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Domville Lodge
No. 4647 in the register of the United Grand Lodge of England was consecrated on
Friday the 12th September 1924.
Domville Lodge is today, 75 years on, a very active
Lodge in both Masonic and social affairs. We are sure that our Founders would be
extremely pleased to see that the vehicle, which they created, is still
travelling the highway of life.
The ‘Founders’ are listed
on our current summons and most members of Domville will be familiar with their
names but who were they? Where did they come from and what did they do, and
perhaps most intriguingly of all why would they want to set forth on a such a
bold new venture?
Who Were They?
First of all, a brief insight into what we know about
each of the founders.
W. Bro. Thomas Frederick Walpole Dixon
 He was the first Worshipful Master of Domville
Lodge, although he did not reign for a full year as the consecration was in
September 1924 and the first Festival of St John was in March 1925. W. Bro.
Dixon was initiated in November 1906 and was a Past Master of Gilbert Greenall
Lodge No. 1250 in Warrington. He
was also a member of St. Elphins Lodge No. 3287 in Warrington and Prudence Lodge
No. 3659 in Birmingham.
He resided at ‘Clifflands’ in Station Road, Lymm,
where the telephone number was listed as Lymm 54. His occupation was noted as a
Steel Merchant, based in Exchange Street, Manchester, although he later became
the sales agent for Shaw’s steel foundry. W. Bro. Dixon was widely
accepted as ‘the driving force’ behind Domville in the early years and even
prior to consecration he had adopted the role of Chairman in the unofficial
meetings of the Founders.
It had been decided at these meetings that the
new offices would be taken in order of Masonic seniority, that is, the Mason
with the longest service in the Craft would be given the option to take the
highest office. Although several other brothers had declined this option to
allow W. Bro. Dixon to take the first chair. W. Bro. Dixon also has the
notoriety of presiding over the Lodge during the only year that it was fined one
guinea for not being represented at Provincial Grand Lodge in October of 1924.
Perhaps the founders were still celebrating?
W. Bro. Richard Oddie P.P.G.Std.B.
W. Bro. Oddie was the Preceptor of the Earl of
Chester Lodge of Instruction No. 1565, having been their Worshipful Master in
1905. He was a retired schoolmaster, residing at ‘Long Butt’ in Lymm. He
became the first acting Immediate Past Master of Domville in 1924.
It was Richard Oddie who approached the Earl of
Chester members and persuaded them to ‘mother’ Domville. From correspondence
dated early in 1924, it appears that he initially had a difficult time, in
trying to divide his loyalties.
W. Bro. John Upson
W.
Bro. Upson was initiated in 1903 into Lodge of Friendship No. 2963 in
Warrington; he was also a member of St. Austins No. 4335 also in Warrington.
He was a schoolmaster and an acting Justice of the Peace. He resided at
Foxley Hall, Lymm. John Upson was one of the founders of St. Austins Lodge,
which was consecrated on the 16th February 1922 and therefore was
able to give valuable advice on the correct way to approach a consecration.
Together with W. Bro. Steele, he had recent first hand experience at the newly
consecrated St. Austins Lodge. He was the first Senior Warden of Domville. In
the early meetings at Waide’s cafeteria he was, without doubt, the calming
influence on the proceedings.
W. Bro. Edward Waide
 W. Bro. Waide was initiated into St. Chads Lodge in
Rochdale in 1897. He was the owner and proprietor of ‘Waides Cafeteria’
opposite the Spread Eagle in Lymm where the initial pre consecration meetings
were held, in addition to the first few years committee and Past Master’s
meetings, and a quite a number of unofficial rehearsals. W. Bro. Waide was also
the first Charity Steward of Domville. Recently more information regarding
Edward Waide has come to light (See
the Edward Waide story)
W. Bro. James Edward Slee.
W. Bro. Slee was the first Director of Ceremonies in
Domville, he was initiated in 1895 and was a Past Master of The Lodge of St.
John No. 191 in Bury, He was also a member of St. Martins No. 2320 in Rochdale.
His occupation was listed as ‘Textile Agent’ and he resided at
‘Eastfield’ in Lymm.
Bro.
George Herbert Parker
Bro. Parker was a Wire Merchant, working for John Pendelbury and company. He
resided at ‘Hartwell’ Lymm. He
was the first Junior Warden of Domville, having been initiated in 1909 into the
Caledonian Lodge No. 204 in Manchester. He became Worshipful master in 1926 and
Director of Ceremonies in 1928, an office he held, with the exception of one
year, until 1944. George Parker, above all others was probably the most
influential person in the Domville early years, imposing certain Mancunian
nuances on the proceedings, which are continued to this day.
Bro. Sir William Peter Rylands
 Many of the founders of Domville Lodge were involved
in local business, but one of them perhaps stands out for his work in business
and local politics. Sir William
Peter Rylands, managing director, and later the Chairman of Rylands Wire Works,
was a Cambridge graduate, and had trained at the Bar. He was also a director of the District Bank Ltd, and of the
London & Lancashire Insurance Company; he had published a number of economic
and political articles, and became High Sheriff of Cheshire.
He had a very active public life, working on committees for tariff reform
set up by Stanley Baldwin. He served on the Anderson Committee, a committee
under the chairmanship of Sir Arthur Balfour to consider Industry & Trade.
He was a member of the Board of Trade and Post Office Advisory Committees,
and was knighted by George V in recognition of his work as President of the
Central Committee.
Sir William was initiated into the Isaac Newton
Varsity Lodge No. 859, Cambridge, in May of 1892.
He was also a member of the Lodge of Friendship No.
2963 in Warrington and The Lodge of Industries No. 4100 in London. His residence
was at Massey Hall in Thelwall. He was the first Treasurer of Domville but took
little active part in later years.
Bro. Franklin
Garside
Brother
Garside lived at ‘Brooklyn’ Lymm and his occupation was that of a silk
printer. He was the first Assistant Secretary of Domville, becoming Worshipful
Master in 1927. He was initiated in October of 1904 into Gilbert Greenall Lodge
No. 1250 in Warrington; he was also a member of St.Elphins No. 3287 also in
Warrington
Bro.
Stanley Herbert Campbell
Brother Campbell was the first Senior Deacon of
Domville Lodge. He was initiated in December of 1911 into The Lodge of
Perseverance No. 2963 in Maryport, Cumberland and was also a member of Anchor
and Hope Lodge No. 37 in Bolton. His occupation is listed as a Tanner and he
resided at ‘The Firs’ in Lymm.
Bro.
John Thomason
Bro. Thomason was the first secretary of Domville
Lodge and was instrumental in the quite prolific communication activity prior to
the consecration; he was of course, a Chartered Accountant. He only held the
position of secretary for one year, quickly moving on to the dizzy heights of
Lodge Auditor. He was initiated in 1920 into Gilbert Greenall Lodge No. 1250 in
Warrington. His residence is listed as ‘Aylesmore’ in Lymm.
Bro. Herbert Whitelegg
Brother Whitelegg was a cashier in the cotton trade,
working for G & R Dewhurst. He resided in Burford Lane, Lymm. Domville’s
first Junior Deacon also was a member of Gilbert Greenall, having been initiated
in February of 1916. Bro. Whitelegg did not attend the Consecration ceremony,
being ill at the time. Unfortunately we do not have a photograph of him.
Bro.
Albert Charles Hodgson
Another of the six members of Gilbert Greenall, having been initiated into
that Lodge in May of 1918. Bro. Hodgson was listed as a
‘Rubber Manufacturer’ being the Managing Director of Castle Rubber
company in Warrington. He resided at ‘Clinvoy’ Lymm. He was the first Inner
Guard to protect Domville Lodge.
Bro.
Harold Southam
Bro. Southam was appointed as the Senior Steward at
our consecration. Having been, since his initiation in November of 1918, a
member of Cope Lodge No. 1357 in Brooklands, Cheshire. He was a Calico Printer
who lived at ‘Ashfield’ in Lymm.
Bro.
Charles Ward.
Charles
Ward was an Electrical Engineer who worked for the ‘Ediswan Electric
Company’ in Manchester. He resided at Crouchley Lane Lymm. He was appointed as
the first ‘Junior’ Steward. His ambition was to become Worshipful Master of
Domville, which he succeeded in doing in 1930. His Masonic career began in
February of 1919 in St. Elphins No. 3287 in Warrington. He was a member of
Domville for 40 years, attending 316 meetings
Bro.
Harry Holt
Another of the Gilbert
Greenall contingent, having been initiated in July of 1919, Harry Holt was one
of the seven Stewards of Domville. He was an accountant who worked alongside
Bro. Herbert Whitelegg at ‘G & R Dewhurst’.
He lived at ‘Greenbank’ in Dunham. Bro. Holt became our
Worshipful Master in 1932. He was the longest serving Founder member, being in
office until 1964, 40 years on. He was a member of Domville for 46 years,
attending 382 meetings.
Bro.
Fred Walton
Bro. Walton was an Ancient Briton, in Masonic terms, that is, having been
initiated into the Lodge of that name, No. 1675 in Liverpool in February of
1907. He was a Steward of Domville who resided at Burford Lane in Lymm, being
the sub-postmaster at that address.
Bro.
George Gibbon Whitelegg
We are not sure what brought Bro. Whitelegg to the Lymm area, as his address
was Chiselhurst in Kent and he had been initiated in 1909 into ‘Crays
Valley’ Lodge No. 2147 in Bromley of the same county. He also was a Steward of
Domville and it is assumed that he was the Brother of the Junior Deacon, Herbert
Whitelegg. We do know that he was the owner or part owner of ‘The Rock
Gardening Company’ in Chiselhurst.
Bro.
Herbert Shenton
Bro. Shenton was a cashier for the London Midland and Scottish railways. He
lived at ‘Beech House’ in Thelwall. He progressed from his consecration
position of Steward to that of Worshipful Master within seven years. He was
initiated into The Lodge of Lights No. 148 in Warrington in September of 1919.
Bro.
James Smeaton
Bro. Smeaton was the last of our founders to become Worshipful Master of
Domville. Attaining this position in 1934, moving through the ranks from his
initial appointment as Steward. Bro. Smeaton was a Textile Technologist for the
‘Shirley Institute’ who lived at ‘Maygate’ in Lymm. He was a member of
two other Lodges, having been initiated into Lancastrian No. 2528 in London in
March of 1919 and later joining Volunteer No. 2905 in Manchester.
Also worthy of mention is Bro.
Frank Cosham who was Domville’s first Tyler, This being a paid
position rather than an appointment in those days. He was paid £4-10/- per
year. Bro. Cosham remained as Tyler until 1936. He was the Landlord at the
‘Crown & Anchor’ in Lymm and also the Steward at the Conservative club.
Initially,
Domville was without a Lodge Organist and W.
Bro. W.B. Cooke, a member of the Earl of Chester, was seconded into this
position for a few years until Bro. L.W. Jones was initiated. The ‘Organist
Exchange Scheme’ between Domville and Earl of Chester, continues to this day.
So there is a brief insight into who they were, what
they did and where they came from, so the next question is why would they want
to consecrate a new Lodge, after all, they were all members of active Lodges?
Why a New Lodge?
As most of you are aware the Earl of Chester is
designated as our ‘Mother Lodge’. Now the assumption of many was that this
title & relationship had arisen because some members of the Earl of Chester
in 1924 had broken away, perhaps because their Lodge was too large, in order to
form Domville.
This was not the case. The founders listed above,
were, in the main, members of Lodges in Warrington and Manchester. Only two of
them were Cheshire Masons, only one of these, W. Bro. Richard Oddie, belonging
to Earl of Chester. The other was Bro. H. Southam a member of Cope Lodge No.
1357
Although the date of consecration was 1924, the
original meetings regarding the formation of a new Lodge took place in 1913 but
any decisions on this were held in abeyance due to the outbreak of the First
World War.
Some years after the war the brethren who had taken
part in those original, informal meetings again approached the project of
forming a new Lodge. There were two main reasons for this. First, some of the
Lodges were very large in numbers in those days. Bro. Charles Ward, another of
our founders from St. Elphins Lodge, in a letter written prior to consecration,
regarding this, states:
"As
an illustration of this point, when I joined the Craft in 1919 in
Warrington and allowing that every brother that had joined
before
me, took up his rightful position by going through all the offices, it
would
have taken me 56 years to reach the Master’s Chair."
The second reason for the formation of a new Lodge
was that all of the founders, including Bro. Ward, resided in or around the Lymm
area and did not want travel ‘over the waters’ (The Mersey & the Ship
canal), to enjoy Masonic company.
The front runner in the days prior to 1924 was W.
Bro. Thomas Dixon, who was our first W. M. It was he who chaired the rather
clandestine, pre consecration meetings, in Waides cafeteria opposite the Spread
Eagle Hotel in Lymm. Unfortunately no minutes of these early meetings have ever
come to light.
Two things were required prior to the founding
of a new Lodge, the consent of Province (and of course Grand Lodge) and a
sponsor, being another Lodge within the Province, to the petition.
Province originally were not
happy with the idea, as only two of the proposed founders were Cheshire masons.
This was eventually sorted out with the assistance of W. Bro. Wilson
and W. Bro. Steele of St Austin Lodge 4335, in Warrington, who had not
long since been through the same procedure and therefore ‘knew the ropes’
and also knew the right people to talk to. Hence the continuing association was
formed with St. Austins before the formation of Domville.
On that point, it is interesting to note that W. Bro. Steele was also
presented with a Gold commemoration medal at the consecration of
Domville.
Why Domville?
It is clear, from a series of letters written at the
time, that ‘Domville’ was not the first choice of name. 4647 was originally
to be called ‘The Lymm Lodge’.
The only Lodge, by geographical default, who could
sponsor 4647, was the Earl of Chester and in January 1924 a letter was sent by
W. Bro. Dixon to the Earl of Chester secretary. As you can imagine this caused a
degree of consternation at the next Earl of Chester committee meeting. There
were two main concerns; the proposed name of ‘Lymm Lodge’ was totally
unacceptable to the Earl of Chester, as being then, the only Lodge in Lymm they
were known colloquially as ‘Lymm Lodge’ and there were uncertainties as to
whether the tiny village of Lymm could support two Lodges.
After numerous letters between
our founders and the Earl of Chester Past Masters a meeting was eventually held
at the Plough Hotel in Lymm in March of 1924. This concluded in an agreement of
support on the condition that a new name was agreed upon.
With this in mind, our founders decided on the next best thing, which was
the oldest of the three Lymm names, that is, DOMVILLE. We could just as easily
have been the Massey or the Warburton Lodge.
The Domville name has been prominent throughout Lymm
history, a fragment of which can be found in Lymm Parish Church, which has a
tablet from the Domville Chapel, circa 1521, built into one of the present
arches. In May of 1928 a lecture was presented to the Lodge entitled ‘Domville
Family Ancestry’. This must have been at the social board, as no mention of
the talk is recorded in the minute book for that month. A copy of this Lecture is enclosed with this document.
The insignia of the Lymm Cross, on the front of the
summons, was also adopted at this time and it was agreed that this would be
superimposed on all Lodge jewels and all Lodge paperwork.
Domville, A Nomadic Lodge?
It was also decided during the
‘Waide’s Cafeteria meetings’ that Domville would take up residence at the
Plough Hotel, in Lymm (now the Lymm Hotel). At that time the Earl of Chester met
at the Railway Hotel in Heatley but after seeing the accommodation on offer at
the Plough Hotel, they decided to move there at the same time.
The annual fee for this
accommodation was thirty-six Pounds, for both Lodges for twenty-one nights per
year. Unfortunately the Plough was not licensed and an arrangement was made with
the Spread Eagle to purchase ‘excisable drinks’ from them. It is interesting
to note that proprietary whisky was charged at 14/6d per bottle (721p)
and Guinness at 6/- (30p) per dozen gills. Dinner was charged at 3/6d (171p)
per head.
This arrangement only lasted for six years, when, for
his own reasons, Col. Groves the Landlord, gave both Lodges notice by
solicitor’s letter.
Alternative accommodation was found at the Spread
Eagle Hotel in 1931. This arrangement lasted until 1936 when the ‘Spread’
was sold to J.W. Lees and co. They, not being of Masonic persuasion, were not
helpful in the re-negotiations of tenure and although the Earl of Chester
decided to ‘brave’ it out, Domville were once again on the move.
By this time, the Plough, now renamed ‘The Lymm Hotel’ was owned by
Greenall Whitley and although still with no license, welcomed Domville back
again.
The first meeting was held there in September of
1936.
This was quite a long period of rest for the
‘Nomadic’ Domville, which lasted until 1951, when relationships soured with
the then licensee, Mr. Roger Allen who, although himself a Mason, requested the
departure of Domville. The situation had, by that time become untenable, as we
had accused the staff of ‘interfering’ with the liquor cabinet and they, in
turn, had accused us of stubbing cigarettes out on the carpet. Arrangements were
made to return once again to the ‘Spread’, the first meeting being held
there in January of 1952.
By 1972 the elders of Domville had begun to develop
quite a complex, when the landlord Mr. John Night proceeded to make things quite
difficult, stating that we could no longer meet on Fridays, or Thursdays or
Saturdays. This, of course, resulted in another move, this time to the Fir Grove
Hotel. On this occasion Domville were joined by the Earl of Chester along with
their Chapter Lodge.
During the early part of 1978 the committee minutes
reveal a certain amount of displeasure at the service being given by the Fir
Grove management. Complaints were received regarding the Installation meal; also
the cost of whisky had caused some (actually quite a lot of) resentment.
Fortuitously, the new Landlord at the Spread Eagle Mr. McKeon at the same
time had taken it upon himself to write to Domville, inviting them to take up
residence once more. An extraordinary committee meeting at the Spread Eagle on
22nd May 1978 confirmed our acceptance of the terms and the first
meeting was held there in October of 1978.
The stay at the Spread Eagle lasted for thirteen
memorable years, not least for the meals, especially the ‘Spam Fritters’
(with Spam, of course). Then in
early 1991 we were ‘obliged’ to move yet again. At a special meeting which
took place at the Birchdale Hotel, it was announced that a Provincial Officer
who had been present at the March Installation was ‘not happy’ with the
toilet facilities and the lack of proper robing facilities for Grand and
Provincial Grand Officers. An ‘unofficial’ complaint was made to the
Domville Secretary“ A
certain amount of healthy discussion took place and there was resentment shown
that Province should make these demands of our Lodge, without putting their
considerations in writing”. Nevertheless, a vote was carried to call
in the removal men yet again. Bulk discounts were discussed. By September 1991,
Domville were back at the Fir Grove.
The more astute amongst you will have noticed that
Domville are no longer at the Fir Grove, here we are once again at the Spread
our patriarchal, if not ancestral home. This was due to the Fir Grove being sold
to a company who have different ideas about the use of available hotel space,
which they made quite clear by attempting to quadruple the fees for
accommodation and dining.
So here we are, having completed move number Eight.
Hopefully a period of rest and stability will follow. The problems previously
perceived by Province, regarding the facilities at the Spread Eagle, have now
been corrected and the Landlord is in the Craft. And not least of all, that furniture has become heavier over
the years.
Lodge Nights
It was arranged that regular Lodge meetings would be
on the second Friday of each of the season’s months. The only permanent change
to this was made in March 1937, when it was decided that the Installation
meeting would be held on the Saturday following the second Friday, due to the
length of time the installation social board was taking (even then!).
Temporary changes were made at the outbreak of the
Second World war, when the September meetings in 1939 were cancelled all over
the country. The W. M’s of the
war years were given very flexible terms of reference, being able to call or to
cancel a Lodge meeting at very short notice, without dispensation. Domville held
meetings on Saturday afternoons from 1940 to 1946 in an effort to save
electricity and comply with the emergency regulations. Meetings during this time
were held from February to October, without a break.
The
Domville Consecration Invitation
The Consecration
There are many stories surrounding this but a few
particular points that we think you will find of interest.
The Consecrating Officer was Rt. W. Bro. Lt. Col. Hubert
Cornwall Legh D.L. Provincial Grand
Master. He was brought to the
ceremony in a bath chair and perambulated with the aid of two walking sticks for
part of the time and was wheeled around for the rest of the time.
This was the last official ceremony that he performed.
The consecration and many subsequent installations and
ceremonies were performed with the assistance of Past Masters and brethren of
St. Austins and the Earl of Chester, until Domville had enough Past Masters to
fill the offices themselves. Thus were formed the fraternal alliances which
continue to this day,
Another point of interest regarding the consecration is
the festive board at which everyone attending had to purchase a ticket costing
One Guinea. That is one pound &
one shilling, or for the younger brethren, one pound and 5p.
Now, we know this sounds fabulous for one pound and
5p but to put that into perspective, you need to multiply by a factor of at
least 50 to bring this figure into present day costs, so at £52.50 per head it
wasn’t cheap.
So anyone who complains about our current
installation cost of about £15 should take heed. The consecration menu was as
follows;
Menu
Soup
Vegetable
Clear
Fish
Salmon Mayonnaise
Entrée
Chicken Sauté Portugaise
Joint
Roast Beef, Potatoes and Vegetables
Sweets
Peaches and Cream
Biscuits and Cheese
Dessert
Coffee
Ninety-nine people attended the ceremony and festive
board. One Hundred were catered for but Bro. Herbert Whitelegg was ill and
missed the consecration.
All of the above was reported in quite some detail in
the Warrington Guardian, with phrases such as;
“ Following the ceremony of consecration, W. Bro.
Thomas F.W. Dixon P.M., who had been chosen by the founders to be the first
Worshipful Master of the Lodge, was duly installed by W. Bro. Oswald Andrew
P.A.G.D.C. (Eng.) as Worshipful Master, according to ancient custom.”
And later in the article;
“
In the evening a banquet followed, over which the newly installed W. Master
presided. The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were submitted and the toast to the
health of the W. Master was proposed in felicitous terms by Bro. Sir Peter
Rylands. The ‘Master’s’ song being sung by W. Bro. Hugh Spencer Prov.
G.D.C., whose voice has often been heard by listeners in to the Manchester
Wireless Station.”
The Brother receiving office purchased the collar and
jewel with which they were invested.
Gold commemoration medals were presented to the
nineteen founders and also to:
Rt.
W. Bro. Lt. Col. Hubert Cornwall Legh, D.L.
Prov. Grand Master
W.
Bro. Major Cuthbert Leicester Warren J.P.
Dep. P.G.M.
W.
Bro. George Leigh J.P.
Asst. P.G.M.
W.
Bro. Joseph Wainwright
P. G. S. W.
W.
Bro. Major Thomas Forster
P. G. J. W.
W.
Bro. Oswald Andrew
P. A. G. D. C.
W.
Bro. Rev. F. Smithett
P. G. Chaplain
W.
Bro. Thos. Steele
P.
P. G. Reg (W.Lancs.)
The latter, for his invaluable assistance to the
Founders. Twenty-seven medals in total, six of
which are currently in the possession of the Lodge.
Prior to the consecration a rather grand minute book
was purchased, this was 16½” x 12” x 2¼” and weighed in excess of 12lbs.
Edward Waide carried this around for six years before he decided it was
too heavy and he persuaded the committee to procure a lightweight version.
Furniture
During the early years arrangements were made with
the Earl of Chester to use their furniture until Domville could afford to
purchase their own. For which, was paid the sum of Ten Pounds per annum.
In 1936 a sub-committee was formed to investigate the
possibility of acquiring Lodge furniture from London. However, before this took
place, information was received regarding a complete set, which was available in
Manchester.
This furniture belonged to Alexandria Lodge, No. 993,
who had been meeting at the Midway Hotel, Levenshulme, since 1861. They had
decided to move to the Manchester Temple and therefore had no further use for
it. It is not clear if Alexandria purchased new in 1861 or if our furniture is
older than that date.
The major pieces are made from rose wood, and the
arms of the Master’s chair are carved in the form of a snake.
Each piece of furniture was theoretically ‘broken
down’ and each member purchased a part thereof, with brethren ‘owning’ say
a leg or an arm or a pedestal top. The total cost of the Chairs and Pedestals
was £19. 11/3d. The Tracing boards were Two Guineas each.
The furniture was blessed and dedicated by W. Bro.
The Rev. Canon Downham on September the 11th 1936.
When Good Endeavour, our Daughter Lodge, was formed
in 1948, we agreed that they could use our furniture until they were in a
position to purchase their own. This arrangement was fine until they decided to
move to the Railway Hotel in Heatley and the monthly transportation between the
two venues caused quite some damage. The Domville elders were relieved when Good
Endeavour acquired their own furniture.
The expenditure of £19.11/3d in 1936 was probably
the best investment Domville has ever made. Apart from Alexandria and Domville
our furniture has been used by, Earl of Chester, Good Endeavour, Oakwood,
Birkenhead, Earl of Chester Chapter, Bridgewater Lodge and in 1936 by Provincial
Grand Lodge for an Installation at the Spread Eagle.
Since 1936 the furniture has been repaired or
renovated three times and we hope that the members who made the initial purchase
would be pleased with the present condition. Apart from the main items of
furniture, certain other objects have been purchased by members of the Lodge or
have been donated from other Lodges; an inspection of the affixed plaques will
render the detail of this.
The War Years.
As previously stated, at the outbreak of hostilities in
September of 1939, meetings were cancelled all over the country, this was to
allow time for emergency regulations to be finalised and to consider the new
guidelines for travelling restrictions and black out difficulties.
The Lodge opted to meet on Saturday afternoons in an
effort to comply and also to conserve electricity. Meetings were held from
February until October, this continued until February of 1946, when normal Lodge
nights were resumed. The committee meetings, however, appear to have been rather
more fragmented.
The Worshipful Masters of the War years did not need
dispensations to change Lodge meeting days or times, the only rules were that no
meeting could be held on a Sunday and there must be at least twenty one days
between the conferring of degrees on the same candidate.
The social activities during this period were non
existent and in 1946 it was resolved that all Ladies of the Lodge, who had not
had a Ladies evening, should receive a present.
The Domville committee decided to waive the fees of
any member who was in the forces but Province would not allow this, so a
decision was made to ‘grant’ country membership to any Brother who was
‘called up’. The Lodge also paid the country membership fees for the
duration.
As only light refreshments were served at the social
board, the charge for visitors was reduced from 5/- to 3/-.
It was during 1940 that a number of Lodge Jewels,
from this and other Lodges, were possibly ‘lost’. Grand Lodge had made a suggestion that Brethren could
donate their Jewels to assist the War effort, a call to help King and country
that many did not resist.
In 1945, Brother Harry Holt had one of his rare
absences from the Lodge. His son, having been a prisoner of War since 1940, had
returned home that day. The committee considered this to be a valid excuse.
In 1942
the current Worshipful Master, Bro. H. H. Brown received his call up papers and
had to leave before informing the Lodge, there was, of course, no shortage of
experienced ‘stand ins’.
Lodge Inter
Visits.
Throughout the years Domville has built a tradition
of inter- visits with other Lodges, some annually or bi-annually, others on a
monthly basis.
The Earl of
Chester, as
our Mother Lodge, have, since the 1920’s, been represented by one or more
members at almost every Domville meeting, Domville of course with this
arrangement and all others listed, do their best to reciprocate.
Good Endeavour,
our Daughter Lodge, sponsored by Domville in 1948, also have been represented on
most Lodge nights since that date.
St Austins
lodge, in
Warrington have a Christmas ‘arrangement’ with Domville, whereby the two
Lodges alternate in a mass visitation at the December meetings.
Lodge St.
Clement, No. 202, Riccarton, Kilwinning, Kilmarnock.
The annual visits from Domville to St Clements and vice versa, at Installation,
were at the instigation of W. Bro. David Robertson in 1963. These visits have
continued both ways for the last thirty-six years.
Oakwood Lodge,
during the 1980’s became guests at the Spread Eagle for a number of years,
utilising the Domville furniture. This, at the time, seemed rather a good excuse
for further reciprocal visits, an arrangement that gladly, still continues.
Duke of York,
Lodge No 25,
Dublin Ireland. Some eight years ago, Bro. Terence George Longford Drought
became a joining member of Domville, he had been initiated into the Duke of York
Lodge. Never having been known to miss an opportunity, certain members of
Domville decide that a Masonic visit to Dublin was a necessity, especially as
no. 25 met at Grand Lodge. This was hastily arranged and has now become a
regular reciprocal arrangement.
St. Chads Lodge No. 1129, Watch
this space?
Long may all of these continue.
Social
Activities.
Although since 1924 Domville has been very active on the
social front, in recent years the social events have played an increasingly
important part of Masonic life. The events have been many and varied.
Attendance, within Domville Lodge, is always exceptionally good, with, on more
than one occasion, in excess of two hundred people at the Ladies Evening.
Different Worshipful Masters have experimented with new ideas and social venues,
Ten Pin Bowling, River Cruises, Barge Trips, A visit to Grand Lodge followed by
a West End Show, all of these have supplemented the Bowling Mains, Quiz Nights,
Garden Parties and Ladies Evenings. The Domville social activity has created a very active
‘Ladies Section’ without whose help the social events would not be possible.
The
current year’s social calendar is (was) as follows:
April:
Re-dedication Church Service followed by a buffet.
May:
Wine Tasting Evening, French style.
June: Champagne and Strawberries, a lazy Sunday afternoon.
July: Barbecue and Garden Party, a lazy Saturday afternoon.
August: Domville v Earl of Chester Bowling Main
October: Quiz Night.
November: Lodge visit to
Kilmarnock, followed by an optional visit
To Rosslyn Chapel.
November: Lodge Christmas Dinner.
December: Carol service, followed
by a buffet, mince pies etc.
January: Sherry morning, another
lazy Sunday (afternoon?).
February: Ladies Evening, Statham Lodge.
Domville Family
Ancestry
Lecture
given to members of Domville Lodge - May 1928
(From
information given in our lodge summons the lecture was actually given in lodge
on Friday 11th April 1930 by Bro. Arthur J. Clarke of the Earl of
Chester Lodge No. 1565)
Cheshire is often spoken of as the County of Landed Gentry, and of no
part of the County is this saying more true than that of Lymm and District,
which is one of the most interesting and historical.
At the time of the Norman Conquest 1066, Ulvict and Dot, two Saxon landowners
owned the land. After the Conquest, the whole of England was divided among
William’s followers, and according to the Doomsday Book, Lymm and High Legh
were given to Gilbert de Venables, who afterwards became Baron of Kinderton near
Middlewick.
Another Baron was Hugh de Domville, who came over from Avranches in Normandy,
with Wm. Conqueror, and settled on the land of the Barons de Montalt of Mold,
which was then part of Cheshire. The Domvilles were than considered to be a
younger branch of the Montalt family and bear the same Coat of Arms with
variation in colour.
One branch
of the family became Lords of Oxton and Bramsbath near Birkenhead, and one of
the sons Robt. Domville m. Agnes d. of Thomas Legh of West Hall, High Legh, in
the time of Edward III and so became founder of the Domvilles of Lymm.
In order to link up the families in proper sequence, it is necessary to go back
to the time of the Conquest 1066. At this period surnames as we understand them
were unknown, and it was customary for people to be known and distinguished by
the name of the place in which they lived. For example one of the descendants of
the Venables of Kinderton previously mentioned went to live in High Legh, and
called himself Venables-Leigh. His descendants were called Leigh, hence we find
a Harnon Leigh living at West Hall circa 1160 in the time of Henry II. His
great-great-grand-daughter was called Agnes.
Returning to the Lymm portion we find that during the reign of King John, circa
1210, a family which was probably a branch of the Barons of Halton, near Runcorn,
came to live in Lymm, and following the custom called themselves Lymme de Lymme.
The great-great-grand-daughter of the first of the Lymmes, Richard de Lymme,
married the Lady Agnes de Leigh previously mentioned.
The son born of this marriage was Thomas. He was born at High Leigh, and
therefore took the name of Leigh.
His great-great-grand-daughter married Robert Dumbill.
Gilbert de Lymme released to this Agnes and her husband Robert Dumbill all his
lands in Lymm (Document dated at Limme on the Thursday next after Michaelmas
1342). Thus Robert Dumbill became Lord of the Manor of Limme.
The eldest
son of Robert and Agnes, John Domville served in the war against Owen Glendower,
the Welsh rebel, in the time of Henry IV and was granted a pension of 100/ - per
annum.
(His brother) Another son Robert married Cecily daughter of William de Mobberley
in 1378, and their descendants became the Talbot’s of Graften in
Worcestershire. These afterwards became the Earls of Shrewsbury, a title they
hold to the present day.
One cannot state exactly when the Domvilles took up their residence at Lymm
Hall, but it is very probable that the first hall was built before 1420, as the
old Chapel, which is now used as the Gardener’s Cottage, was built in 1417.
The family (male and female) married into the most important County families and
several of them were baptised, married and buried in Lymm Church, as the parish
registers show.
In the 17th Century one branch of the
family went to London and became cloth workers. The family appears to have
settled in St. Albans, and in 1813 William Domville was Lord Mayor of London. He
was made a Baronet for entertaining the Prince of Wales and several foreign
Nobles. The present holder of the title is Sir Cecil Lionel Domville, born 1892.
Another branch went to Ireland. The Cheshire Sheaf, a paper that collects
historical information about Cheshire, gives among the list of Cheshire Gentry
for 1673, Sir William Domville, Kt., His Majesty’s Attorney General for the
Kingdom of Ireland, who was descended from the ancient family of the Domville of
Lymm of this County, and Edward Domville of Lymm.
Other branches of the family on the male side remained in Lymm as there are two
graves in Lymm Church Yard, one of James Domville, Higher Lave Booths, died
1763, aged 90 years, and the other to Richard Domville of Statham, died 1816.
In the present Lymm Hall there is a beautifully carved fireplace dated 1663,
probably carved when William Domville resided there, as a memorial to the
Restoration after the death of Oliver Cromwell.
In order to trace out the other branches of the family it is necessary to go
back to the late 17th Century.
William Domville left no children. He had two
sisters, Eleanor married John Halstead of Wigan, who died 1683 and Ursula
married William Massey, younger son of Richard Massey of Sale Hall.
In his will dated August 21st 1697, William Domville bequeathed his
estate to John Halstead of Manchester, Gent. Son and heir of Eleanor Halstead
(deceased) and to William Massey of Sale, Gent. And Ursula his wife, his younger
sister, to hold the same in moieties to themselves, their heirs and assigns.
From the Halstead branch sprang William, who married Felicia, daughter of
William Martin of Dane Bank. From this marriage, he, along with his wife, became
possessor of Dane Bank and took up his residence there. He died in 1727.
Their eldest son was Domville Halstead, married Elizabeth, daughter of John
Chesshyre of Warrington, who died in 1795.
Their eldest son Domville Halstead married Sarah, daughter of James Massey of
Rostherae. Under the will of his uncle, the Rev. Cadworth Poole, he assumed the
name of Poole and became known as Domville Halstead Poole.
There were 8 children born of this marriage, all of
whom died in infancy. The family thus dying out, the estate was sold in 1796 to
James Wilde, Esq.
The second portion, which included Lymm Hall, passed
from William Massey and Ursula his wife to their daughter Ann who married Henry
Taylor of Liverpool, of which town he was Mayor in 1720. The eldest son of the
marriage was William Taylor who married Hannah Hicks. Their eldest son was
Massie Taylor who died without issue in 1769.
The 2nd son Robert married Ann Tagg died
at Lymm 1792. Their eldest son Thomas married Mary daughter of Sam. Jackson. The
sons of this marriage were eldest Robert, whose only child was a girl, and
second Massie Domville Taylor, Minor Canon of Chester Cathedral. This portion of
the estate had been vested in Robert Taylor, great grandson of Anne Taylor, with
remainder in failure of male issue to his brother Rev. Massie Domville Taylor,
who succeeded under the entail and in 1846, after his death the Estate was sold
in lots. In 1853 the greater portion became the property of G. C. Dewhurst, Esq.
The Rev. Domville Massie Taylor had a son Domville
Massie Taylor, born 1815. His only daughter married Rev. Dr. Wynter, President
of St. John’s College Oxford. The Coats of Arms in Lymm Church Tower are to
the Halsteads and Taylors. That on the north side to a Domville and the brass in
the Chancel to a Leigh.
The Brethren of this Lodge should be very proud of
bearing the name of a family which came to this country 900 years ago and to
this district 600 years ago.
It is quite possible some of them may have been
Members of the Craft for there was living in Lymm in the year 1667 a mason named
Richard Elborn, which suggests that there was a Lodge somewhere in the district.
Founders Board
For many years the Founders Board has languished as a
stagnant reminder of our beginnings. It has become, in the worst sense of the
phrase, ‘part of the furniture’. It is however a poignant and constant
reminder of our roots and is deserving of more interest.
The photograph, the centrepiece of the Board, was
taken on the day of consecration. All the founders (with the exception of Bro.
H. Whitelegg, absent through illness) are shown together with W. Bro. G. Leigh
P.A.G.Reg., A.P.G.M. This innocent looking item hides a number of intriguing
questions. Why was the Consecrating
Officer, R.W.Bro Lt. Col Hubert Cornwall-Legh D.L. P.G.M., not shown? Perhaps he
was too restricted by his disabilities to take part. Why did his deputy, R.W.Bro.
Leicester- Warren not take his place? What is the backdrop to the photograph, a
most imposing wooden framed building with a corrugated iron roof and who are the two gentlemen (look for the second one) looking through the top
right window of the building? On such a professional photograph why does W. Bro.
G. G. Whitelegg seem to have a cigarette-bearing hand in view and what, out of
shot, is attracting the attention of Bro. G. H. Parker and W. Bro. G. Leigh
P.A.G.Reg. (Eng.), A.P.G.M.? Also, why is Bro. F. Garside listed as Asst. Treas.
when he quite clearly bears the Collar and Jewel of the office of Asst. Sec. And
when did Domville Lodge last have a Junior Steward? Also interesting is the
mixture of evening and morning dress.
The original framed set-up was prepared, at the
instigation of W.Bro. H. Holt sometime after he went through the Chair in 1932
since his Past Master’s Jewel was included. This must have been at quite some
cost since it is all printed, including the photograph. At that time there was
also included the Past Master’s Jewel of W.Bro. T.F.W.Dixon, the first Master
of the Lodge. Some time later, for what must have been a most important reason,
his jewel was replaced with the Charity Jewel of W.Bro. H. Holt. The
professionalism of the work was not repeated since the original label was
replaced by a stuck-on typed label. W. Bro. Holt was quite prepared to give up
his Charity and Past Master’s Jewels at this time but did not include his own
Founder’s Jewel. There was also included two other Founder’s Jewels, those
of Bro. G. H.Parker and Bro. Chas. Ward.
Thus the Board remained for a vast number of years
being brought out each Lodge night and returned to storage at the end of the
evening with hardly a passing glance.
In the early 1990’s, W.Bro. Peter Baines decided
that the lodge memorabilia should be collected, collated and catalogued. A
general appeal was made to the Brethren of the lodge to dig out any items in
their possession and hand them in for this purpose. Surprisingly, at this time
two more Founder’s Jewels were ‘discovered’, those of Bro. Herbert
Whitelegg and Bro. John Thomason. Where had these been hiding all these years?
In the years following, a sad loss to the Lodge
turned up an intriguing find. The, then, Lord Gray of Codnor, a good friend to
this Lodge, passed to the Grand Lodge above. His son, the current Lord Gray, not
being of the Masonic persuasion passed all of his father’s Masonic items to
Cheshire Provincial Grand Lodge. Amongst these items was found the Consecrating
Officer’s Jewel belonging to R.W.Bro. Lt.Col. Cornwall-Legh, the uncle of the
late Lord Gray. The Provincial Grand Master decided that the Jewel should be
returned to its ‘home’ in the Lodge. The Jewel was presented back to the
lodge, after an absence of over 70 years, by W.Bro. Kenneth Hepworth on the 10th
January 1997.
By this time W.Br. Peter Baines had also passed to
the Grand Lodge above so it was left to others to continue his work. It was
decided in the summer recess of 1997 to reorganise the Founder’s Board. The
Board was enlarged and reframed to accommodate the newly acquired jewels, which
now counted, one Consecrating Officer’s Jewel, four founder’ Jewels, a Past
Master’s Jewel, a Charity Jewel and another jewel (for balance).
Not two years later, early 1999, another stroke of
luck for the Lodge (see W.Bro. E. Waide’s story) brought to light a fifth
Founder’s Jewel. Once again the Board has been reorganised to accommodate this
and several other jewels, some of which have been in safekeeping and some newly
acquired.
The current situation of jewels issued at the
foundation of the Lodge is as follows;
Consecrating
Officer’s Jewels
Rt. W. Bro. Lt. Col. Hubert
Cornwall Legh, D.L.
Prov. Grand Master
In Lodge
W.
Bro. Major Cuthbert Leicester Warren J.P.
Dep.
P.G.M.
Unknown
W.
Bro. George Leigh J.P.
Asst. P.G.M.
Unknown
W.
Bro. Joseph Wainwright
P. G. S. W.
Unknown
W.
Bro. Major Thomas Forster
P. G. J. W.
Unknown
W.
Bro. Oswald Andrew
P. A. G. D. C.
Unknown
W.
Bro. Rev. F. Smithett
P. G. Chaplain
Unknown
W.
Bro. Thos. Steele
P. P. G. Reg
Unknown
Founders
Jewels
W.Bro. T.F.W.Dixon
Worshipful Master
Unknown
W.Bro. John Upson
J. P.
Senior Warden
Unknown
W.Bro. Richard Oddie I.
P. M.
Unknown
W.Bro. E Waide
Charity Rep.
In Lodge
W.Bro. J. E. Slee
D. C.
Unknown
Bro. G. H. Parker
Junior Warden
In Lodge
Bro. Sir Peter Rylands J. P. Treasurer
Unknown
Bro. Franklin Garside
Asst. Sec.
Unknown
Bro. John Thomason
Secretary
In Lodge
Bro. S. H. Campbell
Senior Deacon
Unknown
Bro. Herbert Whitelegg Junior Deacon
In Lodge
Bro. A. C. Hodgson
Inner Guard
Unknown
Bro. Harold Southam
Senior Steward
Unknown
Bro. Chas. Ward
Junior Steward
In Lodge
Bro. Harry Holt
Steward
Unknown
Bro. Fred Walton
Steward
Unknown
Bro. Geo. G. Whitelegg Steward
Unknown
Bro. Herbert Shenton
Steward
Unknown
Bro. James Smeaton
Steward
Unknown
It is hoped, perhaps forlornly, that one day, all the
Founder’s and Consecrating Officer’s Jewels will find their way back home,
should their current custodians so desire.
Meanwhile, Brethren and Guests of Domville take a
closer look at the Founder’s Board and consider.
The Edward
Waide Story.
As previously
mentioned, Edward Waide, our first Charity Steward was also a member of St.
Chads Lodge 1129 in Rochdale.
In December of 1998, our Secretary, W. Bro. Ron
Knowles received a letter from Shrewsbury Freemasons Hall. Enclosed within was a
further letter from Mrs. Margaret Waide. The context of this was that Mrs. Waide,
whose husband had died in 1990, was sifting through some of his possessions and
had come across a case containing Masonic regalia. This had belonged to Mrs.
Waide’s late husband’s father, Edward, who had died in the late 1930’s.
A wallet in the case was embossed;
“W. Bro. Edward Waide, St. Chads
Lodge No. 1129, Domville Lodge No. 1647”
The principle items were cuffs
and a collar, to which were attached a number of jewels.
The Secretary of the Shrewsbury Masonic Hall, W.Bro.
Key, explained that he had collected this regalia and jewels from Mrs. Waide.
Included in this was Edward Waide’s founder’s jewel, a Past
Master’s jewel from St Chads, dated 1905,1906, A Hall Stone jewel and a
Charity jewel. Several phone calls
later they were despatched to W. Bro. Ron Knowles.
Ron had already contacted Mrs. Waide and agreed a donation to her
nominated charity, in recognition of the ‘find’.
Mrs. Waide then wrote to Ron, enclosing the
photograph depicted above. Edward Waide is middle row, third from the left, pipe
in hand. Although dated on the reverse as 1925, it is possible that this was a
slightly later photograph. It is assumed that the other people, in the main,
were from St. Chads Lodge, although behind Edward Waide and slightly to the left
is, without a doubt, Franklin Garside, founder of Domville. Also, could that the
young gentleman, seated, far left of the photograph, be Harry Holt.
By this time W. Bro. Knowles had been in contact with W.
Bro. Paul Holt of St. Chads to inform them of the discovery. Arrangements were
made for a deputation to visit Domville and in April 1999, eight members of that
Lodge were present to receive the St. Chads jewels from W. Bro. Knowles. Perhaps
we have another Lodge with a valid excuse for inter-visits?
Domville in the 21st Century.
http://www.domvillelodge.com
Well… not
exactly, but several members do have e-mail addresses and personal web sites. (This site was not open in
1999)
The summons is now produced ‘in house’ on a PC,
the Domville emblem having been ‘scanned’ from a 1928 summons.
Most of the Lodge data is held on spreadsheets, the
social circulars are also produced on computer, by members, as well as signs,
banners and ‘Domville Dollars’.
Finally, the whole of this document is available on
CD-ROM ! just ask!
We are convinced though, that we will stop short of
the Secretary using a laptop to record the minutes.
Throughout the years Domville have averaged 2.25
candidates per year, our ‘youngest’ member, candidate No. 167 is Bro. Simon
Marsh, son of the Worshipful Master. We wonder what initiate No 1, Bro. Geo. A.
Broster in November 1924, would have thought about the world in 1999. We are
sure that if he could attend a regular Domville meeting he would have seen
little difference.
Our ‘oldest’ member (but perhaps one of the
youngest in his views) is W. Bro. Robert Rathmill Starkey, initiated in 1961. It
is interesting to note that in the appendix of Lodge officers an ‘overlap of
officers’ appears. The Founders are depicted in blue and the current members
in red, in 1964, W. Bro. Starkey was the Junior Steward and W. Bro. Harry Holt
was the Lodge auditor.
The current membership stands at 47, which is about
the average, the lowest being 19, in 1924 and the highest being 71 in 1964.
Domville boasts Twelve Provincial Officers, One Grand
Lodge Officer (W. Bro. Jim Ellis, joining member) and A Provincial Grand Master
( W. Bro. John Ralston, Provincial Grand Master of Ayrshire, Scotland, Honorary
member).
Although during the last seventy-five years Domville
have never had a Grand Lodge Officer appointed from its initiated membership.
Perhaps it was that fine of One Guinea in October of 1924?
Domville is currently enjoying a renaissance period
in terms of ‘younger’ brethren. They will very soon be in the ascendancy and
there are currently Five new candidates in the ‘pipeline’
Footnote
Minutes
are, of necessity, brief notes of events and the achievements of those who have
chosen not to progress receive scant attention, inadvertently giving the
impression that they were inactive, when nothing could be further from the
truth. There must have been many occasions in our history when service has gone
unrecognised, due merely to the lack of a timely mention.
Unsung
heroes abound in Domville, stalwarts of the Lodge who have chosen to stay on the
sidelines, out of the limelight but without who’s input the Lodge would not
function.
There
have been many personalities in Domville over the years, many of them referred
to as the driving force or even ‘Mr Domville Lodge’ but the Lodge is it’s
own entity, without all the members it would not exist. Such is Freemasonry.
James
Peter Marsh will lead us in the contemplation of our first Seventy-Five years
and will no doubt direct our gaze towards the opportunities the next Millennium
will offer.
He
follows in the footsteps of a long line of exceptional Masters from T.
W.
Dixon in 1924 to the present day. Many more will follow. It is our hope and
belief that they will continue the tradition thus so far set.
On a personal note I must record thanks to all
members of Domville and others who have given me assistance in collating the
above;
W. Bro. Bernard Meadows for the long hours, freely
given in this and indeed all matters Domville and to his wife Lesley for giving
up her dining room to Lodge minute books for the last three months.
My wife Sandra for giving up me and the lounge for
the same period and for proof reading on numerous occasions.
The late W. Bro. Charles Ward (Founder) and the late
W. Bro. David Robertson for their notes from the 25th and 50th
celebrations.
Bro. David Harrison for his research in Warrington
library and subsequent notes on Sir Peter Rylands.
All other Domville members who have contributed,
sometimes unwittingly but always with good humour.
Finally and most importantly, the late W. Bro. Peter
Baines who collated the source documents from a myriad of sources and without
whose instruction and impetus this document would not have been completed
and to whose memory this document is dedicated.
September 1999.
John Baines.
So
far as I am aware the content of these pages is not subject to any copyright
apart from my own. If you know differently, please mail me at jb4647@btinternet.com
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