Page 9 - Book 1_Neat

Peace". The Unlawful Societies Act, 1799 required Lodges to make annual returns, to local
magistrates, of their members’ names, abodes and status’/professions. Pitt’s Act had sought
to proscribe Freemasonry. The requirement to make a return was not repealed until 1967
although twenty-seven years before this, in September 1940, the Grand Secretary wrote to
lodges advising them that returns were no longer necessary. It is not known why the
Secretary at the time had made the return! Another return recorded 15 April 1954.
Acknowledged by the Clerk of the Peace for Worcestershire. Some suggestion the Clerk is
the Clerk to the Assizes.

17 February 1955: Reported that the fee for Registration with Customs and Excise
acknowledged! The 1955/56 accounts show a payment of Excise Duty of £2 3s 3p?

Under the first rising it was reported each year that the GM, the early of Scarborough, had been
re-elected. His appointment did not seem to be permanent.

16 April 1953 the Secretary read the passage from the VSL. 19 November 1953 Oration given
by the Secretary Bro J Cayzer. And 21 February 1952, On 21 January 1954 by Bro Braithwaite
steward. 18 February 1954 by W Bro A J Grimes. Why not Chaplain?

15 October 1953
Rules 67 to 70 of the Book of Constitutions had been amended re: Provincial and District
Grand Ranks (doesn't say how). The current Rules relate to appointment of Asst PGM, acting
and past officers. Rule 158 was altered. It states that this relates to Initiates who neither live
nor work in the area where the Lodge meets. No details of change.

19 November 1953. WM ill IPM in charge

Several occasions Lodge resumed after a Third degree ceremony

21 January 1954 was the first mention of singing the opening ode.

21 October 1954 Announced that RW Bro Ben Marsh PGM had resigned through ill health.

19 January 1956 the Provincial Grand Secretary reported that St Dunstans had printed the Craft
Lectures in Braille and would provide these free of charge.

RITUAL
On 15 October 1953 after a double Passing and a raising the Lodge was resumed in the First
degree straight from the Third. It seemed to be the practice that on the night of a Raising there
was no reading from the VSL ‘… as one had been delivered earlier in the proceedings…’ –
presumably the Oration in the Third?

21 Ocotber 1954 Oration by the Chaplain (not first time). This had not always been the case
and Secretary Cayzer on more than one occasion.

From the outset the Master Elect recited his obligation in the Second Degree.

On Installation when the brethren returned to the Lodge in all degrees they salute the Master
in passing.