Origins of the Lodge

Following this, a resolution was agreed and the process started until on Saturday 17th January 1880 the consecration of the Caxton was enacted at the then Freemasons' Hall (see picture above) The festive board was then took part in banquet-style at the Freemason's Tavern.

During these early years the Lodge had to have many emergency meetings to cope with the work that was presented to it (along with double and triple ceremonies taking place).

It was said that the Festive Boards were of an incredibly high standard and that Lodge lived up to the ornate detail of the Banquet Cards that were produced (in this a printers lodge). The format of a Caxton Festive Board in those days was a ten course banquet with a toast at each course, which in turn was accompanied by musical items.

Being close to the West End, in these early days the Lodge would employ musical artists to add to the Festive Board and sing the Masters song at Installations.

By 1906 the lodge boasted over 50 members. However, the first wave of Founders has started to leave masonry by the start of the second decade and a War was on the horizon .... Numbers started to fall and pre the Great War there were 34 members recorded.