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Masonic Province of Hertfordshire
Chronicle and Banners
Banners of Craft Lodges in Hertfordshire (Continued)
Halsey Lodge No: 1479
Halsey Lodge took its name from the family that was to become synonymous with Freemasonry in Hertfordshire. The Lodge was consecrated at the Town Hall, St. Albans by RW Bro Thomas Frederick Halsey. Seven days earlier he had been installed as Provincial Grand Master for Hertfordshire and was later to become the Rt. Hon Sir T F Halsey, Bart., P.C. and appointed Deputy Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England in 1903. Sir Frederick was the first of four members of the Halsey family to lead the Province of Hertfordshire as Provincial Grand Master.
Sir Frederick from 1873 to 1924; his son, Admiral Sir Lionel Halsey, GCMG, GCVO, from 1930 to 1949; Lionel's brother, the Rev. Canon Frederick Halsey from 1949 to 1952; and his son , Guy Marsden Halsey from 1974 to 1985. The Halsey's continued their close association with the lodge and participated in the celebrations for its fiftieth and one hundredth anniversaries. The Halsey family coat of arms was adopted as the lodge crest. Its motto "Nescit vox missa reverti" literally translated means "The spoken word cannot be recalled", or "My word is my bond". This is depicted on the banner.
The first banner was presented in 1887 by the then Worshipful Master, Horace Slade and appears never to have been dedicated. The original lodge banner having disintegrated, and therefore in need of renovation was framed and put on display. The new banner was dedicated by VW Bro John Burr PGSwdB, Deputy Provincial Grand Master, on 28th April 1994 having been made by Mrs.M.Smith of Cleveland who is well known for her cathedral embroidery. An unusual implement or working tool is depicted on both the old and new banners, a ‘hinged’ or ‘bent’ level. It appears that the origin and significance has been lost.
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