Llantarnam Lodge was Consecrated on 30th September 1963 with its Warrant dated 13th March of that year.
The lodge meets on the third Friday in January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November and December.
Meetings normally start at 18:30 with the installation meeting, which takes place in September, starting at 16:30.
The current officers are:
Worshipful Master: W. Bro. Richard Beaven
Immediate Past Master: W. Bro. David Llewellyn
Senior Warden: W. Bro. Christopher David Parish
Junior Warden: W. Bro. Simon Bellhouse.
Kennard Lodge. Trevethin Lodge. Henllys Lodge.
Traditionally members of Llantarnam Lodge who wish to continue their Masonic journey join the Llantarnam Royal Arch Chapter, though Master Masons can join any Royal Arch Chapter they wish. Learn more about Llantarnam Royal Arch Chapter. Learn more about Llantarnam Royal Arch Chapter. Click here…
Llantarnam Lodge 7901 – A Brief History
The Masonic Province of Monmouthshire in the early 1960’s was very vibrant and indeed was flourishing due to the newly found prosperity of the region. The rapid increase in memberships due to the wealth of employment opportunities arising from the construction of both the Richard Thomas and Baldwin Steelworks at Llanwern and the New Severn Bridge, combined with the Cwmbran New Town development and the increase in home building at Caldicot and Magor had given an increase to the local population due to the influx of both skilled and unskilled labour required to complete such major projects.
Cwmbran was already a major employer with such companies as GKN, Saunders Valves, Girlings and Burtons Biscuits, ( formerly Westons Biscuits ) being ‘joined’ by Alfa- Laval, Ferranti I G Engineering Ltd, Just Rubber Ltd, Lin-Pac, with many smaller businesses springing up to service the aforementioned.
The consequence of such a dramatic change in the Province and Newport in particular, meant that Lodges were experiencing rapid increase in memberships which in turn meant that progression to the ‘chair’ would in future be much ‘slower’.
The original proposers for the formation of the Lodge were Worshipful Brothers, Roy Davies, Eric Goater, L Brant, F. G. Waite, R Whittaker, C Christopher, D Cullimore, T Till and Bros. F Powell, J S Jones, T Caddy, L Solov, W Stone, with some 30 other members of Lodges in the Province expressing their interest in joining and submitting their names for inclusion on the original petition. These were mostly WM’s, Wardens and IPM’s of Lodges from Newport and the Valleys.
A Steering Committee was formed with the first meeting taking place at the home of W. Bro. Roy Davies, Ty-Coch Farm, Llantarnam, Mon. on Thursday, 2nd, August, 1962, at 7.30 pm.
The Agenda comprising, :- Opening, Suggestions for the name of the Lodge, Proposed day for Regular Lodge Meetings, Place, Date of Installation, First Officers. ( The Steering Committee ), Fees, Regalia, Lodge of Instruction, Lodge Procedure, Dress, Name of the ‘Sponsoring Lodge’, Lodge Crest and Motto but above all, to complete and sign the registration form as an indication of their serious intent of purpose to form a new Lodge!
Fees were set at :- Founder Members ( to include first years subscriptions ) 10 Guineas. Annual Subscription, ( to include dining fee but NOT drinks ) 8 Guineas. Initiation Fee, 35 Guineas.
It was also agreed that all ‘First Officers’ would donate the Collars and Jewels of their Office which would be suitably inscribed with the name of the donor.
The Founder Members each to donate the sum of £1 towards the costs of setting up the lodge at this time.
A Lodge of Instruction to also be set up and held at suitable premises in Cwmbran. Guidance to be sought from the Provincial Grand Secretary, at some future date.
A letter was sent to the then Provincial Grand Master, Colonel E R Hill, D.S.O., D.L. on the 11th August, 1962, updating him on the progress of the formation of the Lodge to which he replied on the 14th, August, 1962, pledging his full support as he had previously given his agreement to the proposed Lodge and now stated how much he was looking forward to performing the consecration of the new lodge in September 1963.
During further meetings of the steering committee, the choice of a suitable name was decided by vote and although other names, such as:- Cwmbran, Newton, Cambrian, St. dials, Ty-Coch, and Afon- Llwyd, ( reflecting the various localities of the founder members, no doubt? ) ‘Llantarnam’ was the preferred choice.
The Loyal Monmouth Lodge, the most senior in the Province, was approached and agreed to be the ‘Sponsoring Lodge’.
Several additional meetings of the Steering Committee and Prospective Founder Members were held at various venues and finally at the meeting held on Friday, 21st, December, 1962, the petition was ready to be presented to the Provincial Grand Secretary, W Bro. Howard Jenkins for approval and to be then taken to the Sponsoring Lodge, Loyal Monmouth, No. 457. on the 5th February, 1963. This was duly voted on and approved at said meeting and sent to Grand Lodge for consideration and acceptance.
The Worshipful Master of the loyal Monmouth Lodge at that time being W bro. Norman Bayliss, who in later years became a well known ‘character’ in the Province!
The Steering Committee agreed that all meetings would be held at the Masonic Hall, Dock Street, Newport, until premises could be found in Cwmbran and these would incurr a charge of £7.7.0d per lodge meeting.
During this ‘formation period’ of the Lodge the WM Designate and several of the Founder Members were actively scouting the area for suitable premises. Several ‘possibles’ were considered but the former Methodist Chapel at Wesley Street, Cwmbran, was deemed the most suitable although the building, valued at £3000.00 at that time, would require extensive alterations and refurbishment, at an estimated cost of £1500.00, should the purchase be completed and also that the Cwmbran Development Corporation would agree to the change of use and proposed alterations to the frontage of the building.
The anticipated cost of the ‘outgoings’ including loan repayments were indicated to be £1000.00 per annum.
The financial implications of the scheme made many of the brethren very apprehensive and the thought of such a commitment was in danger of delaying the formation of the new lodge for a period of up to two years as those expressing such fears were minded to wait until the lodge could be established on a firm financial footing!
After considerable discussion at the third meeting of the prospective Founder Members held on Friday, 21st, September, 1962, at 7.30 pm, the proposal to form a company was made by Bro. Joe Robinson and seconded by Bro. V Berry and it was RESOLVED that a company, to be called ‘Masonic Hall ( Cwmbran ) Ltd. was to be formed and that proposals should be submitted by the steering committee on how to raise funds for the purchase and equip the premises.
The company was eventually formed by W Bros. Roy Davies and Joseph, ( Joe ) Robinson in order to purchase the premises in Wesley Street. Without this approach, the opportunity to purchase the premises could have been missed and fortunately, as those brethren were able financially to commit such funds at the time by means of loans to the lodge which could be repaid once the lodge was ‘up and running’.
In the meantime, several social events were planned as a further method of raising funds. A Dinner/Dance at the Kings Head Hotel, Newport. A Social Evening at the Lovells Sweet Factory Canteen, Newport and a Cocktail Party at the Malpas Church Hall, Newport. ( Saturday, 24th, November, 1962 at a cost of 10/- per head )
Some prospective members were already committed to move things on and were making furniture and equipment for future use.
Bro. Bob Grinter made lightweight wands for the DC and the deacons plus other items of equipment.
The Worshipful Masters of the Newport Lodges who were in the ‘Chair’ at the same time as the WM Designate of the new lodge, once it was formed, had very graciously consented to present a set of gavels.
W Bro. Horace Atwell made several items of furniture including the Lodge Board which would be required once the premises were ready.
W Bro. W. E .Gowers presented a bound Volume of the Sacred Law to the Lodge.
The letter acceding to the petition to form the lodge was received, duly signed by the Grand Secretary, J W Stubbs, from Grand Lodge and forwarded to the Secretary Designate, W Bro. P.R. Whittaker, PM. 683. on the 13th March, 1963. by W Bro. Howard S Jenkins, Provincial Grand Secretary.
The Consecration of the Lodge and Installation of the first Worshipful Master, W Bro. Roy Davies was then arranged for Friday, 30th September, 1963. at the Masonic Hall, Dock Street, Newport, at 3pm.
This momentous day in the history of the Lodge resulted in a tremendous attendance on the day and comprised of :- 7 Consecrating Officers:- W Bros. Roy Davies, Eric Goater, Frank Powell, Thomas Rymer Till, Frederick Waite, Roy Whittaker , Edward Caddy, led by R. W. Bro. Colonel E Roderick Hill, Provincial Grand Master.
The Installing Master, W Bro. George W Bell, PGD, Deputy Provincial Grand Master assisted by 7 Founder Members.
31 other Founder Members, 6 Grand Lodge Officers, 13 Provincial Grand Lodge Officers, 25 Past Provincial Officers, 17 Worshipful Masters and 44 Brethren.
Following the ceremonies and the risings, the Secretary reported that propositions had been received for joining membership from 14 brethren and propositions in respect of 6 candidates for Initiation.
The Lodge was closed in peace and harmony at 6.20 pm with a retiring collection of £16.19.0d.
The subsequent meetings for the years up to and including April 1967 were very successful and resulted in the annual increase in membership with usually 2 candidates at each meeting and to the extent of several ‘emergency meetings’ being called to assist in passing and raising brethren in a reasonable time.
Many prominent members in the history of the Lodge came to the fore during the years at Newport and have remained in the memories of the members ever since.
W Bros. Fred Powell, Eric Goater, Roy Davies, C Ren Thomas, Tom Till, Fred Waite, Norman Bayliss.
Bros. Ian Carleton, Peter Gower, Les Solov, Cliff Parker, Royce Gardener, John ( Jack ) McKay-Williamson , Bill Stone, to name but a few and most of whom attained the chair of Worshipful Master.
The ‘Milestone’ however in the Lodge history occurred on Friday, 16th June, 1967, the day of the Dedication of the Masonic Temple at Wesley Street, Cwmbran.
The Ceremony of Dedication was carried out by The R.W. The Provincial Grand Master, Bro. Col. Roderick Hill, D.S.O., J.P., M.A. assisted by W Bro. Tom R Till P.G.D. as S.W. W Bro. Fred J Notley, P.G.D. as J.W. V. W. Bro. The Ven. J. Ralph Jones ( Archdeacon Emeritus ), P.G. Chap. as Chaplain, W Bro. Walter J. H. Smith, P.A.G.D.C. as D.C. and W Bro. Ben. D. Gibbs, MC, P.G.D. as I.G.
This being marked as, an ‘Especial Meeting’, of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Monmouthshire.
Friday, 16th June at 5 p.m.
The accommodation in the building and dining hall meant that brethren of the Lodge were only permitted to invite one guest! The cost of the tickets being 42/- each.
In order to arrive at this momentous time in the history of the lodge, the building had been extensively repaired and renovated. Being a former Chapel, it had previously been fitted out with a balcony, 2 school rooms, and by the time of purchase had rotten floors throughout, damp in the walls and ceilings and scaling everywhere.
The work undertaken by both skilled workmen and eager ‘volunteers’ to complete the work was “outstanding”, in the words of the W Master.
A Stained Glass Window had also been installed, thanks to a donation from W Bro. Reg Farrow.
Following that memorable day a special dispensation was granted to hold an emergency meeting of the Lodge on Friday, 23rd June, 1967. To Ballot for and if accepted, initiate, under Rule 160 B of C. ‘To initiate a candidate in case of urgency’.
The Candidate being Mr. Ian Robert Brimble. Proposer, Bro. I.J.Brimble. Sec. W Bro. Roy Davies.
The FIRST Candidate of the new lodge!
During the following years the lodge enjoyed great popularity throughout the Province and regularly received 50 visiting brethren at its meetings as well as goodly attendance from the members. The catering was the ‘domain’ of Bro. Bill Davies, the Senior Steward who was a ‘man to be obeyed’ and the tales of past stewards of the lodge are testament to the hard work involved in attending to such a large number of brethren. The atmosphere in the dining hall towards the end of the evening was so humid that Brethren had to resort to covering their seats with plastic wrapping ( carrier bags ) in order to keep one’s trousers dry. It was also common practice to ‘air’ one’s suit when arriving home in order to dry it out in readiness for the next meeting!
The ‘state’ of the building resulted in the Lodges of Instruction and Rehearsal being held any where else rather than there! and as a consequence, ‘Franco’s Restaurant’, ‘Mafanwys’ The Halfway House’ and other venues were preferred, which at times resulted in some rather innovative ‘ceremonies’ to say the least!
A Ceremony to present the banner to the lodge was performed on Friday, 20th September 1974 by W Bro. Walter J. H. Smith prior to the installation of the new W Master , Bro. Leonard Leach, SW. by W Bro. Royce Gardener. The lodge banner had been very generously presented to the lodge by W Bro. Joe Robinson.
Many candidates were initiated during the ‘Cwmbran Period’ of the lodge and amongst these were, to name just a few who became ‘stalwarts’ of the lodge:- Bro. Lyndon Rogers, Organist of the lodge and Past Provincial Grand Organist in the Province. W Bro. R. M. W. Meredith ( Ron ) P. Prov. J.G. W. who became W. Master in 1984 and 1985 and Secretary for many years, W Bros. Paul Gwyn, PM. the eldest son of Bro. Roy Gwyn who had been initiated into the lodge in January 1976. W Bro. Paul Gwyn brought so many new members into the Lodge in later years including his two ‘blood brothers’, Richard and Philip, both of whom exceeded to the ‘chair’ during the ‘Pontypool’ era.
The period of the Lodge being based in Cwmbran was an exceedingly ‘busy’ time with the membership increasing from 47 to 117 during that period and candidates were plentiful indeed. It was not uncommon for the lodge to initiate 2 candidates and then pass or raise 2 others on the same evening. Installation meetings attracting upwards of 140 members and visiting brethren. Normal lodge meetings usually attended by rarely 80-100 brethren! One exception to this however being the meeting of 15th January, 1982. ABANDONED due to the Blizzard conditions that had prevailed on the 7thand 8th of the month, thus rendering attendance impossible!
Some years later, other Lodges were consecrated in the Masonic Hall, Cwmbran, namely, the Henllys Lodge No 8283. on the 28th November, 1969, and the St. Gabriel Lodge, No 8711. on the 11th May, 1976. whilst some ‘side degrees’ chose to make it their ‘home’ in addition to the above craft lodges.
This would of course enable the premises to be a more viable proposition and hence enable repayment of the original loans to the ‘benefactors’ in a reasonable time?
This was not to be the case however as ‘economic circumstances’ prevailing in the province and astronomical interest rates of some 19/20% meant that the loans were becoming ‘acute’ to put it ‘mildly’.
The Masonic Hall was not generating sufficient profit from attendances due to charges for rent and catering being inadequate, these factors resulting in the company, ‘ Masonic Hall ( Cwmbran ) Ltd. finding great difficulty in meeting its financial commitments.
One of the ‘Benefactors’ was seriously ill at the time and the loans were therefore required to be settled in full quickly and at very short notice.
The Lodges were offered the opportunity to purchase the premises at a very reasonable cost of £24,00.00 which at that time was the ‘going price’ of a ‘modest house’ in the area but this became a matter of some dispute and the immediate cause of concern of many members who once again did not wish to undertake any financial ‘burden’.
This situation gave rise to several meetings of members of the Llantarnam Lodge when the possibility of moving to an alternative Masonic Hall in the Province was discussed.
The two alternatives being considered were either Pontypool or Newport Masonic Halls..
Several Lodge meetings resulted in votes being taken and at each one the votes were ‘too close to call’. The result of such ‘prevarications’ resulting in somewhat of a ‘dutch auction’ over the ‘true valuation’ for the premises. This situation could not be allowed to continue as it was ‘splitting’ the lodge and must therefore be resolved speedily and to the satisfaction of the Provincial Excecutive at the time and to the satisfaction of the members.
The final vote was taken on the 20th May 1983, the 179th regular meeting of the lodge when the vote was 32 in favour of Pontypool, 5 against and 8 abstentions. The Wm. W Bro. Michael L Goater, announced that the vote in favour of the move to Pontypool complied with Rule 141, B of C..and thanked the brethren for helping to reach an acceptable decision.
Following several meetings of the Lodge Committee with the Masonic Hall ( Cwmbran ) Ltd. and after reaching a financial settlement in relation to ‘ownership and values etc, arrangements were made during the month that followed to transfer some items of lodge ‘furniture’ to the Pontypool Masonic Hall. The Chequered Carpet, Pillars, Wardens and W Masters Chairs, Secretary’s Desk and the Tracing Boards being the larger items. The smaller pieces such as the wands, Wardens Columns etc, being stored at Pontypool Masonic Hall in a suitable metal cabinet supplied by W Bro. Jack Mckay Williamson. He arranged and provided all necessary transport and enabled a speedy and dignified move to the new ‘home’ for the Lodge.
From this moment on all lodge committee meetings were held at ‘Salopia’ the home of W Bro. Leslie Solov where the financial and logistical benefits of the move and likewise the need to impress upon the members the need to give complete support to the lodge both in attendances and ‘recruiting’ new members were vital to it’s success.
The 180th meeting of the lodge was held at the Masonic Hall, Trosnant, Pontypool on Friday, 16th, September, 1983. The WM. At that time being W Bro. Michael L Goater and as it was the Installation Meeting, the Dispensation was read out by the Secretary, W bro. Leslie H Solov.
The Secretary next read out the ‘Notice of Motion’ that all future meetings of the lodge would be held at Pontypool Masonic Hall. And to take place as per By-Law No1.
The Master Elect, Bro. Gerald Tudor-Williams was then installed according to Ancient Custom. He expressed his wishes that members would put aside any differences and support the move which had been agreed upon by the majority of the brethren.
The ‘early years’ at the new venue however, unfortunately resulted in an immediate fall in attendances by the members, this most certainly due to the virtual 50/50 split in favour of either of the locations which had been considered. Strange as it may seem however, the majority of those attending were members who had voted for Newport as their preference, whilst the Pontypool ‘voters’ attended to a much lesser degree?
Fortunately, the lodge continued to attract candidates, relying upon a ‘core’ of very experienced and dedicated Past Masters such as Royce Gardener, Leonard Leach, Jack McKay-Williamson, Bert Niklasson, Bill Stone, Les Powell, Peter Gower, Les Solov, and latterly, W Bro. Paul Gwyn, all making a great effort to ensure that the Llantarnam Lodge prospered.
One of the main objective during later years was that of being integrated into the Pontypool Masonic Hall on a fair and equal basis to the Kennard and Trevethin Lodges. The Henllys Lodge, the ‘Daughter Lodge’ of Llantarnam Lodge doing likewise.
This ‘equality issue’ gave rise to many meetings and discussions in the early years with a final resolution being achieved in no small part due to the ‘tenacity’ of W Bros. Leslie Solov and then Ronald M W Meredith, the Lodge Secretaries during the period 1985 to 1988.
The Lodge now settled in to a period of great stability with an unbroken ‘chain’ of Worshipful Masters and good progression to the Chair of King Solomon, thanks to a continuing influx of suitable candidates the majority of which were very keen to progress through the various offices. Ladies Festivals and many Social Functions were held during these ‘good years’ and the lodge enjoyed a
vibrancy and warmth which has prevailed ever since the move to Pontypool.
This continued throughout the late 80’s and for the following 15 years but the lodge began to ‘falter’ towards the late 90’s when the ‘Elders’ of the lodge or perhaps for the want a better term, Senior Past Masters, were unable to attend due to infirmity, ill health or even death. This, coupled with several Senior Wardens opting not to progress, thus leaving major gaps in the progression began to impact upon the volume of candidates being admitted into the Lodge. Thus resulting in the necessity of ‘recycling’ Past Masters, mostly for a second term and some even for a 3rd! The percentage of candidates during the early 2000’s who chose to commit fully to the lodge began to decline and coupled with the demise and subsequent closure of virtually all of the major manufacturing companies in the county of Monmouthshire and therefore the Province meant the that disposable income of a family was greatly reduced or perhaps , non-existent in some cases! This did not deter the brethren however and the lodge celebrated 50 years since its formation by holding a ‘Sunday Luncheon’ at the Greenmeadow Golf and Country Club, Cwmbran, when commemorative napkins and ties were presented to the R W Provincial Grand Master, W Bro. The Rev. Malcolm C G Lane and the Assistant Provincial Grand Master W Bro. Robert H Arundel who attended as honoured guests of the Lodge.
The prevailing economic ‘climate’ at this moment in time seems to demonstrate that the ‘wheel has turned full circle’ perhaps in the case of the Llantarnam Lodge? which had virtually been comprised of brethren in some way or another, associated with or employed in the Manufacturing, Engineering and Construction sections of the Community .
The way forward for the Lodge now requires the brethren to be more proactive in encouraging friends, family members and colleagues to join our wonderful Fraternity. The Principles and Tenets of the ‘Craft’ being never more so relevant in these rapidly changing times where ‘self’ seems to be the ‘norm!
The Llantarnam Lodge will continue, into the future, with the emphasis being upon the enjoyment of Freemasonry and its Rituals but above all encouraging its members to actively promote the time old principles of Brotherly Love , Relief and Truth!