The Lodge of the Marches
Lodge Number: 611
Ludlow, Shropshire
Address
Henderson Hall, Moor Park School, Overton, Ludlow, SY8 4DZ
Meeting Date
First Wednesday in month (second in January)
October to May
Installation Date
March
Lodge Secretary
Contact the Lodge Secretary
Website
Lodge Profile
Modern Masonry as we know it today, first made its appearance in in Ludlow in 1805 when on 19th February of that year the Mercian Lodge No 485 was consecrated and it met in the Angel Hotel in Broad Street. The Mercian Lodge had inherited most of its furniture from the Silurean Lodge No 576 which had worked in Kington, Herefordshire between 1791 and the late 1790s and its Warrant was transferred to the new Lodge by endorsement dated 19th February 1805. The Mercian Lodge worked for about twenty years with the last recorded Initiation in 1821 before the Lodge was dissolved in 1828. After an interval of 25 years Freemasonry was revived in Ludlow No 887 was formed. It was not sponsored by another Lodge, the Petition being recommended by The Provincial Grand Master Sir Watkins Williams Wynn Bt. Of the seven founder members, at least one had been an officer in the Mercian Lodge and fortunately the furniture and jewels of both the Silurean and Mercian Lodges had been preserved and came into the possession of the new Lodge of The Marches which was consecrated on the 13th June 1853.
In its early days the Lodge had a number of meeting places but in 1884 it purchased for £200 the girls National School in Brand Lane thus becoming the first Lodge in Shropshire to own its own premises. In 1902 the adjoining property was acquired for £325, the building demolished and the present Temple built for £600.
So much for its past, what of the recent past and what does it offer for the future. Like many small rural towns Ludlow has changed over the years and up until the end of the last century, the many vibrant small family Businesses and the Round Table movement provided a vibrant source of recruitment. The vast majority of its members do live in the local area with some from further afield.
The lodge meets on the first Wednesday in the months of October through to May with the exception of January when the meeting is on the second Wednesday. Its members enjoy a happy and vibrant atmosphere in its beautiful Masonic Temple and the well-run ceremonies are followed by a lively atmosphere in the unique dining room that doubles up as its museum.
With the changes in modern society recruitment of younger men into the order has been a problem, particularly so in Ludlow which has become a retirement town, with so many of the young men moving away to find employment. Masonry has changed however and the old secretive ways have long gone. The lodge is now seen taking part in with the Remembrance Day parades and other societies and clubs have been welcomed into the Masonic Hall. As well as the Masonic Charities we have for a number of years supported a good number of local Charities with a major presentation taking place at the Annual Summer Barbecue.
The Lodge would like to maintain the vitality it has always had and would welcome new members into Freemasonry in Ludlow. Membership is open to all men over the age of twenty-one years who aspire to the principles of Fellowship, Integrity and Compassion, which are still as important today as they have ever been. If these are the principles that inspire you, together with a wish to serve the Community then you would be welcome to join us.