50th
Anniversary Meeting
Thursday 9th March 2017 AD
THE HISTORY OF THE
INGHAM CLARK LODGE 8164 1967-2017 Prepared by W Bro T W Greene PPSGD Having been given the task of preparing this short history of the lodge for the 2017 celebration of the lodge’s first 50 years, I am most grateful for the help I received from other members of the lodge especially W Bro Keith Winterbone . I hope that the information contained in these pages will be of interest to all those who are members in 2017 and to all future members who will be presented with a copy of this booklet at their Initiation. The Lodge Where I Belong Tho my lodge may lack the splendour of a temple or a shrine Or possess gaudy fixtures that are classed as superfine Yet the fellowship it offers is in price beyond compare And I wouldn’t trade it ever for life’s treasures rich or rare The hand grasped firm the word of cheer, oh such meanings they impart the mystic ties of brotherhood that links us heart to heart. You would really have to travel far, for the friendship quite so strong as those one always finds right here In the lodge where I belong. When at my earthly travels end and at last I’m borne to rest where mortal hands no longer toil, and I cease life’s endless quest, why there is nothing I’d like better should I join the heavenly throne. Than to meet with all the brothers. Of the lodge where I belong, (Bro Herman) Consecration Ceremony The consecration of the lodge took place On Friday 28th April 1967 at the Wallingford Masonic Centre Goldsmiths lane where there were 23 members and founders, 74 visitors and 11 members of the Provincial Consecration team in attendance. The Lodge was open in all three degrees and the ceremony of consecration then proceeded and in conclusion the Ingham Clark Lodge 8164 was declared a duly constituted lodge on the register of the United Grand Lodge of England. The Provincial Grand Master then vacated the chair in favour of W Bro Brig E Flavell PGSwdB Deputy Provincial Grand Master who conducted the ceremony of Installation. The Master Designate W Bro Robert Alastair Ingham Clark PDepGDC was presented, obligated and installed as the First Master of Ingham Clark Lodge. At the consecration meeting the R.W.Lt.Col.R.H.Ingham Clark PGM presented the Lodge with a claymore (Sword) that he had carried during his army career which he had last used at the Funeral of King George V. This was entrusted to Bro.H.Jakeman as he was invested as Tyler Lodge Founders W Bro R A Ingham Clark W Bro P R Slade W Bro J H W Wilder W Bro T B Johnson W Bro C R Richards W Bro G A Howes W Bro J M Dipper W Bro S J J Waldron Bro E S Druce Bro R W R Hives Bro R LGroves Bro T G Faulkner Bro T B Wigley Bro F R Foster Bro G G Smith Bro J C Moxon Bro R Ingham Clark Bro L Sproston Bro E E Palmer Bro C F Parsons Bro H Jakeman Bro B G Moxon Bro G Rees Lodge Officers 1967-1968 W Bro R A Ingham Clark PDepGDC …….….……………………………….….W.M W Bro J M Dipper ….………………………………………………..…………....S.W W Bro G A Howes …………...…………………………………………………...J.W W Bro T B Johnson ………………………………………………….……....Chaplain Bro G Rees ...…………………….………………………………………..…Treasurer W Bro S J J Waldron PPGW ...……………………………………………....Secretary W Bro J H W Wilder PPDepGDC ….….…………………………………………..DC W Bro C R Richards ………………………………………………………………..SD Bro E S Druce ………………………..……………………………………………..JD Bro R W R Hives ..…………………..……………………………….…….....Almoner Bro R L Groves ..…………………..……………………………………...…..Asst Sec Bro T G Faulkner ………………..…………………………….………….....……..I.G Bro T B Wigley ………………..………………………………………….…..Steward Bro F R Foster ………………..…………………………………………….....Steward Bro G G Smith ……………..……………………………….……………....…Steward Bro J C Moxon …………..…………………………………………………....Steward Bro H Jakeman ………….………………………………………………………..Tyler W Bro P R Slade PPGReg ………………………………………………...Acting IPM The Ingham Clark Masonic Family Fredrick Walter Fell Clark Grand Master Mason Depute of Scotland Robert Harry (Bobby) Ingham Clark PGM Berkshire 1960 to 1967 & MEGS 1960 to 1966 Robert Alastair (Alastair) Ingham Clark PGSwdB PGStwd Robert James (Jamie) Ingham Clark PSGD MetGInsp PGStwd Frank Ingham Clark PJGD PGStwd Roderick (Roddy) Ingham Clark PGStwd Lodge History
In the 1960’s Freemasonry in Wallingford was thriving and although there were already two lodges meeting in Wallingford namely St Hilda’s No 1887 and her daughter lodge Portcullis No 6672 both which had a large membership it was felt by many members who lived in and worked around Didcot that they would like to form a new lodge serving and meeting in Didcot town it was without success that they tried to purchase a building within the town. The members then sought permission from the Wallingford Masonic Centre to hold their meetings within the centre this was granted. With the sponsorship of St. Hilda’s Lodge it was agreed to create the new lodge and name it after the Provincial Grand Master of the time Lt Col R H Ingham Clark whose family has a long connection with freemasonry. The Coat of Arms on the lodge banner was granted to the Ingham Clark family by the Lord Lyon King of Arms in Scotland and is also registered in England. The Lodge Emblem was designed by W Bro Sir Colin Cole PSGD, Garter King of Arms. It is important to note that Ingham Clark Lodge has always considered its self a Didcot Lodge and to support the local charities within the area and also for many years held an annual church service in All Saints Church Didcot and still to this day it is the duty of the Master of the lodge each year to attend the Remembrance day parade and lay a poppy wreath at the War Memorial. At its conception the lodge membership soon swelled to over 50 members and over time increased to over 65 with many brethren becoming joining members from both St Hilda’s and Portcullis Lodges in addition the inter lodge visiting of the brethren of all three lodges in the centre was magnificent often swelling the numbers to over 80 at our meetings. It’s sad to say that during the late 90’s membership of the lodge started to decline some of which was due to the age and health of some of the members and those who had passed to the Grand Lodge Above and due to the commitments of work and family of the younger members they were no longer able to attend the meetings. At one time some brethren would be a member of at least two lodges as well as other orders in the centre and would visit the lodge they were not attached to helping each lodge to remain on a steady footing by swelling their numbers at the meetings and festive board but sadly this is no more due to the costs of subscription’s, dinning fees and personal commitments etc. We are at present going through a difficult time and although our membership is small the quality and commitment of the lodge members is impressive and we are looking forward to launching a new recruitment campaign in the summer months. We, the members of Ingham Clark Lodge, would like to take this opportunity to record our thanks to the directors and committee members of the Wallingford Masonic Centre for the work they do in providing us with such an outstanding environment to hold our meetings and festive board. You are invited to follow the progress of our lodge by visiting our Web site- www.inghamclarklodge8164.weebly.com |
Notable Events
1996
20 officers collars and jewels were purchased for the lodge at a cost of £58.15.10p 21st Sept 1967 Mr Thomas George Taylor aged 40 yrs. became the first candidate to be initiated into the lodge he was passed on the 7th Dec 1967 and raised on 4th Jan 1968. 21st Sept 1967 To mark the 250 years of Grand Lodge and 200 years of Supreme Chapter, RW Bro Lt Col R H Ingham Clark presented to the lodge an Transpalite Embedment that he had received from the M.W Grand Master and a Blotter from the First Grand Principal, the transpalite embedment consists of a transparent cube in which is embedded a gold medallion embossed on one side with the arms of Grand Lodge and on the other with the signature of the Earl of Scarborough. 2nd Nov 1967 W Bro Robert Alastair Ingham Clark PDepGDC presented to the Lodge a coloured drawing of the emblem of the lodge, which was the original designed by W Bro Major A C Cole and framed by W Bro M Pulman. 1968 The Tyler’s fees were £9.9/0d per year and the subs £6.6.0d. 7th March 1968 RW Lt Col R H Ingham Clark presented to the lodge an engraved trowel used by Bro J Passmore Edwards by his grandfather and great-grandfather of W Bro R A. Ingham Clark when laying the foundation stone of Carnegie Free Library in East Ham on the 2nd June 1904. 5th April 1970 The brethren were informed of the passing to the Grand lodge above of RW Bro R H Ingham Clark, Immediate Past Provincial Grand Master and Consecrating officer of the lodge. 17th Sept 1970 The profits from W Bro G A Howes ladies night were used to purchase a set of warden’s columns and a set of tracing boards complete with base and stand. The lodge was presented with a gavel and plate by W Bro G G Smith on behalf of Bro K Hognsey a Master Mason of Centenary Lodge 7629 which meets in Singapore. 6th April 1972 A request was received from Britannia Lodge 843 under the German Constitution to present a Grand Lodge Certificate to Bro Major K Horsworthy. Who was initiated passed and raised, but had left for the UK before it was awarded, although the UGLE said it was irregular they approved and he was presented in open lodge with his certificate. 2nd Jan 1975 Bro Frank Bevan was elected as the first Charity Steward of the Lodge. 21st Oct 1976 W Bro S S Waldron a Founder member and the first Secretary of the lodge passed to the Grand Lodge above. Sept 1976 Founder Member W Bro J H Wilder was promoted to Assistant Provincial Grand Master. 1st Dec 1977 The reigning masters of St Hilda and Portcullis Lodges were made honorary members of Ingham Clark Lodge. All Saints Church Didcot invited Ingham Clark Lodge to hold their annual church service on March 1978. 3rd Jan 1980 W Bro H C Bulmer PM 8617 presented a banner to the lodge in readiness for the banner dedication service in March 1980. W Bro T G Taylor, The Lodge’s first initiate, donated the cost of the banner. Nov 1980 A concept of providing the lodge widows with a Christmas gift every year was agreed the first sum paid to each widow would be £5.00. 5th March 1981 W Bro G R Gibson and his wife presented the lodge with three cushions for the Master and Wardens Chairs in memory of his year as Master of the lodge. They were gratefully received by the brethren as comfort was paramount in those important offices. 1982 The cost of dinner including wine was £5.50. The Annual Ingham Clark church service had now been going for 10 years and was always attended by the PGM and his wife. 20th Sept 1984 W Bro S R King who became a joining member in Nov 1980 left £500.00 in his will to be used for any purpose in connection with the lodge. 1985 W Bro J H Wilder a Founding member was promoted to Provincial Grand Master a proud moment for the lodge. A sad landmark event for Freemasons was the proposed sale of the Royal Masonic Hospital. Sept 1985 Bro Rev Peter Edwards was elected as coordinator of the finance committee for the Royal Masonic Hospital. Dec 1987 The Berkshire Masonic Charity was born under the leadership of the R W Bro J H Wilder PGM the monies were to support Masonic and non-Masonic Charities in Berkshire. 2nd May 1991 An emergency meeting was held under dispensation to initiate Bro George Brown. March 1992 W Bro Robert James (Jamie) Ingham Clark PGStwd son of the primus master and grandson of the consecrating officer, Initiated and Raised in Jerusalem Lodge No 197 proposed by RW Bro J W Wilder PGM and seconded by VW Bro Robert Alastair Ingham Clark PGSwdB became a joining member of the lodge on the occasion of the Lodge’s 25th anniversary. 5th March 1992 The 25th Anniversary of the lodge was celebrated and a short history of the lodge was given by Bro G G Smith, a founder member, but unfortunately no records have been found regarding the lecture. 4th March 1993 A new Worshipful Masters collar was presented to the lodge paid for by the legacy left to the lodge by W Bro S R King. The brethren agreed that it should be known as the S R King Memorial Collar and is still in use today. Oct 5th 2000 A new set of working tools were presented to the lodge by Bro A Milne on behalf of his mother Mrs Sheila Milne who was unable to attend the meeting, in memory of her late husband W Bro Colin Milne. 6th Nov 2003 W Bro Desmond Winterbone Initiated his son Bro Keith Winterbone into the lodge and in keeping with the family tradition Keith has now followed in his father’s footsteps as Lodge Secretary. 3rd April 2004 It was with sadness that the brethren were informed of the passing of RW Bro J H W Wilder PPGM. 24th Feb 2014 It was with sadness that the brethren were informed of the passing of VW Bro Robert Alastair Ingham Clark PGSwdB PGStwd our Primus Master to the Grand Lodge Above. 3rd March 2005 W Bro John G Evans installed his son Bro Jason Evans into the chair of King Solomon. Shortly after in 2006 W Bro John Evans passed to the Grand Lodge Above. Jason served as Master for two years 2005 & 2006 he later became the Lodge DC and was appointed to PGStwd and PPSGD. 9th March 2017 The Lodge reaches its Fiftieth anniversary and was delighted that W Bro Robert James (Jamie) Ingham Clark PSGD, Metropolitan Grand Inspector, PGStwd was installed as Master for that year. Lodge Officers 2017-2018 W Bro Jamie Ingham Clark PSGD Met GInsp WM
Bro Richard Govan SW Bro Darren Kidley JW W Bro Ian Rolph Chaplain Bro Steve Carter PM PPADC Treasurer W Bro Keith Winterbone PM PPJGD Secretary W Bro Raymond Hall PM PPGSwdB D.C. W Bro Raymond Hall PM PPGSwdB Almoner W Bro Trevor Greene PM PPSGD Charity Stwd W Bro Robert Peacock PM Lodge Mentor W Bro Colin Gilbey SD W Bro Trevor Greene PM PPSGD JD W Bro Stuart Stringer PM ADC W Bro Michael Rodrigues PM PPSGD Inner Guard Bro Harley Palmer Steward W Bro Paddy Venn PPJGD Tyler |