Origins
Six of the Founders of the Vale Of Haldon Lodge met on the 7th May 1963 at the Clifford Arms, Chudleigh now rebuilt as The Phoenix. The first official meeting of the Founders took place on the 28th May 1963, when the Chair was taken by W.Bro. S.E. Adams, Asst. Prov. Grand Secretary. On the 14th November 1963 the Provincial Grand Secretary advised that the M.W. Grand Master had been pleased to approve the formation of the Lodge and the number 7949 had been allocated. The final meeting of the Founders was held on the 4th February 1964.
The Founders were:
W.Bro. A. R. B. Hart, B.E.M. – Worshipful Master
W.Bro. H. W. Smith, P.P.G.D. – as I.P.M.
Bro. C. H. Micheli – Senior Warden
Bro. A. L. Neate – Junior Warden
W.Bro. W. J. Williams, P.PA.G.D.C. – Chaplin
W.Bro. R. Osborn Jenkins, L.G.R. – Treasurer
Bro. K. W. J. Stacey – Secretary
W.Bro. A. W. Knowles – Director of Ceremonies
Bro. G. H. Stafford – Senior Deacon
Bro. F. S. Birkett – Junior Deacon
Bro. H. R. G. Bailey – Asst. D.C.
Bro. H. S. Berry – Almoner
Bro. H. V. Loft – Asst. Secretary
Bro. R. J. H. Brinsley – Inner Guard
Bro. G. G. F. Bond – Steward
Bro. H. G. Thorp – Steward
Bro. F. Morris – Steward
Bro. F. D. Innes – Steward
Bro. A. N. E. James – Steward
Bro. L. Foale – Steward
Bro. W. H. Clark – Tyler
Continuity
All our founders have now sadly passed to the Grand Lodge above, but our first initiate is still very much with us and has served the lodge in every office and most more than once. He is currently our Treasurer.
The Consecration meeting of the Lodge was held at the Victoria hotel, Torquay on the 18th February, 1964. The Exeter Ritual of Craft Masonry as practised in St. John the Baptist Lodge, No. 39 Exeter was adopted for use by the Vale of Haldon Lodge to overcome the difficulty caused by the Founders being accustomed to several different rituals. Thus they all were equally confused. They were called upon to exercise constraint and self control- something that still applies today to our Joining Members!
The First Regular Meeting was held at the Clifford Arms,(now rebuilt as The Phoenix) Chudleigh on Tuesday 3rd March 1964. The Lodge met at the Clifford Arms until 7th May 1968, setting up in a small room on each occasion. It is interesting to note that in the door of the room used at the Clifford Arms was a Tyler’s spy hole, which dated back to the time when lodge 650 (now Lodge Of Union No. 444, meeting at Starcross) met there from the 25th September, 1837.
From the 1st October 1968 to the 3rd November 1970 the Lodge met at the Cromwell Arms, Bovey Tracey, where there was more space but less convenience as the lodge furniture had to carried up and down stairs for each meeting. The same room was then set out for dining before the Festive Board could commence.
Our Mother Lodge, Salem Lodge No 1443, on hearing of our difficulties kindly offered us the use of their Temple in Dawlish; a facility we were grateful to accept and which we continue to share .
We had our 50th anniversary in 2015 and continue to attract new members who share our aspirations and our wish to make good men better. Continuing to be a force for good in the local community.
Royal Arch
In 1971 the Vale of Haldon Royal Arch Chapter received it’s Charter from Grand Lodge. The Chapter was formed along the lines of the Lodge so that it became a dining Chapter. The main difference was that it was decided to dine in the Lodge refectory, Wine and Port were included within the menu which was to be of a high standard.
The Chapter proved to be very successful, as it is to this day, with membership drawn from many local Craft Lodges, so much so that our numbers are actually higher than our Craft Lodge. This is highly unusual, if not totally unique. You will soon discover why if you visit us. We meet on the third Thursday in January, March, May and October at 6.30. The installation meeting in March is 6.00pm.