No Account of Ancient Union Lodge No 203 would be complete without reference to the regalia and artefacts owned by the Lodge.
The Registration Book, all the Minute Books, Lodge of Instruction
Minute Books, Grand and Provincial Grand Lodge Returns, Cash
Books, Proposition Books, and the Declaration Books which show a
true record of the life History of the Lodge. Written in the hand
of the day they show the changes that we have undergone, but
prove that the traditions of those early days have been
successfully handed down. We have a complete set of Minute books
together with a set of Declaration Books. There are three
Portrait Books of the Worshipful Masters, the first starts with
Bro James Dark W M, which he presented to the Lodge in 1892, at
our Centenary Celebrations. Bro William Wright presented the
third in 1952 on the 160th Anniversary. In it are all the
Worshipful Masters photographs from 1942 to this year, a special
note should be that our Worshipful Master, W Bro W S D Weaver
PPrJGW can be seen as our Worshipful Master in the year this Book
was presented.
The Lodge Bible was presented in 1850, it bears on the front the
following inscription. "Lodge No 245, Presented to the
Ancient Union Lodge of Antient, Free and Accepted Masons, by, R H
Hartley, Worshipful Master, T Warburton, Senior Warden, William
Gem, Junior Warden, Henry Clare, Treasurer, W Baines Hooper,
Secretary. Liverpool, November 19th 1850." Their signatures
are appended inside.
We have a Book of Constitutions for the years 1863 and 1919.
The Silver plate, which has been used as the Charity Plate, is
engraved Ancient Union Lodge No 245.
The Lodge Gavel which was presented by Bro David Nicholson,
Worshipful Master 1897.It can be seen for the first time in the Portrait Book, when he
was in the Chair.
The Tyler's sword has a date of manufacture of 1850.
W Bro A S Herbert presented the Tracing Board to the Lodge after
his year in Office as Worshipful Master in 1976.
W Bro R J Alien presented the Collar Stand to the Lodge after his
year in Office as Worshipful Master in 1977.
The Lodge Banners, the first being made about 1825, and the
second which was made by W Bro H Boscow PPrDGSuptofWks and was
dedicated by the Assistant Provincial Grand Master W Bro T James
Irvine PSGD, on 1 7th April 1990.
The Jewels of the Treasurer and the Junior Warden are not dated
but are inscribed with the Lodge No 276, followed by numbers 348,
245 and 203. The Deacons Jewels are inscribed with the Lodge No
348, followed by numbers 245 and 203.
The Past Masters Jewels, which are handed on to each Immediate
Past Master by our Worshipful Master at each night of
Installation. Each Jewel is engraved with the names of all
Masters that have been proud to wear them.
Bro Harold Quayle's Master Masons apron in its own wallet, he was
raised on 15th March 1923.
The Warrant issued by the Athol Grand Lodge and signed by Edwin
Duke of York, along with the Centenary Warrant of the United
Grand Lodge of England, which was signed by the Prince of Wales.
Copies of both these documents are entered at the beginning of
this document.
Copies of Athol Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter Certificates of
Brother and Companion William Adlington. These were sent to us
from the Library and Museum of District Grand Lodge in South
Africa. The initiation of Brother Adlington is clearly recorded
on 8th July 1796, however there is no record of his exaltation,
on or about the 15th September 1797. It is assumed that he joined
another 'Antient' Lodge, which practised the Holy Royal Arch. The
ribbon from his Chapter Jewel is attached to his Certificate.
Finally the Centenary Jewels, which are worn with pride and can
now be adorned with Bi-Centenary Bars.