West Glamorgan Lodge No 5291

On 14th October 1931 an amended Banner design was shown to the meeting and the quotation from Messrs Kenning for a 3’ X 2’ Banner was accepted.   Bro. Andrew Mattey offered to provide an appropriate Grace, set to music, for use at the After Proceedings, and Bro Peacock offered a Soda Fountain for the use of the Lodge! This last item conjures up some amazing pictures to an imaginative mind. It is understood that this most unusual gift was later presented to the YMCA as had been suggested on 12th January 1932.

 

The Lodge was Consecrated on 17th November 1931 with two hundred Brethren present, including twenty five Founders.

 

The consecration was performed by the Provincial Grand Master, Bro. CLD Venables Llewelyn assisted by his deputy Wor Bro Edgar Rutter. The dedication prayer was given by the Prov Grand Chaplain Rev WT Harvard of Indefatigable Lodge who later became Bishop of Saint Asaph.

At its first Regular Meeting on 15th December 1931 two Candidates were initiated, and three Brethren became Joining Members.

 

The first master, Wor Bro David Emlyn Rees had Colliery interests in Gwaun - Cae – Gurwen. He passed away in the April after being installed and in his memory the lodge always provided a vase of pink carnations at the Installation Festive Board. Our second master was Wor Bro Edwin Davies, installed by the Deputy Pr. G. M. Wor Bro Edgar Rutter. He was a solicitor whose son was also initiated into West Glamorgan Lodge and was its treasurer for many years. The family were involved with Oakleigh House School which still flourishes in Swansea.

 

Our first DC Wor Bro William Arthur Davies, a PM of both Talbot and Corinthian Lodges was another prominent solicitor in the town – a gifted speaker and ritualist and a leading member of Walter Road, Congregational Church. The first Chaplain was Rev Watkin Davies, PM of Carodoc Lodge, but as JW we had Rev WJ Thomas MA, vicar of St. Catherine’s church at Gorseinon and a PM and Chaplain of Indefatigable Lodge. Bro HJ Routley, brother of Ivor Routley who convened the original organising meeting – and also a PM of Penrice Lodge - was our Treasurer and Almoner.

 

Thomas Lewis Jenkins OBE became HM Inspector of Schools and was a man of great dignity and integrity.

 

Our fourth Master was Arthur Lloyd, another solicitor and the Lloyd in Beor Wilson and Lloyd one of the foremost practices in Swansea. He was our first secretary and having been at the preliminary meetings before the Lodge’s inception may rightly be considered as its Father figure. His son. Wor Bro John Lloyd became a Grand Lodge Officer and Chairman of the Swansea Masonic Hall Company. His grandson, Richard is also a Past Master of our Daughter Lodge (Tuscan).

 

Wor Bro David Ivor Saunders was Borough Estate Agent from 1925 - 1954. He made an immense contribution to the town. He bought on behalf of the Corporation the Singleton Estate from the Vivian family (Lord Swansea’s estate) and the 800 acres of Sketty Park from Sir Armine Morris which led to the Westward Housing developments in the city. David Ivor Saunders acquired all the blitzed properties in Swansea but before that in 1935 as secretary of the Basque Refugee Movement he turned Sketty Park House into a hostel and school for some 120 children fleeing from General Franco’s Army in Spain. He was a well known historian on Swansea and a sought after lecturer on the town.

 

Edward Roe Brown (Master 1937) was the father of both Geoffrey and Dudley who also became Chairman of the Swansea Masonic Hall Company. He was an architect who saw service in Egypt in WW1 and served on the Board of Management on the old Swansea General Hospital. In WW2 he joined the Ministry of Works in the design of explosive factories finally becoming Regional Engineer for Wales. He was the first Master of the Lodge of Endurance in Cardiff in 1948 and was a founder and appointed first Master of our Daughter Lodge Tuscan, but sadly passed away before taking office.

 

In 1938 came EM Williams, yet another solicitor, who was followed in 1939 by Wor Bro Fred Brooks who with his brother were leading lights in Virtue and Hope Chapter RA. The brothers were metal merchants and importers.

 

1940 saw Wor Bro Aneurin Rees FRCO, Pr. G. Organist taking the chair. He was one of the musical figures of Swansea and Wales and an adjudicator at Eisteddfodau. At that time only he and Bro J Barlow were allowed to touch the Temple organ! He was a founder and first Master of Dyffryn Tawe Lodge in 1945.

 

Following him was Harold Strawford of Sketty who later held the office of Pr. G. Deacon. He was a Councillor for Ffynone Ward in Swansea and was Deputy Mayor in 1956. He was the proprietor of “Williams of Swansea” the Wholesale newspaper distributors and so introduced many Brethren in that profession to the Lodge.

 

Bro Sidney Jenkins took the Chair in 1942. His family were closely associated with local government and both he and his brother were Mayors of Swansea.  Another brother (Tom) WM 1955 – 56 was also employed in Borough Engineers Department at Swansea Guildhall.

 

In 1943 our Master was Revd JT Evans, the minister of Welsh Speaking Saron Chapel in Fforestfach. He was instrumental in introducing many Fforestfach brethren to the Lodge.

 

In 1944 Bro William Ewart Gladstone Roberts took the Chair. What a wonderful political name to be blessed with. He is remembered as a very dapper, well groomed gentleman who was the manager of W.H.Smith LTD in Swansea.

 

On the 6th December 1944, 25 brethren from West Glamorgan, Glantawe, and Penllergaer Lodges met to discuss the formation of a new Lodge to serve the Swansea Valley to be named Dyffryn Tawe Lodge. Amongst those brethren were Wor Bros Aneurin Rees and W.E.G Roberts and they were instrumental in West Glamorgan Lodge sponsoring the new Lodge which was an item on our summons for December 1944. Dyffryn Tawe Lodge 6056 was duly consecrated on the 15th March 1945 and Wor Bro Aneurin Rees P.Pr.G.Org was installed as its first Master.

 

WH John (WM1945) was chief clerk of the Swansea Education department and was very autocratic in dealing with the Borough’s schools and teaching staff.

 

David Powell took the Chair in 1946. He was the father of our longest serving member, Wor Bro John Powell who is still with us although in poor health. He was Clerk to the National Health Service Council at its inception and had the task of setting up the relationship and remuneration of the Medical Practitioners in the new Health Service. His wise and conciliatory manner was much appreciated and would serve as a model for today.

 

Ted Nash in 1947 was another solicitor and he was followed by several tradesmen. Bro David Davies was a President of the Grocers Association; Evan Roderick was a Welsh Draper from the Swansea Valley and Richard Cooke, an Iron Monger and Household Goods Proprietor in the Uplands area of Swansea.

 

In 1951 Wor Bro Christmas Evans, always known as Chris took the Chair. He ran a cinema at Cross Hands in Carmarthenshire.

 

Jack Marris was active in the Fish Market on the Swansea South Dock. He would inject his speeches at the after – proceedings with very clever conjuring. He was also a Potter and made a unique pottery mug for every initiate of the Lodge. These souvenirs are treasured possessions of the older members of the Lodge. He was an active genealogist before the practice became popular and claimed direct descent from one of those in the Norman invasion of 1066.      

 

Many of the founders were residents in the Manselton area of Swansea and had a common interest in being employed by the old Swansea Borough Council thus pre-empting by 40 years what became West Glamorgan County Council. Several councillors of differing political persuasions were members and enjoyed the harmonious meetings. Other members came from the predecessors of the Social Services and also the local hospital board. The Rev J.T Evans was minister of Saron Chapel in Gendros and was instrumental in recommending many Fforestfach residents for membership.

 

John Powell, son of David - see above – is a very well respected member of the accountancy profession. He has a deep love for West Glamorgan Lodge and has served as Preceptor LOI in the past. He was initiated by dispensation under age and in uniform.

 

Fred Hudson was a confectioner with his business opposite the Masonic Hall in St Helens Road. He was the guiding light of the new West Glamorgan Chapter RA but unfortunately passed away before he could take office as the first, First Principal. He was short in stature but a dynamo of energy and ever ready to help another.

 

Once again Swansea Guildhall provided our WM in 1958 when T Aubrey Jones took the Chair. He was Chief Clerk in the Town Clerks’ Department and was greatly involved in all aspects of the running of Swansea. Mrs Iris Jones was for many years accompanist to the Swansea Male Voice Choir and was also active in the Swansea Good Neighbours Club. Their son Huw was Master in 1989. Wor Bro Aubrey was Lodge Chaplain for many years. He was followed by John G Morgan, another Manselton resident. He was the engineer at Mount Pleasant Hospital and oversaw its conversion from a Work House and encountered many problems with the Victorian Plumbing, heating and electrics but was a very practical man who always had a smile on his face. Manselton also provided Wor Bro W Frank Bebee who was a prison officer. He was followed by William Arthur Jenkins, a senior partner in the well known South Wales Furniture firm of Arthur Llewelyn Jenkins and Sons, a lovely gentle person of the highest integrity. He served as a paratrooper. His brother Spencer, who is not a mason, has presented the Chairs used in the Connaught Hall by the Master, IPM and DC in his memory and also for his brother in law Wor Bro Thomas of Indefatigable Lodge.

 

Marcus Gillard was the proprietor of Crown Typewriters and stationers in St Helens Road. He was Lodge Treasurer and Charity Steward for many years and raised the profile of the Lodge in the 1976 Festival. George Howell combined his radio and television business in Sketty with wholesaling Sunday newspapers. For many years he recorded the excellent talks given by the Swansea Masonic Study Circle. He was also a Past Master of Old Goreans Lodge in Swansea.

 

Arwyn Lewis took the Chair in 1964. Although disabled after losing a leg in WW2 he was a brilliant ritualist and served as Preceptor for 25 years. He was an engineer at the Mond Nickel Works in Clydach and introduced several senior employees to the Lodge. (NC Price, Dennis Thomas, John Fitzgibbon, A Puxley, P Jones).

 

N. Courtney Price was an engineer who became the managing director of Messers Hills Furnishers in Neath and Swansea. Tall and imposing he was a very successful Asst. Prov DC. W. S Howell the brother of George Howell was also in the newspaper business but suffered from failing health.

 

Tom Coles was a prominent Swansea Freemason. A young employee of the “Western Mail”, together with two colleagues he became a prisoner of war under the Japanese. He suffered from his incarceration for the reminder of his life: he was secretary of the Far East Prisoner of War Association and his half yearly news letters are vested in the Imperial War Museum.

 

Emlyn Owen was the proprietor of the largest private travel firm in West Wales while James Evans was President of Swansea Grocers Association. During his Master ship the West Glamorgan Welfare Association was formulated. W Leeworthy was the first of several employees of the GPO (later British Telecom) to occupy the Chair, followed by P Aspell, Paul Harris, and Allen Grove, E M Smith and Lionel Blann.  

 

Bro. John Morris, Terry Bennett and our organist Bro T Elwyn Jones served the old Glantawe Hospital Management Committee.

 

Richard Evans was the 50th Master and went on to serve the Province as an acting asst. Prov. DC.

 

Bro Phillip Adamson, a Lewis from Dumfries is able to quote the famous Scottish Mason Robert Burns at length in the local dialect. He was the youngest station master on British Rail and transferred to Swansea in 1969 becoming our Master in 1986.

 

Due to a reduction in membership Bro Peter Jones occupied the chair for 2 years between 1994 – 1996, as did Bro DR Phillips between 1998 – 2000. Bro Phillips first occupied the chair in 1982. A senior Police Officer, he was also a West Glamorgan Councillor and served as Deputy Lord Mayor of Swansea. Several initiates were involved with the Scouting movement in Swansea and both Robert

 

Thomas and Keith Kostromin attained the chair. 

 

Wor Bro Brian Mackintosh joined the Lodge on his retirement from Monmouth and occupied the chair in 1996. During his year we were requested to present a 50 year jewel to Bro J Bradbury, MM of St. Paul’s Lodge No 160 (Northern Ireland) who was resident in Swansea. After a very successful evening Bro Bradbury became a joining member occupying every office with distinction before his untimely death whilst serving as Senior Warden. 

 

Bro Idwal Jones and Bro Fred Raggatt were honoured with Prov Stewards Rank by Province in recognition of their service as Assistant Secretaries for many years.            

 

Due to the large membership it was suggested by certain brethren that a daughter lodge with the same temperance morality be formed – hence on the 4th of March 1953 Tuscan Lodge No 7267 was warranted. Close relations have been maintained with an annual visit by both lodges a very important event in the calendar. However, Tuscan Lodge amended their by-laws several years ago to allow alcoholic drinks at the festive board.

 

W.Bro J G Powell was initiated by dispensation under age and in uniform in 1944. He remains an honorary member of the lodge and is always active in lodge activities.

 

Bro Bernard Griffiths was chairman of the National Bus Company

 

Bro Sidney Heath was a prominent retailer in Swansea

 

W.Bro David Cox PPrSGW an organist whose services to music in masonry in this and other Provinces are without equal became a joining member and occupied the chair in 2002 and 2009.

 

In 1971 the lodge was in favour in setting up a welfare committee where by every member and widow was allocated to a welfare committee member with the aim of maintaining contact and alleviating distress. This has proven to be very successful and has been a model for other lodges to emulate.

A newsletter has been published every year and distributed to all interested parties giving news of promotions, bereavements or any other relative information and has proved to be very successful.

 

West Glamorgan pioneered the principle of mentoring many years ago, by volunteering a past master to be close to a young officer as he progressed through the various chairs. This proved to be a great confidence builder and gave the office holder an insight into the more senior workings of the lodge and the craft in general.

 

The West Glamorgan Lodge was one of the first lodges in Wales to be placed on the internet. This gave the lodge a wide arena and it is receiving communications from brethren throughout the world.

 

A lodge church service is celebrated annually assisted by the ladies of the lodge and is always well attended. The offerings are always donated for the benefit of the church. Many visits were made to Ystradfellte Church in the Brecon Beacons when W.Bro Dennis Thomas (Grand Chaplain) was the incumbent. On his promotion to Dukinfield (Manchester) we visited Sketty UR Church for many years to be followed by St Augustine’s in Brynmill and lately St Gabriel’s in Brynmill.

 

West Glamorgan Lodge has not had a Grand Lodge Officer amongst its membership for at least 50 years but has enjoyed very cordial relations with its mandated Grand Lodge Officers since the scheme was started in 1981. Wor Bro Frank Henshall served us for many years, followed by Bros Tom Quick, RF Cope, Keith Ferguson and latterly, again by the very popular RF Cope.

 

Honorary Membership is only conferred when a Brother has made outstanding contributions to the workings of the Lodge. Currently brethren so honoured are Wor Bros John Powell, Denzil Williams, P Aspell, John Mills, Roy Paddison and Raymond Cope.

 

Since 2010 Past Masters have occupied the Chair due to difficulties in promoting junior members. Wor. Bro. Mike Barnacal volunteered to Act as WM for 2010 -  2011 but regrettably was taken ill during the year and passed away in September 2011. Keith Kostromin followed him in 2011 -  2012 and Lionel Blann occupied the Chair in 2012 -  2013 for a record third time.

 

Bro John Neilson celebrated 50 years in freemasonry in 2012 and was rewarded by our Province with the collar of Past Provincial Steward.      

 

In conclusion, to return to the consecration, there were present: -

 

• 4 Grand Lodge Officers

• 33 Provincial Grand Lodge Officers

• 146 Masters / PM’s / Brethren

• 25 Founders

 

Making a total of 208

 

Of the Founders: -

 

• 8 Came from Indefatigable Lodge 237

• 4 Came from Caradoc Lodge 1573

• 10 Came from Penrice Lodge 4172

• 2 Came from Talbot Lodge 1323

• 1 Came from a London Lodge

 

In the first few years 3 joined from Penrice and 1 each from Corinthian, Caradoc, Beaufort, Dr J G Hall, Tennant and Middlesex Hospital Lodge 2843. We initiated 19 in the first few years and by 1935 had a membership of 70.

 

West Glamorgan may be a “Dry Lodge” but it has a reputation for its happy and cheerful after proceedings where a responder to the toast to the visitors always finds convivial warmth which is sometimes lacking in those Lodges where alcohol is flowing. We always aim to emulate the expectations of those worthy Masons who gave us our heritage and more importantly we should resolve to maintain their values and example.