[ The Consecration ] [ The First Years ]
[ 1901-1910 ] [ 1911-1920
] [ 1921-1930 ] [ 1931-1940 ] [ 1941-1950 ]
[ 1951-1960 ] [ 1961-1970
] [ 1971-1980 ] [ 1981-1990 ] [ 1991-1997 ]
The Lodge was consecrated on 30 August 1987
at Freemasons' Hall, Salem Street, Bradford by the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand
Master. The ceremony of Installation of the Worshipful Master and his officers was
conducted by the Worshipful Deputy Provincial Grand Master. The visitors book
contains the names of 14 founder members and 271 visiting Worshipful Brethren and
Brethren, including that of His Grace the Duke of Devonshire. Copies of the
Consecration book were sent to Queen Victoria and The Prince of Wales who both
acknowledged by letter, wishing Victoria Lodge well for the future. Prior to the
consecration, there was a parade from Salem Street fully clothed in the appropriate
regalia to the top of Hallfield Road to lay the foundation stone of the new Nurses Home.
After the Installation there was a banquet at the Great Northern Victoria Hotel.
It was a very memorable day. [Back to top]
In the first year 13 candidates were initiated, passed and raised - quite an achievement for a new and inexperienced Lodge. In the next few years it was quite common to perform a ceremony for 2, 3 or sometimes 4 candidates. Members of the Lodge were very generous in making donations of gavels, jewels and the Banner so that within a very short space of time the Lodge was fully equipped with its own furnishings and accoutrements. [Back to top]
During the early part of the century, Victoria Lodge was prolific at producing several offspring. In 1907 Victoria was the prime mover in founding Fairfax No. 3255 with the offices of Worshipful Master and Secretary. Again the following year, five members of Victoria were instrumental in the formation of Lightcliffe Lodge No. 3322, with senior positions in the new Lodge including Worshipful Master. On the 28th September 1910 a daughter Lodge was conceived with 13 members of Victoria being the founders of King Edward VII No. 3442. It was not uncommon for Victoria to have two Lodges paying fraternal visits on a Lodge night with an average of 60 to 70 at the festive board. [Back to top]
During the first World War, Grand Lodge allowed service men at war to be excused payment of their dues. Brethren with any German, Austrian or Hungarian ancestors were banned from Lodge meetings. Alcohol was prohibited after 9.00pm. In 1918, 11 candidates were initiated during the year with a number of these brethren being passed and raised by the end of the year. It was not uncommon to carry out two different ceremonies with two candidates for each on the same night. Grand Lodge sanctioned the use of music during Lodge ceremonies which was welcomed as Victoria was well known as a "Musical Lodge". [Back to top]
Due to the Lodge being over subscribed, a new Lodge was formed in March 1921, Faith No. 4223. Seventeen members of Victoria joined the new Lodge. Victoria Lodge continued to thrive during this period. The ritual book was re-written, Masonic knowledge was encouraged and the Lodge continued to support the Province morally and financially. The Lodge committed themselves to a five year subscription to the Lascelles Festival, in honour of the Provincial Grand Master. It was also very supportive of the new building which they moved in to in September 1928. In 1927 we also saw the birth of our first Grand-daughter, Temple No. 4963 consecrated under the auspices of King Edward VII. [Back to top]
Throughout this decade, Bradford with its textile industry was in the doldrums. The decade also saw the General Strike and the start of World War II, but despite these difficulties the Lodge continued to progress with 36 new members being initiated. In common with all other Lodges, Victoria Lodge on instructions in September 1939 from Grand Lodge suspended Masonic meetings due to the outbreak of war. We only suspended one meeting. Victoria continued, but on Saturday afternoons. [Back to top]
The Lodge continued to operate normally during the war years, but opened earlier so that members were not going home in the blackout. Installations had been changed to Saturday afternoons. Masonry generally appeared to be flourishing in Bradford with the formation of three new Lodges, Felicity in 1944, Criterion in 1946 and St. Peter in 1947. By the end of the year Victoria had a three year waiting list and were refusing membership applications. 1947 saw the 50th anniversary celebrations, at the meeting on 15th September 1947, in addition to 69 members of Victoria there were 146 visitors including the P.G.M., his Deputy and many other distinguished guests. Due to rationing, the menu was a frugal affair and unfortunately a food parcel from Victoria 21, New Zealand, arrived too late to improve the quality or quantity of the meal. [Back to top]
This period was of continued stability but with a reduction in applicants, so waiting was months rather than years. 1957 saw the celebration of the Diamond Jubilee when W.Bro. J.H. Bromley, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, presented a new Banner. November 1958 was the Installation of Bro. Clifford M. Kershaw, initiated in 1941, as Worshipful Master and who is now the longest serving active member of the Lodge. [Back to top]
For the first time in over 60 years, a Past Master was required to re-occupy the Chair due to lack of qualified Brethren willing to go forward, although the Lodge still had in excess of 40 members at regular meetings. In 1968 the Lodge honoured W.Bro. R.C. Thackeray, P.P.G.W. for 60 years membership and service. This record has yet to be broken. In 1969, two W. Brethren from Canada who were Grandsons of founder members paid a visit. [Back to top]
During the 70's there was a ceremony at every regular Lodge meeting and there was a very regular flow of candidates. There were always 25 to 30 visitors together with our 40 members filling the Temple and there would be 120 to 150 for an Installation. Victoria Lodge was "on a high" during this decade. In December 1976 a scroll recording the details leading up to the formation, the consecration ceremony and the first year's activities was returned and presented to us. The scroll had been misplaced for nearly eighty years and is currently available for all to see and read. [Back to top]
In 1982 the subscription was £50 and by 1986 it was £100, perhaps one of the reasons for the reduction in membership. But it appears that Victoria Lodge were not alone with their problems, reducing numbers meant increasing cost per capita and this had a snowball effect. In February 1987, Mr Williams failed to turn up for his initiation, never to be seen again! Although we initiated 15 new members in this period, 9 of these left the Lodge before the end of the decade. It appears that it was the result of quantity rather than quality of membership. In addition there were 10 resignations, 4 deaths and 2 exclusions. Even 2 joining members resigned. By 1990, from the heydays of 18 Lodges there were only 8 left at the Connaught Rooms, from 1500 down to less than 300 Brethren. The building was sold and the remaining Lodges leased back one floor, Victoria Lodge pledged their support.
Tragically due to illness we lost a Secretary and two Treasurers whilst in office. W.Bro. Donald Blakeley dies suddenly in his ninth term of office as Secretary. W.Bro. Chris Baines collapsed and died from a heart attack at the age of 42, having only recently taken over as Treasurer. W.Bro. Derek Ward succeeded him as Treasurer only to die three years later after a short illness. Due to the lack of qualified Brethren, it meant that in the latter part of the decade we had to recycle not only Past Masters, but also Senior and Junior Wardens for continuity. However there were one or two brighter moments during these 10 years. In 1983 Victoria Lodge organised an indoor games evening using all the rooms of the Connaught for competitive indoor types of games including darts, bowls, putting etc. Teams from 15 Lodges took part and there was a Pie & Pea supper. Fun and fellowship and it raised money for Masonic charity. In 1984 we initiated our first Methodist and in 1989 Simon Blakeley, the son of W.Bro. Donald Blakeley was initiated. In 1990 the Lodge installed Bro. Douglas Maughan as Worshipful Master after a remarkable recovery from viral meningitis which had previously stopped him going forward. [Back to top]
In May 1991 we celebrated the 50th anniversary in Masonry of W.Bro. Kershaw who had been initiated into Victoria in May 1941. There were 96 guests at the festive dinner and W.Bro. Howroyd, Assistant Provincial Grand Master presented a certificate. W.Bro. Kershaw had invited 50 personal guests, one guest for every year that he had been in Masonry. In 1991 the Lodge membership was below 20, but six years later in September 1997 we have 34 active and committed members who enjoy their Masonry. In June 1993 we celebrated W.Bro. Raymond Bennet's 50 years of Masonry in Victoria Lodge, and who had been Treasurer for 19 years. A Jubilee certificate was presented by W.Bro. Culpan of Temple Lodge on behalf of the Province. There were 31 guests celebrating the occasion.
In February 1994, due to the Secretary being called away urgently on business leaving
the books unavailable, the minutes of the previous meeting were not read. Once in 97
years is not a bad record! In June 1994 we were honoured by the presence of the
Provincial Grand Master, Rt.W.Bro. J. Trevor Broadley JP, together with 51 visitors who
came to support our ceremony, which was a raising. March 1995 saw the initiation of
our first Asian into the Lodge. A very highly respected gentleman who wisely left
Uganda in Africa where he was working and took up residence in Bradford. He is an
excellent Mason and has all the qualities that are being sought to keep the standards that
we try to achieve, irrespective of race or creed. Recently we have initiated a
Doctor from the same ethnic background, who again was the right candidate for Masonry.
Bradford being a textile city, in the early part of the century we had members with
Germanic background. Now Bradford is a more cosmopolitan city, Victoria Lodge is
reflecting this change with a more international and jet-setting membership.
Victoria Lodge has always made its presence felt in the Province with the appointments
to active rank of W.Bro. Gough as Senior Deacon in 1992, W.Bro. Higgins as Assistant
Director of Ceremonies in 1994 and W.Bro. Frankel as Superintendent of Works for 1996 and
1997. February 19th 1996 saw one of our worst snow blizzards of the winter and only
3 members who actually worked in Bradford made it to the Lodge. Fortunately they
found another half dozen stranded Masons from other Lodges who assisted to open the Lodge
at 7.04pm and close it again at 7.15pm. Eleven minutes to open and close must be a
record!!
For the second time since he went into office, in March 1997 we had the pleasure and
honour of the presence of the Provincial Grand Master, Rt.W.Bro. J. Trevor Broadley JP who
came as a guest and not in an official capacity. There were 41 guests who witnessed
an excellent initiation ceremony. During the last 5 years the Lodge was actively
raising money through its members by sporting and social events, not only to support the
1996 Festival for the Grand Charity, which we did and are recognised as a Patron Lodge for
our donations, but with a view to celebrating 100 years in September 1997 - not only with
a banquet, momentos, booklet and jewel to remind us of the occasion, but in order to
present a gift to the Provincial Grand Master's Charity Fund, worthy of a Lodge 100 years
old.
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