The History of
Lodge of the Round Table No. 8424
The story of how a group of Round Tabler members in Coventry created a lasting Masonic tradition.
Our History
From an informal gathering of like-minded Tablers to a fully constituted Masonic Lodge in Coventry.
Founded
November 1972
Founded By
16 Round Table members
Location
Coventry
Purpose
Fellowship, service, and continuity
The Lodge was established in November 1972 by 16 local Brethren, all of whom were current or former members of the Round Table movement of Great Britain & Ireland, predominantly from Coventry 23 Round Table. Its purpose was to provide a home for Tablers and ex-Tablers seeking a continuing outlet for service to the wider community, while enjoying the fellowship and stimulating company of others of similar outlook.
Coventry 23 had struck up an affiliation with Bristol Round Table through Mike Cotton. Being interested in racing, Mike had agreed to buy a new Sunbeam Alpine car, which he was collecting from a garage in Bristol. He arranged to collect the car late morning on a Tuesday and to visit Bristol Round Table, who in those days met on Tuesday lunchtimes. Mike was so impressed with the reception he received that he arranged a visit from Coventry 23. That visit was so successful that an affiliation was struck up, which lasted for several years.
During one of their get togethers it emerged that several of their members were also members of a Bristol Lodge, the Lodge of Harmony, and as most of the members from 23 were also Freemasons, it was arranged that the Coventry Freemasons would visit the Bristol Lodge.
The evening was such a success that on the coach on the way back it was decided to form their own Lodge of the Round Table in Coventry. In fact, we have since learnt from W. Bro David Kings that the coach dropped them off at Finham Golf Club at 10.30 the following morning, whereupon they persuaded the club steward to open the bar and there they stayed until closing time that evening. I suspect that this was more likely to be when the plans for our Lodge were formulated.
The Round Table Lodge was consecrated at the Masonic Temple, Allesley Hotel, Coventry at 4pm on Tuesday 28th November 1972, and Brethren were requested to assemble no later than 3.30pm. Dinner jacket, uniform and full Masonic clothing were the order of the day, along with Craft and Royal Arch jewels to be worn.
When the day arrived, 183 Masons attended the meeting, which commenced at 4.05. The Provincial Grand Master occupied the chair, supported by the Deputy P.G.M, two Assistant P.G.M’s, and 22 other Grand and Provincial Officers.
The Provincial Grand Master then consecrated, dedicated and constituted the Lodge according to established custom. A collection was taken amounting to £120, with half being donated to the Warwickshire Masonic Benevolent Fund and half to the Lodge Charitable Fund
The chair was then occupied by W. Bro W Barrows, Asst P.G.M, who installed the Master designate, W. Bro John Philpot. The new W.M. then invested his officers, 16 brethren in total constituting the founder members.
Following the conclusion of business, the Lodge was closed at 7.05 in perfect harmony, followed by the festive board. As an aside, the Lodge did not receive its banner for a further 21 years, when it was dedicated on 6th December 1993.
In November 2022, 19 members of the Lodge visited the Lodge of Harmony in Bristol to mark 50 years since those early connections.
The visit included witnessing a rising and celebrating shared history alongside other Round Table Lodges.
To this day, The Lodge of the Round Table No. 8424 remains open for Tablers and Ex-Tablers to join, although visiting non-Tabling Freemasons will be more than welcomed, with usual Table hospitality.
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