ABOUT US
HISTORY OF SKELMERSDALE LODGE, No. 1658
The Lodge derives its name from the Right Honourable and Most Worshipful Edward Bootle Wilbraham, Third Baron Skelmersdale, Deputy Grand Master of English Freemasons, whose gracious accent to the adoption of his name was accorded on 20th October 1876.
The warrant is dated 13th December 1876 and it was solemnly consecrated on 9th March 1877 by V.W Brother John Hervey, Grand Secretary. Founding members (and their Lodge numbers) included, Bros. Samuel Harvey (72), Thomas Edmonson (1216), William Cass (72), James Dunn (72), Samuel Hose (1155), George Earney (511) and Joseph Thorpe (87).
The Lodge was founded at the old Surrey Masonic Hall in Camberwell New Road, South London. Originally many members were shopkeepers and consequently meetings were arranged for Thursday afternoons, to coincide with early shop closing, locally.
The Lodge celebrated its centenary in 1977. Since this time, it has declined.
In 2018 Skelmersdale was identified as a Lodge which was struggling with membership numbers and poor attendance, mostly due to age, infirmity and distance. The Lodge was at a stage where it was considering closure, but it was ripe and willing for “take-over” consideration. The US was suggested as a potential way forward, so that the Lodge name could be preserved, and the idea began to gain traction.
V.W. Bro. Andrew Manasseh, Assistant Metropolitan Grand Master, recently led a similar take-over of Think & Thank Lodge, No. 4112. He was approached to advise on practical aspects and the Scheme’s guiding principles, and he introduced W. Bro. Jeff Bennett, PAGDC (London Coordinator and Vice Chairman of the US) to assist. Scott Simpson, the SVO had attended the Lodge on several occasions and explained the operation and purpose of the US to Lodge members ensuring that every member had the opportunity to ask questions and gain comfort.
By July 2019 after working closely with the Lodge Secretary, Chris Webb, we received confirmation that all members were unanimously supportive for the Lodge to be taken over and for the members to resign and be elected as Honorary Members.
A group of senior, experienced Metropolitan Grand Lodge Masons formed a team under the leadership of Nick Garnish, Metropolitan Grand Inspector, to take-over Skelmersdale Lodge, No. 1658, and convert it into a Lodge based on Universities Scheme principles, for the purpose of initiating London Students into Craft Freemasonry.
To this end, the takeover team joined the lodge and the Lodge will unanimously passed a motion to apply for membership of the UGLE Universities Scheme at the take-over meeting on 4th March 2020. Notice of Motion had been given in Lodge on 16th January 2020