De Shurland Lodge History

CHAPTER THREE The Lodge and Incidents from its History Fo1lowing the founding of the lodge it seems rapidly to have become a very virile institution for regular meetings were held, usually in the Wesleyan Church near the Fountain Hotel or at the Fountain Hotel itself, many candidates being initiated. In fact throughout the succeeding years, so great appears to have been the demand, that at practically every meeting two or three degrees were worked. On more than one occasion ten candidates being dealt with at one meeting. There is a note even as late as January 1916 showing that two candidates were raised, five were made fellow-crafts and three were initiated in one evening. It must be remembered that in those days it was permissible for more than two candidates to receive a degree at any one session. Such mass entry could not have created the best working conditions, nor could it have enhanced the decorum and stately conduct of the lodge, and the practice has now ceased.

At first meetings were held continuously throughout the year, there being no summer recess, but in 1868 it was decided that meetings be from September to May, a programme which is again in operation, although for a great many years the installation meeting became an extra one, being held in June.

Sometimes reading through the early minutes, one pauses to try to picture the men and times, and a great deal of amusement can be had from such thought wandering. For instance, after one meeting held at the Fountain Hotel is recorded the fact that “after partaking of refreshment the brethren departed in harmony, and picture comes to the mind of these very worthy top-hatted, bearded and whiskered brethren in their Victorian frockcoats wandering homeward by the dockyard wall, leaning unsteadily 13