Northumberland & North East Durham Province
In 1874, the only Lodge of G.L.E. to the north of Middlesborough, was the Sir John Falstaff Lodge (now No.8), held in the Lamp Tavern, Silksworth Row, Sunderland, this Lodge being opened in 1871, their original Dispensation can still be seen in their Lodge Room.
The Shakespeare Lodge No.161 (now No.35), Newcastle, was founded on 4/8/1875. This date of course is the date that their Dispensation was issued by G.L.E. The Lodge however could have been operating for years before they applied to join G.L.E. as can be said for many more of the Lodges of this time.The Northumberland and N.E.Durham P.G.L. was opened on 12th July 1876, the first P.G.Primo being Brother J.Waugh, the first D.P.G.P. being Brother G.Armstrong, and the first P.G.Secretary being Brother T.Varty.
It is not known who the Founder Lodges were, but it can be assumed that the Shakespeare Lodge No.35 was one of them. A large bill of £1-17s -0d (£1.85p), was paid to G.L.E. by the Shakespeare Lodge in 1876 , this could have been for the opening of a P.G.L.
There is a story that the Sir John Falstaff Lodge No.8 opened a Lodge in Newcastle, now as this Lodge opened in 1871, & the North Durham P.G.L.’s Charter was issued in 1878, could the Lodge they are said to have opened be our P.G.L. G.L.E. Rules in the 1870’s, showed that a P.G.L. could be opened by a District Lodge, with 4 other Lodges situated within a radius of 15 miles. Sunderland is less than 15 miles away, so could the Sir John Falstaff indeed be a Founder Lodge of the N.& N.E.D. P.G.L.? As Sunderland are in the N.E.of the County of Durham, & the Lambton Lodge No.5, of Stockton was in the South, this could account for the N.E.Durham part of our title, something which today seems to be a bit of a misnomer.December 1912 saw the opening of the N.& N.E.D. Knights Chapter No.27. The ceremony was carried out by Bro’ Lionel Jacobs ROH, who was the Grand Primo of 1911. The Chapter met in Bridge End hotel 1937-38, then in Hector Urquart’s Bar (Blenheim Hotel) in 1939-42 (or longer).Derwent Valley Knights Chapter operating in March 1937. (recently opened?)The opening of the N.& N.E.D. Knights Chapter in 1912, was no doubt witnessed by the redoubtable Bro’John Wilson ROH, who was the P.G.P in that year. Bro’John followed this up by being D.G.P. in 1913, and Grand Primo in 1914. He was on the G.L.Executive Committee 1916-29, and was Grand Secretary 1929-47. In 1917 he received the Freedom of the City of London and was elected Mayor of Shields in 1928, & as such welcomed Convention to Whitley Bay.Bro’Wallace P.Jones of this Province, drove the RAOB ambulance No.4. to France in 1914. Later he became PGP & Grand Tyler both in 1924. He celebrated 50 years in Order in 1950.The War Memorial Annuity Fund was started by G.Lodge in 1918, with the highest donation coming from the N.& N.E.D. of £390.3s3d (£390.17p), a plaque commemorating this can be found on the walls of Grove House. Voting for the first annuitants took place in Oct.1918, & George Edmundson ROH was the first annuitant, with Thomas Wilson ROH the third, both being members of this Province.The Morpeth & District PGL founded 11th March 1920 Bro’Robt.H.Robey ROH PPGP, was elected Grand Chamberlain for 1925.Bro’Edward Walker ROH PGP 1926, was elected DGP 1928, & Grand Primo 1929, he was of course, Vice President of the Whitley Bay Convention of 1928.A Notice of Motion was heard at the Dec. 1927 meeting of PGL, to split the Province into two, with the River Tyne as the boundary, this was defeated.The Whitley Bay PGL founded Dec.1928.Grand Lodge meetings held in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1929 Bro’ William Lynn ROH PG.Sec. Elected to a special committee of G.Lodge, to study & examine administration,1930 ish The Gateshead Church Parade Committee were active Pre 1931 till after 1939, and there was an annual PGL Infirmary Scheme operating at this time.
A PGL War Ambulance Fund was started in 1939.during the war years, N.& N.E.D. Knights Chapter bought 6 doz. Church Warden pipes in July 1940 No more gold Deg.Jewels could be purchased from 1941, and indeed no Degree Jewels at all were available from 1942 to end of the war. The N.& N.E.D. Knights Chapter did not elect a Bearer of the Jewel in 1943.
A Social Evening in this Province raised over £106 for the Fund to provide footwear & clothing for the needy children of South Shields.
The first ROH Assembly was opened in 1947, this was the Whitley Bay ROH Assembly No.2. The No.1 was kept for the use of Grand Lodge, but was never used. N.& N.E.D. ROH Assembly No.30 was founded in November 1948, with Bro’ Hector Urquart ROH PPGP being it’s first President.
Bro’ Edward Wanless ROH PPGP elected Grand Waiter
Bro’Francis Blackett ROH PPGP elected G.Waiter 1955.
Derwent Valley ROH Assembly closed in 1966.
Buff Club in Grainger Park Road opened 1968.
G.Buller Reg.Fee, 9d, 1967-1968
Clay pipes 4/- per Doz. 1962, Emblems framed for 4/6
Chester-le-Street Knights Chapter opened 1974.
Horror of Horrors in 1976, when we were informed that the Registration Fee was to be increased by 50% for 1977, this meant a fee increase from 4p to 6p!!
Clock presented to PGL in memorial of Bro’Jimmy Riley ROH by the Rock Lodge in June 1981.
11 member PGL Convention Committee elected in May 1983.
PGP Installed in November for the first time 1983.
Buff Club & HQ closed Feb.1989. PGL moved to Newcastle Companions Club.
Bro’Ronald Wilson ROH PGP 1992, elected G.Tyler 1992.
Chester-le-Street & Dist. ROH Assembly No.185 opened 1992.
Bro’John J.Wilson ROH PPG 1981, elected to G.L.Management Committee Dec.1993.
Most of N.Northumberland gifted to the Morpeth PGL by GL Management Committee in 1994, regardless of the wishes & opinions of this Province.
New PGL Officers Collars were bought & presented in April 1995.
After 4 emergency meetings in the Grainger Club, West Rd. PGL moved to the Gateshead Railway Club in April 1995.
Bro’John J.Wilson ROH PPG 1981, elected G.Tyler 1997.
Widows & Orphans Fund in danger of closing, taken over by PGL Ben.Com. 1998.
2000-14
Bro’ John J.Wilson ROH PPGP elected to G.L.Management Committee for the second time, Dec. 2001
Bro’ John J.Wilson ROH PPGP elected as Grand Primo GLE 2008 in Dec 2007
Bro' Derek Habberjam ROH PPGP elected as Grand Chamberlain GLE 2012 in Dec 2011
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Younger members attending the Examining Council today wonder why they are given a number. This is generally not necessary now, but it was essential in years gone past. I still remember when I attended the Examining Council in 1968 at the Bridge Hotel, at the end of the High Level Bridge. There were at least 20 candidates at that meeting, and we all sat in two rows facing the President and his examiners who were on a stage in front of us. In the main they didn’t know us, and we didn’t know them, so we were addressed by a number ( I was No.15). I think the only member I recognised on stage was Bro’ Ernie Shedlow, who My Good Lady & I had met while attending a social evening in the Shakespeare Lodge No.35, in the Victoria Comet, where he was of course, the City Waiter.
Anniversary History
The Northumberland and N.E.Durham P.G.L.
Inaugurated on the 12th July 1876
The first P.G. Primo was Bro’ J.Waugh, D.P.G.P. Bro’G.Armstrong,
and P.G.Secretary, Bro’ T.Varty.
It is not known who the Founder Lodges were, but it can be assumed that the Shakespeare Lodge No.35 was one of them. A large bill of £1-17s -0d (£1.85p), was paid to G.L.E. by the Shakespeare Lodge in 1876 , this could have been for the opening of a P.G.L.
The opening of the N.& N.E.D. Knights Chapter in 1912, was no doubt witnessed by the redoubtable Bro’John Wilson ROH, who was the P.G.P in that year. Bro’John followed this up by being D.G.P. in 1913, and Grand Primo in 1914. He was on the G.L.Executive Committee 1916-29, and was Grand Secretary 1929-47. In 1917 he received the Freedom of the City of London and was elected Mayor of Shields in 1928, & as such welcomed Convention to Whitley Bay.
Bro’Edward Walker ROH PGP 1926, was elected DGP 1928, & Grand Primo 1929, where he presided over the Grand Lodge meetings held in Newcastle upon Tyne in that year. He was of course, Vice President of the Whitley Bay Convention of 1928.
Other Grand Lodge Officers
Bro’ Edward Wanless ROH PGP 1933 elected Grand Waiter
Bro’Francis Blackett ROH PGP 1949 elected Grand Waiter 1955
Bro’Ronald Wilson ROH PGP 1992, elected Grand Tyler 1992.
Bro’John J.Wilson ROH PGP 1981, elected Grand Tyler 1997 & also
elected to G.L.Management Committee Dec.1993, & Dec. 2001.
Bro’Wallace P.Jones of this Province, drove the RAOB ambulance No.4. to France in 1914. In 1915 he was a Founder & first Worthy Primo of the Sir Francis Earley Lodge, opened in ambulance No.3. Later he became PGP & Grand Tyler both in 1924. He celebrated 50 years in Order in 1950.
The War Memorial Annuity Fund was started by Grand Lodge in 1918, with the highest donation coming from the N.& N.E.D. of £390.3s3d (£390.17p), a plaque commemorating this can be found at the bottom of the stairs in the Great Hall at Grove House. Voting for the first annuitants took place in Oct.1918, & George Edmundson ROH was the first annuitant, with Thomas Wilson ROH the third, both being members of this Province.
In 1927, even though the Morpeth Lodges had opened their own PGL, there were still 170 Lodges in this Province. A Motion was heard at the Dec.1927 meeting of PGL, to split the Province into two, with the River Tyne as the boundary, this was defeated. The Whitley Bay & District Province was however formed in 1928
During WW2, a Social Evening in this Province raised over £106 for the Fund to provide footwear & clothing for the needy children of South Shields.
Clay pipes were 4/- (20p) per Doz. in 1962, Emblems framed for 4/6
The Buffalo Club & HQ, in Grainger Park Road opened 1968, and was the home of PGL for 21 years till it closed in 1989
Horror of Horrors in 1976, when we were informed that the Registration Fee was to be increased by 50% for 1977, this meant a fee increase from 4p to 6p!!
The Province installed it’s PGP in November for the first time in 1983.
The longest serving Officers of the Province
Treasurers,
Phillip Spoors ROH HM, 34 yrs, Hecter Urquart ROH, 28yrs.
Trustees,
Ellis Gardener ROH HM, 28yrs, Albert Geo. Jones ROH abt 20yrs
Peter Robinson ROH, & William Dale ROH, 14 yrs each.
The Shakespeare Lodge No.161 (now No.35), Newcastle, was founded on 4/8/1875. This date of course is the date that their Dispensation was issued by G.L.E. The Lodge however could have been operating for years before they applied to join G.L.E. as can be said for many more of the Lodges of this time.The Northumberland and N.E.Durham P.G.L. was opened on 12th July 1876, the first P.G.Primo being Brother J.Waugh, the first D.P.G.P. being Brother G.Armstrong, and the first P.G.Secretary being Brother T.Varty.
It is not known who the Founder Lodges were, but it can be assumed that the Shakespeare Lodge No.35 was one of them. A large bill of £1-17s -0d (£1.85p), was paid to G.L.E. by the Shakespeare Lodge in 1876 , this could have been for the opening of a P.G.L.
There is a story that the Sir John Falstaff Lodge No.8 opened a Lodge in Newcastle, now as this Lodge opened in 1871, & the North Durham P.G.L.’s Charter was issued in 1878, could the Lodge they are said to have opened be our P.G.L. G.L.E. Rules in the 1870’s, showed that a P.G.L. could be opened by a District Lodge, with 4 other Lodges situated within a radius of 15 miles. Sunderland is less than 15 miles away, so could the Sir John Falstaff indeed be a Founder Lodge of the N.& N.E.D. P.G.L.? As Sunderland are in the N.E.of the County of Durham, & the Lambton Lodge No.5, of Stockton was in the South, this could account for the N.E.Durham part of our title, something which today seems to be a bit of a misnomer.December 1912 saw the opening of the N.& N.E.D. Knights Chapter No.27. The ceremony was carried out by Bro’ Lionel Jacobs ROH, who was the Grand Primo of 1911. The Chapter met in Bridge End hotel 1937-38, then in Hector Urquart’s Bar (Blenheim Hotel) in 1939-42 (or longer).Derwent Valley Knights Chapter operating in March 1937. (recently opened?)The opening of the N.& N.E.D. Knights Chapter in 1912, was no doubt witnessed by the redoubtable Bro’John Wilson ROH, who was the P.G.P in that year. Bro’John followed this up by being D.G.P. in 1913, and Grand Primo in 1914. He was on the G.L.Executive Committee 1916-29, and was Grand Secretary 1929-47. In 1917 he received the Freedom of the City of London and was elected Mayor of Shields in 1928, & as such welcomed Convention to Whitley Bay.Bro’Wallace P.Jones of this Province, drove the RAOB ambulance No.4. to France in 1914. Later he became PGP & Grand Tyler both in 1924. He celebrated 50 years in Order in 1950.The War Memorial Annuity Fund was started by G.Lodge in 1918, with the highest donation coming from the N.& N.E.D. of £390.3s3d (£390.17p), a plaque commemorating this can be found on the walls of Grove House. Voting for the first annuitants took place in Oct.1918, & George Edmundson ROH was the first annuitant, with Thomas Wilson ROH the third, both being members of this Province.The Morpeth & District PGL founded 11th March 1920 Bro’Robt.H.Robey ROH PPGP, was elected Grand Chamberlain for 1925.Bro’Edward Walker ROH PGP 1926, was elected DGP 1928, & Grand Primo 1929, he was of course, Vice President of the Whitley Bay Convention of 1928.A Notice of Motion was heard at the Dec. 1927 meeting of PGL, to split the Province into two, with the River Tyne as the boundary, this was defeated.The Whitley Bay PGL founded Dec.1928.Grand Lodge meetings held in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1929 Bro’ William Lynn ROH PG.Sec. Elected to a special committee of G.Lodge, to study & examine administration,1930 ish The Gateshead Church Parade Committee were active Pre 1931 till after 1939, and there was an annual PGL Infirmary Scheme operating at this time.
A PGL War Ambulance Fund was started in 1939.during the war years, N.& N.E.D. Knights Chapter bought 6 doz. Church Warden pipes in July 1940 No more gold Deg.Jewels could be purchased from 1941, and indeed no Degree Jewels at all were available from 1942 to end of the war. The N.& N.E.D. Knights Chapter did not elect a Bearer of the Jewel in 1943.
A Social Evening in this Province raised over £106 for the Fund to provide footwear & clothing for the needy children of South Shields.
The first ROH Assembly was opened in 1947, this was the Whitley Bay ROH Assembly No.2. The No.1 was kept for the use of Grand Lodge, but was never used. N.& N.E.D. ROH Assembly No.30 was founded in November 1948, with Bro’ Hector Urquart ROH PPGP being it’s first President.
Bro’ Edward Wanless ROH PPGP elected Grand Waiter
Bro’Francis Blackett ROH PPGP elected G.Waiter 1955.
Derwent Valley ROH Assembly closed in 1966.
Buff Club in Grainger Park Road opened 1968.
G.Buller Reg.Fee, 9d, 1967-1968
Clay pipes 4/- per Doz. 1962, Emblems framed for 4/6
Chester-le-Street Knights Chapter opened 1974.
Horror of Horrors in 1976, when we were informed that the Registration Fee was to be increased by 50% for 1977, this meant a fee increase from 4p to 6p!!
Clock presented to PGL in memorial of Bro’Jimmy Riley ROH by the Rock Lodge in June 1981.
11 member PGL Convention Committee elected in May 1983.
PGP Installed in November for the first time 1983.
Buff Club & HQ closed Feb.1989. PGL moved to Newcastle Companions Club.
Bro’Ronald Wilson ROH PGP 1992, elected G.Tyler 1992.
Chester-le-Street & Dist. ROH Assembly No.185 opened 1992.
Bro’John J.Wilson ROH PPG 1981, elected to G.L.Management Committee Dec.1993.
Most of N.Northumberland gifted to the Morpeth PGL by GL Management Committee in 1994, regardless of the wishes & opinions of this Province.
New PGL Officers Collars were bought & presented in April 1995.
After 4 emergency meetings in the Grainger Club, West Rd. PGL moved to the Gateshead Railway Club in April 1995.
Bro’John J.Wilson ROH PPG 1981, elected G.Tyler 1997.
Widows & Orphans Fund in danger of closing, taken over by PGL Ben.Com. 1998.
2000-14
Bro’ John J.Wilson ROH PPGP elected to G.L.Management Committee for the second time, Dec. 2001
Bro’ John J.Wilson ROH PPGP elected as Grand Primo GLE 2008 in Dec 2007
Bro' Derek Habberjam ROH PPGP elected as Grand Chamberlain GLE 2012 in Dec 2011
------------------------------------------------------------------
Younger members attending the Examining Council today wonder why they are given a number. This is generally not necessary now, but it was essential in years gone past. I still remember when I attended the Examining Council in 1968 at the Bridge Hotel, at the end of the High Level Bridge. There were at least 20 candidates at that meeting, and we all sat in two rows facing the President and his examiners who were on a stage in front of us. In the main they didn’t know us, and we didn’t know them, so we were addressed by a number ( I was No.15). I think the only member I recognised on stage was Bro’ Ernie Shedlow, who My Good Lady & I had met while attending a social evening in the Shakespeare Lodge No.35, in the Victoria Comet, where he was of course, the City Waiter.
Anniversary History
The Northumberland and N.E.Durham P.G.L.
Inaugurated on the 12th July 1876
The first P.G. Primo was Bro’ J.Waugh, D.P.G.P. Bro’G.Armstrong,
and P.G.Secretary, Bro’ T.Varty.
It is not known who the Founder Lodges were, but it can be assumed that the Shakespeare Lodge No.35 was one of them. A large bill of £1-17s -0d (£1.85p), was paid to G.L.E. by the Shakespeare Lodge in 1876 , this could have been for the opening of a P.G.L.
The opening of the N.& N.E.D. Knights Chapter in 1912, was no doubt witnessed by the redoubtable Bro’John Wilson ROH, who was the P.G.P in that year. Bro’John followed this up by being D.G.P. in 1913, and Grand Primo in 1914. He was on the G.L.Executive Committee 1916-29, and was Grand Secretary 1929-47. In 1917 he received the Freedom of the City of London and was elected Mayor of Shields in 1928, & as such welcomed Convention to Whitley Bay.
Bro’Edward Walker ROH PGP 1926, was elected DGP 1928, & Grand Primo 1929, where he presided over the Grand Lodge meetings held in Newcastle upon Tyne in that year. He was of course, Vice President of the Whitley Bay Convention of 1928.
Other Grand Lodge Officers
Bro’ Edward Wanless ROH PGP 1933 elected Grand Waiter
Bro’Francis Blackett ROH PGP 1949 elected Grand Waiter 1955
Bro’Ronald Wilson ROH PGP 1992, elected Grand Tyler 1992.
Bro’John J.Wilson ROH PGP 1981, elected Grand Tyler 1997 & also
elected to G.L.Management Committee Dec.1993, & Dec. 2001.
Bro’Wallace P.Jones of this Province, drove the RAOB ambulance No.4. to France in 1914. In 1915 he was a Founder & first Worthy Primo of the Sir Francis Earley Lodge, opened in ambulance No.3. Later he became PGP & Grand Tyler both in 1924. He celebrated 50 years in Order in 1950.
The War Memorial Annuity Fund was started by Grand Lodge in 1918, with the highest donation coming from the N.& N.E.D. of £390.3s3d (£390.17p), a plaque commemorating this can be found at the bottom of the stairs in the Great Hall at Grove House. Voting for the first annuitants took place in Oct.1918, & George Edmundson ROH was the first annuitant, with Thomas Wilson ROH the third, both being members of this Province.
In 1927, even though the Morpeth Lodges had opened their own PGL, there were still 170 Lodges in this Province. A Motion was heard at the Dec.1927 meeting of PGL, to split the Province into two, with the River Tyne as the boundary, this was defeated. The Whitley Bay & District Province was however formed in 1928
During WW2, a Social Evening in this Province raised over £106 for the Fund to provide footwear & clothing for the needy children of South Shields.
Clay pipes were 4/- (20p) per Doz. in 1962, Emblems framed for 4/6
The Buffalo Club & HQ, in Grainger Park Road opened 1968, and was the home of PGL for 21 years till it closed in 1989
Horror of Horrors in 1976, when we were informed that the Registration Fee was to be increased by 50% for 1977, this meant a fee increase from 4p to 6p!!
The Province installed it’s PGP in November for the first time in 1983.
The longest serving Officers of the Province
Treasurers,
Phillip Spoors ROH HM, 34 yrs, Hecter Urquart ROH, 28yrs.
Trustees,
Ellis Gardener ROH HM, 28yrs, Albert Geo. Jones ROH abt 20yrs
Peter Robinson ROH, & William Dale ROH, 14 yrs each.