HISTORY
OF THE
ROSE & THISTLE LODGE
No. 158
 
1872 --- 2010
 
Rose & Thistle Lodge was consecrated on 23rd September 1872 to commemorate the union of the English and Scottish Mark Lodges operating in England. Its roots undoubtedly go back further than that and indeed can have some claim to have been a large part of the history of Mark Masonry in Lancashire.
 
The Founders of the Lodge were among those who, in 1857, established the first regular Lodge in Lancashire and they promoted the spread of Mark Masonry beyond the confines of this Palatinate.
 
Bro. George Parker Brockbank who held Grand Rank in the Craft, Royal Arch and Mark, was active in several other Masonic degrees, and he was primarily responsible for the introduction of regular Mark Masonry in Bolton.
 
The story begins on Christmas Eve, 1856, when Bro. Brockbank on paper, which was headed “St. JOHN’S LODGE, No. 268, BOLTON,” wrote to the Grand Scribe Nehemiah of the Supreme Grand Arch Chapter of Scotland, stating  A number of Brethren in this town are very anxious to have a Mark Masters Warrant for this neighbourhood, and as we have noticed with great satisfaction, the establishment of a Lodge under the sanction of the Great Chapter of Scotland, are extremely anxious to take immediate steps in order to obtain a Warrant here. Bro.Brockbank then informed him that he was an Officer in the Craft, Arch, Templar and Rose Croix Degrees. He continued by stating that I took the Mark Degree many years ago, but in a manner which would not be recognised by your Grand Chapter, so that I presume we should have again to receive the Degree in a lawful manner, but our object is to know first from you, what steps ought we to take as a commencement in the matter. He signed the letter as Past Master and Secretary of Lodge No.268, Z of Chapter No.268, Bolton, Eminent Knight of St.James of Jerusalem Encampment and S.P. of Palatine Rose Croix Chapter of Lancashire.
 
His letter was received the following day, Christmas Day, in Edinburgh, I wish our postal service was as efficient. William Gaylor, the Grand Scribe Nehemiah replied that day Your first step towards the accomplishment of the object you have in view, is to get the disqualification, which at present attaches you as irregular Mark Masters, removed. This is to be done by three or more of your number being regular Mark Masons, and whom you may have selected as your first W.M. and Wardens, to proceed either to London, where there is a regular Mark Lodge (The St.Mark’s), or to one of our Royal Arch Chapters in Scotland, and get yourselves advanced according to the mode practiced in Lodges holding under Scottish authority, in which I may say here, it will be necessary, in addition to the Obligation peculiar to the degree to take, you are bound to renounce all connection with Lodges and Brethren not acknowledging a Supreme Body. It is well you should be made aware of this, lest you might find yourselves unprepared to give what will be expected of you. This being done either at London where the Secretary of St.Mark’s Lodge, there, will be ready to give his services; or in Scotland, by application to me here, you will then be in a position to present an application for a Warrant to yourselves to constitute and work a regular Lodge. The form of such Petition I shall be happy to supply you with, but until the preliminary steps I have noted are taken, this would be premature.
 
The fees of Charter are Three Guineas, payable at Lodging the application, but returnable if from any cause the application shall be refused. It is possible also that the aid of our Sanctioned Ritual may be required to enable you to work the Degree properly, for which a small fee will be payable, but on these and other matters of arrangement I defer further remarks at present.
 
Following the very explicit instructions received from Scotland, Bro. Brockbank immediately communicated with the secretary of St.Mark’s Lodge of M.M.M., which was No.1 on the Scottish Roll. On January 14th, 1857, he and his co-sponsors were re-obligated in London. Such was the measure of Brockbank’s determination and enthusiasm. Bro.Brockbank very soon informed the Grand Scribe Nehemiah in Edinburgh that he and his colleagues were now duly qualified Mark Masons. He wrote that they wished to apply for a Warrant and he enclosed the requisite fees, while at the same time he expressed the hope that the proposed Lodge to be known as St.John’s, might become No.2 on the Scottish Roll. Bro. Gaylor in acknowledging Brockbank’s letter intimated that “By the 4th of March I expect to be able to put you in possession of the necessary warrant for constituting the Lodge,” and promised to “lend my best efforts in securing for you No.2.” On February 4th, in reply to another letter from Bolton, Bro.Gaylor wrote, “you are quite safe, I think, in regarding the Bolton St.John’s Lodge forming No.2, although officially it would have been improper for me to say so.”
 
Exactly one month later, Bro. Gaylor wrote to Bro. Brockbank thus: “I have now the pleasure of fulfilling the promise I gave you that by this time you should be in possession of your Warrant. It is herewith enclosed, and I trust you receive it safely. Let me offer you my best wishes for your future prosperity, and to call your attention to the terms and conditions under which the Warrant is granted, as these will be found embodied in it.”
 
And so, within ten weeks of Bro. Brockbank’s first letter being addressed to the Grand Scribe Nehemiah, St.John’s Lodge had been Founded and Warranted. It became No.2 on the Scottish Roll, and since the Union, has been a “Time Immemorial” or T.I.Lodge. Thus originated the Mother Lodge of “Rose and Thistle”.
 
One week after the date of the Warrant, on 11th March, 1857, the first meeting of St.John’s Lodge, No.2, was held, at which twelve Bolton Masons were advanced, and by the 23rd July, a total of forty masons had been advanced in the Lodge. Among this group of new Mark Masons was Bro. William Romaine Callender, later to become Prov.G.M. of Lancashire, in which capacity he consecrated “Rose and Thistle” Lodge. Bro. Callender died aged 50 and was a Member of Parliament and the owner of Dean Mills, Bolton. A bust of him is exhibited in the hall of East Lancashire Masonic Temple, Manchester. Although Brethren from many towns were advanced in St.John’s Lodge, it was not until March, 1866, that a Wigan resident was advanced. He was Bro. Thomas Wilson, Pawnbroker, who was a member of St.John’s Lodge, No.348, Bolton.
 
It should be noted that in Bolton there are still two Lodges and two Royal Arch Chapters named St.John. They are numbered 221 and 348 respectively, number 221 being formerly 268 before re-numbering, and was the number quoted by Bro. Brockbank when he first wrote to Scotland.
 
In September, 1867, Bro. R.L.Rowbottom of Antiquity Lodge, Wigan, was advanced in St.John’s Lodge, and in the following year seven members of Antiquity Lodge journeyed to Bolton for advancement, amongst them being Lord Lindsay, later Earl of Crawford, who became Deputy Past Grand Master for West Lancashire, and Deputy Past Grand Mark Master Mason for Lancashire. The continued expansion of Mark Masonry led to the demand for a fusion of the English and Scottish Mark Masons in this country, and for this purpose a meeting was held at the Freemasons’ Hall, Cooper Street, Manchester, on April 13th, 1872, at which St.John’s Lodge recorded its approval of the proposal. The suggested Union quickly followed the meeting, and to commemorate the event, Bro. Brockbank was most active in founding a new Lodge, to which he gave the evocative name of  “Rose and Thistle”. For his endeavours towards establishing the Union, Bro. Brockbank was elevated to the rank of Past Junior Grand Warden of the Mark Grand Lodge on June 4th, 1872. Two years earlier he had been appointed Provincial Grand Warden to mark his labours in assisting in the formation of a Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Masons under the Scottish Constitution.
 
“Rose and Thistle” Lodge was warranted on August 2nd, 1872, and consecrated on September 23rd, 1872, at Freemasons Hall, Church Institute, Bolton by the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of Lancashire, Bro. William Romaine Callender.
 
It is worthy of record that 3 days earlier, on September 20th, 1872, St.John’s Lodge, meeting for the first time under the Registry of the Grand Mark of England and Wales, submitted a “Prayer to have a Warrant of Confirmation empowering St.John’s to continue to meet as a Regular Lodge of Mark Masons under the present title.” We know, of course, that the Prayer was granted, which constituted our Mother Lodge a “T.I.” Lodge. Equally worthy of record is that at the same meeting, Bro. Brockbank, then the Provincial Grand Treasurer and Master-designate of “Rose and Thistle” Lodge, conveyed “the hearty good wishes of the newly established “Rose and Thistle Lodge of Bolton”, three days before the Lodge was consecrated.
 
At the 3rd Regular meeting of Rose & Thistle, held on Monday, April 14th, 1873, it was resolved that the consent of the Lodge be given to the formation of a Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners, to be attached to this Lodge, and to be denominated the “Mount Ararat Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners.” The brethren present signed a petition to that effect, addressed to the Grand Lodge of Mark Masons. On Thursday, October 2nd, 1873, the 4th regular meeting, the W.M. Bro. George P. Brockbank, reported that the Grand Mark Master had granted a Warrant for “Mount Ararat Lodge” to be attached to “Rose and Thistle” Lodge with the first meeting to be held on Saturday, October 4th, 1873. Wigan Mark Masons who had been associated with St.John’s Lodge, and others, desirous in the advancement of the Order, displayed a special interest in the “Rose and Thistle” Lodge, as a result of which, in April, 1877, “it was resolved that future meetings of the Lodge be held in Wigan,” where it has since remained. It is worthy of note that the period of 1874 to 1876 saw great hardship in Bolton with strikes and unrest amongst colliers, cotton workers, carpenters and joiners.
 
Thus “Rose and Thistle” Lodge came to the Ancient and Loyal Borough of Wigan from the strife-torn town of Bolton. The Masonic Hall, King Street, Wigan, better known as the Leader Buildings, was then the assembly point for Wigan Masons, and it was there that “Rose and Thistle” found accommodation. Craft and Chapter Masonic Emblems are still displayed on the outside of the building. At the first meeting in Wigan, the Brethren acknowledged the services of the Founders of the Lodge, by electing to Honorary Membership, W.Bro. Brockbank, P.G.W., W.Bro.Entwistle, P.Pr.G.M.M. Lancashire, W.Bro.Newton, P.Pr.G.Insp.of Works, W.Bro.Morris, P.Pr.G.Std.B., and W.Bro.Horrock. The cost of removing the Lodge from Bolton was £32, and the Lodge paid to Lindsay Lodge the sum of £5 per annum, for hire of rooms.
 
V.W.Bro. Lord Lindsay, P.A.D.G.M.M.M. Lancashire, paid his first visit to the Lodge in December, 1877.
 
Following the Installation in April, 1878, the members adjourned for dinner at the Victoria Hotel at a charge of 3s 6d per head. On that occasion Bro. John Lamb became Master of the Lodge but he died before the next meeting. Only three years after the Lodge had been established in Wigan, a Provincial Grand Lodge Meeting was held there and the arrangements were supervised by a committee of “Rose and Thistle” Lodge.
 
The Earl of Lathom, whose name was perpetuated in the “Lathom Suite” at the Tower Buildings, was of course Prov.G.M. of the Craft in West Lancashire, and in that office, as well as in the Mark Degree, his Deputy was his kinsman, Lord Lindsay, afterwards Earl of Crawford and Balcarres.
 
A dispensation had to be obtained in 1882 to allow no less a person than Bro. J.D.Murray to be installed; whilst the same procedure had to be followed in 1883 on behalf of Bro. W. Dean. In 1882 a Masonic Concert was given in Wigan and the Records relate that a Vote of Thanks was accorded to some Southport Brethren for their assistance. Later in the same year the Lodge proposed that “a good piano be obtained.” This resolution apparently met with the approval of other Masonic bodies in the town, for in December 1882, it was approved “that a sum of £4 be given as the “Rose and Thistle” Lodge’s share toward the piano recently purchased by the Lodges of the town.”
 
There are frequent references during 1885 and 1886 to unpaid subscriptions because it is recorded, “the Lodge was in great want of funds.” However a happier event occurred in April 1887, when Bro. Walter Simpson, Coal Proprietor, of Longhurst, Wigan, was advanced. His accession to the Lodge was to prove invaluable within a few years.
 
The Records reveal that “the Right Hon. Earl of Crawford, of St.John’s Lodge Time Immemorial” became a joining member of “Rose and Thistle” in February, 1889. Exactly a year later the resignation was recorded of Bro. G.H.Holt of Blackburn, who at the same time tendered his “thanks for the assistance received, especially from Bro. Murray in the foundation, consecration and inauguration of the new Lodge No.403, Blackburn.” That Lodge, known as “Perseverance” is the senior of the two Mark Lodges in Blackburn in the province of East Lancashire.
 
In February, 1891, it was resolved “that the congratulations of the Lodge be offered to Bro. J.D.Murray, P.M. of the Lodge, on the occasion of his receiving the appointment of Grand Overseer of England at the hands of HRH the Prince of Wales. This was of course, the first occasion on which a Brother who had been advanced in the Lodge in Wigan, received a Grand Lodge appointment.
 
In April, 1893, Bro. Walter Simpson, whose advancement we noted in 1887, was installed into the chair of Adonirum, and thus began a memorable term of office which included the celebration of the Lodge’s coming of age. This event was first noted in August 1893, when V.W.Bro. Murray gave a brief history of the Lodge and mentioned that it had been established 21 years previously, in commemoration of the amalgamation of the Grand Lodge of England and the Grand Lodge of Scotland, for administrative purposes, in this country. A plan was adopted to celebrate the majority of the Lodge by holding an Emergency Meeting on Saturday, December 2nd at the Borough Court House. The Emergency Meeting was duly held and it is safe to assert that the assembly remains unparalleled in Wigan’s Masonic History. Bro. Walter Simpson, W.M., who had shortly before been appointed Provincial Grand Senior Warden, received the following distinguished guests:
 
The Most Worshipful Pro. Grand Master, The Right Hon. Earl of Euston,
Rt.W.Bro.C.F.Matier, P.D.Prov.G.M. of Lancashire and Grand Mark Secretary, 
Rt.W.Bro.The Hon. Alan de Tatton Egerton, M.P., P.D.Prov.G.M. of Cheshire,
V.W.Bro.Major John Woodall-Woodall, P.G.O and
W.Bro.the Rt.Hon.The Earl of Crawford, P.D.Prov.G.M.
 
Lord Euston, the Pro.G.M., said the occasion marked a most important event in the history of Mark Masonry, and the gathering was one whose historic remembrance would certainly be most remarkable.
 
Rt.W.Bro. the Hon.Alan de Tatton Egerton and V.W.Bro. Major Woodall-Woodall responded to the toast of the Deputy Grand Master and his Officers of Grand Lodge. Lord Crawford responded on behalf of his kinsmen, Lord Lathom, who was unavoidably absent. The Grand Secretary, Rt.W.Bro. Matier, related the circumstances in which, 21 years earlier, the Scottish and English Mark Lodges were united. The Emergency Meeting was then followed by a reception which was held in the Public Hall, King Street. In the course of the evening, the health of the M.W.Pro.G.M., was drunk with musical honours, Bro.Henry Nall singing “Here’s to his health in a song”, with the Brethren passing round the Hall in procession, each one saluting the M.W.Pro.Grand Master in passing. We are further informed that “the M.W.Pro. Grand Master was deeply gratified with this expression of goodwill, and expressed his appreciation of the beauty of the Song, which he had never before heard. The celebration was characterised as “one of the most memorable events in connection with Mark Masonry which had ever been held in England. Grand Lodge not only marked the occasion by its gracious presence in Wigan, but also by elevating W.Bro. Simpson to Grand Rank.
 
It is worth mentioning that the music for “Here’s to his health in a song” was composed by Dr. John Morgan Bentley of Bolton, who also composed the melody for a song which was especially written in honour of W.Bro. Brockbank, when he was the subject of a complimentary dinner in Manchester, on July 24th, 1885.
 
A most unusual circumstance concerns a Brother who was advanced in the Lodge, and who four months later, was appointed Senior Warden (by proxy). The Brother’s next appearance in the Lodge he occupied the Senior Warden’s chair in the meeting immediately prior to his installation as Master. Having been installed, he never thereafter attended a Lodge. There is no record of apology for his absence, and his Certificate was forwarded to him by post.
 
At the meeting in October, 1894, it was resolved “that a new Lodge of Mark Master Masons be formed as an off-shoot of the “Rose and Thistle”, to be held in Warrington and called the “St.Austin’s Lodge”.
 
A further resolution was that a new Lodge be formed from the “Rose and Thistle” Lodge, and that, to further the interests of Mark Masonry, no charge be made for the use of the “Rose and Thistle” furniture. Bro.Murray “thanked the Brethren for the handsome manner in which the question of the furniture was dealt with” – and thus originated “Murray” Mark Lodge No.490.
 
As mentioned earlier, Bro. Thomas Wilson was the only Wigan Mason connected with the Lodge at its foundation and he remained a member until his resignation was reported at the meeting in April, 1895.
 
Several meetings were remarkable for their brevity, for example, two Installation Meetings (1896 and 1897) lasted only three quarters of an hour, and yet all the customary procedure was observed. Some meetings lasted for only a quarter of an hour, yet in that time, the Lodge was opened and closed with due ceremony, minutes of previous meetings were read, apologies were tendered and ballots were taken for the forthcoming Installation. Attendances were sometimes as low as ten members, all of whom were in office. At one Installation meeting, only thirteen members were present, of whom ten were Officers.
 
On Wednesday, August 11th, 1880, Bro. C.D.Mortimer was advanced. He was the organist of the Lodge and the first organist of St.Peter’s Church, Hindley. He was also the father of Herbert James Thornton Mortimer, Headmaster of St.George’s School, Wigan, who was installed Worshipful Master on Wednesday, April 10th, 1929, and became Director of Ceremonies, April 18th, 1931, until 1954. He died on February 3rd, 1955. A Director of Ceremonies of great character with his Lancashire Monologues of Bowton’s Yard, Nomination Day, and many others.
 
The Golden Jubilee of the Lodge occurred during the Mastership of Bro. William Glover, J.P., and the event was celebrated in February, 1923, the month in which Bro. Glover – later to become Mayor of Wigan – was elevated to the Aldermanic Bench. The occasion was honoured by the presence of the Provincial Grand Master, Bro. George A. Harradon, who was accompanied by his Officers and several other Grand and Provincial Officers.
 
In November 1929, the Lodge invested a sum of money with the Wigan Masonic Company.
 
Another noteworthy occasion was in February 1933, when Bro. James Dawber completed fifty years as a Mark Mason. Bro. Dawber, who was a Bachelor of Music and Organist of Hope Street Church, was blind from birth, and was long associated with W.Bro. John Heaton, a P.M. of “Rose and Thistle” and a Chairman of the Wigan Group and their connection is recalled in the name of “Heber” Lodge No.4388.
 
In April, 1935, W.Bro. Dr. Kenneth Fraser suggested that “Rose and Thistle” should endeavour to become a Keystone Lodge, and he had the great pleasure and satisfaction, in October 1941, of investing the W.M. with the appropriate Collar and Badge of a Keystone Lodge.
An unusual Emergency Meeting was held in April 1941, when a demonstration of the Ceremony of Advancement, was performed by the Rt.W.Prov.G.M’s Lodge of Instruction of Liverpool.
 
The Seventieth Anniversary of the Lodge was celebrated on Wednesday, July 21st, 1943. War-time lighting and traveling restrictions made a summer evening a more acceptable time for commemorative occasions. The Seventieth Anniversary was graced by The Provincial Grand Master, W.Bro.A.M.Pooley and he was accompanied by his Officers and other distinguished guests – there being in attendance no less than twenty-two Grand and Provincial Officers. A remarkable gathering in view of the circumstances prevailing. The Provincial Grand Master invested the W.M. and I.P.M., with collarettes to mark their gifts to the Masonic Fund.
 
Some other notes of interest. W.Bro. John William Asson, P.A.G.D.C., in February 1972, completed fifty years of Mark Masonry. He was initiated into Antiquity Lodge No.178 on January 3rd, 1913, 59 years to date. Rose and Thistle Lodge made him an Honorary Member in October 1971, for services rendered.
 
In December 1970, the first meeting after W.Bro.Stan Gregson was admitted into Rose & Thistle, there was a power cut after the ceremony and the festive board resulted in dinner by candlelight.
 
On 11th October, 1972 Rose & Thistle celebrated its Centenary  and was presented with its Centenary Warrant by the PGM, Colonel J.Munroe Gornall. There were 36 members and 27 visitors present.
 
On 10th February 1999, W.Bro. Jack Roby celebrated his 50 years in Mark Masonry having been admitted on 9th February 1949.
 
2003 saw the sale of Tower Buildings, Wigan and Rose & Thistle decided to move to Westhoughton, an excellent venue. However, we had moved from our traditional base where we would expect to get candidates and so, troubled by resignations due to the change and insufficient numbers of candidates being found, we began to decline in numbers.
 
Urgent change was required and it was decided to move to Pemberton in 2007, back to our home base of Wigan. In the following 2 years we have had 8 candidates and 2 joining members and our numbers are increasing again. A highlight of this period was the visit of the Prov.G.M. Bro.Peter Connolly and his Provincial Team to the Installation in 2009. 87 were in attendance and saw the Prov.G.M being elected for Honorary member of Rose & Thistle. He was also presented with cheque's amounting to £1,580 which included a cheque for £1,000 to the Pemberton Hall Building Fund. 
 
We look forward to an exciting future where we hope to continue growing in a friendly gathering of happy members culminating in a 150th celebration in 12 years time on 12th October, 2022.