Loyal Lodge of Industry No. 610/421

Freemasonry commenced in South Molton on the 4^th of February 1835 by virtue of a warrant dated 11^th September 1834. Meetings were held at the ‘Ring of Bells’ in Duke Street until November 1836. There were 16 meetings in the first year and 12 initiations. The first Worshipful Master was Bro. W. Kent Newboult, installed by W.Bro. John Jones the W.M. of 251, harmonious relations have existed between the two lodges down through the years. A prominent member of 610 was James Webb, initiated in 1825, and whose portrait hangs in the dining room. There is no mention of where he was initiated.

As early as January 1836 a meeting was held to discuss the subject of a Masonic Hall. Mr. Saunders of the George Inn offered to build a room at his premises to be at the disposal of the Brethren, free of charge. Earl Fortescue’s steward, with due caution, thought it would be necessary to ascertain if Mr. Saunders would provide refreshments, etc., at the same rate as the Ring of Bells. Five brethren were appointed to investigate the matter. Mr. Saunder’s offer was accepted.

In April 1836 it was decided to hold Lodes of Industry on alternate weeks at North Molton and South Molton at the expense of the members who attended. However there is no record of this ever occurring.

The Lodge was moved from the Ring of Bells in November 1836 to the new room at the George Inn, which was dedicated by Viscount Ebrington, 2^nd Earl Fortescue. Meetings were held there with a slight break in 1845, when they were held at 6 Broad Street, the house of Bro. Binford. Bro Binford who was initiated in 1844 at the age of fifty occupied the chair five times – 1846, 1847, 1853, 1856 and 1866.

Early in 1846 it was decided to erect a building for the sole use and benefit of this Lodge No. 610. In June of that year the trustees were appointed. And they took advantage of purchasing the site where the Bunkers Road (now New Road) was made. So rapidly did the work proceed that in October 1846 notice was given to remove the Lodge from the George Inn to the newly constructed Masonic Hall, which had been built at a cost of £450, including the residence of the lodge keeper. The building was considered an ornament of the town. The new lodge was opened by Viscount Ebrington, 2^nd Earl Fortescue, who was P.G.M. for 42 years, and who died in 1861.

In 1857 the Lodge premises were let to the new Mark Lodge at a tenancy of £5 per annum. But at the end of the following year the brethren were notified that the Mark Masons were unable to continue the tenancy at the existing rental. It was let again to the Mark Lodge in 1900.

The new number of 421 was mentioned in the minutes of 5^th January 1863. 421 long endeavoured to induce P.G.L. to visit South Molton, and in August 1876 the brethren were successful. The Mayor, Bro. R.J.Bickal, placed the suite of public rooms at the disposal of the Lodge committee in charge of the arrangements. 200 masons attended, the largest assembly of Provincial Grand Lodge for many years. 137 Brethren attended the banquet.

In July 1889 the Lodge was closed until October, and this practice was observed for a number of years. In June 1897 the brethren sought a dispensation to attend the Parish Church in full Masonic regalia to mark the 60^th year of Queen Victoria’s reign.

The initiation of George Lambert M.P. in October 1898 was marked by a large attendance. On 19^th May 1899 thirty- two visitors attended a Lodge of Emergency, at which Sir Stafford Northcote P.G.M. was present, when Bro. George Lambert was raised. He was M.P. for 49 years and died at Spreyton in 1958 aged 91 years. He was W.M. of the Devonian Lodge in London.

In January 1885, Frederick Wellesly Kendle M.R.C.S. was proposed. He was responsible for the decoration of the Lodge Room. The Grecian Temple and the unique decorative scheme are largely his own handiwork, as is the design of the constellation, which occupies the ceiling of the Lodge room. He also carved and presented the benches in the Lodge, the carved oak chest in the anteroom, and a carpet for the dining room. The last meeting he attended was in 1914 as secretary. He went to India that same year on war service, and after the war settled in Australia, where he died in 1945, aged 95.

The W.M. ‘s chair was given by Squire Tanner Davy; the Chaplain’s and I.P.M. ‘s chairs by W.Bro. C.P.G. Huxtable. W.Bro. Attree Powell gave the Lodge the Deacon’s wands when he was appointed J.D. He also presented the /Lodge the two grand pillars. To mark his fiftieth anniversary he gave the Secretary’s and Treasurers chairs.

There were three generations of Widgery who were prominent in the Lodge; W.Bro. J.T. Widgery, W.Bro. S. Widgery and W.Bro. J.P. Widgery P.S.G.W., the late Lord Chief Justice.

In 1934 Bro. Allen electrified Freemasons Hall at a cost of £25.

In 1941 the Lodge dining room was taken over by the Military as a lecture room.

After 150 years there had been 495 Initiations, 60 joining members and 8 honorary members.

The above was researched by W.Bro. S.D. Lock PPJGW.

It is hoped to bring it further up to date in the near future.