Rothley Temple Lodge No.7801
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Warranted: 8th November 1961 Consecrated: 9th February 1962 Held at Leicester on the second Friday in October, December, February, March and April Installation meeting: February |
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History
Rothley Temple took its name from the Babington family manor house, known as the Temple, because of its association with the Knights Templar, and subsequently the Knight of St. John of Jerusalem (Hospitallers). Rothley Abbey, or chapel, still remains as part of the Rothley Court Hotel and is incorporated into the Badge of the Lodge.
The Founders mainly resided in the Rothley/Quorn/Cropston area and were typically members of the Rothley Park Golf Club. Geographic exclusivity being prohibited, membership was extended to include those residing beyond the Rothley area to the Province and beyond. Many members were associated with various Corporate, Legal or Financial institutions, in particular British Gas and Alliance-Leicester.
Freddie Upchurch (PM), formed the Lodge as WM, with Bro.Rev. Lawrence Jackson and Bro. Stanley Cox as Wardens, on Friday the 9th of February 1962. The Ceremony of Consecration, with a recorded attendance of ninety one, was performed by R.W.Bro.Brig. C.B.S. Morley, and the Installation Ceremony by the DPGM, V.W.Bro. W.G. Fox, assisted by W.Bro. O. Farrant as DC.
The Lodge has met five times, formerly four times, per year in the Holmes Temple at Freemasons’ Hall Leicester, although in the early days in the Morley Temple. The one of RTL ritual and interpretation of rubric is essentially “Nigerian Ritual”; ceremonies and duties are performed with great care and felicity. The Festive Board “fine-dining” standards, remain renowned throughout the Province.
The Banner was presented by W.Bro. Bill Bentley, and a WM’s goblet, given by W.Bro. John K. McLauchlan in memory of his father, remains. The 200th Regular Meeting, an Installation Festival, was honoured by the presence of the R.W.Bro. Michael H. Roalfe PGM, on the 11th of February 2005.