The history of this Masonic Hall has been well documented in the book How They Did Build, written by the late H.W. Hassell. He wrote the following self-explanatory forward for that book in 1956:

I have been persuaded to write this brochure by a number of my Masonic friends in Long Eaton, not because I have any literary pretensions, but because I have had the honour of being closely associated, in one way or another, with most of the steps (metaphorical and actual) which finally resulted in the Long Eaton Brethren occupying their own Masonic Home. If there are any errors of omission or errors in fact, I apologise in advance.

A second edition was published in 1991, and H.W. Hassell P.Pr.J.G.W., then chairman of the Long Eaton Masonic Hall Executive Committee, again wrote the forward:

It is with very real pleasure that I write this foreword to the newly printed booklet HOW THEY DID BUILD. I recall that my first visit to Cleve Lodge was in 1956 as the guest of the late Wor. Bro. J. W. P. Morgan, P.Prj.G.W.  My visits became more frequent and in due time I became a joining member of the Fairfield Lodge No. 2224. I am proud to regard Cleve Lodge as my Masonic Home and trust that all the brethren who use the building are grateful to those wonderful brethren who had the foresight to buy and develop 'Cleve Lodge'.

The booklet's contents, in H.W. Hassell's words, are reproduced here in full; for quick links, please click the headings below to navigate through the chapters.

IN THE BEGINNING
BUILDING COMMITTEE
THE BUILDING CONTRACT
BUILDING LICENSE
CUTTING THE FIRST SOD
ESTATE DEVELOPMENT
FURNISHING
CLEVE LODGE
ORGANISING THE ORGAN
FROM LABOUR TO REFRESHMENT
OUR FIRST HOME
THE FESTIVE BOARD
HOME, JAMES, AND DON'T SPARE THE HORSES
FREEMASONRY IN WARTIME
W.M.s IN THE MAKING
FORMATION OF THE COMPANY
INTEREST-FREE LOANS
DEDICATION
A NEW MASONIC FRIEND
MASONIC HALL COMMITTEE
THE PLEASURE OF GIVING
THE FUTURE

IN THE BEGINNING

The warrant of the Fairfield Lodge, No. 2224, was granted on 14th September, 1887. The lodge was consecrated on 10th November the same year by W. Bro. H. C. Okeover, P.J.G.W.(Eng), Deputy Provincial Grand Master and the Officers of Provincial Grand Lodge . The Fairfield Lodge of Instruction was formed in 1920. The Charter of Constitution of the Fairfield Royal Arch Chapter, No. 2224 was granted on 4th February, 1920 and it was consecrated by W. E. Comp. P. Colville Smith, G.S.E., (Eng). The warrant of the Harrington Lodge, No. 5098 was granted on 6th February, 1929. The lodge was consecrated by the W. Deputy Provincial Grand Master, assisted by the Officers of Provincial Grand Lodge.

The warrant of the Trivona Lodge of Mark Master Masons, No. 983 was granted 23rd March, 1943. The lodge was consecrated 26th April, 1943 by V. W. Bro. T. H. Thorpe, P.G.O, (Eng.), the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, assisted by Officers of Provincial Grand Lodge.

BUILDING COMMITTEE

The first Building Committee was then unleashed and instructed to press forward and prepare plans and estimates.

This Committee consisted of three Harrington Brethren; Wor. Bro. J. L. Jervis, P.Pr.G.S. proved a very capable chairman. He was well skilled in all sections of the building trade and his three score years and ten had not dimmed either his fertile brain or his well trained eye, a brother who could he relied upon to spend other people's money more cautiously than his own.

W. Bro. H. W. Hassall became his Clerk of Works, because of his knowledge of building construction. He was less cautious, more pressing and very persistent, a brother whose optimism knew no bounds.

Bro. Jack Lacey, M. M., completed the trio. He was a very popular brother, a very busy and generous business man, whose time was precious, whose integrity was undenied and whose judgment was reliable-a happy medium betwixt speed and caution.

The Committee appointed Bro. Dennis Taylor, L.R.I.B.A., as architect for the scheme. Bro. 'I'aylor was a very young F. C. Mason of the Harrington Lodge, but a very capable "up and coming" architect in the town. He was instructed to prepare a plan and estimates of a two-storey building with all due speed. He was co-opted to the Building Committee.

THE BUILDING CONTRACT

A plan and estimates were soon submitted by Bro. Taylor and passed on to the full committee for consideration. These consisted of a two-storey building at a cost of £5,000. After careful discussion it was felt by the committee that a reduction of £1,000 was necessary, if this was possible without spoiling the beauty of the Temple. It was thought that an austere dining hall could be adorned at a later date when funds were available.

At their next meeting on December 17th, 1953, other estimates were considered and finally a tender of £4,050 by E. E. Stevens & Son, Ltd. (Bro. E. R. Stevens of the Harrington Lodge) was accepted.

Bro. Stevens, M. M., a young enthusiastic Lewis of his late father, Bro. E. E. Stevens, was successfully carrying on the contracting and building business started in 1906. He was another ambitious mason anxious to erect a Temple perfect in its parts and honourable to the builder. He also was co-opted to the Building Committee.

Owing to the fact that the Chairman of the Building Committee lived 14 miles a-way and preferred to spend his slippered hours in the comfort of his old arm chair and thereby would be unable to attend our numerous meetings in the evenings, it was deemed advisable to mix business with pleasure by holding them during luncheon intervals in a private room in a local hotel. The necessity of a private room soon became evident, for the discussions were occasionally boisterous and the Chairman, with his maturity, caution and sound judgment, often had to quieten the vociferous pleadings of the younger members, whose supplications to add expensive adornments to the somewhat drab bareness of the dining room had to be restrained because of strict orders from the Finance Committee.

The work of the Building Committee was now increasing by leaps and bounds, and W. Bro. R. N. Carson, P.M., of the Fairfield Lodge was invited to join and help out with the manifold duties. His ready acquiescence, early attendance and wholehearted enthusiasm coincided with a partiality for the innovation of "Luncheon Meetings". He readily accepted the offer to become our Hon. Secretary. His enthusiastic help was much appreciated by the Committee.

BUILDING LICENSE

So far so good, but now came the big snag - the BUILDING LICENSE, for although the war had finished seven years previously, building materials were still very scarce and were only obtainable for specific purposes, such as Government-built houses and factories for exporting businesses.

The Long Eaton Council passed the plans for approval at their September Meeting in 1952. Our first application for a building license from the Nottingham Office of the Board of Trade brought a polite refusal with a reminder that "Masonic premises were at the bottom of the building queue". The second application met with the same fate. Nothing daunted, a small committee of three, including our architect, obtained a personal interview with the department concerned on December 15th, 1953 to plead our cause and intimated we were prepared to build a single storey structure if necessary.

At this interview we were informed that we could spend up to £500 until the end of December, 1953, free of license. A further sum of £1,000, also free of license, could be spent in 1954. This was good news indeed; at last a beam of light pierced the gloom, a ray of sunshine streamed through the forest glade and our slough of despond was behind us.

CUTTING THE FIRST SOD

On the morning of Christmas Eve, 1953, four brethren were early on the site, namely Bros. Wilf Hassall, Jack Marshall, Nelson Sutton and E. R. Stevens, the builder, and over a glass of sherry they alone witnessed Long Eaton Masonic history being made, as the first soil was removed on this great scheme.

The work proceeded with all speed, the first floor being reached by April 7th, 1954, after a delay of six weeks waiting for steel girders and windows. By May 1st the roof was on. A further license for £1,750 had been granted with a hint that all building licenses would soon be dispensed with.

ESTATE DEVELOPMENT

From the date of the old property being paid for, a member of the building committee had been very busy on the estate at week-ends and during the long summer evenings, widening the entrance and drive, pulling down trees and converting them into useful timbers, (some of which were eventually used in the construction of the building), transforming the kitchen garden into a car park and having had erected a beautiful pair of solid oak gates with cleft oak panels at the entrance to the estate. The same brother arranged a raffle at an Xmas joint Lodge Dinner, collecting nearly enough to pay for the gates, the balance being found by a few other members. This event was named "The Pearly Gates Effort".

Once the roof was on, the Dedication Day was fixed for September 25th, 1954, leaving about four months for completion and Bro. Ernest Stevens left no stone unturned to finish the work in time. This he accomplished with 14 days to spare, a truly magnificent building and a credit to all who participated in its erection.

Realising that the property had been uninhabited for two years, we hastened to find a Custodian. We were fortunate in finding W. Bro. R. R. Thomson, Prov. J.G. Warden, who was willing to fill the breach, temporarily, and he duly took up residence with his wife in March, 1953. Shortly afterwards he accepted the position of Hon. Secretary to the Company. He soon had improved the gardens and lawns and was very helpful to all who were working for the Day of Dedication.

Having actually paid all dues and demands on the old property we were now faced with a call for about a further £4,000 and renewed efforts were required to meet the bill. By this time it was not surprising that those who had given very freely were fighting shy of further efforts and a cry of "The Well is Dry" could be heard. However the call for cash continued and as the structure took shape so the purses opened in harmony. Once the roof was completed there arose the problem of furnishing.

FURNISHING

Appeals to brethren for this purpose found a ready response.

A large Victorian solid mahogany 15 ft. extending table was subscribed for by 21 brethren and presented for the Tyler's room. An antique for posterity.

Other second-hand gifts came rolling in including:

Roll top desks (2)
Large mirrors (2)
Solid Oak Overmantel
Hall and Hat stands
Carpet and Screen for Tyler's Room
Piano for Dining Room
Anthracite Stove for Entrance Hall
Gas Cooker for servery
Stair and landing carpet
Carpet sweeper
Safe
Ash trays
Electric Clock for Dining Room
Small Polished Dining Tables
Old Oak Hall Chest.
Twenty folding dining tables to seat 120 members at half-cost - framing out of the estate trees - was a splendid gift.
A gift of an extra pair of beautiful Oak glass panelled doors in the dining room was another gift that will be admired for generations.
All door locks, hinges, and other door "furniture" were another present. The whole of the second-hand curtaining both in the Temple and Dining room was altered and presented by another enthusiastic brother -"a thing of beauty is a joy for ever".

Very valuable gifts towards the building itself were very much appreciated, which took the form of bricks and fees. The contractors' "extras" were given; also two brethren very generously helped with the lighting scheme in the temple and elsewhere.

We had also to remember that we had to furnish a temple twice as large as the old one; also to furnish completely the dining room except for a few small tables. The serving kitchen required cupboards, tables and gas cookers.
In preparation for all these requirements, tactful approaches were made to members and within a few weeks, we had begged practically all the goods for our immediate needs.

With the profits from one of our Golf "occasions" which were collected especially for a new Temple carpet, we purchased a size suitable for the new building. This together with some upholstered forms with a seating capacity of 60 members were all we possessed for the new room. Fortunately, we had several upholstery manufacturers in the Lodges who combined and presented us with eight beautiful 7 ft. 6 ins. upholstered seats, sufficient for a further 60 members.

We can proudly say that there is no necessity for an unupholstered seat in the room unless more than 120 members are present.

Another handsome gift was that of the Dedication Stone by Percy White. M. M.  Bro. White is an operative mason well skilled in the art and his beautifully carved lettering in gilt on a block of local Hopton Stone is a picture to be admired. How fortunate for a Lodge to have a real mason amongst its members, and what a labour of love.

Three members of the Harrington Lodge , Bros. J. E. Jervis, H. W. Hassall, and J. Mills were the donors of the three commemoration stones fixed in the west wall of the building and again Bro. White carved the symbolic signs.

Bro. Chas. Astell, the Almoner of the Trivona Mark Lodge was responsible for the gift of a Key Stone over the arch of the dining room door.

CLEVE LODGE

It was not until the autumn of 1952 that something very promising in the way of premises was found by W. Bro. Nelson Sutton, P.M., of the Fairfield Lodge.

By this time, funds had accumulated as follows:

Bro. Sutton, well versed in the intricate and interesting profession of buying and selling property, reported the offer of an old Victorian villa built about 1886, situated in a very select neighbourhood, standing in its own grounds, of 2/3 of an acre of lawns and gardens. A perfect setting for a Masonic Hall, with plenty of scope for conversions, extensions and capacity for a spacious car park - aptly, it was named "Cleve Lodge".

With that well-known bartering capacity, inborn to all gentlemen of "The Real Estate" fraternity, he was very happy to report that he had made an offer of £3,500 for the whole of the estate. This price proved acceptable to the committee, the deposit was paid and the transaction later completed, Bro. Sutton being very warmly thanked for his splendid effort in negotiating a settlement.

This move called for immediate action. On October 1st, 1952, a new committee of 26 members was formed and called together by Bro. Stevens, and another appeal was made to raise a further sum of £5,000. This amount appeared a staggering sum to collect from a membership of only 200, some of whom were only lukewarm in their Masonic interests, while others showed a definite apathy to the whole scheme, firmly convinced that the task was impossible.

In spite of this the money flowed in quite freely, and at the end of 1952, the position was :

ORGANISING THE ORGAN

A submitted estimate of £65 by a professional organ builder for the removal and re-erection of our organ was a staggering blow. Doubts arose whether the instrument was worth that amount of money. W. Bro. D. Finlayson, P.P.S.G. Warden of the Harrington Lodge, Soldier, Physicist, Home Guard Officer, thought otherwise - incidentally he had no experience of organ building but was no mean player. He gathered together a few volunteer helpers, nominated them for his newly-formed "Long Eaton Organ Builders Co." - all likewise inexperienced in the art, and set to work.

His helpers were : Bro. Bill Stretford of the Munia Lodge, Bros. Ernest Stevens, Jack Marshall, Chas. Astell and 1. E. J. Mactaggart of the Harrington Lodge. "How they did build" is a wonderful story of perseverance, pluck and persuasion. How they managed not only to rebuild it but actually to make it play is just incredible.

In the near future we wish to fit the organ with a blower and at the same time to have the interior overhauled to withstand the increased pressure at an estimated cost of £l00. The out-of-pocket expenses were paid for by "The Organ Co".

FROM LABOUR TO REFRESHMENT

How the Bar was designed, made, provided and presented to the Company is also an interesting story.

Most of the proceeds from the 1953 Golf Competition and Raffle, amounting to £73 10s 0d were devoted to equipping a bar for the use of all Lodge and Chapter members, once a Masonic Club had been formed. Three enthusiastic members of the Harrington Lodge, who had already given very generously, took upon themselves the task of making the counter and shelves, table, etc. The gift of the Formica counter-top by a brother of a Durham Lodge was an outstanding gift. The electric lamps and fittings were presented by a Fairfield brother. Part cost of the curtains was a gift from a Nottingham Lodge brother.

The question of finding a reliable person to manage the Club and Bar was another problem to face; good fortune favoured us once again. Bro. E. E. Kelly M. M., of the Fairfield Lodge very kindly stepped into the breach, offering to act as Hon. Secretary and manager as a temporary measure. This was indeed good news, for Bro. Kelly had experience in all departments of the brewery trade.

OUR FIRST HOME

For over 50 years, since 1887, the Fairfield Lodge, No. 2224, met at The Pavilion Hotel, Long Eaton.

The Fairfield Chapter, No. 2224, also met at the Pavilion after consecration in 1920 for the next 24 years.

The Harrington Lodge, No. 5098 also met at the Pavilion from February, 1929, for the next 15 years.

The Trivona Mark Lodge, No. 983 whose warrant was dated March, 1943, met at the Pavilion for only a few meetings before transferring to the Queens Hotel, Long Eaton.

THE FESTIVE BOARD

We were all very happy together in that home, the Pavilion, Long Eaton. It was a roomy and comfortable Temple with a spacious Dining Room downstairs, in which seven-course meals were served. Each lodge had eight stewards; one of their duties was to collect ale from the public bar in 2 gallon enamel jugs and serve to the brethren.

The Fairfield Lodge December meal was a banquet indeed and a very convivial evening was enjoyed. Each brother was issued with a red handkerchief for his neck and a Church Warden's long clay pipe with a packet of tobacco. The main dish of a long menu was Sucking pig. This was carried in and carved by Past Masters of the lodge, the actual carver attired in chef's white coat and hat. It was served from a long table at one end of the room in full view of all the diners. The Fairfield Chapter's favourite main course consisted of Sheep's hearts. The punch bowl and snuff box were handed round at Chapter meetings.

HOME, JAMES, AND DON'T SPARE THE HORSES

In those happy and slower days before the advent of motor cars these convivial evenings were never marred by the thought of "How shall we get home?" for outside the door of the hotel there awaited three local rival Livery Stable Proprietors ready and willing to take home any four revellers in their cabs, to any part of the town for 2/6 per trip.

The most enterprising of these three members of "The Ostlers' Fraternity" was one named William Rufus Tucker, a man of standing in the town - Chairman of the local council, prominent member of the Free Church Council, etc. A proud owner of three cabs, William Rufus was the first cab proprietor in Long Eaton to replace his one candle power lamps by the more up-to-date acetylene types. Teddy Bromley was a "one cab, owner-driver" and his horse was well known to get him home even if Teddy was asleep on the box. Another "one cab, owner-driver" named Joe Rawson completed this well-known trio. As our forebears were jog-trotted home they cared not what the hour might be.

FREEMASONRY IN WARTIME

The use of evening dress at all Lodge Meetings was introduced on the consecration of the Harrington Lodge on 11th June, 1929, and added dignity to the occasion. This custom was discontinued during the second world war, and has not been reinstated.  

The ceremonies of each lodge were very well attended by a good percentage of the members. Freemasonry was carried on without a break, all through the second world war 1939/1945 in spite of reduced numbers owing to war service. Due to shortages, catering was reduced to a minimum and bread and cheese and ale became the menu except at Installations. Ladies' Evenings were also discontinued. Meetings were occasionally held on Saturday afternoons.

The wailing sound of the sirens, the thunder of the A.A. batteries and the drone of enemy bombers overhead, failed to divert us from holding our ceremonies, although these war reminders proved a rather disconcerting ordeal for the officers.

On the other hand, members found comfort and consolation listening to the beautiful ceremonies that have been handed down to us from time immemorial.

W.M.s IN THE MAKING

The Fairfield Lodge of Instruction regularly met, with the exception of three years during the War 1942/1945 - each fourth Monday in the months September to April. The first Preceptor was the late W. Bro. W. T. Goldsworth with W. Bro. W. Ellis as Secretary. There have been eight preceptors in all, W. Bros. W. I. Goldsworth, Gordon Ellis, R. H. Wholey, Geo. Harris, E. Clayton, H. E. Painter, R. H. Ellis and R. Carson.

It should be recorded here that during the whole of his Masonic activities W. Bro. Goldsworth never missed a meeting -a truly wonderful record. He passed to the Grand Lodge above on October 20th, 1948.

Then came the time to say farewell to our home for over half a century, for our landlords required the premises for other purposes and "notice to quit" was served on us in 1944 after 57 years and we had to look for accommodation new.

This proved a difficult task indeed, for the only premises available were at the Queen's Hotel, Long Eaton, and we moved in on June 1st, 1945. The premises consisted of a room 30 feet by 20 feet in an upstairs room for a Temple and an ostlers' room over the stables across the yard for a dining room. Nothing daunted, we set to work and soon had a comfortable though very compact Temple with seating capacity for an absolute limit of 100. Fortunately, the existing curtains and carpet fitted into the complicated scheme and all was well. The stable loft was more complicated, but with a few structural alterations we were able to seat a limit of 50. The warmth from two gas fires partially eliminated the draughts from the windows, and a plate of hot soup with cold meat and pickles helped to warm the "inner man", so of necessity visitors could not be encouraged.

Can it be wondered that under these conditions our thoughts naturally turned to "a home of our own"?

FORMATION OF THE COMPANY

When the site had been approved, it was thought that it should be owned by a corporate body which would take the place both of the Trustees of the Building Fund and of the Hall Committee. After making enquiries of Derby, Chesterfield, Burton, West Bridgford and Mansfield, it was decided that a Society incorporated under the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts would best fulfil the purpose. Accordingly, Bros. F. E. Stevens, L. Kirk and D. J. Lucking were deputed to meet our Solicitor, Bro. Lionel Jackson, to arrange for the formation of Long Eaton Masonic Hall Limited. They duly met and perused a draft set of rules which they proceeded largely to delete and, in a few instances, to amend to meet our particular requirements. The amended draft was forwarded for registration, only to be returned with a polite intimation that nearly all the deletions had to he restored to satisfy the Registrar. Hence, if anyone should be so interested as to read right through the rules, he might well be excused for thinking that many of them are inappropriate and more suitable for a Co-operative Society than for a Masonic Hall Limited. May he realise, however, that the blame did not lie with the above Committee.

This Committee also desire to place on record their most grateful thanks to W. Bro. H. L. Jackson, P.P.A.G.D. of C. of the Rutland Lodge for his experienced assistance in piloting them through the intricate legal windings of the formation of the Company.

INTEREST-FREE LOANS

At this stage, it was felt by members of the Finance Committee that no further large scale donations could reasonably he asked for from the Long Eaton brethren, who had already contributed so generously, and that further financing of the enterprise ought to be carried out by loans, interest-free if at all possible, bearing in mind that the annual capitation fees, etc., would be sufficient to pay off such loans within a reasonable period. The Finance Committee's appeal for Interest-free loans brought a ready response, a total of £2,865 being received from brethren and their ladies up to December 31st, 1955. The total receipts up to this date amounted to £10,563 7s 9d, made up as follows - a truly magnificent effort:

DEDICATION

At last the day of the Dedication of the building duly arrived, Saturday, September 25th, 1954 at 3 p.m. exactly nine months after the first soil was lifted.

The ceremony was performed with all due solemnity, reverence and dignity by the Right Worshipful The Provincial Grand Master, Brigadier General E. C. W. D. Walthall, O.S.M., C.M.G., D.S.O., D.L., with the assistance of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Worshipful Brother Captain B. A. Mallender, P.G.D., the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Worshipful Brother the Venerable H. E. FitzHerbert, P.A.G. Chaplain, and the Officers of Provincial Grand Lodge, in the presence of 170 members and their guests. A splendid oration, reprinted later in this brochure, was delivered by the Provincial Grand Chaplin, W. Bro. Rev. H. C. Snowden.

The ceremony was followed by a high tea in the new dining hall at which the Provincial Grand Master thanked all those brethren who were responsible for the magnificent building and reported a very generous gift of £50 on behalf of the Provincial Grand Lodge  towards the building, for which our Chairman expressed our grateful thanks.

A NEW MASONIC FRIEND

At the moment of writing, we are proud to record that a new Masonic body has joined the four others already meeting in our new Masonic Hall. This is the Fairfield Rose Croix Chapter, which was consecrated on 10th May, 1951, and met at the Masonic Hall, Goldsmith Street, Nottingham from 1951 to 1956. It held its first meeting at the Long Eaton Masonic Hall on 15th May, 1956, when the Chapter was honoured by the presence of the Inspector General of the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire District, Captain B. A. Mallender, 33'. We welcome this new Masonic friend in our midst, and we trust that all members of the Fairfield Rose Croix Chapter will make full use of the facilities to be found in their new Masonic home, and will co-operate to the fullest extent in every activity of the members of Long Eaton Masonic Hall Ltd.

MASONIC HALL COMMITTEE

With this end in view on April 25th, 1945, the Long Eaton Masonic Hall Committee held its first meeting at "The Blue Bell" Hotel, Long Eaton, (Mine Host, Bro. G. Hickton). W. Bro. F. E. Stevens, a worthy brother of highest integrity, steeped in Freemasonry and whose watchword was caution, was elected the first Chairman. His committee consisted of the following brethren: W. Bros. Geo. Smith, E. S. Robbins, J. E. Jervis, Will. Lane; Hon. Secretary Bro. W. Lane being mainly responsible for the spade-work.

The first financial appeal was launched in 1945 and brought in quickly £681 17s. At the same time the by-laws of the Lodges and Chapter were altered by increasing annual subscriptions by 10/6, and initiation fees by £2 2s, the revenue from this source being paid to the Long Eaton Masonic Hall account.

THE PLEASURE OF GIVING

Meanwhile other methods of raising money were planned, which proved very lucrative.

Way back in 1935, W. Bro. Alf Winn, W. M. of the Harrington Lodge inaugurated a Golf Competition and presented a Silver Cup for the winner, to be called the Alf Winn Masonic Golf Cup. The competition was open to all members of Long Eaton Lodges and Chapter, and played annually on the Chilwell Manor Golf Club course by the courtesy of their committee.

In the 1946 Competition, a certain brother of the Harrington Lodge deemed these competitions a very fitting occasion on which to "extract" subscriptions to the Building Fund. These "extractions" took the form of an auction of an assorted collection of goods he had begged from his Masonic friends irrespective of which Lodge they belonged to. In view of war restrictions, suitable goods were in very short supply.

These annual efforts proved a rather expensive relaxation for the brethren during the post-war period but in spite of this they were very well patronized. Each guest was "received" by the organiser with his right hand, holding raffle tickets in his left, which meant that by the time the golfer had reached the green and paid his fees he had contributed about £l to the fund.

In spite of this, and either from visions of a future beautiful Masonic Temple or the thrill and prospect of returning all their cash winnings (if any) to the fund, they sliced their merry way round the course well knowing that even if they failed to win the cup, they would be expected to pay for and carry home any of the auction bargains (?) ranging from arm chairs to a box of fire lighters or a very acceptable box of matches. An average number of 45 attended the competitions and stayed to supper. After which a very amateur auctioneer took charge of the proceedings and some very lively bidding took place for these attractive prizes.

This innovation was usually the means of collecting about £80 within an hour and the total for the whole evening averaged about £120 for the Fund. Those members whose bank balances could stand the strain bought dearly - always with an air of nonchalant abandon, knowing full well that it was "thankfully received and would be faithfully applied". After seven of these Annual Efforts, the Building Fund had benefited by a total of £742 without a penny in expenses.

The same enthusiastic brother tried other means of raising funds during the Lodge Dinners. Raffles and Birthday Greetings were very profitable. This fund-raising effort, for some unknown reason, lost its appeal and was dropped, but not before a further £100 had been collected for the cause.

THE FUTURE

During 1956 further improvements have been made towards the future comfort of the brethren. A maple-boarded floor has been laid in the dining room, and further interest-free loans were sought to cover the cost. The major part has already been obtained on loan, but a balance remains towards which further loans or donations will be welcomed. However, there is still much to be done before we can say that everything is as we should like it to be.

In the near future, we wish to make building alterations which will extend toilet facilities, and later, when the financial position permits, we should like to make a substantial improvement in our kitchen and catering arrangements. The younger brethren will, no doubt, wish to make efforts in the future, comparable with those which this history shows to have been made by their elder brethren.

And so we have entered another era of Long Eaton Freemasonry - an era which promises a wonderful future for all sections of the Craft - a future of comfort in a delightful Temple, where subdued lighting and the sound of the organ will help us to remember the principles and tenets of our order, and as our junior officers climb the Masonic ladder to this Worshipful Master's chair, their work will not be impaired by undue worry about the future of Long Eaton Freemasonry.

No longer will security of tenure be a problem; no more will a Building Fund Appeal affect their bank balance; the pleasure of the Golf Competitions should become unalloyed. No more will there be an uncomfortable dash from labour to refreshment to a distant part of the town, and finally our visitors will be warmly welcomed to share our good fortune.

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