Page 11 - Essex Mason (Issue 92)

Wivenhoe Masonic Hall
Celebration Meeting

Story By Geoff Turpin
& Tony Hales
A Special Meeting at Wivenhoe Masonic Hall

ivenhoe, mentioned in the Domesday Book
Win 1086, on the banks of the River Colne has
a rich maritime and Masonic heritage. The Essex
County Standard in October 1893 describes the
interest, excitement and how the town and shipyards
were gaily decorated with bunting and a large
crowd gathered at the railway station to greet the
distinguished guests for the Consecration of Colne
Lodge, the first in the town.
Just 28 years later, on 17th October 1911, Wivenhoe had its own new Masonic Hall. The then Deputy Provincial Grand
Master (DepProvGM), His Honour Judge Frederick Philbrick QC, was the guest of honour at the first meeting. One
hundred and ten years later on 29th September 2021 at the same Hall, a Celebration Meeting was held and the guest
of honour was the incumbent DepProvGM, Nick Franklin.

This special occasion was a cluster meeting of Colne Lodge No 2477 and Ostrea Lodge No 8209 to celebrate having
taken advantage of the cessation of meetings during the pandemic to carry out an extensive refurbishment of the
Masonic Hall including work to the inside of the roof, new insulation, re-installation of the lighting system, the secretary’s
and treasurer’s table, honours boards for other Lodges, the pillars and re-painting throughout.
Nick Franklin was accompanied by Tony White, an Assistant Provincial Grand Master (APGM) and several Provincial
Officers including Geoff Turpin, the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies (ProvGDC), Paul Thurgood, the Deputy
Grand Sword Bearer (ProvDepGSwdB), a Provincial Senior and Junior Grand Deacon and two Provincial Grand Standard
Bearers. The Brethren were treated to a presentation by Colne Lodge Secretary Bob Needham entitled “The Establishing
of Wivenhoe Masonic Hall" followed with an illustrated presentation by Paul Fell, the Secretary of Ostrea Lodge entitled
"The Refurbishment of Wivenhoe Masonic Hall". Paul also commented “it was the first full meeting for the two Craft
Lodges since lockdown ended and everyone had a wonderful time”

Many of the Brethren had undertaken much of the work
themselves and were praised by the DepProvGM who said he
“was very impressed with what had been done especially as it
was all completed within budget”. Nick surprised and delighted
everyone by quoting a poignant piece about “a mighty Masonic
structure within whose precincts we stand today” as written in
the booklet ‘Colne Lodge First 100 years 1893 to 1993’. The
DepProvGM was presented with a £1,000 donation by Colne
Lodge to the Essex 2022 Festival for the Masonic Charitable
Foundation which has pledged £7 million to help charities and
good causes in Essex.
A well-known secret about
Freemasonry is that as well as
maintaining their own premises,
numerous local charities are helped
by Essex Freemasons volunteering
their time, equipment and skills
to refurbish or enhance facilities
at buildings which charities use.
With skilled craftsmen such as Bob
Needham, who is proud of his
paintwork, and Paul Fell, who is
slightly biased towards his attention
to detail on ornamental work, it is
beyond doubt that Freemasonry
in Essex has a lot to offer those
who enjoy volunteering, doing
charitable work and supporting
good causes.

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