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‘North Island’ contingent on tour The annual visit of Lodge of Seafarers (and guests) to Newport, IOW, saw a crew of thirteen Glos Masons being hosted by the brethren of Albany Lodge at their installation. Masonry has been active on the Isle of Wight since the mid-1700s. Between 1795 and 1828, no less than sixty regiments were quartered on the island and half had regimental lodges. Albany was a “Modern” lodge, formed in 1801 under the Atholl Warrant and variously numbered 200, 249 and 176, before settling for the current No 151 in 1863. The lodge met in various pubs around Newport before the hall (left) was built in 1848; a fact which seemingly escaped the attention of the Secretary in the minute book of the day. Right, Bro Paul ‘Soapy’ Watson, (demonstrating a jaunty list to port), who originally hailed from Bristol, was on Rum Bosun duty for the festive board, dressed in HMS Victory uniform.

Seafarers overseas . . . . . to Isle of Wight!

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Bro ‘Soapy’ Watson is flanked by Lodge of Seafarers brethren, (L to R) Charlie Bridgman, Barry Doul, Steve Coles and Ken Willies.

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The link between the lodges is credited to W Bro Tony Latter, a Past Master of Lodge of Seafarers. He moved his business to the Isle of Wight, joined Albany Lodge, and within a couple of years found himself in the chair. Seafarers’ members supported him on his installation . .

. . . and so the tradition began. Tony regularly brings a strong contingent to Lodge of Seafarers from ‘South Island’. Among them is this year’s Albany Installing Master, Trevor Spokes, who discovered the ‘Queen’s Shilling’ in the bottom of his rum glass at Downend and was press-ganged into becoming a joining member! The current Seafaring Master, Steve Case (left ~ photo courtesy wife, Simone), led this latest invasion from the ‘North Island’. The marauders (below) are seen relaxing in the Newport Ale House; all part of the annual routine.

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The lodge room displays spectacular tracing boards, including what’s claimed to be the only Mark Degree board in the world.

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In 1801, this parliamentary clock, which now lives in the dining room, was in use at the Castle and Banner Inn, but was removed in 1806 to the House of Industry (workhouse) when the inn caught fire. The clock found its way to the lodge in 1890 after the brethren supplied a replacement to the workhouse.

A comprehensive lodge history, available on the internet, records many interesting incidents in the lodge’s 215 year life. A strange incident occurred in 1852. The lodge met without the WM’s consent . . . . he walked in during the meeting! Below, brethren troop out of the lodge building in Lugley Street. The year is 1901 ~ the centenary of the lodge and the year in which Queen Victoria died at Osborne House, just four miles away. Masonry throughout Great Britain observed three months’ mourning.

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Wartime events In 1917, a letter was received from a Lieutenant Bilney stating that he was in possession of an Albany centenary jewel belonging to Bro C D Fraser Tyler, which was found on the dead body of a German soldier by a Private Mills of the Royal Marines. The Secretary had reported that nothing had been heard of Bro Tyler for some time. He suggested that the jewel be returned to the lodge for safe-keeping. Further correspondence was received from Lt Bilney enclosing the jewel. The last was a letter saying that the private who had recovered the jewel had subsequently died of his wounds received at the Battle of Gavrelle, (a village in Arras). The lodge proposed and approved that a sum of ten shillings be sent to Private Mills’ mother in gratitude of trouble taken by her son. The jewel is on display in the lodge. In 1941, a letter from the leader of the local Fire Watch Group, while accepting a donation from the lodge for equipment, expressed his concerns about the lodge's “lack of effort” regarding personnel. The Secretary reported that of the 128 members residing on the island, 12 were over-age, 59 were away from Newport or in the Forces and 55 were undertaking war-work of one kind or another. No action was taken regarding the letter! Right, the ‘dumb waiter’ apparatus, was installed in the attic almost 170 years ago.