The Buckinghhamshire Years 1980-2019

Slough, Buckinghamshire - 1980 to 2019

The first meeting of the Bulwer Lodge of Cairo at Slough Masonic Centre was actually held on 26th October 1979 by Dispensations from the United Grand Lodge of England and R. W. The Provincial Grand Master for Buckinghamshire. This chap ter in our history will commence from the first meeting after the Warrant of Confirmation was amended on 12th December 1979.

1980

The Province of Buckinghamshire welcomed us with five Provincial Grand Officers attending our first Installation The Grand Master requested that all Lodges “re-think and take action” regarding the ‘Masonic Penalties’ and the per missive changes. The Lodge voted 25 to 1 against adopting the changes. W. Bro. H. S. Clark then proposed, and W. Bro. R. H. Clark seconded, that the original wording of the ritual be retained by the Lodge. This was carried by 25 votes to 1.

1983

Fees were increased to £45.00 with non-dining fees rising to £11.50. The Slough Masonic Centre informed all Lodges that there was “a major deficiency in the fire prevention and precautionary systems at the Centre” and placed a levy of £450.00 on each Lodge to rectify this. The resulting fire door in the Large Temple sometimes proved a blessing on hot days!

At the June meeting, it was agreed that the Lodge Furniture, including a set of Tracing Boards, should be presented to the Slough Masonic Centre. Engraved plates to this effect were made and affixed to the boards by Bro. M. J. Makin. The Tracing Boards were left at Slough when the Lodge moved to Beaconsfield in 2000.

1984

The Provincial Grand Master informed the Brethren of the financial difficulties of the Royal Masonic Hospital. It was announced at the June meeting that a decision had been taken to sell it and that the Samaritan Fund would be wound up. The problems surrounding this decision are continuing in 1998.

A Mrs D. Butler made and embroidered the Lodge name and number on a cushion for the for the V.S.L. There is no record of Mrs Butler’s connection with the Lodge.

The Slough Masonic Hall informed all Lodges that they should purchase £100.00 of shares annually to cover necessary repairs. As a result, fees rose again to £47.00 for full membership and £12.50 for non-dining members. A Petition for a Centenary Warrant was sent to United Grand Lodge of England. The Final Report, compiled by W. Bro. John Hammill, Librarian and Curator, read:

On 8th February 1865 by dispensation, and in the presence of, the Provincial (sic) Grand Master for Turkey, a Lodge was opened at the Lodge Rooms, Cairo, Egypt. This action was sanctioned on 7th June 1865 by the issue of a Warrant of Constitution denominating the Lodge the Bulwer Lodge of Cairo and numbering it 1068 on the Roll of the United Grand Lodge of England.

The official records show breaks in the continuity of the Lodge from 1872 to 1882 and 1883 to 1885, including a period of suspension from 1874 to 1882. Working recommenced on 30th May 1885 since when continuity has been maintained. The original Warrant having been damaged by fire, a Warrant of Confirmation was issued on 27th November 1895, in which the Lodge name was shortened to Bulwer Lodge. Due to political problems in Egypt, the Lodge petitioned the Grand Master for a transfer to London, which was sanctioned on 1st January 1959. A further removal to the pre sent meeting place, Slough, was sanctioned on 12th December 1979.

Continuity of working having been maintained since the resumption of work on 30th May 1885, I recommend the grant of a Centenary Warrant with effect from 30th May 1985.

1985

The Centenary of Bulwer Lodge of Cairo was celebrated on 28th June and no fewer than 10 Provincial Grand Officers attendeed. As this is an important landmark in the history of the Lodge, it is worth covering the Centenary Meeting in some detail. The Thames Consort Choir performed throughout the meeting. The members were: During the meeting, the choir gave a rendering of “Behold, How good and Joyful a Thing it is, Brethren, to dwell together in Unity,” by C. H. Lloyd. The reasons for the late Centenary were explained by J. S. Stidwill, who offered gracious thanks to the past-Brethren that had held Bulwer Lodge of Cairo together, both during the Suez crisis of 1956 and in re-establishing it in London.

The Warrant of Confirmation was read by the Provincial Grand Secretary, followed by a reading of the Centenary War rant. The Provincial Grand Master then presented the Centenary Warrant to the Worshipful Master, W. Bro. R H Budd and pre sented him with a Centenary Jewel.

The Provincial Grand Master returned the gavel to the Worshipful Master and the Officers resumed their positions. The choir gave a rendering of the hymn “God is a Spirit,” by W Sterndale Bennetti, after which the Charity Bag was circulated and raised £85.00. The choir then sang “Surely I have built Thee an House,” by Dr. Boyce before the normal Risings and Closing. Officers for the Centenary Year:

1986

During 1986, the Board of General Purposes decided to remove the “Masonic Penalties” from the Ceremonies, making reference to the “former penalty which implied that etc.”. Later that year, the Grand Secretary made this mandatory.

1987

At the June meeting, J. A. Newell, Charity Steward, gave Notice of Motion that he wanted to open a Lodge Relief Chest with Grand Lodge. At the meeting of 23rd October, this was proposed by J. A. Newell and seconded by J. S. Stidwill and carried unanimously, although the Chest was subsequently not opened for several years.

1990

On 26th October, W. Bro. E. Thomas suggested that steps be taken to change the name of the Lodge to its original title - The Bulwer Lodge of Cairo. After a brief history and some discussion, it was decided that the Secretary should approach Provincial Grand Lodge for advice.

1991

Notice of Motion was given by the Secretary at the January meeting that a petition be submitted to the United Grand Lodge of England that the Bulwer Lodge No. 1068 be permitted to revert to the original name of the Bulwer Lodge of Cairo No. 1068. This was seconded by W. Bro. C. Bishop and carried unanimously.

A report by John Hammill, Librarian and Curator for the United Grand Lodge of England dated 8th April 1991, read:

1. The Warrant Book has Bulwer Lodge of Cairo No. 1068, Warrant granted 7th June 1865.

2. The Warrant of Confirmation of 28th November 1895 has Bulwer Lodge, No. 1068, but there is nothing in the petition requesting “of Cairo” to be dropped from the title. In the correspondence it is referred to as Bulwer Lodge of Cairo.

3. It looks like an “office error” was made in 1895.

4. I see no reason why the Warrant should not be endorsed with the proper name of the Lodge.

The Warrant of Confirmation was amended as follows:

At the request of the Members of the Lodge the M.W. The Grand Master has been pleased to sanction that the within named Bulwer Lodge shall hereafter be known by the name or style of the Bulwer Lodge of Cairo and has directed that the necessary alteration be made in the register of the Grand Lodge.

Freemasons’ Hall, London, 25th April 1991

M. B. S. Higham, Grand Secretary

1995

Bro. M. Makin presented the Lodge with a painting of the Lodge Banner done by his daughter for display in the dining room at Slough. This was moved to the Ted Wood Room at Beaconsfield when the Lodge transferred there. The annual dues remained unchanged for the first time in many years.

1998

During the “closed season”, extensive work was carried out at the Slough Masonic Centre, which had become rather shabby. A new entrance porch was built, resulting in a larger bar area. The bar and both dining rooms were redecorated, carpeted and had improved lighting installed. Notification of plans to greatly improve the temples was also sent to all Lodges.

Bro. M. J. Makin presented the Lodge with two alms bags which had been embroidered with the Lodge name and number by his wife Lillian. These were replacements for two lost from the locker at Slough.

1999

The Bulwer Lodge of Cairo “tradition”, last seen in 1971, whereby the “nay” drawer of the ballot box is examined by the Worshipful Master and both Wardens was reintroduced. The customary declaration for a black ball, “there is a cloud in the East/West/South” was also revived.

Discussions took place at the April meeting with a view to possibly changing the place of meeting from Slough to Beaconsfield. A General Meeting was held in the Beaconsfield Centre on 6th May, with the nine Brethren present and voting in favour. A further six voted in favour by proxy, with two against. A Notice of Motion was given at the meeting on 25th June and an Emergency Meeting called at Beaconsfield for 16th July by dispensation. The twelve members present voted unanimously in favour of the move.

Bulwer Lodge of Cairo became a Patron of the Grand Charity for having exceeded its target for the Buckinghamshire 1999 Festival by 20%. The total sum raised was in excess of £16,000 - a good effort for a relatively small Lodge.

W. Bro. David Djeddah, our longest serving member and the last surviving Cairo Initiate, flew in from Geneva to attend the meeting on 25th June - his first visit to the Lodge in over 30 years. The Worshipful Master presented him with a certificate (shown on page 33) to mark his 55 years in Freemasonry and as a member of the Lodge. Bro. Djeddah very kindly agreed to pay the first two years’ joining fees for Beaconsfield Masonic Centre following the move.

So, another chapter in the history of Bulwer Lodge of Cairo drew to a close. The Lodge held its final meeting at Slough Masonic Centre in October and moved to Beaconsfield Masonic Centre - its thirteenth “home” during its 135 years of existence.

Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire—2000 Onwards

2000

W. Bro. David Djeddah presented the Lodge with boxed set of square and compasses for use on the V.S.L. The square was engraved “Presented to Bulwer Lodge of Cairo by W. Bro. E. D. Djeddah ‘The last of the Pharaohs’”. The Master’s chosen charity was the Thames Valley Air Ambulance and the Lodge donated £1,000.00 during his year.

Unlike the beginning of the twentieth century when Bulwer Lodge of Cairo was going from strength to strength, the beginning of the twenty first century saw it, in common with much of English Freemasonry, struggling to survive. Active membership was falling, partly due to a number of deaths in recent years, partly to brethren moving overseas and partly through apathy. Even amongst the full members, several rarely attended meetings and few wanted to progress within the Lodge. Indeed, filling Offices was becoming a more difficult task each year.

The October meeting was an open meeting. After the essential business of the Lodge had been conducted, wives of Brethren and non-Masonic friends were invited into the Temple and given an idea what Freemasonry is all about. Again, W. Bro. Hilton attended, gave a most interesting talk and answered the guests’ questions. The meeting was followed by a White Table. Sixty people attended the meeting, with 59 dining afterwards. The whole thing was very well received by Brethren and visitors alike, several members stating that their wives and friends were now a lot warmer towards their Masonic activity.

During 2000, it was announced that the Beaconsfield Masonic and Community Centre had the opportunity to buy a 99 year lease on the premises from the Church Commissioners and Hall Barn Estates. A fund raising programme was set up to reduce the size of loan needed to pay for this. Redecoration took place in the bar area and funding was also in place to carry out repairs as well as renovate and improve the rest of the building.

2001

It appeared that a change in the Lodge’s fortunes was under way as we had our first Initiate in nearly three years and two joining members. The Lodge became the first in Buckinghamshire to have a website. In April, the Brethren voted on a motion from the Secretary that, in future, minutes of our meetings be circulated with the summons, rather than read in open Lodge. A vote was also unanimous in favour of setting up a Relief Chest with The Grand Charity whilst maintaining a balance for emergencies in our own Benevolent Fund.

W. Bro. Dr. David Ashton presented the Lodge with an excellent set of “emblems of mortality” as, unlike at Slough, these are not available at Beaconsfield.

2002

Our Worshipful Master arranged and paid for a “Roll of Honour” to be put up in the Lodge Room at Beaconsfield. This listed all the Masters of Bulwer Lodge of Cairo since its Founding. As we were then the oldest Lodge at Beaconsfield, it makes a very impressive list, particularly in view of the high number of honours held by our former Masters. Following the refurbish ment of the temple, the board was moved to the north east.

W. Bro. D. Djeddah again gave generously to the Lodge. He paid for a Third Degree cloth and the unique clothing worn in Bulwer Lodge of Cairo which was made by Mrs. Dorothy Lummes. He also became a Grand Patron of the Beaconsfield Centre by purchasing £1,000 worth of ‘B’ Shares.

2003

There was a major fund raising appeal for the Buckinghamshire Masonic Benevolent Fund during 2003/4 to celebrate its 100 years in existence and the Worshipful Master decided to support it during his year. The Lodge achieved Patronage status by July. This was due to the proceeds of W. Bro. Richards’ Ladies Festival, an excellent turnout at a fete held at Hall Barn and the generosity of the Brethren. A team from the Lodge, including two members who were still to be initiated, took part in the sponsored fun run at Hall Barn.

The 99 year lease on the Beaconsfield Masonic & Community Centre was finally signed on 26th November and comple tion took place on 27th November.

W. Bro. Jack Stidwill, who died on 26th December 2002, left a bequest of £1000 to the Lodge. Part of this was spent on a three-drawer set of working tools with a plate engraved in his memory. Mrs Evelyn Moon, widow of Dennis, died on 7th June 2003 and left a bequest of £500 to the Lodge.

2004

Amongst some regalia found at the home of the late Rodney Budd was the collar jewel of the District Grand Master of Egypt and the Sudan pictured on the following page. It is unlikely that more than one of these was ever made so this jewel was worn by several very distinguished Brethren during the short existence of the District. It was donated to the library and muse um at Freemasons’ Hall and is in the Kitchener display.

W. Bro. David Djeddah aged 88 years flew from Geneva to receive a certificate marking his 65 years in Freemasonry and as a member of this Lodge at our meeting on 23rd April 2005. V. W. Bro. Donald G. Varney, Deputy Provincial Grand Master for Buckinghamshire made the presentation.

2007

2007 asaw the completion of work on the new extension at Beaconsfield Masonic Centre. This included a new, larger bar and a new Provincial Office. Further changes to be carried out later include moving the kitchen to the far end of the build ing, creating new toilet facilities and a robing area in the “old” bar and the conversion of the Ted Wood Room into a Chap ter Room.

A bequest from the late V.W. Bro. Don Varney, Deputy Provincial Grand Master and a stalwart supporter of this Lodge, of £110.000, enabled the work to be finished far earlier than had previously been anticipated

2015

At the June meeting the Lodge celebrated 150 years since its consecration on 7th June 1865. There were twenty six Provincial Officers present: Also present was the Provincial Grand Master for Worcestershire.

The celebration took place in the presence of ladies and non-Masons and the readings and hymn were those used at the centenary church service held in 1965. The celebrations were followed by and excellent Festive Board.

2017

On 7th April, W. Bro. Bob Mount achieved 50 years in Freemasonry and at the meeting on 21st April he was presented with a certificate and a commemorative salver to mark the occasion. During his 50 years he was Worshipful Master three times, Treasurer for a total of 26 years and Secretary for five years.

To mark the Tercentenary of Grand Lodge, memorial stones were laid outside Freemasons’ Hall for the Brethren who won the Victoria Cross in the First World War. Onr of these was Hugo Vivian Hope Throssell, initiated into the Lodge in 1917. Worshipful Master Colin White was invited to the unveiling and the subsequent reception with the Grand Master, H.R.E. The Duke of Kent.

The Masonic Memorial Garden at the National Arboretum was finished to mark the centenary of the end of World War One

2019

The Lodge banner was in a very bad state and was beyond repair. It was purchased in 1924 with donations from Past Masters and had served the Lodge well for 95 years. W. Bro. Vic Dorman arranged for a new one to be made and presented it to the Lodge on 28th June.