The Province Of Hertfordshire.

DACRE LODGE .

On 16 th November , the Rickmansworth Lodge was consecrated , the founders being principally Watford Masons , and there followed more lodges in quick succession . The year 188 9 saw the Provincial Grand Master occupied with three consecrations , the Kingswood Lodge , No . 2278 , on the 4 th February ; the Bushey Hall on the 2 nd November ; and the

Ravenscroff on the 17 th December . The Kingswood Lodge is one of that useful class of lodges which endeavour to promote brotherly love , unity , and interest amongst those who are brought together by other bonds than that of Masonry . It was founded by members of the city house of Tapling . No

Hertfordshire Masons are to be found amongst its founders , but it has taken up a representative position , and no lodge excels it in loyalty to the province in which it has taken up its abode . It holds its meetings at Broxbourne , in the Crown Hotel . Since it was established there it has been found that

the hotel is over the border on the Essex side . It has , however , been allowed to retain its Hertfordshire connection by an arrangement between the two Provincial Grand Masters . Bushey Hall Lodge is called from the place of its habitat , which was formerly a residence of the Marjoribanks , but now a residential hotel and sanatorium . Among its founders were

Bro . Thomas Fenn , late President of the Board of General Purposes , Bro . Loveland-Loveland , his successor , and Bro . Keyser , whose name is well known throughout the province for the excellence of his work and the generosity of his charity .

The Ravenscroft was an extra provincial settlement , the founders being members of London lodges who desired to visit the country amid the balmy breath of summer , and pursue their Masonic avocations amid the lowing of oxen and the humming of the bees . They decided on Barnet for their

venture , and fixed their quarters at the Red Lion Inn . The Broxbourne Lodge does not meet at Broxbourne , though it was consecrated there on 22 nd April , 1890 . It has taken up its abode at the Red Lion , Barnet . Perhaps the discovery that it was not really in Hertfordshire caused its

premature departure from Broxbourne , or it may be the removal of its principal founder , Bro . Mulvey , to Barnet induced the departure .

In the same year , the James Terry Lodge was consecrated , which meets at the Falcon , Waltham Cross , though consecrated in the Great House , Cheshunt . Bro . James 'Terry himself was one of the founders . His name is a household word in Hertfordshire . For twenty-seven years he has been Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies and been present at every public function of Provincial Grand Lodge .

LOVING CUP PRESENTED TO THE WA'i'EORD LODGE IIY I 1 RO . \ VM . STUART , PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTKIi AND PAST . VASTKR OF THE hODC . K . Hoddesdon received a Masonic settlement in 18 94 , the

Charles Edward Keyser Lodge having been consecrated at the Bull Hotel in that town on 5 th July . The founders were local Masons , and they were assisted in their enterjiri . se by their neighbours from Ponder ' s End and Enfield Wash . The title is taken from the name of a distinguished Mason , who has already been mentioned in connection with Bushey Hall .