During its relatively short history,
various artefacts have been donated or presented to the Lodge,
on this page we would like to recognise those artefacts and
pay tribute to those who presented them.
Founders
Jewel
When
the Lodge was formed and consecrated, each of the founder members
were presented with a Founders Jewel to commemorate such an
occaision. The Founders Jewel pictured on the right belongs
to W.Bro R.W. Hart who kindly loaned it back to the Lodge for
it to be photographed for the site. W.Bro Ray remains the longest
serving member of the Lodge, being Worshipful Master twice and
was a member from 1968 - 2005 a total of 37 years. In 1969,
W.Bro Ray donated the gavels and sounding blocks to the Lodge
which are still used at every meeting and we are still very
fortunate to have him as an Honorary member who still attends Lodge meetings from
time to time.
Past Masters
Jewel
As
each Brother passes through the Lodge, eventually, if he so
wishes, he will become a master of the Lodge. Once his term
in office is finished, he will qualify for a prestigious award
of a Past Masters Jewel. It is engraved on the rear with the
masters name and year of Office and may be worn at Lodge meetings
from thereon. This particular jewel has been kindly lent by
W.Bro Ray Hart to be photographed for the site. During the North
Worcestershire Lodge's 40 years history, there have been 36
different masters of the Lodge, and four W.Bro's taking office
for a second year and one W.Bro three times.
Wardens
Columns
The
Terrestrial and Celestial wardens columns were presented to
the Lodge in 1972 by W.Bro W.R. Burn and these were to commemorate
the very first North Worcestershire Lodge meeting at the new
Stechford Masonic Hall at Bordesley Green East. These columns
have remained in use in the Lodge room ever since and for a
long while our Lodge had forgotten that we owned them. It
was only when we started to research the columns that we found
that they belonged to us and quickly laid claim to them once
again. W.Bro Burn was a long serving member of the Lodge for
some 20 years and the columns still used today for Lodge meetings
are a constant reminder of him.
Initiates
Cup
The
Initiates cup was donated to the Lodge in 1972 by W.Bro R. Birtles.
W.Bro Bob joined the Lodge in 1969 and remained a very loyal
member for 31 years before passing away to the Grand Lodge above
in 2000. The Initiates cup, as the name states is used when
a newly initiated brother joins the Lodge. At the festive board,
the Initiates cup filled with wine and is passed around each
of the members, each taking a drink finishing off with the initiate,
welcoming him into the Lodge. It is a very nice tradition that
the Lodge carries out and it is also a very nice way to remember
W.Bro Bob's long service and loyalty to the Lodge.
Alms
Dish
The
Alms dish was donated to the Lodge in 1972 by W.Bro D.L. Jessop
W.Bro David was a founder member of the Lodge in 1968 and was
the Lodge's first secretary. W.Bro David was a loyal member
for 33 years before passing away to the Grand Lodge above in
2001. The Alms dish, as the name states is for collecting Alms
and it used in every ceremony of initiation. Each time the Alms
dish is used, it is a constant reminder of W.Bro David's memory
and his exemplary service to North Worcestershire Lodge. His
son Bro D.M. Jessop (also called David but is known as Martin)
is still a country member.
Gavels
and Sounding Blocks
A
complete set of wooden Gavels and Sounding blocks were presented
to the Lodge back in 1969 by W.Bro Ray Hart and are still used
today for every meeting and Festive Board. Up until very recently,
no-one in the Lodge knew where these items came from, then by
chance, we found out that it was W.Bro Ray donated them. It
is planned that these items will have an engraved plaque on
them so no-one will ever forget where they came from again.
As previously stated W.Bro Ray was the longest serving member
to North Worcestershire Lodge.
Charity
Box and Working Tools
The
Charity Box used at every meeting for collections was donated
to the Lodge by W.Bro B. Garthwaite on behalf of his son Neil.
Neil was an apprentice joiner for W.Bro Kettleborough, and although
he was not a Freemason, it certainly was a nice gesture to make
the Charity Box for the Lodge. W.Bro Bernard was another
long serving member and loyal servant to the Lodge being a member
for a total of 33 years. A complete set of wooden working
tools for the first, second and third degree were also donated
to the Lodge by W.Bro Bernard on behalf of his son Neil. These
wooden quality items, were made with great care and the Lodge
remains grateful for Neil's efforts. The Working Tools are not
used in the Lodge room these days, but remain safe in the Lodge
lock up for when ever they may be needed.
1st Degree Working Tools |
2nd Degree Working Tools |
3rd Degree Working Tools |
Goblets
A
set of Silver Goblets were also donated to the Lodge but unfortunately
no one has any idea as to where they came from. They each have
initials engraved on them, one of WM for the Worshipful Master,
one of SW for the Senior Warden and one of JW for the Junior
Warden. As well as being constantly filled with wine, the Golbets
are traditionally used at
every Festive board in the toast
for the Worshipfull Master. Hopefully, someone will either own
up to donating them or know of who did, meanwhile, they will
continue to be full and used at every Festive Board.
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