Monday, 26th January, the Provincial Grand Master, John David Watts led a Provincial deputation to Westoe Lodge No. 4750 to celebrate the Lodge’s Centenary Meeting.
The Lodge room was extremely well attended, with the Worshipful Masters of all Lodges in South Shields present to mark this significant milestone.
During the meeting, W. Bro. Ian Wylam Turnbull, PAGDC, PPJGW presented the Lodge with its Centenary Warrant, formally recognising one hundred years of continuous Masonic work. The Brethren of the Lodge were also presented with their Centenary Jewels to commemorate the occasion.
The Worshipful Master, W. Bro. Tony Errington, then presented the Provincial Grand Master with a cheque for the remarkable sum of £4,750 in support of the 2032 Festival, providing a strong start towards the Lodge’s fundraising target.
To conclude the charitable contributions of the evening, the Lodge also presented £300 to the Durham TLC Teddies charity.
History of Westoe Lodge No. 4750
1925 - 2025
Foundation
In 1924, the John Readhead Lodge No. 3217, founded in 1907, had grown to a membership of approximately 280 Brethren, with a waiting list of nearly 60 prospective candidates.
As the Lodge was limited to initiating two candidates at any one meeting, several Brethren became concerned that the resulting delays were discouraging those wishing to join the Craft. It was therefore agreed that there was a clear need for the formation of another Lodge in South Shields.
A meeting of the Master, Past Masters, Treasurer and Secretary of John Readhead Lodge was held on 28 November 1924, presided over by W. Bro. Jacob Reay. At this meeting it was resolved that a petition be submitted to the Provincial Grand Master requesting permission to form a new Lodge.
The 36 Founders, all members of John Readhead Lodge No. 3217, are recorded elsewhere in the Lodge records.
At subsequent meetings it was agreed that:
- The new Lodge would be named Westoe Lodge, taking its name from the area of South Shields where the Hedworth Masonic Hall-whose foundation stone had been laid in November 1924-was situated.
- The Lodge would meet on the last Monday of each month at the new Hedworth Masonic Hall.
- The Lodge would be established as a Temperance Lodge, similar to John Readhead Lodge.
The Provincial Grand Lodge approved the formation of Westoe Lodge under the following conditions:
- The Lodge would work the Emulation Ritual.
- No more than seven initiates per year.
- The Lodge membership would initially be limited to 75 members, with the right to appeal for an increase.
It was also agreed that the Lodge badge would depict Westoe Village looking east from Sunderland Road.
Consecration
In the absence of the Provincial Grand Master, the Rt. Hon. Lord Ravensworth, due to illness, Westoe Lodge No. 4750 was consecrated on Wednesday 21 October 1925 by:
W. Bro. Cuthbert Wilkinson PAGDC PPGW
Deputy Provincial Grand Master
He was assisted by:
- W. Bro. Foyle Fawcett, Provincial Senior Grand Warden
- W. Bro. E. W. Andrews, Provincial Junior Grand Warden
- W. Bro. Rev. C. B. Hunter MA, Provincial Grand Chaplain
- W. Bro. J. G. Finlayson PAGStdB, Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies
- W. Bro. R. W. E. Dixon PAGDC, Provincial Grand Secretary
Following the consecration ceremony, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master installed W. Bro. Milton Swales, PProvSGD, as the first Worshipful Master of the Lodge.
The Consecrating Officers were unanimously elected Honorary Members of the Lodge.
Lodge Officers
Officers 1925-1926
- W. Bro. Milton Swales - Worshipful Master
- W. Bro. James Weir - Immediate Past Master
- W. Bro. William Brown PPrAGDC - Senior Warden
- W. Bro. James Vasey - Junior Warden
- W. Bro. James Smith PPrGD - Treasurer
- Bro. Frederick W. Dobbyn - Secretary
- W. Bro. Edward Smith - Director of Ceremonies
- Bro. William Scott - Senior Deacon
- Bro. Martin Jamieson - Junior Deacon
- Bro. Thomas A. Short PPrGOrg - Organist
- Bro. William Raine Bell - Inner Guard
- Bro. Robert H. Smith - Steward
- Bro. Johnson Hunter - Steward
- Bro. Ralph V. Atkinson - Steward
- Bro. John W. Dobbyn - Steward
- Bro. James Mitchell PPrGStwd - Tyler
Officers 2025-2026
- W. Bro. Tony Errington PPSGD - Worshipful Master
- W. Bro. Ralph David Urwin PPSGD - Senior Warden
- W. Bro. Duncan Turnbull PPJGW - Junior Warden
- W. Bro. George Robison PPGswdB - Chaplain
- Bro. Ken Smith - Treasurer
- W. Bro. Paul Edward Ord PPJGD - Secretary
- W. Bro. James Henry Latimer - Director of Ceremonies
- Bro. Richard A. Young PPGPurs - Almoner
- W. Bro. Ian Wylam Turnbull PAGDC PPJGW PProvGSuptWks - Charity Steward
- W. Bro. James Henry Latimer - Membership Officer
- W. Bro. James Henry Latimer - Lodge Mentor
- W. Bro. Gavin Loft - Senior Deacon
- W. Bro. John Hetherington PPSGD - Junior Deacon
- Bro. Richard A. Young PPGPurs - Inner Guard
- W. Bro. Gavin Loft - Assistant Secretary
- W. Bro. Duncan Turnbull PPJGW - Assistant Director of Ceremonies
- W. Bro. N. Dunn PPJGW PM Lord Barnard 2935 - Tyler
- W. Bro. Ian Wylam Turnbull PAGDC PPJGW PProvGSuptWks - Benevolent Representative
- W. Bro. Ken Robson PPGReg - Royal Arch Representative
- W. Bro. Philip Dunn PPJGW - Visiting Steward Officer
- W. Bro. John Hetherington PPSGD - Auditor
- W. Bro. Paul Edward Ord PPJGD - Auditor
Centenary Festive Board Menu
(The same menu served in 1925 and again for the Centenary in 2025)
- Black Pudding with Peppercorn Sauce
- Roast Chicken Breast
served with seasonal vegetables and potatoes - Cheese Board and Biscuits
Notable Events in the History of Westoe Lodge
- 1925 - The Lodge’s first Worshipful Master, W. Bro. Milton Swales Snr, presented the Lodge with a Charity Plate, which is still used at every initiation ceremony.
- 1927 - A proposal was made to abandon Emulation Working after 18 months of practice. After considerable debate, the motion was defeated by 12 votes to 5.
- 1931 - The Lodge voted to remove the Temperance rule from the Bye-Laws, allowing refreshments of an intoxicating nature. As a result, the Lodge ceased to be a Temperance Lodge, which led to the resignation of some senior members.
- Second World War -
- 17 Brethren served in the Armed Forces or Merchant Navy
- 21 Brethren served in Civil Defence or the Home Guard
Fortunately, Lodge records show no Brethren lost their lives on active service.
- 1947 - Lodge Maniapoto No. 206 in New Zealand sent food parcels to the Lodge during post-war shortages as a gesture of goodwill.
- 1959 - A Charity Box donated by Bro. R. Stewart was placed at the Lodge entrance and remains in use today.
- 1973 - After seven years as Tyler, W. Bro. E. Mills presented the Lodge with a pair of Masonic Squares for the Second Degree ceremony.
- 1975 - Golden Jubilee
Celebrated with the Worshipful Master W. Bro. Milton Swales Jnr, son of the first Master. The meeting was attended by Provincial Grand Master Rt. W. Bro. Lord Barnard. - 1989 - The Lodge welcomed W. Bro. Edward Ablett, Provincial Grand Master of North Transvaal, South Africa, who had originally been initiated into Westoe Lodge in 1939. He later became the Lodge’s longest-serving member, with over 70 years of membership.
- 1995 - After careful consideration, the Lodge moved from Hedworth Hall to Freemasons Hall, Ingham Street, ending a 70-year connection with the original building.
- 2023-2025 - Due to structural issues at Ingham Street, meetings were temporarily held at Jarrow Masonic Halluntil repairs were completed.
- Covid Pandemic - Like all Lodges, Westoe Lodge was unable to meet during lockdown periods, significantly affecting membership and attendance.
- Westoe Lodge Geordie Night - Established over 25 years ago, this popular event became widely known throughout the Province and beyond.
- 2012 - W. Bro. Ian Wylam Turnbull was honoured with the Grand Rank of Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies (PAGDC).
- 2016 - W. Bro. Duncan Turnbull, trekking through the Himalayas, sent a video message from Everest Base Camp which was played during the Toast to Absent Brethren.
- 2019 - W. Bro. Tony Errington also trekked to Everest Base Camp to raise funds in memory of Chloe and Liam, victims of the Manchester Arena terrorist attack. He had previously raised £2,600 for the charity Hospitality and Hope through a sponsored cycle ride.
- 2021 Festival - The Lodge exceeded its fundraising target and received a Platinum Award.
Family Traditions in the Lodge
Family connections have long been a feature of Westoe Lodge.
A notable example is:
- W. Bro. Milton Swales Snr - First Worshipful Master (1925)
- W. Bro. Milton Swales Jnr - Worshipful Master during the Golden Jubilee (1975).
The Smith family also represents three generations of Lodge membership:
- W. Bro. J. Smith - Founder Member and first Treasurer
- W. Bro. R. H. Smith - Worshipful Master (1931-1932)
- W. Bro. J. L. Smith - Worshipful Master (1952-1953)
- W. Bro. R. L. Smith - Worshipful Master (1953-1954)
An uncle, Bro. J. Smith, was also a member of the Lodge.
