Our beginnings

On the 29th September 1924, Worshipful Master Bro. Thomas Clutton Salt-Ratcliff of Shakespeare Lodge (284) proposed the sponsoring of a new lodge.

A petition was made to Grand lodge on 16th May 1925 for the new lodge. This was to be called "Greville Lodge".

Sir Fulke Greville, 1st Lord Brook (1554-1628) Clearly the founders wished to identify the Lodge with the foremost family in Warwick, and the name can therefore be traced back to the 1st Lord Brook. Click Here for more information on Sir Fulke Greville

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Our Founders and the original Petition Signed by: Mason, Harold (PM 284) Mason, Harold Booth (284) Hadow, Ernest Fredrick (PM 284) Measures, Arthur Henry (PM 567) Knight, Bernard Rogers (PM 567) Ememy, George Edgar (PM 715) Mill, Charles Weston (295) Maund, Clarence Percy (2200) Pickard, Sidney Ethelbert (3229 & 567) Beech, Francis William (4022 & 567) Grason, Ernest Edward (395) Bridge, John Fredrick (567) Furguson, Thomas Hardie (3091) Bursill, Frank Guy (567) Lawson, John Leonard (567) Phillips, Earnest Montague (567) Bishop, Bernard Victor (395) Kay, Harry Beaven (395) Tanner, Douglas George (76 & 43) Recommended by W.F. Wyley, Prov. Grand Master. Signed in open lodge: T.C.S Ratcliffe (WM), G.E. Karge (SW), F.C. Wade (JW)

The first (consecration) meeting was held on Tuesday 26th November 1925. Subsequently a 'Warrant of Constitution' was issued. The first committee meeting was held on 14th Dec 1925. The first regular meeting on Friday 15th January 1926, the 3rd Friday being the day authorised by the Warrant.

In the September 1928 meeting the bylaws were changed so that: Meetings were held on the 3rd Thursday (J, F, M, A, S, O), Committee meetings held on the preceding Fridays and Lodge of Instruction held on the subsequent Fridays, all months excluding Aug and Dec - - This tradition continues to the current day.

Early Meetings were held at 3, High Street Warwick. In 1962 these moved to 23, High Street, Warwick. 'Alderson House' our current location

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Early Lodge accounts At the first regular meeting held on 15th January 1926 it was decided that: Annual Lodge subscriptions should be £5 5s 0d including dining fees (Currently £160 EXCLUDING dining fee or £289.50 including Dining fee) Dining fees should be: Visitors 5s 6d except installation @ 7s 6d (All Dinning fees are currently £18.50)

Interesting extracts from Lodge records

Greville started with just 5 Past Masters and 14 other Brethren as per the names on the petition. However at the first regular meeting there were 7 joining members, one of whom was Canon HA Haydon, who was immediately invested into the office of Chaplain. He later became the first joining member (non-petition) to occupy the Masters chair in 1933.

Also at the first regular meeting one Tom Sykes was initiated, one of 5 initiates for that first Masonic year. We are indebted to Shakespeare lodge for not only sponsoring Greville but for being able to use the property of 3, High Street, Warwick on very favourable terms. The costs were 30 Shillings per member up to a maximum of £35/pa for the First & Second years, rising to £50 for years Three, Four and Five. These included all usage, heating & lighting.On payment of a proportion of their wage Greville Lodge also secured the services of Bro. Tom Pantry as Tyler and his wife as Cook.

At the committee meeting on 14th May 1926 approval was made for the purchase of: 2 Ballot boxes & 100 balls @ £3 0s 5d. The Grand Lodge book of Constitutions @ 9s 0s 6d. and a frame for the Warrant @ 13s 0s 6d. All of which are still in general use today.

On the completion of his year in office, the Master is presented with a 'Past Masters jewel'. Until 1936 these were made of Gold, but increased costs forced their change to Silver, which at the time was only £7.

In 1965 the Lodge received the gift of a new Organ from W.Bro HE Billington. Its replacement is in use by all Lodges who meet at Alderson house. During the 50th Anniversary Installation meeting Greville was delighted to receive an engrave Silver Salt Cellar from our 'mother' lodge, Shakespeare.

At the same meeting W.Bro. H Badger presented a kneeling stool, designed and worked on, by himself.19th April 1979 new Lodge Banner was dedicated by the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master.

The Banner was produced with the generosity of Miss B. Wrench, niece of W.Bro J Simms, and by the 'skill & assiduity' of Miss S. Sanders, daughter of one of our Past Masters, who has since passed to a higher life.

Although not officially recorded in the minutes, the baby-grand piano which resides in our dining room, was donated by one of our past masters in c.2003. This kind donation is gratefully appreciated by all the lodges & side orders

Absent Brethren

At the first regular meeting in January 1926 it was proposed that at 9:30PM, on each lodge night, a toast be made to 'Absent Brethren' - again this is a custom that continues to this day.

Over the years there have been many Greville Brethren who have 'ascended to a higher place' and they are remembered fondly for all their works for Greville Lodge and Freemasonry in general.

Greville sponsoring other Lodges

We are eternally grateful to our original sponsors, Shakespeare Lodge. It is in the same spirit that Greville has gone on to sponsor two other lodges.

LODGE OF WARWICK (8011) in 1965. A current membership of 34 and meeting at Alderson House Their web site can be accessed via the links page.

SCHOLA WARWICENSIS (9321) in 1989. A current membership of 29 and also meeting at Alderson House.