Our History

Ravensworth Lodge No.2674 owes its existence, in the first place, to the foresight and enterprise of several experienced members of the Lodge of Industry No.48.

The history of the lodge of Industry is well documented from its recorded beginnings in Winlaton, its removal to Swalwell, and in 1845, its final removal to Gateshead, where, since that time it has been housed in 8 separate premises, including 3 taverns;- but it was in the sixth building that the history of Ravensworth Lodge began; namely the Industry Masonic Hall Jackson Street Gateshead.

At a special meeting in that hall on 21st May 1897, seven members of the Lodge of Industry, namely; Bros. A. Simpson(W.M), M. Corbitt, W.J. Jobson, W. Stafford, A. Dodds, H. Jackson and T.R. Jobson, agreed:

that a petition for a new Lodge be received and approved.
that the name be Ravensworth Lodge.
that the W.M.(Bro. A. Simpson) write to The Right Hon. The Earl of Ravensworth and intimate the proposed formation of a new lodge - the name of same to be Ravensworth Lodge.
that the day of meeting be the 2nd Friday in each month.
that the names of the 1st W.M.,S.W., and J.W. be respectively Bros. M. Corbitt, T.R. Johnson and S.Brown.
that the new Lodge be charged Ł1 1s 1d for the year, for the use of furniture of 48 Lodge, subject to revision at the end of that period.

On 27th May 1897, Bro.Simpson wrote to the Earl of Ravensworth in the following terms:

My Lord, - It is the intention of the members of "Industry" Lodge of Freemasons No.48, in consequence of their increasing numbers, to request permission from the G.M., H.R.H., The Prince of Wales through the P.G.M., Sir Hedworth Williamson to form a new Lodge to be held at the above address (Masonic Hall Jackson Street, Gateshead).
It is their unanimous wish to call it the Ravensworth Lodge, and have requested me as W.Master to write informing you of the same-also if the petition is granted, the first W.M. will be Bro. Michael Corbitt. - I have the honour to be Yours respectfully and fraternally, Alfred Simpson, W.M. No.48.

In view of the terminology used in that letter, I think it was assumed that the then Earl of Ravensworth was in the Craft, but his reply on 29th May must, I am sure, have raised an eyebrow or two! He Wrote:
Sir, I am duly sensible of the kind compliment your Lodge offers me, in wishing to adopt my name, but I cannot accept the favour as I am not a Freemason. I am Yours Truly but not Fraternally, - Ravensworth.

The petition was nevertheless duly forwarded, and on 3rd August 1897, confirmation of its acceptance was received from the Grand Secretary, and the Warrant signed by the G.M. On 25th July 1897.

The Consecration took place on Saturday, 30th October 1897 in the Masonic Hall, Jackson Street, where a Special Meeting of Provinical Grand Lodge was opened by the Prov. Grand Master, Bro. Sir Hedworth Williamson, Bart., assisted by the Deputy Prov. Grand Master Bro.Rev. Canon Tristram, D.D., and 16 other acting Prov. Grand Officers.
Also present were 18 Past Prov. Grand Officers, 22 Founders, and 67 other Brethren: - a total of 125 in attendance.

All 22 Founders were members of the Lodge of Industry 48.

After the Consecration, a banquet was held in the Royal Hotel, Prince Consort Road, and the menu read as follows:

Soup - Ox Tail or Kidney.
Fish - Boiled Halibut with Oyster Sauce.
Joints - Choice of Roast Sirlion of Beef, Boiled leg of Mutton with caper sauce, Roast Turkey, York Ham, Boiled Chicken or Jugged Hare.
Sweets - Ravensworth Apple Tart, Blancmange, Macedoine of Fruit, Maraschino Jelly or pineapple Jelly.
Followed by - Cheese, Celery and Biscuits.
And finally - Dessert.

The price of that meal was 3s.6d. (17.5p)

In those days there were no cars, buses, radio or television, but our Former Brethren certainly knew the enjoyment of such gastronomic delights as the foregoing fare!

The first working meeting of the Lodge was held on Friday 12th November 1897.

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