Enjoying dinner during our annual Burns night celebrations
From a reading of the history of Imperial Sefton Lodge 680 as set out by our forefathers at the centenary celebration of Sefton in 1956 and the 150thcelebrations of the amalgamated lodges in 2006, it will be clear to anyone that the rationale and thinking behind both lodges was remarkably similar.
A fatalist would assume that amalgamation was pre-destined and in fact the conjoining of the lodges has proved to be friendly, inspired and invigorating.Both lodges have always maintained low membership numbers, and whilst this is the norm in present days throughout masonry, it has been the choice of the two lodges.
Both insisted on maintaining high standards in the accommodation with particular emphasis on high standards of catering and generosity with their guests. These attitudes have continued and it is the hope of the Lodge that guests will experience an evening they will not forget combined with a desire to return in the future.
Antonis Georges Pr.SGW and Secretary to Imperial Sefton 680
A more complete history of the lodges
The Sefton Lodge No.680 was founded by twelve brethren on 28th June 1856 and it first met at the Litherland Park Hotel, Litherland moving thereafter to the former Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool. There it stayed for 44 years and during this period the Imperial Lodge was founded in 1898. The latter was constituted for the purposes of affording facilities to masons “who were resident in and around Sefton Park”.
Meanwhile Sefton Lodge, in 1914, moved its meeting place to the Exchange Hotel until that closed in 1971. The Sefton Lodge then moved to the Lyceum and in October, 1978 moved to the Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool. Three years later the Imperial Lodge moved to the Lyceum at its new location in Minster House. By coincidence the Sefton Lodge returned to the Lyceum in 1981. The lodges then had a parting of the ways and the Imperial Lodge remained there until 1988, when the club closed, and then moved to the Masonic Hall in Hope Street, Staff House, Abercrombie Square, Racquets Club and finally the Adelphi Hotel.
The Sefton Lodge also had a peripatetic existence after 1988. Its travels have resulted in meetings at a variety of places and included the Masonic Hall, Hope Street, Atlantic Tower Hotel, and Liverpool Racquet Club until settling in the Artists Club in October, 2001. The amalgamation brings the combined lodges to the Artists Club but the size of the club necessitated the amalgamation meeting to be held at the Adelphi Hotel.
Whilst the paths of the two lodges have converged and crossed in their long histories, they have always maintained a close friendship with a number of joint members. Both lodges have always had limited membership with numbers in Sefton never exceeding 50 and rarely exceeding 50 for Imperial. The sizes have enabled the close and intimate friendship of the members to flourish whilst always ensuring that both lodges make visitors most welcome – as we do again tonight.
A short history of the lodges cannot be complete without a reference to the many brethren who have gained high honours in the last 50 years. Lawrie Rutherford was Assistant PGM (1949-52), Deputy PGM (1952-57) and PGM (1957-68). D. Ryan was Assistant PGM (1974-83) whilst L.M. (Tim) Stewart was Assistant PGM (1967-69). In addition there have been 8 acting Provincial Grand Wardens: D. Ryan 1964 (Junior), D.L.Nichols 1969 (Senior)D. Robinson 1977 (Senior), S.L.J. Byron 1983 (Junior), C. H. Ryan 1989 (Junior), E. W. Waites 1995 (Senior) I. A. Fisher 1997 (Senior) and the present incumbent, A. Georges 2007 (Senior)
On 14th January 2005, the two Lodges amalgamated in a ceremony conducted at the Britannia Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool under the direction of the Provincial Grand Master, R.W.Bro. Colin Penty Wright. 28th June marked the 150th anniversary of the founding of Sefton Lodge. The two amalgamated lodges have grown in peace and harmony.
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