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Lodge members line up
underneath the statue of
William Webb Ellis
Bottom
The colourful Lodge banner
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As its name suggests, William Webb Ellis
Lodge No. 9754 was founded in the name of
the first Rugby player, primarily for Masons
involved with the game of Rugby Union
football, who wished to combine the social
sides of two equally important facets of
their lives.
The Lodge was consecrated five years ago
with 30 founding members at the home of
Warwickshire’s Provincial Grand Lodge.
The Lodge meets at the Rugby Masonic
Hall, less than 250 yards from Rugby School
Close, where William Webb Ellis first
picked up that ball and ran with it. In the
local area, and within a few hundred yards
of the Rugby Masonic Hall, there are
monuments to this historic event.
The Lodge was sponsored by the
Laurence Sheriffe Lodge No. 3497, founded
in 1911 by the schoolmasters of Rugby
School, another historic association with
Rugby’s famous public school.
The Lodge does not expect potential
members to have been senior rugby players,
although they have many of varying vintages
– they simply like members to have some
association and appreciation of the game. As
ever with Masonry, the trick is to get relative
youngsters involved and the Lodge has
several who still play when time allows.
The members aim to conduct their
Masonic duties and their match day events
in a relaxed and friendly environment with
joviality and vibrancy, whilst maintaining
the dignity of Freemasonry. They try to
follow the ‘work hard and play hard’ ethic
of their rugby careers, and embrace the full
flavour of all of their events. They hope this
conveys a taste of their approach to the fine
art of celebrating the square and rugby posts,
a combination of which is reflected in the
Lodge’s banner.
The Lodge also enjoys one unusual piece
of Masonic furniture – a ‘Gilbert – Match’
rugby ball signed by all of the Founders of
the Lodge at its consecration.
When members are asked what it is they
find in common between Masonry and the
game of Rugby Union football, a consistent
and almost unanimous response is that of
camaraderie, of friendship, of respect, of
team spirit and most especially, enjoyment
of life.
Bill ‘Windy’ Watts, the current Master,
who is a very dedicated and experienced
Mason, describes the Lodge as “typical of
the Rugby fraternity – friendly, jovial and
very relaxed – especially later on in the day!”
So where did they come from? Their first
Master, Stuart Esworthy, late one night after
a long meeting, happened to say to their
second Master, Mick Tarrant, “if only we
could combine our love of Masonry with
our love of rugby”. Mick, a director of
Rugby Lions, was keen and Stuart (a coach
at the Lions) knew that between them they
had the contacts to get the ball rolling and
the rest is history.
Among the members are well-known
players of many ages: Roy Pebody – who
arguably in his day was the best threequarters
never to be capped by England, large
contingents from local sides such as the Old
Laurentians and Newbold, as well as from
Rugby St Andrews, where Nigel Headley,
who played for them, now runs their Junior
sides. From out of the town come Des De
Burg Swarbrigg of Nuneaton and Graham
Crum of Pertemps Bees (Birmingham/Solihull), to name but a few.
The Lodge meets twice a year for
Masonic business. The Installation is held
on the first or second Saturday in December
and commences at 9.30am, to coincide
with a Rugby Lions home league fixture.
The Lodge attends this fixture and views
the match from the directors’ hospitality
suite, where they dine and toast William
Webb Ellis. There then comes the summer
meeting, followed by a Ball, the format of
which differs annually, such as an informal
summer extravaganza, a beach party and
a Karaoke disco night. They usually attend
at least three rugby matches per year some
Premier, some International and other
local matches.
The Lodge was originally conceived
as a joining Lodge and to date has enjoyed
a healthy number of new members each
year. They have gained a reputation as being
refreshingly different and many senior
Masons volunteer to attend their meetings,
whilst others often return for simple
enjoyment, even when not required to
do so on official business. So why not take
a punt and pitch up to visit a relatively
young Lodge with a great fixture list and
a winning Masonic formula? You will be
most welcome.
Further information is available from the Lodge
secretary, Nick Hoare, on 07768 617068 or email;
nickhoare@btinternet.com
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