Welcome

Welcome to the web pages of the Old Plymothian and Mannameadian Lodge No.6279. We are a Lodge of Freemasons meeting in Plymouth, under the Constitution of the United Grand Lodge of England. Membership is restricted to Old Boys of Plymouth College and members of staff.

Meetings

We meet at Manadon Masonic Hall, Smallack Drive, Crownhill, Plymouth, Devon at 6.45pm on the third Wednesday of every month except July, August & December. The Installation of the new Master takes place at the October meeting.

Attending

We are delighted to receive visiting Freemasons at any of our meetings. O.P.M.'s who are members of other Lodges recognised by United Grand Lodge of England are especially welcome. All intending visitors should, however, make contact with the Secretary before the previous Monday, so that a meal can be reserved for you at the Festive Board.


Officers 2003/2004

Worshipful Master

W.Bro. John P. Smerdon

Senior Warden

Bro. Neil J. Deacon

Junior Warden

W.Bro. T. E. J. Savery

Chaplain

W.Bro. Keith Pring

Treasurer

Bro. John B. Herman

Secretary

W.Bro. Stephen W. M. Welsh

Director of Ceremonies

W.Bro. Freddie C. Ballantine

Almoner

W.Bro. John R. G. White

Charity Steward

W.Bro. Richard H. D. Statton

Senior Deacon

Bro. Sean R. Lynch

Junior Deacon

Bro. Colin Miles

Asst. Director of Ceremonies

W.Bro. John A. Perry

Organist

W.Bro. John R. G. White

Assistant Secretary

Bro. T. John Stevens

Inner Guard

W.Bro. Andrew J. Blight

Tyler

W.Bro. P. W. Hitchens

Steward

Bro. J. Foster

Immediate Past Master

W.Bro. Gerald M. Buckingham

Origin & Founders

The Lodge was founded by twelve O.P.M.s and sponsored by Armada Lodge No.4360. The consecration took place on 18th September 1946 and was presided over by the Bishop of Crediton, who was the Provincial Grand Master of Devonshire at the time. 70 Brethren attended the ceremony and the first Worshipful Master was WHJ Priest.

1996 was our Golden Jubilee year. It was marked by the Lodge hosting the 49th Festival of the Federation of School Lodges. In January 2002 our 500th meeting was celebrated with a social evening. Special guests included the President of the O.P.M. Club, Mr.R.Pashley and the Provincial Grand Master for Devonshire, R.W. Bro. R.O. Osborn.

FOUNDERS

W Bro WHJ Priest
W Bro LR Dunstan
W Bro AR Gerry
W Bro FA Underhill

Bro TA Pearn
Bro GL Wakeham
Bro AWC Lyddon
Bro FT Algate

Bro SB Jackson
Bro GEL Whitmarsh
Bro I Roseman
Bro JS Blatchford

PAST MASTERS

1946

WHJ Priest

1976

K Pring

1947

TA Pearn

1977

SE Westlake

1948

GL Wakeham

1978

BG Veale

1949

AWC Lyddon

1979

DG Smale

1950

FT Algate

1980

WM Hirons

1951

I Roseman

1981

TEJ Savery

1952

TS Blatchford

1982

JA Perry

1953

PJF Shepherd

1983

JEB Reynolds

1954

FA Underhill

1984

RRJ Livingstone

1955

NAM Sitters

1985

DW Luke

1956

CJ Atkey

1986

PA U'ren

1957

FK Carter

1987

JA Constable

1958

FC Dingle

1988

G Pessell

1959

SE Westlake

1989

FPJ Dingle

1960

FH Damerell

1990

AJ Blight

1961

FGP Westlake

1991

K Pring

1962

LWM Pettitt

1992

PW Hitchin

1963

NR Shute

1993

M Horswell

1964

ARH Hill

1994

DJ Robins

1965

TH Crichton

1995

WS Daw

1966

SB Jackson

1996

RJ Williams

1967

TEJ Savery

1997

PAJ Merchant

1968

AJ Squire

1998

PAJ Merchant

1969

FL Axworthy

1999

FC Ballantine

1970

DW Luke

2000

RHD Statton

1971

HJ Stevens

2001

SWM Welsh

1972

RF Fowles

2002

GM Buckingham

1973

FC Ballantine

 

 

1974

JRG White

 

 

1975

AI Pearse

 

 

 

Traditions

In contrast to other Lodges, Brethren of School Lodges are permitted to wear their respective Club ties in their own Lodge and when visiting other School Lodges.

The Lodge Bible (Volume of the Sacred Law) is signed by each new Worshipful Master during his Installation Ceremony.

A toast to the School is always included at the Festive Board followed by the Carmen, always sung with great gusto!

Federation

The O.P.M. Lodge was elected a member of the Federation of School Lodges in 1952 and hosted the 49th Festival of the Federation in 1996 (our Golden Jubilee year). Due to the size of the gathering, this prestigious event was held at the College of St.Mark and St.John, Derriford, Plymouth. It was a great success with approximately 300 Masons attending from old school Lodges across the country.

Festive Board

A masonic festive board is a formal meal served after the Lodge meeting. For many members this is a popular part of the evening providing the opportunity to dine and converse in a friendly and convivial atmosphere with fellow O.P.M. Masons and other visiting Brethren.

Joining

If you would like to know more about Freemasonary in general and the O.P.M. Lodge in particular please contact the Worshipful Master or Secretary. The minimum age for joining Freemasonry is 21 years. We are able to provide you with leaflets dealing with the most commonly asked questions.

Making Contact

For further information you may telephone, email or write to:

Stephen Welsh
(Secretary)

Tanglewood
15 Abbotts Road
Mannamead
Plymouth
Devon
PL3 4PD

Tel: 01752 516436

email: stevewelsh@opmlodge6279.co.uk

If you are already a Freemason elsewhere in this country or further afield, we would be delighted to hear from you.

 

Web Pages Designed and Created by Tanglewood Media House
www.thisismedia.com

Web Master - Stuart Welsh
stuart@thisismedia.com