Vale of Taunton Chapter No. 826
Warranted 27th January, 1977
Lodge History
This Chapter is a good e xample of how a move towards submitting a Petition for a new Chapter is not as straightforward as many would believe. The initial move came from a meeting of ALFRED
Chapter Members held on 1st July, 1975, to discuss a suggestion that there was sufficient interest in Taunton and its environs for a second Chapter. Having been advised by the Inspector General on the circumstances and conditions under which new Chapters shoul d be founded, the majority present reached a conclusion that there was scope for development and agreed that moves should be implemented towards submitting a Petition.
The Supreme Council being satisfied it granted a Warrant dated as per above designating Ill: .Bro. H.
S. Pring to be the first Sovereign.
It was at this point that matters took a turn for the worse. The Inspector General, the Rev. Dr. H. L. Franklin, had been informed that Past Sovereigns of the ALFRED Chapter intimated their complete opposition to the formation of the Chapter in Taunton. He was forced to request Supreme Council to defer the engrossing of the Warrant, stating in a letter his reasons for doing so. It appears that the Members opposing the move re fused to hire their furniture and a senior Past Sovereign had informed Dr. Franklin, that the ALFRED Members regarded the new Chapter as “interlopers and not in amity with them”! The unfortunate set of circumstances took longer to resolve than was first thought and it was almost twelve months before a reconciliation was effected.
Lodge Meeting
The Chapter was finally Consecrated the Chapter on Friday, 6th January, 1978 at the Masonic Hall, Taunton.
Time being the great healer amity is fully restored and the two Chapters present a solid front in promoting the well being of the Order in Taunton.
Meets at the Taunton Masonic Hall on the second Friday of February, March, September and November (18-30hrs).
The Crescent, Taunton TA1 4EB (01823 326777)
Disabled Access: No facilities.
From the North and East, follow the main ‘through’ route through the town; signed A38 Exeter. Just past Temple Methodist Church and before Pedestrian Tfc L turn right into ‘The Crescent’. MH approx 45yds on right; entrance through small blue door on left of steps. Limited parking adjoining Hall but PCP (Pay and Display before 18.00 hours) down turning off Crescent further north. On-street parking in The Crescent after 18.00 hours. From the West, enter town along Wellington Road, follow main ‘through’ route signed A38 Bristol, turn left into The Crescent just after Police Station and Pedestrian Tfc L. MH as from the north and east. From Minehead, turn left at R/Abt at ‘Cross Keys’ at the junction of the B3227 and A361; turn right at the next R/Abt (marked Wellington), continue over railway line to next R/Abt and turn left on to Wellington Road, then as ‘From the West’.
