The Centenary was celebrated with a special Convocation at Halsey Hall Cheshunt on Saturday 29th October 2005 at which 29 members and 44 guests, including 12 officers of Supreme Grand Chapter, were present. The Companions also stood to order to receive two Past Grand Superintendents, E. Comps Ray Heskell and Sidney Tuck, accompanied by E. Comps Paul Gower, P.A.G.D.C., M.E.Z. 4090, and Alan Kemp, P.G.SwdB., Dep. Grand Superintendent of Essex.

Following a report, E. Comp. Clifford Shipman, Prov. Dep. Grand Director of Ceremonies, announced the M.E. Grand Superintendent E. Comp. Alec Fuller, the Dep. Grand Superintendent E. Comp. John Illott, P.G.SwdB., the Second Prov. Grand Principal E. Comp. Alan Ward, P.G.St.B., the Third Prov. Grand Principal E. Comp. Ian Clift P.A.G.Soj., the Prov. Grand Scribe E., E. Comp. Philip Lever P.A.G.D.C., and the Prov. Asst Grand Scribe E., E. Comp. David Enock P.A.G.D.C. They entered the Chapter to great acclaim from the Companions.

Excellent Comp. Les Butler, Scribe E., read the Charter of the Chapter followed by the minutes of the Consecration Meeting held at the Great Eastern Hotel, Liverpool Street, London, on 30th October 1905.

A very thought-provoking and well-received oration was then delivered by E. Comp. Ian Clift. Two points may be worth quoting in an abbreviated form: “Masonry … is a philosophy of life which teaches us those principles by which our life and actions should be guided and controlled if we are to live happily as members of the human family. That is man’s eternal problem because life … really consists in our contacts with our fellow men. From these contacts comes all that is best … as well as all that is worst … the blessings of peace and the accursed tragedies of war; all come from our contacts with one another. … With regard to these principles, … the important thing to remember … is that a principle is eternally and universally true. A principle is not a theory or a policy or an expedient subject to change. … It is true everywhere and at all times or it is not a principle.”

Excellent Comp. Philip Lever read the Centenary Charter which was then presented to the Chapter by E. Comp. Alec Fuller who also presented Centenary jewels to all the members. Excellent Comp. Michael Chalkley, M.E.Z., presented an inscribed glass bowl to E. Comp. Alec to mark his attendance at the meeting and as a small token of appreciation for his efforts during his years in office as M.E. Grand Superintendent. While thanking the Chapter, E. Comp. Alec also passed on the thanks of his wife Ann for the flowers delivered to his home that morning.

The Provincial Executive and all the Companions present expressed their enjoyment of the meeting and festive board and congratulated the Chapter on the arrangements for the celebration. We are all feeling quite pleased with ourselves!



Our Chapter was Consecrated on 30th October 1905, by dispensation, at the Great Eastern Railway’s Great Eastern Hotel, Liverpool Street, London, and at the AGM of the Provincial Grand Chapter of Hertfordshire preceding the Consecration it was decided to grant the sum of £5 to “the new Chapter about to be Consecrated towards defraying the expenses of entertaining Provincial Grand Chapter”. Excellent Comp. Charles Edward Keyser, PGSwB, was installed as our first M.E.Z.

The first Regular Convocation was held at The Bull Hotel, Hoddesdon on 19th December 1905 when there were two Exaltees, both Past Masters of Charles Edward Keyser Lodge.

The April 1918 meeting was held at the Falcon Hotel, Waltham Cross and the December meeting at The Bull Hotel, Hoddesdon. We continued there until 1928 when our regular meeting place changed to the Rye House Hotel. In Sept. 1932 there was a proposition that we move to Walnut Tree House (Halsey Hall, Cheshunt) and the move was confirmed. We have met at Halsey Hall Cheshunt ever since.

In Jan. 1947 Bro. Jack McCulloch was Exalted. A number of Companions tried to persuade him to attend our Centenary meeting, unfortunately unsuccessfully, but he sent his best wishes and congratulations to us all. Excellent Comp. Tommy Knight, who attended our Jubilee meeting on 17th May 1955 was, however, present.