Page 34 - Essex Mason (Issue 91)

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By Tony Hales Congratulations to
Provincial Communications Team
Villerica Lodge No 4053

h e Fe b r u a r y m e e t i n g i s a l w a y s a s p e c ia l o c c a s i o n f o r t h e B r e t h r e n o f V i l l e ri c a
he February meeting is always a special occasion for the Brethren of Villerica
TLodge No 4053. It is the Installation Meeting. As is the custom in Masonic
TLodge No 4053. It is the Installation Meeting. As is the custom in Masonic
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Lodges, at the Installation Festive Board, all the Brethren look forward to singing
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the ‘Master’s Song’ and raising their glass to toast the Worshipful Master for the
the ‘Master’s Song’ and raising their glass to toast the Worshipful Master for the
ensuing year. This year’s February meeting would have been even more special
ensuing year. This year’s February meeting would have been even more special
as Villerica was Consecrated in the Grecian Temple at the Abercorn Rooms of
as Villerica was Consecrated in the Grecian Temple at the Abercorn Rooms of
the Great Eastern Hotel by the RW the Provincial Grand Master of Essex Lord
the Great Eastern Hotel by the RW the Provincial Grand Master of Essex Lord
Lambourne on 19th February 1921.
Lambourne on 19th February 1921.
T ogether with those Essex Fr eemasons whose Lodges and Chapters should have
Together with those Essex Freemasons whose Lodges and Chapters should have
illerica Br
en must
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commemorated their Centennials during the last 12 months, Villerica Brethren must
commemorated their Centennials during the last 12 months, V
wait until time and cir cumstances per mit such celebrations to be r estor ed. During this
wait until time and circumstances permit such celebrations to be restored. During this
time, they will no doubt refl ect that 102 years ago some of the Founders were
talking on Billericay Station with one saying that he remembered a Vicar who
once said Billericay was derived from the Latin ‘Villerica’ meaning ‘Clean Town’
and so the name was adopted. The Lodge now meets at Hutton Masonic
Hall.
Whether it is a potential new candidate or an experienced Brother,
fortunate enough to attend the postponed Centennial celebrations, both
will fi nd Villerica to be a typical Masonic Lodge with about 40 members
where the rich, the poor and those in-between, meet together, use
the same idioms, abide by the same etiquette, eat, drink and
joke together, all united in a sincere love of Freemasonry and
its three grand Principles of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.
This is exemplifi ed through one Villerica Lodge member
who was awarded a C.B.E. on the same day in 1958 as
a certain Matthew Busby (of Manchester United and
England fame). George Frederick Chaplin was born in
1900 and Initiated in 1929. After being the Worshipful
Master of the Lodge, Almoner and Treasurer, he was
installed as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master
in 1957. Serving the Community as a JP, a Deputy
Lieutenant and an Alderman, W Bro Chaplin also
proposed Malcolm, his son, into the Lodge and
devoted his life to the people of Essex. He became a Chairman of Essex County Council and was Knighted in 1962.
The late W.Bro Chaplin may now be looking down from Grand Lodge above and wishing the day may soon come for all
the Brethren of Villerica Lodge to celebrate their Centennial whilst joining all of the present Provincial Leadership Team
and every Essex Freemason in congratulating Villerica Lodge No 4053 on reaching their Centenary.