This page is intended to pay respect to the Founders of Ribble Lodge 4558. As more is known about our founding Brethren, this page will be updated with any interesting history. If anybody would like to get in touch with any history behind our founding Brethren, they can get in touch via our contact page.
FOUNDERS ( All of whom are now deceased)
- W.Bro. J.Dewhurst P.Pr.A.G.D.C. – First Worshipful Master
- W.Bro. J.A. Hayhurst P.Pr.G.Swd.Br – First Senior Warden
- W.Bro. S.G. Gilbert P.Pr.G. (Notts) _ First Junior Warden
- W.Bro. G. Worden P.Pr.G.Swd.Br.
- W.Bro. F. Plumb
- W.Bro. J.M. Worthington
- W.Bro. E.J.M. Herling
- Bro. J. J. Jackson
- Bro. H. Swire
- Bro. J. Sumner
- Bro. H. T . Yates
- W.Bro. J. Kenny P.Pr.G.D.C.
- W.Bro. A.E. Coupe
- W.Bro. J.H. Hidley
- Bro. J. Harris
- Bro. W. Cowperthwaite
- Bro. S. Eteson
- Bro. F. Fazackerley
- Bro. H. J. Taylor
Consecration of Ribble Lodge
Among other prominent masons who took office were W.Bro. Will E. Ord, P.G.Deacon who was I.P.M. for the evening, though not as a Founder of the Lodge.
The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Bro John Hearn Burrell, led the consecration ceremony, which was held on 4th of January 1924, within the Bull and Royal Hotel.
It was decided to propose six candidates at the consecration, and the W.M.’s protege, Mr J.W.Jackson of 8 Eldon Street, was duly initiated at the first regular meeting of the new Lodge held on 23rd of January 1924.
Mr Jackson paid an initiation fee of 12 guineas and 19 members and 22 visitors saw the first ceremony.
There was much business to be conducted at the early meetings, there were often three degrees to be got through, and supper was generally taken between the 2nd and 3rd degrees with meetings beginning at 6 and lasted until nearly 10 o’clock in the first year.
W.Bro. J.Dewhurst P.Pr.A.G.D.C. (Founding WM)
At an earlier meeting, in December 1922, it had been resolved that the Mayor of Preston should be invited to be the first Worshipful Master of the Lodge.
John Dewhurst had previously been W.M. of Royal Preston Lodge, and held the Past Provincial Grand Lodge Rank of A.D.C. He was a Preston businessman and controlled the family business of Moor Brook Foundry. He was also a director of Vernons Mill in Penwortham, and had other interests in the cotton industry.
He was also a member of the Manchester Royal Exchange for more than 40 years and was a town councillor for Deepdale Ward from 1908 to 1924, when he became an Alderman.
John Dewhurst also served on the Fulwood Urban District Council and was a town’s magistrate.
W.Bro. Dewhurst accepted the invitation to become the new Lodge’s first W.M., and he was the leader of the Founders of Ribble Lodge who filled the principal offices at the consecration ceremony.