On Wednesday 1st October 2008 Mowbray Lodge was pleased to welcome Dr Gillian Cookson as our guest lecturer. Dr Cookson is editor of the Victoria County History of Durham, a long established national project, with departments based at both Sunderland and Durham Universities. Dr Cookson has an interest in industrial history, in particular business networks and how they have influenced our social history over the years. Previously she was involved in writing a substantial history of Darlington, completed in 2003.
She gave some fascinating insights into the research that she and colleagues had undertaken into the role played by Freemasons in the development of two major projects in Sunderland; principally of the building of the first Wearmouth Bridge but also of The Exchange Building.
Records in the library at Grand Lodge show that there were five influential lodges in 18th century Sunderland. They were, Phoenix Lodge, Palatine Lodge (then called Sea Captains’ Lodge), Lodge of Harmony (erased 1790). St Paul’s Lodge (erased 1828) and St John’s Lodge.
These lodges could be considered almost a proxy for local development since there was no formal local government structure at that time.
During the years 1660-1860 there was a massive increase in coal shipping from the Wear and the city’s wealth was built on shipping. It is not surprising therefore that many of the members of these lodges noted their trades as Master Mariners or ‘Trades and Services’
Prior to 1793 Masons had been involved in the building of Holy Trinity Church, St Johns Chapel and Sunderland Royal Infirmary.
Perhaps their most impressive achievement however was the construction of the first Wearmouth Bridge between1793-6. This scheme was pushed through parliament, designed, built and its financing organised by the Phoenix and Palatine lodges. The County Durham MP and leading Mason Rowland Burdon of Castle Eden led the scheme. Indeed Rowland Burdon contributed £30k of the £40k total building costs
Between sixty to eighty thousand people were estimated to have attended it’s formal opening and Rowland Burdon was made Provincial Grand Master for the day. It was an entirely Masonic opening ceremony. The bridge has since been rebuilt twice at the same site.
The Exchange Building also benefited from Masonic involvement and investment. There was a Masonic procession at its opening, and numerous local bodies met there. It became a focus for parliamentary and local government hustings that took place there.
Thanks on behalf of Mowbray Lodge and Durham Freemasons were given by WBro D K Wilson Deputy Provincial Grand Master. He thanked Dr Cookson for her lecture and commented on how interesting it had been to have an ‘outsiders’ view of the work of Freemasons in Sunderland. It is clear that in the past FM has had a prominent role in society and that we are now trying once more to raise the profile of our charitable work amongst our communities. In Durham we are also proud of our contribution to the Masonic Temple at the Beamish Open Air Museum.
Following the lecture our WM for the evening WBro Rafter, Dr Cookson, WBro Wilson and the brethren retired to a festive board where it was clear that the lecture had stimulated the curiosity of our brethren to learn more about the history of Freemasonry in Sunderland. Before retiring Dr Cookson was presented with a cheque for £100 toward the VCH project.
31st July 2008 12:37
W. Bro Dr. Rak Bhalla PPrSGW
MOWBRAY LODGE | No. 5373
