History of Clarence Lodge No. 8167

In 1966/67 Gosport Lodge No. 903 had a membership of over 300 and it was deemed appropriate for them to sponsor a new lodge. W. Bro. Percy Blanch, PPJGW was asked to gather some brethren together as founders of this new lodge, the eighth in the town since the founding of Gosport Lodge in 1862. 

In submitting the petition to Grand Lodge, the founders desired at the Most Worshipful Grand Master’s pleasure that the lodge name to be either ‘Royal Clarence Lodge’ or ‘Duke of Clarence Lodge’. However, on receiving the warrant, just the name ‘Clarence’ was inscribed.

 The lodge badge derives its design from the ‘Borough Arms’ (from which it differs in many essentials), but perhaps sufficiently like it to serve as a reminder of the lodge’s attachment to Gosport. Moreover, to recognise the large number of founders who have served the Borough as Mayor (four, including the Founding Master), Alderman, Councillor or Magistrate.

 At an early meeting of the founders, they decided to follow the practices of the Gosport group of lodges. The Primus Master, however, said that he had seen many additions to the basic ritual over the years, which he considered to be so much ‘fancy waistcoats’. His primary concern was that the atmosphere in the lodge should be warm and friendly, workmanlike and correct but not of military precision. To that end, he requested that individual greetings should be tendered to illustrate the universality of Masonry. The lodge has continued that practice to the present day. 

 The consecration took place on 28 November 1967, at the Gosport Masonic Hall with R.W. Bro. Major General R. L. Bond, Provincial Grand Master presiding, assisted by a highly proficient Provincial team. The number of the Lodge 8167 is always easily remembered, as the founding Master, W. Bro. Blanch, was 81 in 1967—a happy coincidence.

 The founders came from a number of lodges and totalled 24, plus four joining members who came into the lodge on the day of consecration. Gosport Lodge provided the largest number, and Prince of Wales, St Swithuns and Alwarestoch, as well as two Portsmouth lodges, were represented—and the founding  Director of Ceremonies the late W. Bro. Tunnell came from Daintree Lodge. 

 Because of the vagueness of the founders’ directive and the number of lodges represented, it was inevitable that differences in ritualistic procedure should occur. Therefore, to standardise our working, the formation of a small ritual committee was agreed. This group reported to the lodge committee in 1973 recommending the adoption of a ‘Clarence Working’ based on the newly published Emulation Ritual (1969) First Edition supported by a small booklet of amendments.

 This booklet, updated in 1978, incorporated suggestions of the second visiting Grand Officer, the late W. Bro. Lamb, concerning the presentation of lectures on the Tracing Boards and the Working Tools in the third degree from the centre of the lodge. There have been several other additions and amendments since, including a ‘Memorial Booklet’ in the name of the late W. Bro. Bill Thomas, from which the Chaplain reads the names of those whose anniversary of their passing to the Grand Lodge above occurred during the recent months. The latest updated Clarence ritual, incorporating all the changes, was printed in September 1997. Any recent additions have included items specifically directed by Provincial Grand Lodge.

 Over the years, the lodge has received many gifts from the members, their wives and relatives and, occasionally, from visitors. These gifts range from a substantial sum donated towards to the cost of the ‘Lodge Banner’ by the Worshipful Master and officers and brethren of the sponsor, Gosport Lodge No. 903. A further generous donation gifted for the ‘Lodge Honours Board' from the wife, mother-in-law and mother of W. Bro. D. W. Thomas. W. Bro Thomas, the first Grand Officer in the lodge, who was appointed Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in 1987 and subsequently promoted to Provincial Junior Grand Deacon in 2000.

 Another gift to the lodge was the black and white drawing of ‘Clarence, the cross-eyed lion’ which always adorns the festive board, presented by the late W. Bro. Aubrey Taylor, Duke of Connaught Lodge No. 1834, who was a regular visitor. The back of the drawing was signed by all present when given to the lodge in 1967 and again used for the signatures of all present in 1988 when the  Right Worshipful Bro. James Bullen, Provincial Grand Master, honoured the lodge with his presence by conducting the ‘Twenty-First Anniversary’ celebrations and presenting Grand Lodge Certificates.

 Although the lodge ceremonies are mainly concerned with the three degrees, specific meetings are set aside for other events. The installation meeting always takes place in November, the anniversary of the consecration, including, in recent years, the Workings Tools of an Installed Master gifted by a past member, W. Bro. D. Potts. It is also customary for the June meeting to be a Past Masters’ Night, and the October meeting is set aside for a researched lecture delivered by the brother next due for provincial honours.

 Many varied, interesting and fascinating subjects have been covered in these lectures. Among the most memorable have been those given by Bro. Ron Cross on his experiences at the Normandy Landings on D-Day and the attack on Antwerp, and Bro. Pat Sullivan recounting his experiences in Freemasonry in his voyages around the World. The latter brother also caused a third visit to the lodge of a Provincial Grand Master, Most Worshipful Bro. Michael Wilkes, who attended on a surprise visit to give Bro. Pat his certificate and jewel commemorating his 70th year in Masonry.

 There are other regular customs well established in the lodge, started by the founders. The Chaplain always presents initiates with their personal copy of the Masonic Bible. Past Masters of the Lodge receive a collar and jewel from the officers of the lodge and a breast jewel from the members. Brethren of the Lodge have always shown their pleasure when members receive a promotion to Provincial Grand Rank or Grand Rank by contributing to the cost of their necessary regalia. 

 Clarence Lodge has, from the beginning, been a staunch supporter of charities, both Masonic and non-Masonic, the latter mainly local. At the time of writing, the lodge is looking forward to gaining the ‘Gold Award’ towards the 2016 Provincial Festival in support of the Trust for Boys and Girls.

 During the years leading up to our 50th Anniversary in 2017, the lodge can proudly claim to have maintained the objectives of the Founding Master of  being “workmanlike and correct” but, above all, “warm and friendly.”

Author Bro. B Pearce and updated by W.Bro D W Thomas PJGD

Edited by W. Bro. B.F. Crane, PPAGDC to Oxford and Ars Quatuor Coronatorum Style Guides – May 2015.