Photograph of:

Grand Lodge and Prov. Grand Lodge Officers, Founders and Consecration Officers.

Consecration of the Lodge Friday 1st June 1962.

Address by The Consecrating Officer to Brethren:

“ ‘The Manor of Ashley’ was an evocative name, it conjured up thoughts of faded parchments and the obsolete formalities of cafryhold. Most Englishmen aspire to live in a country village, in a place where the parish Church and Manor House were still visible reminders of the past. Most parishes had at one time contained several manors and the history of these, and even their precise location, was often extremely obscure, especially when these separate units had, in the course of time, passed into the same ownership. This was so in the case of `Ashley alias Charlton Kings,. A house which preserved the name of Ashley Manor had existed in living memory, and Ashley road was not, as was so usually the case, the colourless invention of a local builder, but preserved an ancient name, recorded as far back as the year 1250.

It was now nearly ten years since the first lodge had been founded in Charlton Kings. In thirty years, the number of Lodges in the Province had already doubled. Nearly every lodge initiated three candidates every year. If more than one of the three wished to be master in due course – and it was clear that they did – new Lodges must be formed; since obviously only one could be master of his Mother lodge in any one year. Given the supply of junior brethren, able and willing to undertake the management of the work, there was fortunately no reason why there should be any limit to the number of lodges to be formed for the exercise of their talents and for the glory of God.”

The address was followed by an opening prayer given by the provincial Grand Chaplain, W.Bro. The Rev. L.W. Potter, then followed “Lead me Lord, lead me in Thy righteousness” which was rendered by the Choir.

The ceremony progressed and the Installing Master, (The Provincial Grand Master), in-stalled W.Bro. Rupert R. Lewis into the chair of King Solomon according to ancient custom.

Working tools of a Master Mason were given by W.Bro. J.W. Wallace Prov.S.G.D.

Working tools of a Fellowcraft Mason were given by Bro. R.C. Mellodew– Marshall.

Working tools of an Entered Apprentice were given by W.Bro. J.J. Cole.

The address to the Worshipful Master was given by The Provincial Grand Master, that to the Wardens by W.Bro. P.H. Creese, P.A.G.D.C., and to the Brethren by The Deputy Provincial Grand Master.

There were two candidates for initiation proposed and seconded; these being Mr. George Hamilton Turner and Mr. George William Swambo.

The Lodge was duly closed and the brethren adjourned to the Moorend Park Hotel, Charlton Kings, for the Consecration Banquet, and spent the remainder of the evening in Brotherly Love and harmony, being again entertained by the Masonic Choir, under the direction of W.Bro. I.M. Wilson. Prov.G.Organist

The Alms box realised the sum of Six Pounds and Ten Shillings.

Manor of Ashley

Naming of the Lodge
It is often the custom to give a Lodge a name with some association with the meeting place. There are several examples of this locally, sometimes a name no longer in current use, or an old spelling of a name. The meeting place of the lodge was to be at the Moorend Park Hotel, Charlton Kings (the meeting place of Severn Springs Lodge). The Manor of Ashley being erstwhile used as an alternative name for Charlton Kings, it was decided to adopt that name.

Origins of the name Manor of Ashley
Having read W.Bro. Derek Walkers researches into the name, (shown throughout in italics and written in 1993 *), which was most interesting, some further research was made and may give added flavour to the choice of name our founders decided upon.

1066 and all that.
Malcolm III of Scotland (the King who defeated Macbeth at Dunsinane) had a daughter Matilda.

Matilda married Henry 1 of England in 1100 and Saxon Law was restored to England. In 1135 Stephen succeeded Henry and opposed Matilda. Stephen was defeated by Matilda in 1141 at Lincoln and she was crowned Queen of England in London.

Among Matilda’s supporters was a certain Walter of Ashley who received, as a reward, parcels of land in the Cheltenham area to the value of £10. This land became the Manor of Ashley. Henry II (Plantaganet) confirmed this grant soon after his succession to the throne in 1154.

The land was not one piece but various parcels spread out over the area now known as Charlton Kings. This was the usual practice as different areas had different uses and would be of different quality. It is known that the animal pound of Ashley was at East End which is a site which can still be identified today.*

The name `Ashley’ is derived from the original home of Walter which is situated near Tetbury and was originally spelled `Esselega’. The name Charlton Kings was spelled `Cherleton’ (commemorated in Cherleton Lodge No. 8439) and probably derived from the Saxon `Ceorl’ or freeman and meant `farm of the freeman’.

The Manor had a chequered history being taken back into the possession of the Crown several times.

For some years it was in the hands of the Grevill family before being sold by Giles Grevill in 1697 to Edward Michell who, in turn, sold it to John Prinn. In about 1870 it was sold to the Brassey family who still owned it in 1932.

The location of the manor in 1625 seems to have been identified with Charlton park and in 1712 it was referred to as `Ashley Tithings’.

Owners of The Manor of Ashley Lands

Walter de Ashley
Walter de Ashley and his successors held Charlton from Stephens’s time until the reign of Henry III, when in 1270 the last de Ashley (Eshley) heiress gave it to her grand-daughter, a lady named Petronella.

De l’Orthy Family
Following the death of Petronella, the lands passed to her mother’s family, the de l’Orthy’s, and remained with them till the Grevill family bought it.

Grevilles of Arle and Charlton Kings
William Grevill, the Campden Woolmerchant acquired the Manor of Ashley in 1386-87.

Ashley (Charlton Kings), however, was a semi-independent manor; this was made clear in the Act of 1625. The Act legalised an agreement made between the copyholders of Cheltenham on the one hand and the lord of the manor, Charles, Prince of Wales, on the other hand; and between the copyholders of the Manor of Ashley on the one hand and Giles Greville, Esq., lord of the said Manor of Ashley (Charlton Kings).

Giles Grevill played a role in the acrimonious `Inclosure’battles (1557-1627). It was principally John Stubbes who fought the battle for the `oppression’ of the open fields, he was backed in his fight by William Norwood as fermor of Cheltenham, and Giles Gravill as lord of Ashley (died 1632).

Edward Mitchell
The Grevill families long tenure came to an end in 1697 when it was sold to one Edward Mitchell, who in turn sold it to John Prinn.

John Prinn (of the Inner Temple)
John Prinn was a distinguished Gloucestershire antiquarian and archaeologist. He belonged to the same family as William Prynne, the
Puritan of an earlier generation (Prynne being the older spelling).

William Prynne, ( buried near the chancel of St. Mary’s Church in 1680), had visited and admired Charlton, and thought of buying it, and this his son John Prinn did in 1716.

Describing John Prinn at the time illustrates how he was perceived and gives an interesting insight of how Charlton Kings was seen by the author:

`In this little community of farmers and maltsters, hosiers, mercers, and shopkeepers, John Prinn (of the Inner Temple) was probably the dominant personality.’

Mysteries surrounding Ashley Manor
Although mention is made in `the Grant of land to Walter’, (Walter de Ashley), of a site for a Manor House, this was never built. Walter intended East End to be his manorial home and so reserved for himself the site for a manor house, with a court house and pound, altogether 12 Acres of demesne , the rest being scattered.

One formidable property called `Moorend House’ that was built deserves mention. This stood on the site now occupied by some of the new houses built in what is now known as Pinetrees‘. The high brick wall, (listed), around the whole area demonstrates the extent of the grounds on the east side. Until recently the gateway was still there.

On the death of the owner Conway Whithorn Lovesy, his will divided the property among his children, Moorend House being left to his daughter. It is evident from the rateable value on the property in 1858, when her and her husband Alexander Smith lived there, that the house was felt in need of modernisation.

In June 1865 Quarter Sessions were asked to approve the house as suitable “to be Licenced for the reception of six Female Lunatics”. It served in this capacity for about ten years. In 1876-7 the house was occupied by the new Vicar and by 1882 the rate book shows that the old part at the back was let separately as a cottage. The Smith and Lovesy’s trustees mortgaged the property in 1853, and in 1883 it was bought by William Barwick Cregoe Colmore of Moor End for £1100 which was less than the amount of the original £1200 mortgage loan thirty years earlier. Colmore left the cottage standing but had the main house pulled down by 1895.

Moorend House

There is to date no visual record of the property, at any stage, to be found. Considering that it was such a substantial property, it seems odd to the local Historical Society, who have documented Charlton Kings so well, (as I discovered when researching for this booklet). If anyone knows of any photograph in existence they would be glad to have sight of it.

Pretender to `Ashley Manor΄
The house which is now St. Edwards School (previously occupied as Whitefriars΄ Boys School), had three former names; first it was Woodlands, then Oaklands, then without any justification whatsoever, Ashley Manor.

As has been mentioned earlier the Manor house for Ashley was never built. This property, (Woodlands), built in 1835, was renamed by Nathaniel Hartland Oaklands, when Sir Frederick Dixon Dixon-Hartland inherited it in 1877, he then changed the name in 1888 to Ashley Manor.

Deed of 1743 The manor of Ashley otherwise Charlton Kings

Badge and Banner

As can be seen from a section of the `Masonic Tea Towel’ of Gloucestershire Lodges, each Lodge has it’s own Badge, with the exception of Manor of Ashley. Many of the Lodges depicted demonstrate an association with their meeting place and for the Manor of Ashley this was something that had appeal to the members, as the original meeting place of the Lodge was at the Moorend Park Hotel, where hung a coat of arms in the foyer, and this was thought to be a suitable basis for the Lodge badge.

The necessary permission to use the coat of arms was pursued over a number of years, even a Lodge sub-committee was appointed to make further attempts, these proved fruitless. Some ten years ago W.Bro. Alan Palmer took up the trail, discovering that Walter de Ashley had other lands near Swindon and then traced the descendants of Walter to a remote village in Wiltshire called Ashley. There in the village Church hung the derivative coat of arms, however obtaining authorisation has so far eluded the Lodge and as W.Bro. Walker said in his original presentation in 1993 “and we will never have a badge, I could always be proved wrong !!”

Moorend Park Hotel

Dining Room

Early Days
Those of us that remember the meetings at the Hotel have a special affection for those days. It was because we maintained a high standard for dining that we wore, and still wear, dinner jackets and refrain from allowing ale to be taken into the dining room. Sherry, Red & White wine followed by Port wine has always been included in our festive board. Junior members of the Lodge needed to have a certain amount of physical prowess for, on arrival at the Hotel, they would be called upon to set up the lodge furniture in the dining room. The stands for the Master and Warden’s chairs were, to say the least, heavy. The Hotel dining room was a beautiful and interesting place having many coloured mouldings on the ceiling. These were heraldic in nature, one depicting an arm with the hand severed, which may have significance for some of you. A private room was however used for the meetings due to its size this always restricted the Lodge membership numbers. For some time W.Bro. Whitlock acted as Tyler which gave him the opportunity to keep an eye on the running of the Hotel. Candidates `restoring themselves to their personal comforts’ often received a bonus in the form of a double brandy `on the house’. The Lodge being closed, the Brethren would retire to the bar to await the call to the festive board. Junior brethren were not so lucky. They had other duties to perform because dining was in the same room as the temple the furnishings had to be dismantled and put away and the room set up with tables and chairs. The Hotel staff gave assistance but those heavy pedestals had to be moved again. Whilst all this was going on, those not employed in manual labour availed themselves of a well stocked bar.

Manor of Ashley Lodge ladies Banquet 1965

Moorend Park Hotel – Treasured Relics

Scouts and Cubs at Moorend Park 1922
(and the Fountain)

This photograph is not of the Lodge members in their days before joining Masonry, it has been included as it was the only one I could discover with the ornate fountain, albeit that it is almost completely obliterated by the group of boys!

Although I did see the fountain after the Hotel was demolished, it was at The Moat House, which was the home of W.Bro. David A. Verney P.G.St.B. and it fitted in well to its new surroundings in front of the house with the driveway sweeping around it.

W.Bro. Verney placed great value on preserving this fountain, made of stone with three Heron’s rising out of the centre of the large bowl, which to me presented a striking and elegant sight, for it was not only to serve as a reminder of the Lodge meetings held at the Moorend Park that had been so enjoyable, but the most happy occasion of hosting his wedding reception there. There was also a 5 ft. Flower pot from the Moorend in the grounds.

The First Regular Meeting of the Manor of Ashley Lodge No. 7831, 15th October 1962
On the previous page is a copy of the first summons which was printed in a rather green turquoise coloured ink which continued for many years.

There were 16 visitors on that occasion and the ballot for both candidates (taken jointly) proved unanimously in favour of the candidates. I have taken the following extract which is of interest, this being our first Regular meeting and our first Candidate of the Lodge:

Initiation
The WM then vacated the Chair of King Soloman, in favour of W.Bro. J. W. Wallace Prov. S.G.D. who wished to carry out the Ceremony of Initiation in view of the family relationship with the candidate.

W.Bro. J. W. Wallace Prov. S.G.D. Director of Ceremonies, as acting WM satisfied himself that the candidate had signed the required declaration, then had the WM certificate read by the Secretary in open Lodge.

Mr. George Hamilton Turner, a candidate for initiation was admitted to the Lodge and duly initiated in accordance with ancient custom.

The Working Tools of an EA were rendered by Bro. Kenneth A. N. Mills.

The candidate then retired from the Lodge to restore himself to his personal comfort, and on his return to the Lodge, W.Bro. Leslie T. D. Banbury J. P., P.Prov.S.G.D., Senior Warden gave the Charge after Initiation.

The W. M. then resumed the Chair of King Soloman with appropriate words.

After the Ceremony under the third rising the WM gave notice that the By-Laws would be read at the next Regular meeting, if available, explaining that the By-laws were at present with the Provincial Grand Master, as per Rule 162 Book of Constitutions. (It was however not until the December meeting held on 17th December 1962 that the By-Laws having been circulated to the Brethren were adopted. This was after W.Bro. Banbury had made a recommendation that the final sentence in By-law No. 4 be amended, this was formally proposed and seconded and unanimously approved by the Brethren. For those who knew W.Bro. Banbury this is a reminder of his sharp eye for detail, his knowledge of ritual was superb.

Annual subscriptions were set at £5, Initiation Fee £30, Joining Fee £15.

Something of special interest was the dispensation which appears on the next page. This had to be read out since the dispensation permitted Bro. Ernest W. Whitlock to be Junior Deacon of the Lodge as in the Book of Constitutions, Rule 117, it is forbidden for a proprietor of the meeting place to hold office without permission.

The Alms realised were three pounds, seven shillings and six pence.

Bro Ernest Whitlock
One of the founders was Bro Ernest Whitlock, Master in 1966, who was the proprietor of the Moorend Park Hotel. He ensured that the Lodge did dine well, and drank equally well.

The Hotel was sold following his death, and the site was redeveloped, and the Lodge relocated to where it now meets at the Masonic Hall in Portland Street, Cheltenham

Consecration Menu

Pate Maison
Turtle Soup
Rainbow Trout Africaine
Braised Contre Filet St. James
New Potatoes
Purple Sprouting Broccoli
Garden Peas
Pineapple Chantilly
Double Gloucester
Coffee

When the Manor of Ashley Lodge was founded, the majority of its membership came from Smiths Industries, one of the main employers in the town at that time.

However, current membership now comes from a wide and varied range of workplaces.

The Manor of Ashley Lodge continues to thrive, and maintains its reputation as a Fine Dining Lodge, growing every year with over 30 subscribing Members

The Move to the Masonic Hall, Portland Street, Cheltenham
Sadly W.Bro. Whitlock, who was somewhat ample in proportion, became ill and was called to the Grand Lodge above. Concern was expressed that it might not be possible to remain at the Hotel. A proposal was made to move to Portland Street but the Brethren decided to await events.

During the summer recess in 1979, however, the Hotel was sold and demolished. Arrangements were made to move to Portland Street and the October 1979 meeting was held there. Severn Springs Lodge also moved to Portland Street and, about the same time, the Lodges meeting at the Lilleybrook Hotel also moved in.

Cheltenham Masonic Hall, Portland Street

The above sketch shows an uncluttered view of one of the most significant buildings of Cheltenham, from George Rowe’s Illustrated Cheltenham Guide of 1845. The guide describes several walks to the reader, dwelling on each of the places of interest, below is the extract concerning the Masonic Hall , just as much interest then as it is now;

`Masonic Hall, a heavy, sombre erection, in the imitation of a Roman Mausoleum or burying place, it stands at the junction of Portland and Pittville streets, and consists merely of two rooms for transacting the business of the order; the upper one has an organ, and is fitted up with Masonic emblems. The cost of erection, about £4,000, was raised by subscriptions among the members of the fraternity. This was the last Public building we noticed before arriving at Pittville Street΄

In 1817 Foundation Lodge No 82, dating from 1753, (when it was Lodge No. 226 at Burton’s Coffee House, London), came to Cheltenham via Abingdon and first met at Sheldons Hotel in the High Street. It was not long before it bought a site in Portland Street for the sum of £600 and set about building a Masonic Hall. This was completed in 1823, designed by G. A. Underwood, a pupil of Sir John Soane, architect of the Bank of England building.

A Daughter Lodge
Certain Brethren in the Province felt that there was a need for a Lodge in, or near to, Winchcombe. Plans were laid for the foundation of such a Lodge and when it was realised that at least five potential founders would come from the Manor of Ashley Lodge it seemed appropriate that the Lodge should be the one to petition United Grand Lodge for a warrant for the new lodge.

On 25th November 1980, at a regular meeting of the Manor of Ashley Lodge a petition was approved and signed to recommend to the Most Worshipful the Grand Master that he give favourable consideration to the formation of a new Lodge.

Grand Lodge issued the warrant on 10th December 1980 for the Sudeley Castle Lodge No. 8976 to meet at Sudeley Castle in Winchcombe.

The new Lodge was consecrated at Tewkesbury on 14th March 1981. The Manor of Ashley had a Daughter!

Founders of the Sudeley Castle Lodge from the Manor of Ashley were:
W.Bro. V. Mortimer-Bowen (Deceased)
W.Bro. J. Baker (Deceased)
W.Bro. A. C. Palmer
W.Bro. G. W. Swambo (Deceased)
W.Bro. D. A. Verney
W.Bro. D. Walker

Following W.Bro. Derek Walkers’ appraisal, above, of the formation of our Daughter Lodge they have also moved. Formerly the meetings were in the Library of Sudeley Castle, however as the Castle was evolving into a more commercial tourist attraction the Lodge needed to find another venue. Although initially Tewkesbury was considered, Sudeley Lodge meetings are now held in the scenic Cotswolds at Stow on the Wold.

Past Master’s of the Lodge

1962

W.Bro. R. R. Lewis PJGD (Rupert) Founder member. First Master of the Manor of Ashley Lodge

1963
W.Bro. L. T. P. Banbury PAGDC (Leslie) Wing Commander, Royal Air Force (Retired). Founder member

1964
W.Bro. H. F. W. Bishop PPrJGW (Hiram) Founder member

1965
W.Bro. W. E. Rose PPrJGW (William) Founder member

1968
W.Bro. R. C. Mellowdew-Marshall PPrGD (Robert) Founder member

1969
W.Bro. K. A. N. Mills PPrGReg (Kenneth) Founder member

1970
W.Bro. G. W. Swambo PPrJGW (George) Initiate: 19/11/62 Passed: 21/01/63 Raised: 18/03/63 Proposed by: W.Bro. S. M Haines Seconded by: W.Bro. L. T. P Banbury

1971
W.Bro. J. J. Cole PAGDC

1972
W.Bro G. Neasham PPGOrg

1973
W.Bro. E. D. Plimmer PPAGReg

1974 & 1994 W.Bro. P. H. Bowen PPrJGW, PPrGReg (Warks) (Peter) Joining member: SW of The Oaks of Arden Lodge No. 7601 Province of Warwickshire. Joined Monday 15 February 1965 Proposed by: W.Bro. R. C. Mellodew-Marshall Seconded by: WBro. J. Baker

1975 & 1976
W.Bro. D. H. J. Martin-Jones PGM, MBE (David) Squadron Leader Royal Air Force Initiated: 18/10/65 Passed: 15/11/65 Raised: 21/02/66 Proposed by: W.Bro. J. W Wallace Seconded by: W.Bro. W. E Rose

1977 & 1979
W.Bro. V. Mortimer-Bowen PPrGReg.

1978
W.Bro. L. Baume PPrGSwdB (Leslie) Wing Commander Royal Air Force (Retired) Initiated:20/01/69 Passed: 19/05/69 Raised: 20/10/69 Proposed by: Bro. P. D. B Locke Seconded by: W.Bro. J. W Wallace

1979
W.Bro. V. Mortimer-Bowen PPrGReg

1980
W.Bro. D. Walker PPJGW

1981
W.Bro. E. G. Neale PPGSuptWks

1982
W.Bro. A. C. Palmer PPrGSuptWrks, LGR (Alan) Joined: 27/02/79 Joining member: Paddington Rifles Lodge No. 2807 London Proposed by: W.Bro. V Mortimer-Bowen Seconded by: W.Bro. E. G Neal

1983
W.Bro. D. A. Verney PGStB (David) Joining member: MM of the Good Faith Lodge No. 5125 Joined November 1976 Proposed by: W.Bro. O. P Kent Seconded by: Bro. D. A Pearman

1984
W.Bro. O. P. Kent PPrSGD (Owen)

1985
W.Bro C. R. Nicholls PPGSwdB

1986
W.Bro O. P. Kent PPrSGD

1987 & 1988
W.Bro. C. J. Smith PPrJGD (Cyril) Initiated: 28/11/78 Passed: 22/05/79 Raised: 22/01/80 Proposed by: Bro. M Turner Seconded by: W.Bro. K Turner

1989
W.Bro D. W. Kent PPGReg

1990 & 2023
W.Bro A. Allcock PPSGW, MBE

1991& 2002
W.Bro. D. W. Ford PPrSGD (David) Initiated: 22/05/84 Passed: 28/05/85 Raised: 25/03/86 Proposed by: Bro. J. V Martin Seconded by: W.Bro. A. C Palmer

1992
W.Bro. B. C. Morgan (Brian) Initiated: 24/05/83 Passed: 25/10/83 Raised: 22/10/85 Proposed by: W.Bro. D Walker Seconded by: Bro. B. W Parratt

1993
W. Bro. R. P. Gregory PPSGD

1994
W.Bro P. H. Bowen PPJGW, PPrGReg (Warks)

1995
W. Bro. W. J. Woods PPSGD (Lincs)

1996
W.Bro. K. J. Starr (Ken) Initiated: 25/02/86 Passed: 27/01/87 Raised: 27/10/87 Proposed by: W.Bro. D. W Ford Seconded by: Bro. J. V Martin

1997
W.Bro. H. C. Brown (Howard) Initiated: 27/05/86 Passed: 24/02/87 Raised: 24/11/87 Proposed by: W.Bro. O. P. Kent Seconded by: W.Bro. A Allcock

1998
W.Bro. J. Harber PPGSuptWks

1999
W.Bro. P. V. Savoury

2000
W.Bro. D. R. Mason (David) PAGReg, ProvGReg, DepProvGM
Initiated: 27/10/92 Passed: 24/11/92 Raised: 23/02/93 Proposed by: Bro. R. A. H Meaton Seconded by: Bro. R.G White

2001
W.Bro. M Robinson PPGSuptWks, ProvAGDC (Mark)

2002
W.Bro. D. W. Ford PPrSGD (David)

2003
W.Bro. J.P. Moles PPGSuptWks (John)

2004
W.Bro N. M Greenwood PPGSuptWks (Nigel)

2005
W.Bro J. Harber PPGSuptWks

2006 & 2013
W.Bro. A. Mitchem PPGSuptWks (Andy)

2007
W.Bro D. F. R. Knibbs

2008
W.Bro. K. A Young PPJGD (Ken)

2009
W.Bro. D. J. George

2010
W.Bro. R. W. Drew PPSGD (Ray)

2011
W.Bro A. L. Woodman PPJGD (Alan)

2012
W.Bro, J. R. Palmer PPSGD (John)

2013
W.Bro. A. Mitchem PPGSuptWks (Andy)

2014
W.Bro. R. W. Bryant PPJGD (Richard)

2015
W.Bro. A. Shipley (Adrian)

2016
W. Bro T. J. Newport PPAGDC (Tracey)

2017
W.Bro D. J. George PPGPurs

2018
W.Bro M. S. R. Cook (Maitland)

2019 & 2021
W.Bro J. Viviani (John)

2021
W.Bro T. Ives (Tom)

2022
W.Bro G. Kane (Gary)

2023
W.Bro A. Allcock PPSGW, MBE (Tony)

2024
W,Bro D. Flook (Dorian)

2025
W.Bro. R. W. Drew PPSGD (Ray)

2026
W. Bro M. T. Addis (Mike)

.