The Provincial Grand Master of South Wales Freemasons Gareth Jones OBE paid a very special visit to Services Lodge at Penarth Masonic Hall on Thursday 19th January 2017 to unveil a Blue Plaque to celebrate Freemasonry in Penarth since 1878.
The Blue Plaque which was hand painted, displays the Provincial Crest of South Wales Freemasons, the Tercentenary dates 1717 -2017, and features the main words, “Freemasons have held meetings in Penarth since 1878”.
Gareth Jones said, ”It gives me great pleasure to unveil the Penarth Blue Plaque. I am quite confident that our remaining 23 Masonic Centres will also wish to have a Blue Plaque once they see how nice it is. I look forward to seeing it displayed outside the building. It is beautiful.”
The Blue Plaque is part of the South Wales Provincial initiatives during the Tercentenary Celebrations of 300 years of the United Grand Lodge of England. It is hoped that all 23 Masonic Centres throughout South Wales will wish to proudly show the heritage of Freemasonry to the wider community. The earliest records show a Lodge in Cardiff in 1754.
Penarth Masonic Hall is 1 of 23 Masonic Centres throughout South Wales. The current Penarth Masonic Hall building in Stanwell Road will enjoy its’ 90th Anniversary on 14th October. Before this home, Freemasons have also meet in other Penarth buildings such as the Ex-Servicemen’s Club and also in a house near the Railway Pub.
The Masonic Centres in South Wales are part of the rich heritage & history of their communities, hosting over 160 lodges, with 9 Lodges based in Penarth.
Freemasonry is celebrating 300 years since the formation of the United Grand Lodge in 1717. As part of the Tercentenary, the South Wales Province will be inviting the public to Heritage Open Days, and have a variety of events to showcase the charitable achievements.