History
NORTH YORKSHIRE MASONIC LODGE CELEBRATES CENTENARY in STYLE
HUNTCLIFF Masonic Lodge No. 4539, which meets in the Victorian seaside resort of Saltburn by the Sea, started their Centenary year in grand style with a Gala Meeting attended by the Provincial Grand Master of Yorkshire North & East Ridings, Right Worshipful Dr David Chambers.
ORIGINS of the LODGE
Back in 1922 there was only one Masonic Lodge in Saltburn. This was Handyside Lodge No. 1618 which at the time had a membership of around 110 brethren with a long waiting list of prospective candidates.
Huntcliff Lodge No. 4539 was consecrated on Thursday 18th October 1923. There were 24 Founding Members, of which a third were Handyside members. The first Master was Henry Phillip Monk, who lived in Saltburn and was a senior partner in the law firm Jacksons, Monk & Rowe in Middlesbrough.
The present day Masonic Hall in Saltburn was erected in 1872 on a building plot owned by Henry Pease. Pease was the visionary industrialist who founded the town. He brought the railway to the town which served to make it a popular resort with visitors from all over the country. Saltburn is still one of the finest early Victorian seaside towns surviving almost completely in its original form
SEAFARING TRADITION
At the end of every Lodge meeting there is a poignant ‘Absent and Seafaring Brethren Toast’ where a ships bell is rung four times (2×2) to indicate 10:00pm during the evening ‘Watch’ at sea and to raise a glass to “All poor and distressed seafaring brethren wherever they may be, wishing them a safe return to their own country should they so desire”.
The CENTENARY WARRANT PRESENTATION EVENING
The Provincial Grand Master along with 12 active officers carried out the ceremony. There were also nine Grand Lodge officers plus another 40 visitors, as well as our own members”.
CONGRATULATIONS from THE PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER
Provincial Grand Master Right Worshipful Dr David Chambers congratulated the members of Huntcliff Lodge for such a well-orchestrated evening. “Given our long history, our regular meetings, and events, we have a tradition of coming together as Freemasons, family, and friends all of which bring us pleasure. There is one event, however, which stands out amongst the many we are involved in and that of course is a Lodge Centenary”.
“To be able to look back over one hundred years of a Lodge’s existence, reflect on what it has done, the characters who brought it into being, saw it through different periods of its development and maintain it today, is a comfort just knowing that things can and do endure”.
We can only hope that the others who come after us will look back from what, will be a vastly different world, and reflect on the legacy we have left them – as we celebrate the legacy of those who have gone before. One hundred years is a legacy to be proud of. The Lodge is proud of its history and the Province is proud of the part it has played over the years and will continue to do so in the future.
narrative by: Trevor Sherman / Ted Law photos: John Rees
