The History of Cedars Park Lodge

by W. Bro. A.G. Roberts P.G.St.B., P.P.G.Reg.

Secretary 1972 to 1998, written in 1993 to mark the 25th anniversary of its consecration.

At the Installation Meeting of the Goffs Oak Lodge No. 7169 on the 18th November, 1967 it was proposed by W.Bro.A.J. Freston and seconded by W.Bro.S. Ward that the Goffs Oak Lodge should sponsor the proposed new lodge Cedars Park. The motion was carried.

A Petition to the Most Worshipful The Grand Master of the United Fraternity of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of England for a New Lodge to be named Cedars Park, was drawn up, requesting a Warrant of Constitution empowering meetings at Halsey Masonic Hall on the fourth Tuesdays of January, April and September, and the third Tuesday in November. It nominated and recommended Bro. William George Osborne to be the first Master, Bro. Arthur George Roberts to be the first Senior Warden, and Bro. Alan John Owen to be the first Junior Warden.

The Petition was signed in open Lodge by the W.M., H.L. Willingale, the S.W., R.L. Raven and the J.W., L.J.A. Watkins, certifying that the reasons given for the Cedars Park foundation were adequate and that it had the approval of the majority of the members present. The Provincial Grand Master of Hertfordshire, Col. Alexander Woods, added his signature of recommendation. The Petition bore the signatures and particulars of the twenty founding Members - the Petitioners. It was received at Grand Lodge on 16th December, 1967 and a Warrant was granted on 14th February, 1968. The Warrant bore the following names:-

William George OSBORNE. Master.
Arthur George ROBERTS. Senior Warden.
Alan John OWEN. Junior Warden.
Herbert Edward EDWARDS. Secretary.
Arthur John FRESTON. Treasurer.
Sidney WARD. D.C.
Thomas Sidney Novice LING. I.P.M.

The records of the Lodge were meticulously kept by the founding secretary Bert Edwards, who was Secretary of many Lodges; but unfortunately, details of the Lodge's beginnings and other useful correspondence were not passed on to me when he died on 12th December, 1972. No doubt these papers were not deemed to be important by those dealing with his affairs.

After the 1939 - 1945 War, Masonry expanded and several new Lodges were formed at Halsey Hall including the Goffs Oak in 1952. This was a Saturday Lodge. By the sixties some 40 Masonic Bodies and about 15 L.0.Is., mostly the Craft, were meeting at Walnut Tree House. This number has now doubled. Goffs Oak Lodge became very successful so that by the late sixties it was taking 16 to 17 years to reach the Chair. As there were many keen Master Masons it became apparent that something needed to be done to retain their interest in Masonry. This could only be done by forming a new Lodge. This was the reason given for its formation in the Petition.

...... The Founders desire to form this new Lodge to give the Master Masons an opportunity to occupy the Chair quicker, ---- Also, the population of Cheshunt is growing so fast, which will soon grow from 24,000 to 60,000. ---- I have no doubt that if the Warrant is granted for this new Lodge, it will be a success and credit to the Province." - Letter dated 5. 1.68. from Founder Secretary to Provincial Grand Secretary.

In the event the 20 Founders included 6 M.M. of the Goffs Oak Lodge, 4 M.M. of other Lodges, 3 P.Ms. of Goffs Oak Lodge, who became Founder Treasurer, Secretary and D. of C. and 7 P.M's. from other Lodges - mostly London - all experienced Masons living in the vicinity of Halsey Hall and wanting to have local association. The London Masons quickly moulded  into the team from the Goffs Oak, except the odd word, and the Cedars Park soon became "our Lodge" - the work superb and the visitors many. Several other experienced Master Masons of the Goffs Oak wanted to be Founders, to progress in Masonry, but for various reasons were unable to do so.

Cedars Park is the great, great grand-daughter Lodge of the James Terry 2372.

Lineage:-
1890 James Terry 2372
1932 Waltham Cross 5359
1944 Temple Bar 5962
1952 Goffs Oak 7169
1968 Cedars Park 8206
- all meeting at Halsey Hall Cheshunt.

Unfortunately we have a record of only one of the meetings of the Founders - at Halsey Masonic Hall on 8.4.68., but numerous meetings were held, some as early as 1966, probably then for P.Ms. only. W.Bro. Phipps remembers one meeting at Tom Ling's house, but the remainder were probably at Halsey Hall. Bert Edwards, secretary of Goffs Oak Lodge and Manager of Halsey Hall, chaired the first meetings. It was he who introduced to the Founders W.Bro.W.G. Osborne - Grand Officer, who was particularly interested in being associated with the Cheshunt Centre and whose long experience would help to ensure the success of the new Lodge. Bert Edwards also introduced Alan Owen, who was involved in other degrees at Cheshunt and wished to be a member of a Craft Lodge there. W.Bro. Osborne chaired the later meetings, including the one on 8.4.68., probably the last meeting before the Consecration.

The Founders contributed £20. each towards "furniture" for the Lodge. Subscriptions were fixed at 10 guineas, Initiation Fee 30 guineas, Joining Fee 15 guineas and Rejoining Fee 3 guineas.

There had been several suggestions as to the name of the Lodge including - Rosedale, Cedars Park and Col. Alexander Woods, the current P.G.M.. Cedars Park proposed by Alan Owen was chosen because of its historical connections.

The emblem was developed from a small photograph of the cedar tree formerly growing in Cedars Park, Cheshunt. The photograph was produced by Bro. Ron Rider. Bro. D. Bishop obtained an enlargement from W.Bro. Bishop Marshall of the Hoddesdon Lodge No. 5875. The artwork was prepared and a 1 1/2" diameter badge produced. A sample was sent to Provincial Grand Lodge, who gave their approval on 28.5.68. On the advice of W.Bro Pat Hayes we ordered Messrs. A.G. Perrott and Sons Ltd to die stamp the letter headings. This involved the production of a die for each of the three colours :- gold, dark green and dark brown. Needless to say the Founders were very pleased with the result.