Here lies Oranjemund's History!

[Michael Alexander]

I went to Lodge on Wednesday Night, It dawned apon me, that in the old days in Oranjemund , the Masonic Lodge was an institution that many Oranjemunders belonged to, (I only found out on Wednesday night that Oom Danie Pollard was also a member) , anyhow , in the The main foyer leading to the temple is a treasure trove of Oranjemund history..... Upstanding members of the community, long since gone..... on the walls, in paper, their aprons and medals left behind... this lodge celebrated their 50th anniversary just 4 years ago... I spoke to the head honcho and have now got permission to digitize all documents and images .... preserving them forever......

[Andrew Darné]

That's good to hear, otherwise that too would become a memory covered with dust...

I recall reading an item about the building itself. Before it was given to the Mason's back in the 50's, it used to be an old German radio station. The base and anchor points of the antennae mast are still to be seen out back by the trees.

[Bertie Horak]

Now that I have internet at home, I can show Dad some posts. 
Mike, the chair in the picture belonged to Padre Cawthorne who was the organist in the lodge.  The two back legs were shortened - this was the custom at the English University where he studied.  When he passed on, it was decided to remove the chair from the hall and put it in the foyer.
Dad doesn't recognize the passageway in the photo, it might have changed since he was last there.  But there was a door on the other side of the chair (where it stood those days), behind which the light switches were. So the one who had to switch the lights on/off, had to pass the chair - but they were always worried that the Padre would be sitting in his chair....

[Michael Alexander]

@ Bertie, that is really weird timing, Yesterday afternoon, I was standing at the foot of Padre Cawthornes grave, explaining to a visiting Italian Photographers about the history of the Freemasons....

We also went past the lodge....

Opposite the chair you mention, is two wooden doors, towards the east.... just inside these two doors are the light switches.... and the temple....

Fraternal Greetings to your father....

[SandyB]

Here  on of  two  what  we were told are masons chairs , we " inherited " them from our neighbour  Wilfred Grievers  ( he was a freemason till  his illness and passing )  for looking after his dog while he was  in hospital with a stroke and  further looking after  the dog when he passed away , the relatives gave us choice of  furniture  as  gratitude , so we took the two chairs and  some other  items .
Is  it indeed so a freemasons chair ?? anyhow  it has nice proportions .

[Michael Alexander]

@Sandy, are there any masonic symbols engraved into the chair?

[john wilson]

Not many people knew of Old man Pollard being in the Craft, I only knew for when I was Secretary sent him his summons every month to Beauvalon. I spent many years working at the farm and knew him well ,he never mentioned the Craft ,but he knew who I was.

[Michael Alexander]

@Sandy!

And?

[henniek]

One thing I really would like to know is , What does the numbers on freemason loges mean -
eg 7380EC

[Michael Alexander]

That would be Lodge Number 7380 English Constitution.... You get, Scottish, Irish, American Lodges also.....

[SandyB]

@ Michael .. no  , no recognisable  masonic symbols on them .. but in our  wanderings  through the Wilfred Grievers home/ workshop ( he was a qualified furniture cabinet maker  and restorer of  antique items )  he pointe out the chairs and  said that they came from the lodge he  attended ..