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Here you will find pictures and documents relating to the history of Coveham Lodge, from its inception in 1920 to the present day. In 2021 Coveham celebrated its Centenary, marking the occasion by producing a History of the Lodge over the past 100 years. The vast amount of work needed for this enterprise was done by W.Bro Nigel Bennett, Secretary of the Lodge for twenty years. Downloadable in pdf format here. Ten years before, W.Bro Nigel gave a talk on our history, at the Installation Meeting of the Lodge on 2nd March, 2011, entitled "The Birth and Infant Nurture of Coveham Lodge". This is much shorter, but is well worth reprising. ************************************************************************************************ From the same pen comes a most interesting dissertation entitled "Of Medals, Motorcycles & Masonry", which is the full version of the lecture that W. Bro. Nigel delivered at the Lodge Meeting on 2nd March 2016. It relates the story of three of the Lodge's past members, including the man who held multiple world land speed records. A "must read" item. ************************************************************************************************ In 2019 the Lodge marked Remembrance Day with a trip to Flanders' Fields, staying at Ypres and visiting many of the memorials and museums both in the town and the wider area of the battlefields. Read about it here - "Flanders 2019" ************************************************************************************************ The Lodge has acquired an unusual item from its history - one of the seven Consecrating Officer's Jewels issued in 1921 at the birth of Coveham Lodge. It was discovered in a sale on eBay, originating in a collection of similar items in a rather unexpected location, Wiesbaden in Germany. How it got there one may only conjecture, but judging from the other jewels on sale it was in the collection of an individual whose specific interest was Consecration and Founder's medals. The jewel is made from sterling silver, gilded, and as shown below is the usual Lodge Jewel as bestowed on Past Masters at the end of their year in office, though in this case appended to a royal blue ribbon with the clasp bar bearing the words "CONSG OFFICER".   The ribbon has faded on the front side, which is probably the result of the medal being displayed in a case for some time, as it is unlikely that normal wear by the Officer who owned it could possibly result in such fading. A closer examination of the hallmark reveals the date the medal was struck (1920) as well as the sterling hallmark and that of London (a leopard's head). There is also the maker's mark, that of Harry Bladon, who was a partner in Bladon and Humphreys of Great Queen Street and Clerkenwell Road in London (founded 1865 by Harry's father, Joseph), and the names "Bladon" and "London" are also stamped into the obverse of the medal.  Harry Bladon was a founder of the Coveham Lodge. He lived in Claygate and was described as a Goldsmith. Enquiries at the Masonic Museum & Library have revealed that W Bro Bladon PGStB was well known at Gt Queen St and on his death he bequeathed his personal collection of 72 Masonic jewels to the Museum including a small 'dress' jewel of Coveham Lodge. Coveham Lodge was Consecrated at 4.30 p.m. on 31st January 1921 at Mark Masons Hall, Great Queen Street. The seven Consecrating Officers who took the roles of Lodge Officers at the Consecration were as follows: The R W Provincial Grand Master of Surrey, Rev Canon H. W. Turner, MA, PGChap. W Bro G. H. Redwood, PGD, DepProvGM (Surrey) W Bro Dr A. Foote, ProvSGW (acting as SW) W Bro G. V. A. Schofield, ProvGSec (acting as JW) W Bro Rev J. W. St Clare-Hill, PAGChap (acting as Chaplain) W Bro G. R. Saunders, PAGDC (acting as DC) W Bro W. H. Meyrick, PAGSuptWks (acting as IG) It is not known whose jewel has come into the Lodge's possession, as they were not indiviually marked. 23 of the 27 Founders attended the meeting. Update! 19th October 2017. Another Consecrating Officer's Jewel has turned up and is now in the Lodge's collection. Virtually identical to the first, of course, though its ribbon is unfaded and there is a little tarnishing on the obverse. Again, there is no indication as to the original owner. We are looking for a Founder's Medal - if anyone can supply one or point us in the right direction, we would be most grateful! ************************************************************************************************  Ladies' Night, 1933 Recognise anyone? Please let us know (click on picture for a bigger image). |
Last updated: 20 March 2014