Bagshaw Lodge commemorates 150 years with two notable presentations

New initiate welcomed with a custom dating back to 1599 and former Headteacher presented with a 60-year Certificate

At Loughton Masonic Centre on 14th December 2023, Worshipful Brother Len Taphouse and the members of Bagshaw Lodge No. 1457 welcomed the Provincial Grand Master (PGM) of Essex Freemasons, Paul Tarrant, and the Assistant PGM for the Lodge, Colin Felton and other distinguished guests to a special meeting.

Formed in 1873 and named after Robert John Bagshaw MP, the fifth PGM of Essex from 1854 to 1878, the Lodge celebrated its 150th Anniversary.  As previous histories had been written which covered the period from 1873 to 1998, the Lodge presented everyone with a Sesquicentennial Celebration commemorative booklet giving the history of the Lodge from 1998 to 2023 with an interesting introduction written by Len Taphouse which included a short description of the Consecration ceremony in 1873, the early years and the changes in Masonry over the last 25 years.

The meeting was made even more memorable with two notable presentations. Following the initiation of David Pomfrett there was a delightful presentation to him of a pair of white gloves as a gift from his proposer and seconder. The custom of wearing white gloves at Masonic meetings can be traced back to 1599 at the Kilwinning Lodge in Ayrshire.

The PGM, Paul Tarrant, then presented a Certificate for 60 years meritorious service to Cyril Holmes, a keen sportsman who had trials for Tottenham Hotspurs, served in the Royal Army Educational Corps and from 1957 taught in schools in Leyton, Ilford, Manor Park and Canning Town before becoming Headteacher of the London Borough of Newham’s first comprehensive community school. Cyril joined Freemasonry in 1963 and had a distinguished Provincial career before his appointment as a Grand Officer in 1987. The former Headteacher has remained an active Essex Freemason ever since.

Photos

Top: Bagshaw Lodge members and the Provincial retinue. Front row seated L-R: David Pomfrett, Cyril Holmes, Colin Felton, Len Taphouse, Paul Tarrant, Martin Howse, Bob Allder and Richard Harris.

Left (L-R): Colin Felton, Len Taphouse, David Pomfrett and Paul Tarrant (PGM)

Right: Cyril Holmes receiving a 60-year Certificate from Paul Tarrant (PGM)