It all began with a discussion in Barr Beacon Lodge between W.Bros Edgar Toon and Fred Dorricott of Hatherton Lodge and W.Bro Fred Thompson of Goldieslie Lodge, Sutton Coldfield when they considered the foundation of a new Lodge for the Aldridge and Streetly district. After their first discussion they approached several close Masonic friends who might be interested in founding a new Lodge and on Friday 28th October 1955 the first recorded meeting took place at the Masonic Hall in Freer Street, Walsall. In addition to the original three present, W,Bro Noel Boardman and Bros. TH. Gait,  WJ. Naylor, R.S.Vann and Bro K.V. Hartshorne.

W.Bro Toon was elected Master Designate and W.Bro Dorricott the Secretary There was much to discuss, but the venue, number and date of meetings, subscriptions, date of Installation and appointment of Officers were eventually agreed. Over the next 7 months before the Consecration, a further eight members brought the number to sixteen and Barr Beacon Lodge became the sponsoring Lodge. The Founders were required to pay their subscriptions of £5 in advance to put the Lodge in credit. Bro. Howes was J Treasurer and the remaining offices were filled.  

Pior to the Consecration, many meetings were held. A citation for the proposed title of the was decided and the Lodge number allocated. Joining and Initiation Fees settled, By-laws drawn up and Lodge furniture, Collars, Badges, Regalia and Founders’ Jewels ordered. Nearer the day, two applications to join were received and two applications for Initiation. Two Columns were purchased which were presented to Barr Beacon Lodge in appreciation as the sponsoring Lodge.

The Consecration and Installation of the first Master drew near. Three days before the event the Lodge suffered its first loss in the sudden passing from a stroke, of Bro.T.H. Gair, Junior Warden Designate. His replacement being found, the ceremonies were performed by the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Robert Bradley Mummery supported by fifteen Grand Lodge Officers, twenty eight Prov. G.L Officers, PM’s and Brethren and many visitors including the Masters of the four other Walsall Lodges, filling the temple to its capacity of 110. The Director of Ceremonies was W.Bro Major H. Wilson Keys, himself to become Prov. G M several years later. The ceremony was followed by a seven course banquet which cost each diner a staggering thirty shillings. The date of the Consecration was 11^th May 1956.

The Assistant Provincial Grand Master, returned to the Lodge again in December to dedicate the new Lodge Banner which had been made by the Birmingham Guild and given by the first Joining Member, Bro.W. Sparrow. On the same occasion he unveiled the new Lodge Masters Board which had been donated by W.Bro N.J.E. Boardman.

The following years saw the Lodge settling into an established Masonic routine. The first Past Masters’ Night and first Ladies Festival were held in 1958 and shares in the Hatherton Masonic Hall Co Ltd were purchased. W.Bro FE. Dorricott, when Master, received an application for membership from his eldest son, who therefore eventually became a lewis, the first of many in Streetly Lodge. Sadly, the Lodge suffered the passing of several much valued members, the first being the founder D.C.W.Bro E.H.Jay, followed over the next few years by three others, including the Founding WM. W.Bro Edgar Toon. In 1966 only weeks after his Installation, the Master, Bro.John Dickens died suddenly Dr F.Roberts, then IPM. who had been the Lodge’s first initiate, took up the duties of Master, continuing  in office with consummate skill. A similar fate to fall on W.Bro Phillip Roberts, one of his his 3 sons who had all joined the Lodge, when the Master Elect Bro D.B.Speed suffered a suspected heart attack on Installation day in April 2000. The ceremony was postponed for 5 weeks and W.Bro Philip Roberts took over as Master again at a special meeting in June. Bro D.B. Speed subsequently became Master in April 2001.

 In the first 12 years since its Consecration, membership had risen to 47, but the following year the Lodge learned that the Freer Street Temple was to be sold and new venues were needed for Lodges meeting there. For a time they found a home in Wednesbury Masonic Hall but by combining the resources of all the Walsall Lodges, a new Temple was built in Aldridge. It was dedicated in August 1974 by the Prov Grand Master, Major H. Wilson Keys who tragically died the following day.

Over the following years, Streetly Lodge grew and flourished in its splendid new Temple. Initiates were always forthcoming, membership grew and many Provincial Honours were conferred on brethren who had served the Lodge with dedication and distinction. It would be another seven years before WBro Leon Jessel MBE; JP would be the first member of the Lodge to be honoured with Grand Rank, when in October 1988 he was PG. Standard Bearer. In 2005 he was still an active member and acted as Junior Deacon in an Initiation Ceremony at the age of 86.

In 1981 Lodge celebrated its 25^th Anniversary with a Silver Jubilee meeting at which three original Founders were present. Five years later, in the January Meeting the Founders, namely W.Bro R.S.Vann, W.Bro S.H. Lacey, who had served the Lodge for thirty years and W.Bro N.J.E. Boardman whose heavy Masonic commitments had previously compelled him to resign from the Lodge, were made Honorary Members as had been conferred on Rt Rev Vernon Nicholls at the previous meeting.

 In the last decade of the old millennium the Lodge lost two of its oldest members when W.Bro L.A.Ward, the long serving Charity Representative and Rt.Wor.Bro Vernon Nicholls were both called to the Grand Lodge Above.

The last founder of the lodge, WBro R.S.Vann with 50 years service, for which he was promoted to PPr J.G.W, spread his Masonic wings once more and in 1996 became a founder member of a Lodge in Spain.

The new millennium brought many changes both to the Province and to Freemasonry in general. In 2003 the PG.M,W.Bro Kevin Chawner retired and his high office was filled by Rt. W Bro Thomas D.C. Lloyd, TD.DL. For Freemasonry in general, times had become difficult. Candidates were fewer and the days of double ceremonies had become things of the past. Every quarter, one saw lists of Lodges throughout the land that had amalgamated or handed in their warrants. It had become increasingly important for active lodges to put failure out of their minds and work imaginatively for the future. Only would they have a future.

Streetly Lodge has a rich and distinguished past. By building on that enthusiasm and commitment it has been its hallmark for the past fifty years, it will enjoy another fifty years an the lodge will celebrate its Centenary. Another chapter will be written and a distinguished and senior member of the Lodge, who is now, but a junior Brother or perhaps not even a new Initiate will be given that satisfaction.

David Barlow, PPr.J.G.W. RoundTable Lodge No.8273