Hamilton Lodge celebrates historical landmark in Lincolnshire Freemasonry – and uncovers lost parts of its history
Yarborough Lodge marks Doug’s seventy years in the Craft
March 10, 2026
Alan takes the chair to initiate his son in double ceremony
March 12, 2026
In 1876 Custer was being beaten in the Battle of Little Big Horn, Queen Victoria was declared Empress of India, Benjamin Disraeli was Prime Minster, and a group of Freemasons gathered to consecrate Hamilton Lodge in Alford.
Ken Ralph presents a book about the history of Hamilton Lodge to .
With just seven founder members, the Lodge more than doubled in size in its first year, initiating nine new members.
Six of today’s members presented a history of the Lodge for the benefit of Provincial Grand Master Dave Wheeler and his team, who had turned out in force for the anniversary evening.
Dave also presented the Lodge with a commemorative medal (below) which was accepted by WM Bryan Overall, who is staying in the chair for a second year.
The story of the ‘History of Hamilton’ was delivered by Jamie Pittam, Phillip Nelson, Max Billingham, Colin Harpham, Alun Price, and Steven Artherton.
Meanwhile, Director of Ceremonies Andrew Ashwood has described the result of searches of the Lodge building. He writes: “We already had an archive, but knew there were some documents missing. There was a team effort to redecorate our Robing Room and this entailed opening every cupboard and drawer we could find. In one cupboard there was an old beer pump with a ceramic handle showing a hunting scene, a 1950s vacuum cleaner and a carpet sweeper from the 1920’s or earlier.
“In another cupboard we found various boxes and a battered old brief case, and these contained part of the missing archive with four of the original Consecration summonses, a Signing In Book and Minute Book. Also in a battered cardboard box we found the Victorian bullseye lamp with a red star painted on the inside of the lamp. We discovered, from one of the earliest minutes of 1876, that this was presented to Hamilton by Lindsey Lodge (our Mother Lodge). Further searching found the leather pouch with a carefully folded Masonic apron inside and the name of the owner embossed on the flap. We don’t know how old it is, and didn’t want to open it as we doubted that we could fit it back in.
“In the Lodge Room there is a large cupboard at the back on which stand the various tools used in the different Orders. One of our members crawled inside and we found numerous framed photographs of Grand Lodge officers and royalty, the greater majority discoloured and damaged by damp , but strangely none of the Kings. There were two framed ornate certificates presented for the Lodge’s charitable efforts dating from 1905 and very early 20’s which are now displayed in the Robing Room. We also found photos of Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and Queen Elizabeth II along with one large facsimile portrait of Queen Victoria, all now proudly displayed in the Robing Room.
“Exploring the cupboard further we found a box of ancient misshapen and discoloured candles, along with six tin plate candle holders. We believe these were used at the end of the festive board when the existing lights would be turned off, the candles lit and then ‘Peace, Love and Harmony’ would be sung.
“The last item to be pulled out was a large tin trunk which had painted, in Victorian script, “Secretary, Hamilton Lodge 1600″. Inside was a torn parcel wrapper with a label. This was gently pressed back into shape and it it is from George Kenning, (later to be Toye, Kenning and Spencer), who supplied all kinds of Masonic goods, and was sent, in a parcel from King’s Cross station on January 22nd 1879, to Mr R Garfit, one of our Founder Members.”
