PRESTON’S HALL STONE LODGE
The very first item of business at the first Regular Lodge Meeting on the 20th September 1922 reads:
The WM proposed and W Bro Hunt seconded, ‘That information be conveyed to the Grand Lodge that this Lodge desires to become a Hall Stone Lodge in connection with the Masonic Million Memorial Fund’ It was carried unanimously!
As a result, the reason for founding the lodge, the desire to honour the fallen of the Great War was fulfilled. The qualifying contribution was met and, on the 2nd December 1925, the Worshipful Master, Samuel Oliver, attended Grand Lodge where the Hall Stone Jewel was conferred on him. That Jewel has been worn by all Masters ever since.
GROWING FROM THE BEGINNING
Preston Guild Lodge certainly hit the ground running. At the Consecration Meeting, two candidates, Richard Metcalfe and Walter Pomfret, were proposed for membership. At the first Regular Lodge meeting in September of 1922 both were initiated.
Walter Pomfret, a Chartered Accountant, remained a member of the lodge for 40 years serving as Master in 1934 and was the first Chairman of the Preston Guild Lodge Benevolent Fund in 1952.
In 1944 he served as Provincial Senior Grand Deacon and was promoted to Past Provincial Grand Warden in 1948. Walter donated a full set of Working Tools to the lodge in a mahogany case when he became Master in 1934 which is used to this day.
Dick Metcalfe was 44 years of age at the time of his initiation. His profession was that of a Heating Engineer. He became a Steward in 1925.
Sadly, Dick’s time with us was short as he passed away in 1927.
In the first 12 months, the lodge initiated 17 new members. Often these new brothers were initiated in pairs. Additional meetings were held by dispensation to manage the demand. On many occasions the lodge met at 5.30pm, conducted a ceremony for two members, called off and on and then preformed Passings or Raisings for two more brothers on the same evening.
Preston Guild Lodge proved to be a magnet for joining members too. In the first year, ten members joined from other lodges. The most notable of these being on the 22nd November 1922. An Emergency Meeting was held by dispensation to ballot for a Joining Member. James Tranter Worsley, a Sergeant in the Army Ordnance Corps, was previously a member of Lord Kitchener Lodge No 3402 in Cairo.
The lodge continued to attract new and joining members over the next 20 years. Membership grew to well over 80 members. By the mid-1930s, it was not unusual to wait 18 months from an original application for an interview!
On the 8th October 1926, James Sidney Howarth, an Auctioneer, Valuer and Estate Agent was initiated. James Howarth was destined to be a major figure in Preston and Preston Freemasonry.
He was known as the busiest man in Preston. In 1941 he became both the Mayor of Preston and Master of Preston Guild Lodge. When installed as Master in November 1941, a banquet for 160 brethren was held in the Guild Hall.
His son Leslie became a mason in his own right but as a member of Priory Lodge at the recommendation of his father when it was being created. Leslie later donated a magnificent 1922 Guild Merchant Medallion to the Lodge in honour of his father that is displayed with pride. More of James later!
In November 1927, Preston Guild Lodge unveiled and dedicated the Lodge Banner. The Dedication Ceremony was performed by Right Worshipful Brother Arthur Foster APGM assisted by Founder Member Rev Augustine Dallman. John Hunt was involved in the design and the banner was manufactured by the famous textile house of Stephen Simpson Ltd in Preston. One of their specialities was gold thread for which they were famous. The banner cost forty-one pounds and five shillings. That cost was covered as a gift by Founder Member Chris Miller. Its design features the 1862 Preston Town and Guild Hall as its centrepiece. The banner is placed near to the right of the Master of the Lodge at every meeting.
During these early years, Preston Guild Lodge was proud of its charitable support. Whilst contributing to the West Lancashire Masonic Charities, the lodge was also committed to the local community. In the 1920s, and in a pre-NHS world, Preston Guild Lodge made donations to Preston Royal Infirmary. Donations were also made to meet specific local needs including the Longton Flood Relief Fund and the St Michaels Flood Relief Fund. This commitment to our community remains as strong today.