In The Beginning
O Lord, when thou givest to Thy Servants to endeavour any great matter, grant us also to know
that it is not the beginning but the continuing of the same till it be thoroughly finished, which
yieldeth the true glory.
Prayer of Sir Francis Drake before the Battle of the Armada.
If those words were in the mind of Henry Keir and the other 'Twelve men of Brighouse' when they
founded 'The Rastrick Lodge' number 4885, history will show whether or not any glory has ensued
from their efforts.
It is common knowledge that The Rastrick Lodge was consecrated on the 2nd March 1927 and given
the number 4885 on the register of the United Grand Lodge of England. What is not generally
known is the difficulty W Bro Kier and the others had in obtaining permission to form the Lodge.
Reference is made in the history prepared for the Centenary celebrations of our Mother Lodge of
Brighouse 1301 that on the 26th February 1926 a meeting of Brighouse Lodge was held to discuss
the possibility of forming a new lodge. It was carried that a petition be completed and forwarded to
Grand Lodge, praying that a Charter would be granted and that the Lodge would be named Rastrick
Lodge.
What is not included in the history are the full facts regarding the 'birth' of the first daughter Lodge
of 1301.
that it is not the beginning but the continuing of the same till it be thoroughly finished, which
yieldeth the true glory.
Prayer of Sir Francis Drake before the Battle of the Armada.
If those words were in the mind of Henry Keir and the other 'Twelve men of Brighouse' when they
founded 'The Rastrick Lodge' number 4885, history will show whether or not any glory has ensued
from their efforts.
It is common knowledge that The Rastrick Lodge was consecrated on the 2nd March 1927 and given
the number 4885 on the register of the United Grand Lodge of England. What is not generally
known is the difficulty W Bro Kier and the others had in obtaining permission to form the Lodge.
Reference is made in the history prepared for the Centenary celebrations of our Mother Lodge of
Brighouse 1301 that on the 26th February 1926 a meeting of Brighouse Lodge was held to discuss
the possibility of forming a new lodge. It was carried that a petition be completed and forwarded to
Grand Lodge, praying that a Charter would be granted and that the Lodge would be named Rastrick
Lodge.
What is not included in the history are the full facts regarding the 'birth' of the first daughter Lodge
of 1301.
The annals of Freemasonry show that after any major conflict between Nations of the World
interest in Freemasonry increases. This was very evident after the 1914 - 18 war and in the early
1920's membership of Lodges in the Province of West Yorkshire as it was then known were on the
increase. Brighouse Lodge had a large and increasing membership and it was felt that new
members had little chance of reaching a progressive office.
In 1922 W Bro Henry Keir attended a meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge held at Barnsley when
the Provincial Grand Master R W Bro Sir W P Raynor J.P. made reference to 'Over crowded
Lodges'. This was put to the Past Masters of Brighouse Lodge who took the remarks as a clear
indication to form a new Lodge from amongst their eighty-six members. Bro Keir wrote to the
Provincial Grand Master on the 17th March 1922 asking for an opinion before further steps were
taken and was informed by the PGM on 29th March 1922 that whilst the number of members
indicated that sooner, or later it would be desirable for Brighouse Lodge to extend the basis of its
operations the present time was not opportune and he could not recommend Grand Lodge to grant a
new warrant. Perhaps favourable consideration would be given in one or two year's time.
The PGM repeated his comments about over crowded Lodges at meetings of Provincial Grand
Lodge at Bradford on 7th May 1924, Huddersfield 6th May 1925 and Ilkley on 28th October 1925,
and as previously stated on 26th February 1926 a specially convened meeting was held at Brighouse
Lodge and the wheels were set in motion. The full resolution read:
That a Petition be completed and forwarded to Grand Lodge praying that a Charter be granted and
that the Lodge be named Rastrick Lodge that the ritual of Brighouse Lodge be adopted; that the
furniture and equipment belonging to Brighouse Lodge be used; that the annual subscription be
£2.2s.0d (£2.10p) and that the following be Founder Members - W Bros. Henry Keir, Fred
Hopkinson and Harry Taylor, and Bros. Lister Brook, Louis James Haigh, Samuel Bedford,
Frederick Moore, John Foster Brown, James Arthur Hall, Arthur Charles Lane, Arthur cliff Kear
and John Armitage, all subscribing members of the Lodge.
Bro. Louis James Haigh was appointed Acting Secretary, and who can say for with a change of
PGM and acting secretary on 9th October 1926 the Provincial Grand Secretary Chas. E Frobisher
notified Bro Haigh that the petition to form Rastrick Lodge had been approved, and a Warrant of
Constitution granted. (Unlike Mother Lodge we still possess the original Warrant).
interest in Freemasonry increases. This was very evident after the 1914 - 18 war and in the early
1920's membership of Lodges in the Province of West Yorkshire as it was then known were on the
increase. Brighouse Lodge had a large and increasing membership and it was felt that new
members had little chance of reaching a progressive office.
In 1922 W Bro Henry Keir attended a meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge held at Barnsley when
the Provincial Grand Master R W Bro Sir W P Raynor J.P. made reference to 'Over crowded
Lodges'. This was put to the Past Masters of Brighouse Lodge who took the remarks as a clear
indication to form a new Lodge from amongst their eighty-six members. Bro Keir wrote to the
Provincial Grand Master on the 17th March 1922 asking for an opinion before further steps were
taken and was informed by the PGM on 29th March 1922 that whilst the number of members
indicated that sooner, or later it would be desirable for Brighouse Lodge to extend the basis of its
operations the present time was not opportune and he could not recommend Grand Lodge to grant a
new warrant. Perhaps favourable consideration would be given in one or two year's time.
The PGM repeated his comments about over crowded Lodges at meetings of Provincial Grand
Lodge at Bradford on 7th May 1924, Huddersfield 6th May 1925 and Ilkley on 28th October 1925,
and as previously stated on 26th February 1926 a specially convened meeting was held at Brighouse
Lodge and the wheels were set in motion. The full resolution read:
That a Petition be completed and forwarded to Grand Lodge praying that a Charter be granted and
that the Lodge be named Rastrick Lodge that the ritual of Brighouse Lodge be adopted; that the
furniture and equipment belonging to Brighouse Lodge be used; that the annual subscription be
£2.2s.0d (£2.10p) and that the following be Founder Members - W Bros. Henry Keir, Fred
Hopkinson and Harry Taylor, and Bros. Lister Brook, Louis James Haigh, Samuel Bedford,
Frederick Moore, John Foster Brown, James Arthur Hall, Arthur Charles Lane, Arthur cliff Kear
and John Armitage, all subscribing members of the Lodge.
Bro. Louis James Haigh was appointed Acting Secretary, and who can say for with a change of
PGM and acting secretary on 9th October 1926 the Provincial Grand Secretary Chas. E Frobisher
notified Bro Haigh that the petition to form Rastrick Lodge had been approved, and a Warrant of
Constitution granted. (Unlike Mother Lodge we still possess the original Warrant).
It was only now that the real work commenced. The first major decision taken was to apply to the Governors of Rastrick Grammar School
for permission to use the School Badge or Coat of Arms on the Lodge Banner and Stationery. The Board of Governors approved this but
Grand Lodge required certain points clarifying before their approval could be given.
Whilst presenting this brief history for the 75th Anniversary celebrations of Rastrick Lodge the writers path crossed that of one of the SeniorPast Masters of Brighouse Lodge who is researching the 'Lodge Banner' with a view to giving a talk to the Lodge during our 75th year.
Two points only will be mentioned here and these to answer questions usually asked by members and visitors to the Lodge
a) Why are the square and compasses reversed?
b) Why the Red Rose?
The answer to (a) is look closely - it is not a square but a Chevron no doubt the Compasses added as an afterthought.
(b) The Coat of Arms of Rastrick Grammar School is composed of two old Rastrick Families the Hanson family and De Rastrick family
The arms being;
HANSON ONE OR A CHEVRON COUNTEE COMPONÉ ARGENT AND AZURE BETWEEN THREE MARTLETS SABLE
DE RASTRICK ARGENT AND CHEVRON BETWEEN THREE ROSES GULES
Nothing was left to chance even down to asking permission from the Borough Club for brethren attending the Consecration to use the Club facilities for in those days the Masonic Rooms consisted of the Temple and Supper room with no access to the club premises on the ground floor except by invitation from a club member.
Freemasons in those days must have had wonderful constitutions as correspondence shows that a 'light' lunch consisting of Soup, boiled
mutton and tongue with caper sauce, turnips and potatoes, a sweet and coffee was supplied for the Consecrating Officers and Founders,
followed by the Consecration Banquet detailed later.
Returning to the meeting held on 26th February 1926 it will be seen that 'Mother ' intended to keep a close eye on 'Daughter' in that
Brighouse Ritual and Furniture was to be used. Progress has seen that daughter is now able to stand on her own two feet, but that close
bond founded in 1926 and nurtured over 75 years has seen a close bond between Brighouse and Rastrick Lodges that is 'unique' and long may it continue for the good of Freemasonry in general.
for permission to use the School Badge or Coat of Arms on the Lodge Banner and Stationery. The Board of Governors approved this but
Grand Lodge required certain points clarifying before their approval could be given.
Whilst presenting this brief history for the 75th Anniversary celebrations of Rastrick Lodge the writers path crossed that of one of the SeniorPast Masters of Brighouse Lodge who is researching the 'Lodge Banner' with a view to giving a talk to the Lodge during our 75th year.
Two points only will be mentioned here and these to answer questions usually asked by members and visitors to the Lodge
a) Why are the square and compasses reversed?
b) Why the Red Rose?
The answer to (a) is look closely - it is not a square but a Chevron no doubt the Compasses added as an afterthought.
(b) The Coat of Arms of Rastrick Grammar School is composed of two old Rastrick Families the Hanson family and De Rastrick family
The arms being;
HANSON ONE OR A CHEVRON COUNTEE COMPONÉ ARGENT AND AZURE BETWEEN THREE MARTLETS SABLE
DE RASTRICK ARGENT AND CHEVRON BETWEEN THREE ROSES GULES
Nothing was left to chance even down to asking permission from the Borough Club for brethren attending the Consecration to use the Club facilities for in those days the Masonic Rooms consisted of the Temple and Supper room with no access to the club premises on the ground floor except by invitation from a club member.
Freemasons in those days must have had wonderful constitutions as correspondence shows that a 'light' lunch consisting of Soup, boiled
mutton and tongue with caper sauce, turnips and potatoes, a sweet and coffee was supplied for the Consecrating Officers and Founders,
followed by the Consecration Banquet detailed later.
Returning to the meeting held on 26th February 1926 it will be seen that 'Mother ' intended to keep a close eye on 'Daughter' in that
Brighouse Ritual and Furniture was to be used. Progress has seen that daughter is now able to stand on her own two feet, but that close
bond founded in 1926 and nurtured over 75 years has seen a close bond between Brighouse and Rastrick Lodges that is 'unique' and long may it continue for the good of Freemasonry in general.
Rastrick Grammar School Crest
Consecration
The founder members of The Rastrick Lodge 4885 were:
The founder members of The Rastrick Lodge 4885 were:
Name |
Occupation |
Home Town |
W Bro. Henry Keir |
Secretary |
Brighouse |
W Bro. Frederick Hopkinson PPAGDC |
Opticician |
Brighouse |
W Bro. Henry Taylor |
Paper Merchant |
Clifton |
Bro. Lister Brook |
Contractor |
Brighouse |
Bro. Louis James Haigh |
Dyeworks Manager |
Brighouse |
Bro. Samuel Bedford |
Wire Manufacturer |
Lightcliffe |
Bro. Frederick Moore |
School Master |
Brighouse |
Bro. John Foster Brown |
Engineer |
Lightcliffe |
Bro. James Arthur Hall |
Railway Manager |
Brighouse |
Bro. Arthur Charles Lane |
School Master |
Rastrick |
Bro. Arthur Cliff Kear |
Dyer |
Brighouse |
Bro. Joseph Farrar |
Commercial Traveller |
Lightcliffe |
Bro. John Armitage |
Outfitter |
Lightcliffe |
The Rastrick Family Crest
All members of Brighouse Lodge 1301. They had been a fourteenth founder, but W Bro David Pearson, a Wine and Spirit Merchant withdrew for health reasons.
All the founders were appointed to Offices in the Lodge after it was Consecrated on 2nd March 1927 in a ceremony performed by R W Bro The Viscount Lascelles K.G. D.S.O. S G W Provincial Grand Master and his team of officers
In his opening address to the brethren, the P G M pointed out that while the consecration of a new Lodge was a most solemn occasion, it was also a cause for great thankfulness in that it emphasised that the founders were desirous of erecting a new edifice upon the principles taught in Mother Lodge.
He mentioned that Ash Wednesday was a most appropriate day for such an occasion as it symbolised the beginning of a period of sacrifice. This sacrifice culminated in the greatest event for the uplifting of mankind in the history of the world, adding - he sincerely hoped that the Lodge that was to be erected that day would be a power for good not only in the neighbourhood but throughout Freemasonry.
W Bro Henry Keir was installed as the first Master by W Bro. Richard Gill PGD the Deputy Provincial Grand Master and the PGM then invested Bro. Lister Brook and Bro. Louis James Haigh respectively as Senior and Junior Wardens.
The ceremony was attended by a total of 111 Brethren, with 8 apologies, including 38 from Mother Lodge Brighouse 1301, the start of a tradition was has continued to this day. Members of Mother Lodge do not need an invitation to attend meetings, are recorded and saluted separately from other visitors to this day.
Before the Lodge was closed the Charity Rep proposed ' That the Secretary make immediate application for the recognition of Rastrick Lodge 4885 as a Hall Stone Lodge'. This was seconded by the W M. and carried unanimously. Thus Rastrick Lodge from its inception contributed towards the building of the Grand Lodge Temple and Headquarters in London.
The day was concluded with a Consecration Banquet at the cost of 10/6 (ten shillings and sixpence - 53p in today's money) (equivalent to £27.56 in 2017). The menu is reproduced just to show what an outside caterer could provide namely Geo Webster and Son Ltd of Halifax.
All members of Brighouse Lodge 1301. They had been a fourteenth founder, but W Bro David Pearson, a Wine and Spirit Merchant withdrew for health reasons.
All the founders were appointed to Offices in the Lodge after it was Consecrated on 2nd March 1927 in a ceremony performed by R W Bro The Viscount Lascelles K.G. D.S.O. S G W Provincial Grand Master and his team of officers
In his opening address to the brethren, the P G M pointed out that while the consecration of a new Lodge was a most solemn occasion, it was also a cause for great thankfulness in that it emphasised that the founders were desirous of erecting a new edifice upon the principles taught in Mother Lodge.
He mentioned that Ash Wednesday was a most appropriate day for such an occasion as it symbolised the beginning of a period of sacrifice. This sacrifice culminated in the greatest event for the uplifting of mankind in the history of the world, adding - he sincerely hoped that the Lodge that was to be erected that day would be a power for good not only in the neighbourhood but throughout Freemasonry.
W Bro Henry Keir was installed as the first Master by W Bro. Richard Gill PGD the Deputy Provincial Grand Master and the PGM then invested Bro. Lister Brook and Bro. Louis James Haigh respectively as Senior and Junior Wardens.
The ceremony was attended by a total of 111 Brethren, with 8 apologies, including 38 from Mother Lodge Brighouse 1301, the start of a tradition was has continued to this day. Members of Mother Lodge do not need an invitation to attend meetings, are recorded and saluted separately from other visitors to this day.
Before the Lodge was closed the Charity Rep proposed ' That the Secretary make immediate application for the recognition of Rastrick Lodge 4885 as a Hall Stone Lodge'. This was seconded by the W M. and carried unanimously. Thus Rastrick Lodge from its inception contributed towards the building of the Grand Lodge Temple and Headquarters in London.
The day was concluded with a Consecration Banquet at the cost of 10/6 (ten shillings and sixpence - 53p in today's money) (equivalent to £27.56 in 2017). The menu is reproduced just to show what an outside caterer could provide namely Geo Webster and Son Ltd of Halifax.
|
Consecration Menu - 1927 |
As a postscript to our Consecration meeting several members of the Lodge attended the Ceremony of Laying the Foundation Stone of the Masonic Peace Memorial Building by the Grand Master on 14th July 1927, and on the 7th September 1927 the Worshipful Master attended Grand Lodge to be presented with the Hall Stone Collar and Jewel. Every succeeding Worshipful Master has worn this during his year as Master.