The following year 1823 was marked by two events in the county in which the Lodge actively participated.

 

The first was the erection in Gloucester Cathedral of a monument to the memory of Bro. Edward Jenner the doctor who perfected vaccination and who practiced as a physician in the town for some years. The memorial stands at the west end of the nave.

 

The second event of that year occurred in September when the Lodge was summoned to assist the Deputy Provincial Grand Master in the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new Tewkesbury Severn Bridge or the Mythe Bridge as we now know it – one of Telford’s masterpieces.

 

A contemporary newspaper gave a fulsome report of the proceedings and spoke of

 

“an immense concourse of people with the splendid banners of the Corporation and Masonic bodies graced by an incalculable assemblage of well dressed persons pre-eminent amongst whom were a great number of elegant and beautiful females”

 

The Lodges in the procession were Foundation, Royal Union, and Royal Lebanon together with Masons from other Lodges, the names of which are not recorded. The day’s proceedings were concluded with a banquet at The Royal Hop Pole Hotel, Tewkesbury. It was also in 1823 that we formed a Lodge of Instruction, which thrives today.

 

Two years later the Lodge took part with Provincial Grand Lodge in the laying of the foundation stone of Pitville Pump Room designed as the Chronicle newspaper reported “to be the crowning beauty of the lovely estate recently laid out by Bro. Joseph Pitt M.P.”

 

The ceremony was followed by a service at the Parish Church and at the close of the day’s proceedings there was another elegant and sumptuous banquet held at the Vittoria Hotel (now the site of Haines and Strange’s Garage) which then stood off the High Street in Liverpool Place. The Brethren were stated to have enjoyed “the mirthful festivities, good will and good wine”.

 

Cloisters at Gloucester Cathederal
Cloisters at Gloucester Cathederal
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The year 1873 was marked by the erection of the beautiful reredos in Gloucester Cathedral at a cost of about £1500, towards which the Lodge and its members freely contributed. In 1897 further financial contributions were made towards the cost of restoring the North Walk of the famous cloisters and then in 1907 restoring the two pinnacles at the West end of the cathedral.

 

In 1878 the Lodge played its part in one of the most important operative works taken on by the Craft in the Province. We, together with the other Lodges of the Province, were asked to assist in the restoration of Tewkesbury Abbey. The particular work assigned to the Brotherhood was the completion of the work in the Chapter House. The Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro. The Hon. James Legge Dutton presided at the inauguration meeting, which the press tells us was supported by all the Lodges in the Province.

 

Two years later we combined with Foundation Lodge in making a great contribution both financial and in the work of a committee in the erection of a stained glass window in the Parish Church. It is sited at the chancel end of the church. Its design permitted the introduction of various Old Testament figures and bears the inscription “ To the glory of God this window is erected by the Freemasons of Cheltenham AD 1880”.

 

W. Bro Vassar Smith
W. Bro Vassar Smith
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In 1887 W. Bro Vassar Smith (later Sir Richard and the Provincial Grand Master) was Master of the Lodge. Accompanied by his officers he represented the Lodge at a great gathering of the Craft at the the Royal Albert Hall when an address of congratulation was adopted on the approaching Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria.

 

A special and rather unusual jewel was given to the Lodge which can be seen in one of our library display cabinets.

 

The Most Worshipful the Grand Master the Prince of Wales presided. Our Secretary W. Bro. Brook-Smith received the rank of Past Grand Deacon, an honour highly appreciated by the Brethren of the Lodge of which he was then Senior Past Master. In his professional life he was a master at Cheltenham College for over forty years.

 

On December 14th 1887 Provincial Grand Lodge was actually held in the open air in the High Street, Cheltenham for the purpose of laying the foundation stone of the new building to house the Grammar School, the foundation of which dates back to the time of Queen Elizabeth the First when it was endowed by Sir Richard Pate.