MEMBERS of the Bedford Masonic Lodge celebrated their bicentenary last week with a special meeting at Kelly College, followed by a banquet in Tavistock Town Hall.
Guests of honour included the most worshipful pro grand master, the Marquess of Northampton, and the provincial grand master Robin Osborn.
Richard Searle, Master of Bedford Lodge, said the occasion was fantastic, with about 200 members, guests and visitors sitting down for the banquet.
'It was an absolutely superb day, which will be long remembered,' he said.
'Everyone really enjoyed themselves and the two venues were splendid.'
The Bedford Lodge was actually founded on September 21, 1791 at the King's Arms, in Tavistock, but there are no recorded minutes of any meetings until 1803.
In the early days, the lodge met fortnightly with an average attendance of eight members who paid a quarterly subscription of five shillings.
This sum had risen to one pound by 1811, the year in which someone was 'blackballed' for the first time in the lodge's history.
There are several recorded incidents of members being expelled for misconduct.
In the summer of 1817, Brother Doidge directed bad language at the Worshipful Master. He was ordered to leave after he seized the minute book and hurled it on the floor!
In December 1864, Mr Brown, a dentist was initiated. This was to be the first in a long and influential line of 'toothies' to join the Bedford Lodge.
The Tavistock freemasons have made countless contributions to local charities and good causes during their 200-year history.
Two such examples were a donation of £50 in 1982 to Tavistock Town Council for a chair lift to be installed in the town hall. And in 1960, the sum of £5 went to the upkeep costs of the Tavistock Old Folks Rest Room.
The Bedford Lodge's meetings were originally held in the King's Arms until 1816.
Over the years, the venues have included the Bedford Hotel, the Exeter Inn, the Abbey Room in Tavistock Library and the Masonic Hall, Pym Street, which has remained the regular meeting place since 1901.