On the 24th May 1877, Newton Lodge No1661 was consecrated at the Town Hall, Newark-on-Trent but by the following month, probably due to the size and exposure of the Town Hall. the Brethren changed the venue to rooms rented at the Newark Savings Bank on Lombard Street. The members of Newton Lodge appointed a Committee in 1880 to consider the formation of a Mark Lodge resulting in the Consecration of Fleming Mark Lodge No. 265 at the Savings Bank on 9th August 1880.
Early in 1881, W.Bro. Rev. F. Vernon Bussell proposed the formation of Alexander Chapter No. 1661 which was consecrated at the Town Hall on 17th November of that year but it then decided to join the Craft and Mark Lodges in using the rooms at the Newark Savings Bank. Magnus Chapter Rose Croix No. 109, consecrated at the Town Hall on 26th February 1889 also opted to change to the rooms at the Savings Bank.
This arrangement continued quite happily until 1893 when the Trustees of the Savings Bank announced that the building was to be advertised for sale. The Master and Treasurer of Newton Lodge were authorised to make an offer but the premises realised a higher sum than they thought justified in bidding. Fortunately, a new home was found on the first floor of the former Ridge's Shop on the corner of the Market Place and Bridge Street (now Porters Butchers) at an annual rental of £15, ending the sixteen year tenancy of the upper floor of the Newark Savings Bank which later became the Estate Offices of the Duke of Newcastle and is currently home to Ambitions Personnel Recruitment Agency.
The early 19th century house had been the home of John Ridge, printer and publisher of the first poems of Lord Byron in 1806 and the Brethren used the same entrance door through which had stepped the illustrious poet when delivering his proof sheets almost a hundred years before. On 12th January 1894 the Lodge Rooms were dedicated b Lieut-Colonel Newton in his capacity as Deputy Provincial Grand Master. In 1902 the rooms were registered as the Newark Masonic Club and Mr. & Mrs. E. Smith were appointed as Caretakers at a salary of £1.5s.0d a quarter.
At an Emergency Meeting of Newton Lodge on 10th December 1923, it was unanimously agreed to open its own Lodge Building Fund, the Initiation fee to be 20 guineas, half for general Lodge Funds, 21/2 guineas for the Provincial Grand Lodge Building Fund and the remaining 71/2 guineas for the Newton Lodge Building Fund. The second Craft Lodge in the Borough, Corinthian No. 5528 was Consecrated on 12th April 1935, initially meeting at the Town Hall and then transferring its meetings to the Masonic Rooms.
The long cherished ideal of the Past-Masters for their own permanent Masonic home in the Borough began to materialise at a meeting on 15th November 1937 when the Newton Lodge New Building Sub-committee was formed comprising the Worshipful Master W.Bro. J. H. Knight, the Treasurer W.Bro. G. W. Hart, the Secretary W.Bro S. A. Hildage, the Director of Ceremonies W.Bro. H. Lamb, the Assistant Secretary W.Bro. J. Gardner, W.Bro. R. I. Derry and Bro. J. H. Clarke.
The minutes of this meeting record that it was agreed to approach the Nottinghamshire Provincial Grand Lodge to ascertain
"Whether in the event of going forward with the erection of a new temple they would advance a loan and if so, on what terms"
but in reply the Provincial Grand Secretary advised that the General Purposes Committee had no funds available for such a purpose.
Undeterred, the Past-Masters met on 5th April 1938, approved in principle preliminary plans for a new Masonic Temple and authorised the Building Sub-committee to meet Bro. C. W. Jenkinson of Corinthian Lodge
"To discuss details as to 'The Towers' and bring forward a report and scheme the Past-Masters"
The Towers' being a private house in The Avenue, London Road.
Six days later, the Building Sub-committee recommended:
1. That 'The Towers' be purchased from Bro. Jenkinson at approximately the sum of £300
2. That the Lodge go forward with plans with a view to themselves carrying through the work of converting the premises into a Masonic Temple.
3. That a special meeting of the Lodge be called to consider and determine such recommendations.
These recommendations were accepted by the Past-Masters of Newton Lodge who visited the Masonic Hall, Nottingham to view one of the Temples for some guidance as to the size of the room. The majority of the Past-Masters of Newton Lodge were also founders of the Corinthian Lodge No. 5528, consecrated only 3 years before, and. undoubtedly represented the interests of the latter but Magnus Lodge No. 3441 which was sponsored by Newton Lodge and was consecrated at the Town Hall on 26th May' 1910 had continued to meet there.
Magnus Lodge was invited to be represented at a meeting on 23rd April 1938 when it was agreed to engage an architect to prepare plans for converting 'The Towers' into a Masonic Hall. Mr. William Saunders was the architect selected, and representatives of Newton, Corinthian, Magnus and Fleming Mark Lodges, and Alexander Chapter resolved that a progress report be issued to their members. This informed them that in the first instance an outline plan had been prepared by Bro. J. H. Clarke, A.M.I.C.E. the then Borough Surveyor for alterations and additions to The Towers to form a new Masonic Hall at an estimated cost of £3000 and on the basis of this, Mr. William plan and architect's sketch of the proposals.
Tenders were invited for the work involved and were submitted by J. Wright & Son for £3,800, Blighton and Clarkson for £3,978.10s.0d, Smiths (Newark) Ltd. for £4,014 and George Brown & Sons £4055. Bro. J. H. Clarke was authorised to liaise with the architect for modifications to the scheme to reduce the cost which effected a revised figure of £3400.
The Secretary of the Sub-committee W.Bro. J. Gardner who was also the Borough Treasurer of the time, prepared a statement of the estimated capital cost of the Masonic Hall at £4,200 including new furniture and fittings, and suggested that gifts from the Brethren amounting to £400 could be expected, the balance of £3,800 to be raised by mortgage at 31/2 %. The probable expenditure of £302.10s.0d per year for maintenance, fuel, lighting, caretaking plus the interest on mortgage was deemed practical to be met by income from Lodge rents.
At a special meeting of the Brethren of all the Lodges and Chapter in the Borough, unqualified approval was given for the scheme to proceed and a Finance Sub-committee was appointed to raise the necessary funds.
Meetings of the Past-Masters and of the Finance and Buildings Sub-committees followed in rapid succession, 'The Towers' was purchased for £300 and on the advice of Jordan & Sons Ltd., Company Registration Agents of London, 'The Newark-on-Trent Masonic Hall Co. Ltd.' was incorporated on 9th March 1939.
The Articles of Association state inter alia:
"The objects for which the Company is established are: To purchase, erect, establish, alter, maintain, take on lease or exchange or otherwise acquire and hold any real and personal property and any rights, privileges or easements over, or in respect of any property with all necessary or convenient curtilages. outbuildings, annexes and appurtenances, and to enter into and do all contracts and acts necessary for the purchasing or acquiring of land or buildings and for the erection and furnishing of such buildings and to use the same premises or to let them for the purposes of Freemasonry.
Also:
"To borrow or raise money in such manner as the Company shall think fit and in particular by the issue of Debentures or Debenture Stock."
It is a Company Limited by Guarantee and not having a share capital, all Freemasons who are members of the Masonic bodies meeting at the Newark Masonic Hall are automatically elected members of the Company, individual liability being limited to £5 in the event of the Company being wound up during his membership or within one year of ceasing to be a member. All such Lodges, Chapters and Side Degrees elect their own representatives to the Board of Directors annually, with additional Directors elected at the Annual General Meetings.
The first subscribers for the Memorandum of Association were:
1. John Harrison Knight, Brackenhurst, London Road, Newark. Provision & wine merchant
2. S.A. Hildage, 12 The Park, Newark. Schoolmaster (Retired).
3. Herbert Lamb, Eversfield, London Road, New Balderton, Newark. Engineer
4. John William Howard, The Lyndons, London Road, Newark. Coal merchant
5. John Alexander Markwick, York House, Farndon Road, Newark. Bank Manager
6. Robert Ironmonger Derry, London Road, Newark. Plumber & Heating Engineer
7. Percy John Charles Staniland, 8 Bridge Street. Newark. Pork butcher
8. John Thomas Harrison, The Hollies, Farndon Road, Newark. Brewery Secretary
9. J. Gardner, 74 London Road, Newark. Professional accountant as witness to the signatures of the subscribers was the first Company Secretary.
Meanwhile the revised tender of J. Wright & Son for £3,546.4s.0d had been accepted for alterations to The Towers to provide a Robing Room, Secretary’s Office, bar and caretaker’s flat with a new building incorporating a Kitchen and Dining Room with Temple over. Now the prime object of the Directors was to raise the necessary money to meet the capitol cost which finally totalled £4,625.15s.0d including new furniture and legal charges.
£10 Debentures at 3.5% interest were offered to the Brethren and £2,030 was taken up, an appeal for donations raised £750.17s.4d. but the balance of over £1800 was met by overdaft at Barclay's Bank.
The Masonic Rooms in the Market Place were last used on 30th May 1939 and arrangements were completed for the Dedication of the new Masonic Hall in The Avenue on 26th September 1939. With the outbreak of the Second World War on 3rd September 1939 and the Declaration of a State of National Emergency, Grand Lodge temporarily. suspended all Lodge meetings. The Dedication Ceremony was postponed and the building was requisitioned by the Military authorities. Fortunately it was soon released enabling a revised date to be selected but the banquet originally planned to fallow at the Town Hall was replaced by light refreshments at the Masonic Hall.
On Tuesday, 31st October 1939 all the planning and efforts of the Past-Masters came to fruition when at 2.45 p.m. the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, W.Bro. F. H. Starling, assisted by several Provincial Grand Lode Officers commenced the Ceremony of Dedication. The opening words of the Oration by the Provincial Grand Chaplain, Bro Revd. R. P. Tinsley were:
"It is a great joy for me to play my part as Provincial Grand Chaplain in this ceremony of the Dedication of your Masonic Temple, but I am sure it is an even greater joy to the local Freemasons who witness today the fulfilment of a long cherished dream to have a Temple of your own Worthy of the G.A.O.T.U. and of the Craft which exists to do Him honour and worship.
The history of the Newark Masonic Hall is naturally intertwined with that of the Newark-on-Trent Masonic Hall Co. Ltd., as the responsible body for the upkeep and improvement of the building. At the first Board meeting on 26th May, 1939, annual rents of £200 for Newton Lodge, £40 for Corinthian Lodge and £15 each for Fleming Mark and Alexander Chapter were fixed. The following month saw approval of rules for a Masonic club and the appointment of Bro. W. E. Coppin as Steward to live in the flat at the Masonic Hall:
"Free of rent and rates at a salary of £20 per annum, payable quarterly".
Following the dedication of the premises as a Masonic Hall, consideration was given to letting them for a Masonic dinner-dance which was agreed:
"Provided that a rent of one shilling per head be paid, minimum charge to be £3 and that the number of tickets be restricted to 100".
In May 1940 the Company Secretary, Bro. J. Gardner reported that the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, W.Bro. Starling had given a further £100 bringing his donations to £160 towards the expenses of the Company.
With the Bank pressing strongly in 1942 for repayment of the outstanding overdraft of £1,448.6s.4d the Brethren took up further Debentures to a final total of £3,800 in clearance of the debt. The 2nd December 1943 saw a revision of annual rents payable. Newton Lodge to be reduced to £145, Corinthian Lodge increased to £75, Fleming Mark Lodge and Alexander Chapter to be increased to £21 each. Two years later a Museum Sub-committee was formed from which evolved the present Mace Museum and Library. At the same time, Bro. W. E. Coppin's salary as a Steward was increased from £20 to £26 per annum, he and his wife to continue to prepare the meals for the two Craft and one Mark Lodges and Alexander Chapter.
Following complaints from residents in the Avenue in 1946, the Directors suggested:
"that members should on Lodge nights vacate the premises not later than 10.45 p.m
.
A Sub-committee appointed to consider
"the question of making further use of the Masonic Hall with a view to increasing income"
recommended that
"the best way of achieving this was to ask the various Lodges and Chapter for an increase in their respective contributions so as to produce to the Company an additional sum of not less than £50 per annum"
and revised rentals were agreed.
After full consideration of the Government's regulations as to the limitation of the numbers at dinners during food rationing, the Directors re-iterated their earlier decision that this should not exceed 100.
Late in 1948, Bro. T. Ford offered to give an organ, formerly belonging to Lord Galway and little used, for the Temple which was gratefully accepted.
In April 1950. the local Food Officer withdrew the authority of the Masonic Hall to purchase meat, intimating that this should never have been granted but fortunately after a short period of meatless meals, the authority was re-instated and the Brethren were able to enjoy the short the small ration allowed at that time. In the following year, the Steward's salary was increased from £26 to £36 per annum but Bro. W. E. Coppin later advised the Board was he was relinquishing the position on moving to a private house in June 1952. A Sub-committee appointed to consider a possible successor prepared a schedule of:
“the Steward's duties, emoluments and perquisites",
recommending a remuneration of £36 per annum with accommodation in the flat free of rent and rates, and on 1st June 1952 Mr. A. R. Kemp was selected to fill the vacancy, he and his wife to be responsible for the general cleanliness of the building and to prepare and cook meals for the Lodge and Chapter meetings. A presentation of £25 was made to the retiring Steward and his wife for their past excellent services.
As a result of applications for the use of the Masonic Hall for private functions, the Board resolved to limit such hire to Brethren of the Lodges and Chapter meeting there, at a fee of £10 with all intoxicating drinks to be purchased through the Masonic Club.
In 1956 the Secretary forecast a deficit on the Income and Expenditure Account and in an effort to defray this an abortive invitation was extended to the Magnus Lodge to change the venue of its meetings from the Town Hall to the Masonic Hall. As a result it was agreed that Lodges and Chapter should be charged six shillings per member per meeting as Lodge rents. Meanwhile, it had been decided that the payment for the services as Caretakers be made to the wife of Bro. A. R. Kemp at an annual rate of £36.
In April 1961, Bro. Kemp gave notice that they would be leaving this post on their purchase of a private house and after advertising for successors, Mr. and Mrs. C. Smith were jointly appointed at £60 a year, Bro. and Mrs. Kemp receiving a retirement presentation of ten guineas.
Following his appointment as Chairman in 1966, W.Bro. J. W. Howard inspected the whole of the premises, recommending
"The adoption of a policy of maintenance and improvement so that the Hall could become a credit to Masonry and provide better amenities for the Brethren”.
A schedule of repairs and improvements estimated to cost £1,300 was prepared, to be financed by an increase in Lodge rents to 12 shillings per member per Lodge meeting. and almost £2,000 was expended during the next 12 months.
The minutes of 6th February 1968 record complaints of neglect of duties by Mr. and Mrs. Shaw after only a short term as Caretakers and they were requested to resign, Mr. and Mrs. B. Belfield being appointed in their stead
"At a remuneration of £15 per quarter plus payments by Lodges for preparing meals".
In 1969 a further report on internal and external repairs and maintenance to the building was submitted to be executed over the next few years and in view of the estimated expenditure the Chairman, W.Bro, J. W. Howard was authorised to issue an appeal to the Brethren for donations which realised £670.16s.5d. towards the cost.
An application for the use of the Masonic Hall by a proposed new Craft Lodge to be named 'Newark Lodge and sponsored by Corinthian Lodge No. 5528 was approved on the 16th February 1970 and the new Lodge was Consecrated on 11th September that year.
During the power crisis in 1974, the general use of electricity at the Masonic Hall was limited by the Department of Trade & Industry to Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays only, being prohibited on other days except for the central heating plant and safety purposes on stairways.
Arrangements to comply were made by the lodges and Chapter, and Magnus Lodge still meeting at the Town Hall enquired if it could transfer to the Masonic Hall on 8th October 1974 which was readily agreed.
In the same year a new electronic organ donated in memory of the late W.Bro. N.A. Green was installed in the Temple, and at the suggestion of W.Bro. Rev. Canon B. Woodhams the old organ was gifted to St. Mary's Church, Kilvington.
At the Board meeting on 21st February, 1975, W.Bro, S. G. Porter applied for permission to use the premises by a proposed Royal Ark Mariners Lodge which received unanimous approval, the new Lodge being Consecrated on 18th June 1975. Later that year, the Caretakers, Mr. & Mrs. B. Belfield retired and Mrs. F. Smith was appointed with additional part-time help for cleaning duties.
Two years later at the request of the Directors, the Chairman, W.Bro. S. I. Derry, the Vice-Chairman, W.Bro. N. W. F. Davy and the Company Secretary, Bro. L. H. Hordle compiled a report on essential maintenance and preservation of the property, recommending a comprehensive programme costing an estimated £10,000. Although a large item of expenditure was avoided by a band of volunteer Brethren who redecorated the Temple, Dining room, Robing room and toilets, together with an appeal by the Vice-Chairman which raised £575 and with inflation currently running at 15%, it was obvious that even the most swingeing increase by Lodge rents could not achieve such a budget.
W.Bro. J. H. Lawrence supported by W.Bro. C. H. Masding proposed the formation of a Ways & Means Committee, they agreeing to act as Secretary and Chairman respectively, with representatives from the various Masonic bodies, to raise funds for the different projects. From a relatively small beginning, this Committee has extended its activities, arranging garden parties, coffee mornings, luncheons, dinner-dances and lectures, now raising some £8000 each year and providing much social enjoyment for the Brethren, their wives, families and friends.
At the board meeting on 21st December 1978 the resignation of Mrs. E. Smith as Caretaker was received and the offer of W.Bro R.H. Longdon to act as Catering Officer supervising the kitchen staff for the meals supplied to the Brethren on Lodge and Chapter evenings and at other Masonic functions was accepted, the maximum number of diners to be 130 and the cleaning duties to be undertaken by part-time cleaners. Improvements in fire precautions throughout the building required by the Fire Authorities and refurbishment of the bar area. Involved an expenditure of £5,948 and during the period of continuing high inflation, a temporary cash flow problem was only relieved by the generosity of five Brethren who made interest free loans of indeterminate duration totalling £2,700
The rapid expansion of Freemasonry in the town during the next few years with the consecrations of Trent Mark Lodge No. 1526, Pilgrim Preceptory The No. 495, St. John's No. 8972, Newark Vernon Russell Chapter No. 8332 and Castle Lodge 359, together with the transfer of meetings of Magnus Chapter Rose Croix No. 109 from the Town Hall to the Masonic Hall obliged the Directors to formulate a permanent diary of regular meetings with dates allocated for practices, Lodges of instruction and Study Circles and at the request of the members at the Annual General Meeting a Catering Committee with representatives from the Masonic bodies was instituted with W.Bro. R. N. Longden to continue as Catering Officer.
In July 1982, a diary of meetings and events entitled The Newark Password' was launched, edited by W.Bro. H. Emerson, funded by the Ways & Means Committee and issued free to local Freemasons and to the principal Provincial Grand Lodge Officers. This has continued to be published half yearly and includes letters and articles of Masonic interest from the Brethren.
The Masonic ladies sought permission to hold a Luncheon Club at the Masonic Hall which was granted in the autumn of 1983, membership to be restricted to wives, widows and daughters of Freemasons. These are held monthly from September to May, with a speaker on topical subjects and have proved most popular with the 66 members, engendering enjoyable social contact particularly for the widows.
A request in 1986 from members of the Luncheon Club to use a room at the Masonic Hall for flower arranging classes under the guidance and tuition of Mrs. K. Croskell was approved and these are well supported each Monday afternoon for three terms each of ten weeks from autumn to Easter, their floral arrangements adding beauty to Masonic dinners and social events. A Flower Festival on Masonic themes created much interest apart from the welcome revenue raised.
During the same year the Mace Museum and Library was extended into the disused Caretaker's flat and completely refurbished, enabling the Masonic relics collected over many years to be displayed to full advantage.
W.Bro. R. N. Longden stood down in August 1986 after eight years as voluntary Catering Officer. A retirement presentation was made to him and his wife for their valued services and W.Bro. J. Oliver agreed to undertake the duties of Catering Co-ordinator.
The Directors turned their attention in 1987 to extending and updating the Kitchen and to Improving the Dining room. Pledges by the Brethren to an appeal for interest free loans totalled £14,850 and a contract for the first phase, the remodelling of the Kitchen and its equipment was placed for £8,708. On completion early in 1988, the total cost including essential extra work was £10,723
In the spring of 1989, plans were prepared for the second phase, the refurbishing of the Dining room and Annexe including new lighting, wall panels incorporating suitable Masonic emblems and complete redecoration at an estimated cost of £4,500. The Golden Jubilee celebrations commenced with a two day Flower Festival organised by Mrs. K. Croskell and her Masonic Ladies flower arranging class at Newark Masonic Hall in the Autumn, followed by a Thanksgiving Service and dinner for Brethren at Kelham Hall, exactly 50 years to the day and date from the original Ceremony of Dedication.
W.Bro L.H. Hordle PPrSGD