Egerton Worsley Lodge 1213

• Bridgewater Lodge 1213
• Consecrated 8^th March 1868
• Centenary 8^th March 1968
• Amalgamated 13^th March 2013

Bridgewater Lodge No 1213 is the oldest of the Eccles Group of Lodges consecrated in 1868; its name is derived from the third Duke of Bridgewater who commissioned the world’s first navigation canal. In 2013 Bridgewater Lodge amalgamated with the Egerton and Worsley Lodges to become Egerton Worsley Lodge No 1213, Bridgewater was the oldest of three amalgamated Lodges, the two others Lodges, Worsley Lodge No 1814 was the “Daughter Lodge to Bridgewater” and was consecrated in 1880, Egerton Lodge No 2216 was consecrated in 1887.

Whilst there is no conclusive evidence as to the origin of the name ‘Bridgewater’ it can be fairly assumed that the Lodge was so named after the Duke of Bridgewater.  Our first Master James Parr Jnr was a great admirer of the Duke’s perception for the future wealth of not just his own family but to the general prosperity of the area. What is clear is that in

1880 Francis Egerton became the first Worshipful Master of Worsley Lodge No 1814 and when the birth of Egerton Lodge No 2216 was being considered, he was again written to.

The answer came from the Honourable Algernon Egerton.  He was the third son of Francis Egerton, 1st Earl of Ellesmere; his reply stated ‘Dear Sir – I am not a Freemason but I shall appreciate the compliment which is intended to my family by the proposal of the Swinton Freemasons to name the proposed new Lodge the ‘Egerton Lodge’ and thank them for the honour done to the name’ I am yours faithfully etc.

The consecration ceremony of Bridgewater Lodge No 1213 and Installation took place at the Bridgewater Hotel in Patricroft, Eccles on Saturday 7^th March 1868 at 2pm; the first Worshipful Master was Bro. James Parr Jnr, who provided a splendid banquet to follow the meeting which had closed in Peace and Harmony at 8.15pm.

“Bridgewater Working” used to be a well-known phrase heard amongst the Eccles Group of Lodges. In 1909 the toast to “Absent Brethren” usually given at 10pm was for some unknown reason given at 9pm instead, since then it has remained at 9pm, there was probably some wisdom in this change because many of the Brethren would need to leave the meeting before 10pm in order to get home by a reasonable time. When asked why this change had occurred, nobody actually remembered and so it was answered as being “Bridgewater Working”, thus this phrase has been a term used generally by the Brethren when no other satisfactory explanation can be given for any particular incident. Thus “Bridgewater Working” is referred to by the Eccles Lodges by the Brethren with reverence or awe, sometimes with studied indifference or with gusts of ribald laughter depending upon whether the Brethren are Bridgewater members, or members of the Daughter or Sister Lodges or just frequenters of the Eccles Masonic Hall Club.

In 1918 the 50 year Jubilee of Bridgewater Lodge was celebrated on the 14^th of March at the Assembly Rooms (Conservative Club) on Monton Road, where the Worshipful Master Bro. A .M Campbell was presented with a Jewel by the `Father of the Lodge` W. Bro N. Hartley Hacking PPrG Supt of Works who was our 4^th Worshipful Master in 1872 and who had been initiated on the 11^th of June 1868).

A donation of 50 Guineas was forwarded to the West Lancashire Masonic Charities to mark the 50^th Anniversary of the Lodge. It was noted that the total sum donated to charity actually recorded within the first fifty years was £1,507-12s-8d. This would be £75,000 at today’s rates.

As far as Masonic records show the Great War of 1914-1918 concluded as it had started with no comment.

On the 6^th of October 1921 at 4pm was the first meeting of the Lodge at our new premises at the Eccles Masonic Hall `ELM BANK` Half Edge Lane, Eccles. The order of business on this occasion was 1. To read a dispensation for altering the date of this regular meeting. 2. To read the summons convening the meeting. 3. To read, approve and if correct confirm the minutes of the last regular meeting. 4. Dedication Ceremony by the Rt Worshipful Brother Louis S. Winsloe, the Provincial Grand Master assisted by Grand and Provincial Grand Officers. 5. To Ballot for and if Approved to initiate Mr Robert Coop age 43 years, proposed by letter by his Brother, W Bro. George Coop IPM and seconded by Bro. C W. Dean P.P.G.T on the grounds that Mr Robert Coop will be overseas and will be absent from this district for an indefinite period.  Unfortunately Rt W Bro. Winsloe as called to higher service just before the dedication ceremony.

At the1968 January meeting Brother Herbert Wilkinson our 100^th Master was installed by W Bro John Aldred. It is perhaps worth mentioning that the sequence of the Installation is different than usually practiced today in that the lodge is opened 1^st degree , the previously circulated summons were taken as read, then the minutes of the last meeting were read, having been approved they were then circulated and confirmed. The Representative of the PGM, Grand Officers and Provincial Officers enter the Lodge and after some informal greetings they all sit down. The Lodge Accounts statement sheet was presented, the Master then signed this and requested that copies were to be printed and circulated in good time to all Lodge Brethren prior to the next regular meeting. The next item on the summons of the installation of the Master Elect was read aloud etc, the Installing SW, JW and IG were then placed. All below FC were asked to retire from the Lodge and the Lodge was then opened in the 2^nd degree. The ME was then presented and addressed; the ME then advanced to the pedestal and gave his SO of Master Elect. All below the rank of MM were asked to retire from the Lodge and the Lodge was then opened in the 3^rd degree. The Brethren then sat down; Honours were then duly accorded to the Representative and the Grand Officers, and then accorded to the Group Chairman and the Provincial Officers of this and other Provinces. All below the rank of an Installed Master with the exception of the ME were asked to retire and then a Board of Installed Masters was formed.  The ME was then duly installed as usual and he was saluted by the IM’s. The Board of Installed Master was then closed and Lodge resumed in the 3^rd degree, then personal congratulations to the new WM were given informally. The Lodge was then called off for about 20 minutes refreshments (usually tea and biscuits), the Lodge was called on and then the MM’s were readmitted and the Installation proceeded as it is done pretty much as today.

The Centenary Meeting of Bridgewater Lodge was held on the 14^th March 1968, there were a total of 119 brethren present.  To accommodate this number closed circuit television was installed and the proceedings relayed to the ‘new’ practice room.

W.Bro. J.A. Walton PGD Ass PrGM was the representative of the PGM, in the absence of the Dep. Pr.G.M. W.Bro. T.W. Ward PGD due to illness.

The Centenary Warrant was read by the Prov.G. Secretary W.Bro. A. Fry PGD who acknowledged the continuous existence of the Lodge for one hundred years, entitling the Brethren to wear Centenary Jewels.  The new Centenary Warrant was presented to the Master, W. Bro. J. H. Wilkinson by W. Bro. Walton, but this had to be returned as the date of consecration was shown as 1968 instead of 1868.  To further mark the occasion W. Bro. A.B. Lowe PPrGD was promoted to the rank of PPrJGW and was invested by W Bro Walton.  Brother Lockett the Worshipful Master of Worsley Lodge No 1814 and Brother Owen the Worshipful Master of Egerton Lodge No 2216 were amongst those in attendance.

At the final regular meeting on Thursday 14^th of February 2013, the Lodge was opened in due form at 6.00pm by the Worshipful Master Bro. David Marlor; attending were 9 Officers, 2 Past Masters, 1 Member and 8 Visitors.

The minutes of the last regular meeting which had been previously circulated were approved and confirmed.

The Secretary W Bro.  Barry Hanson then read the minutes of the regular Lodge meeting from 100 years ago.

Amalgamation was agreed and the final Meeting of Bridgewater Lodge was held on 14th February 2013, when the business included a Ballot for Joining Members from Worsley Lodge 1814 and Egerton Lodge 2216 which proved in favour.

W.Bro Ian Buxton Edge PPr.D.G.S of W. who had been Treasurer and also DC for some years eventually resigned the Treasurer’s Office and this was taken up by W.Bro Brian Gaskell PPrAGDC, who would continue in that Office within the Amalgamated Lodge.

The Ballot for all the joining members from both Egerton Lodge No 2216 and Worsley Lodge No 1814 as listed on the presented registration Form P was taken by the eleven Bridgewater Lodge members present, the ballot revealed eleven for, zero against and zero abstentions.

An alms charity collection was taken and recorded.

There being no further business the Bridgewater Lodge No 1213 was closed for the final time by the Worshipful Master W.Bro Francis Woodcock PPrAGDC in Peace and Harmony at 7.00pm.