History Of The Airedale Lodge, No. 387,

I was surprised to find that onl y six Past Masters were returned to Grand Lodge , 13 th May , 1844 , viz .: Joshua Bell , W . M . 1844 ; Thomas Robinson , 1843 ; Nicholas Walker , 1841 ; John Beck , 1837 ; John Walker , jun , 1836 ; and William Whitwham , 1835 . As a memorial of the time , the following communication is peculiar ¦ —

ROYAL YORKSHIRE LODOE . 332 , Keighley , June 5 th , 1844 . Sir and Brother , —In consequence of the death of onr late worthy brother , William Hop - kinson , who departed this life at seven o'clock this morning , I am directed by the W . M . to inform you that his remains -will be committed to Mother Earth on Sunday next , at 12 o ' clock .

You and all your Brethren are hereby desired to attend a Masonic Procession on the occasion , and to meet in the Lodge Room on the above day not later than ten o'clock a . m . From yours fraternally , R . ( j . SHABPE , Secretary . N . B . —The Brethren to appear in Black Dress , with White Gloves and Craft Orders . On the 17 th April , 1845 , the Wakefield Lodge ( then 727 , and held in Thornhill Street , ) was consecrated , its warrant being dated March 1 st , 1844 . the month the Alfred Lod ^

In following ge , Leeds , No . 384 , having completed its fiftieth year on the 27 th April , commemorated the event by a grand Masonic ball , under the patronage of the R . W . Prov . Grand Master , the Earl of Mexbrough . at the Assembly Rooms , Crown Street . The Lodge held its meetings at this time at Scarborough ' s Hotel . Lodge Truth , Hudclersfielcl , No . 763 , was constituted December 3 rd , 1845 . Lycias Barker and John Mann rejoined in 1845 . On April 8 th , 1846 , it was found necessary to make a levy upon the subscribing members for twelve months : —

Bro . John Walker , W . M . ; Bro . N . Walker , S . W . ; Bro . John Beck , J . W . ; Bro . Joshua Bell , P . M . ; Bro . Joseph Walker , I . G . ; Bro . John Smith , Tyler ; Bro . Wm . Whitwham Treas . ; Bro . Thos . Robinson , Secy . ' It was proposed by Bro . John Beck and seconded by Bro . Nicholas Walker , and unanimously carried , that the whole of the regular members pay a contribution of 6 d . per month for 12 months , to defray the Returns and other expenses belonging to this Lodge .

On the 2 nd September , 1846 , Bro . M . Rogerson , W . M , and eleven members of the Lodge of Hope , attended as visitors , and the Airedale accepted an invitation to their Lodge , at Bradford , for the 5 th October , 1846 . An important meeting was held on Sunday night , December 6 th , 1846 there being present Bros . John Walker , W . M . ; N . Walker , S . W . ; John Beck ^ J . W . ; Joshua Bell , P . M . ; W . Holmes , Secretary ; L . Barker , Treasurer-Thomas Robinson Walker

, S . D . ; J . , J . D . ; John Mann , I . G . ; J . Smith , Tyler . ' Bro . Thomas Robinson proposed the re-admission of Bro . Wainman Holmes ! This was seconded by Bro . Joshua Bell and carried unanimously . Bro Nicholas Walker proposed Mr . Nicholas Walker , jun , Baildon Mill , as a Candidate for Freemasonry . Bro . Lycias Barker proposed Bro . Wainman Holmes as W . Master for 1847 seconded bBro . Beckand carried unanimousl

, y , y . However , from this date to the St . John ' s meeting at the end of 1847 , only six meetings of the Lodge were held . On the fifth meeting , held 24 th November , 1847 , " it was proposed by Bro . John Beck , and seconded by Bro . Nicholas Walker , that Bro . Wainman Holmes stand as W . M . for next year . " " No other being proposed , he was necessarily elected , " adds the Secretary , Bro . Thomas Robinson .

The Cleveland Lodge , Stokesley , No . 795 , was founded this year . Strange to say , there are two versions of the minutes on St . John ' s Day , December 29 th , 1847 . One of these is , however , an undoubted , though only partial , copy—if not actually written in the new minute book from memory . I accept the original by Bro . Thomas Robinson , P . M , as entered in the old minute book , especially as it includes ( in addition to other particulars usual on installation meetings ) every entry of the later one . On this occasion , nearl y