CLUBS AND SOCIETIES: 150 years for Nyanza Lodge

MEMBERS of the Nyanza Lodge of Freemasons in Ilminster celebrated the group’s 150th anniversary on Wednesday (January 10, 2018) with a special dinner at the Shrubbery Hotel.

There was a lodge in Ilminster in 1788, but through lack of support moved to Taunton in 1797 as the Lodge of Unanimity & Sincerity 261 where it still exists today.

It was not until 1867 that another attempt was made to establish a Masonic Lodge in Ilminster with the formation of the Nyanza Lodge 1197 – so named after Lake Victoria Nyanza in Africa in honour of local explorer Captain John Hanning Speke who had discovered the source of the River Nile some years before.  Neither he nor any of his family had any connection with the Lodge.

The Nyanza Lodge was consecrated on January 10, 1868, and continues to meet up to the present day.

The consecration was followed by dinner at the Crown Inn in Ilminster and met over the years at various venues until it settled at its present location from 1913 in Berrymans Lane.

A spokesman said: “Over the years Masonry has become a much more open organisation, locally, nationally and internationally giving millions of pounds to charity.

“Members of the lodge consider themselves custodians of the great heritage of Masonry in Ilminster and district.”

The Nyanza Lodge has 60 members with a wide range of interests and backgrounds. The Lodge is always looking for enquiries about membership and details can be found at www.somersetfreemasons.org .

PHOTOS: By Christine Jones, of Ilminster Press.

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