the Bromley Masonic Hall and the opportunity to change the September meeting to the fourth Saturday in October was put in motion.
A suggestion to hold future meetings at the Royal Bell Hotel in Bromley was not met with general approval and what became the last meeting at the Public Library was held on March 22, 1947.
October 25,1947, was a memorable date in the life of the Lodge , for it was on that day that the Brethren returned from exile, so to speak, and meetings were resumed at The Bromley Masonic Hall.
Tony Saunders