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A SHORT HISTORY OF THE LOYAL HAY LODGE No 2382.

On the 31st July 1890 eleven Freemasons met together in Hay on Wye to discuss the formation of a Freemasons Lodge in the Town. At the culmination of their meeting they signed a petition to the United Grand Lodge of England for a Warrant of Consecration. At a further meeting on the 7th August it was unanimously agreed to adopt the name the Loyal Hay Lodge and that it would fall under the jurisdiction of the Province of South Wales Eastern Division. During this meeting Bro. Hinks, the local Doctor, announced that he would present a skull and crossed bones to the Lodge which remain with us to this day (their origin, however, remains unknown).

The eleven founder members then rented the former Town Hall (set above the Butter-Market) initially for a period of five years and duly received the Warrant for the Lodge dated the 17th September 1890. The Lodge was Consecrated on the 25th November and W. Bro. John Tudor, a Brecon Solicitor and Past Master of Brecknock Lodge No 651, became the first Worshipful Master. At this inaugural meeting two joining members were elected and four candidates were proposed and seconded.

In November 1908 it was decided to change the venue of the Lodge to the Bank Chambers above the United Counties Bank in Broad Street, which had formed from an amalgamation of various Banks in 1907 and which became Barclays Bank in 1917. These premises were taken on a twenty one year lease at an annual rental of £7.00.

Two names of Worshipful Masters from the first quarter of the 20th Century have become immortalised within the Lodge. W. Bro. C. E. Tunnard Moore instigated the Charity Golf Competition which is still played each year and, on a more infamous note, W. Bro. H Rouse Armstrong who became the notorious Hay Poisoner and whose presence in a group photograph hanging within the Lodge room attracts much interest from visitors.

In January 1920 the Brethren of the Lodge were circularised in a consultation exercise to ascertain opinion on the question of a possible transfer from South Wales Eastern Division to the Masonic Province of Herefordshire. At the March Lodge the transfer was agreed and in a letter dated the 25th November 1920 Grand Lodge directed that the Installation of the Worshipful Master Elect be included in the Province of Herefordshire.

The February Lodge in 1972 received a motion “that the Lodge Standing Committee recommends in principle that the old School premises in Brecon Road be purchased with a view to conversion into a Masonic Temple”. So, for £4,100, the building in which Loyal Hay Lodge now holds its meetings was purchased by a newly formed Limited Company, to which the Lodge pays an annual rental.

Over the years many improvements have been made to the Lodge and, as is the case with many old buildings, much remains to be done. We are somewhat unique in that although geographically situated within the Principality of Wales we work happily and harmoniously within the Province of Herefordshire. Some would say we are unique in other aspects of our Masonic lives, certainly we continue to attract many visitors for our meetings. Why not pay us a visit sometime and sample this uniqueness, it is certain that you will always receive the warmest of welcomes to this interesting and hospitable Lodge.