Ellesmere Lodge No. 3068
On 25th June 1904, Samuel Allen, on behalf of eleven members of Bridgewater Lodge No. 1213 and one member of Lodge of Hope No. 2679, petitioned His Grace, the Duke of Connaught K.G. Most Worshipful Master of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of England, to establish a new Lodge in the rapidly increasing residential suburban district of Eccles. There were only three existing Lodges in the district, Bridgewater containing sixty-six members, Lodge of Hope with forty-two members and Victoria with forty-five members, and it was considered that the crowded state of these existing Lodges did not lead to the best interests of Masonry, and that accordingly most desirable gentlemen were deterred from seeking admission to the Order.
On 7th September 1904, a response was received by Samuel Allen from the Provincial Grand Secretary stating that he had the pleasure of informing him that the M.W. Grand Master had been pleased to accede to the prayer of the petition for the new Lodge and accordingly the groundwork was begun.
By necessity several preliminary meetings took place and it was during one of these meetings that the name ELLESMERE was finally selected as the name of the new Lodge. Accordingly the Earl of Ellesmere was approached for his permission in the use of the title. The new Armorial Bearings, which subsequently appeared on the Lodge circular, consisted of a heraldic shield with three bars of ermine, superimposed by a lion rampant. The shield is supported by a unicorn and a griffin. The crest, an Earl’s coronet is shown with the badge, a lion rampant holding an arrow. The motto shown on the ribbon, “sic donec” means “thus until”. This motto also appears in the Armorial Bearing of the Duke of Bridgewater, and is taken from a Latin verse, ascribed to Homer, which translated reads “thus until the world falls, we stand.”
On 15th November 1904, the beautiful Ceremony of Consecration took place at The Assembly Rooms, Monton Road, Eccles, and Ellesmere Lodge No. 3068 began its illustrious history with its first Regular Meeting held on the 1st December 1904 under the mastership of W.Bro Peter Wild, the I.P.M. of Bridgewater Lodge. At this first meeting balloting took place for ten prospective Candidates and three Candidates were Initiated. Such was the popularity of the new Lodge that an Emergency Meeting was held eleven days later at which five Candidates were Initiated. The following month seven Second Degree Ceremonies were taken.
The years leading to the outbreak of hostilities in 1914 saw worthy Mason following worthy Mason into the Chair. All Regular Meetings were held during the war, which ended with six Passing Ceremonies still waiting.
On 13th September 1921 it was resolved that in future Regular Meetings of the Lodge would be held at Eccles Masonic Hall, Elm Bank, Eccles.
During the Second World War the work of the Lodge was carried out as well as could be expected despite difficulties due to black out conditions and compromised travel facilities.
November 1954 marked the Golden Jubilee of the Lodge. This was held on Saturday 6th November by Dispensation. There were forty-two Brethren present with forty visitors.
In general, membership of the Lodge has fallen since 1954 to an all time low at the present, Candidates have still, however, been brought into Freemasonry wherever possible and they continue to witness and be part of ritual of the highest calibre.
Throughout the life of the Lodge it has held Lodge Picnics and Ladies and Social Evenings on a regular basis.
The Centenary of the Lodge, held at the end of 2004, was indeed a wonderful and momentous occasion at which the R.W. Provincial Grand Master, Colin Penty Wright, was pleased to attend.
The current members of Ellesmere Lodge have feelings of gratitude to the Founders and the many hundred members who followed them, thus ensuring that the foundations of the Lodge, so well and truly laid, will remain steadfast.
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RON BAXTER CELEBRATES 50 YEARS IN ELLESMERE LODGE
WBro. Ernest Ronald (Ron) Baxter celebrated 50 years in Freemasonry and as a member of Ellesmere Lodge no.3068, at a ceremony held in Eccles Masonic Hall on Thursday 5 March. The Lodge was honoured by the presence of WBro. Geoffrey Bloch, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, who recounted Ron’s life to members and guests before presenting him with a Certificate from the Provincial Grand Master and a 50 Year Badge from the brethren of his Lodge.
Ron Baxter was born in Salford on 19 June 1925, at a time that brought great hardship to many families. After attending Primary School, Grammar School and Technical College in Salford, the war intervened and Ron enrolled in the RAF Cadet short course at Southampton University, where he represented the university at Rugby Union. He earned his commission as a Flying Officer serving in the meteorological branch near Versaille in France, and was demobbed in 1947.
Following the war, Ron began and long and successful career in teaching and after gaining a Diploma in Education at Liverpool University, he returned to Salford where he spent 23 years at Walkden High teaching Geography, History and Religious Education. Ron finally retired as Head of Department in 1990.
Married to Joan in 1945, they had a son David who is a medical consultant, and who joined Ellesmere Lodge in 1976, taking the Chair in 1992. Sadly Joan passed away in 1986 and Ron’s partner since 1994 has been Christine.
Ron was initiated into Ellesmere Lodge on 5 March 1959. He became a Master Mason in 1960 and after filling the majority of offices on the floor, he was installed as Master in 1971. Ron had two spells as Organist of the Lodge and then spent 11 years as DC until 1990. In 2002, Ron became Worshipful Master for a second time.
The Province of West Lancashire acknowledged Ron’s contribution to Freemasonry in 1984 by making him PPrSGD and then in 1992 by promoting him to PPrJGW.
In summing up, Geoffrey Bloch commented on Ron’s devotion as a father, a grandfather, a member of the Armed Forces, an educator and as a member of the Craft. All those gathered in the Lodge on the evening wished Ron many years of good health and happiness.
Photo: l to r David Walmsley, Group Vice Chairman, Ron Baxter, Geoffrey Bloch APGM
