"OLD BEN"

The News Trade Charity

and

THE "OLD BEN" LODGE No 9461

"OLD BEN" is the cockney name for the Newsvendors Benevolent Institution ( now known as NewstrAid) which was set up by a number of people in a London Coffee House in 1839 to provide help for the poor Newspaper Sellers, both men and women, on the streets of London.

This was reported in "John Bull" --

A meeting took place on the evening of May 22nd at the Crown and Anchor for the purpose of establishing "The Newsvendors' Benevolent & Provident Institution' for granting permanent and temporary relief to persons engaged in the trade in the metropolis who, from infirmity, age or distress may require assistance"

This title of course was too much for many Cockney's whom it aided and they

affectionally changed it to "OLD BEN" from it's name and the benevolence it gave.

The first President was Alderman James Harmer who served from 1839 to 1853. Charles Dickens was an early and staunch supporter and was president from 1854 until his death in 1870. Another early notable was Lord Rosebery who was Patron from 1879 until 1929.

"OLD BEN" helps anyone in the News Trade distribution who has a known need and a proven Trade Connection. By that we mean any person or their immediate relatives who are, or have been employed in the Newspaper or magazine distribution in the united Kingdom for at least 10 years.

Distribution means all Humpers, Packers, Warehouse Staff and Drivers, Wholesale Staff, Retail Newsagents and their staff, Street Sellers and Distributors, Distribution Staff and Representatives.

All the income is derived from charitable donations. The Charity provides accommodation for its beneficiaries in its Residential Care Homes and Sheltered Housing.

These days the Charity is managed by an Executive Committee elected at the A.G.M and it is from two members of this committee that the idea of an OLD BEN LODGE came.

In December 1989 on the Train to London for a meeting of the Executive Committee W.Bro. Michael Adams and W. Bro. George Peacock were discussing Freemasonry, what else is there?. The conversation was somewhat guarded as another member of the Committee was, to say the least, Anti-Masonry. From this conversation it was decided that an attempt should be made to form a Lodge to be known as the "Old Ben Lodge", Michael Adams to act as the Founding Secretary with George Peacock acting as Treasurer.

2.

It was originally intended that the Lodge should meet at Great Queen Street for a number of reasons, The first was that this was the centre of Freemasonry in England and secondly that there were a number of "Old Ben" members who, being Masons in the London Area, we hoped would join us. Also London was probably the easiest place to get to from other parts of the country by Train.

The best laid plans of Mice and Men!!! After meeting the Grand Tyler, fixing provisional dates, arranging a Sponsoring Lodge and generally getting things organized, the promised help from the London Masons was not forthcoming.

Being new to Shropshire Masonry W.Bro Adams was advised to contact W.Bro. Dr. Gordon Telford Haysey to ask for his advice and assistance, Under his guidance he organized Founders Meetings at the Old Ben Home at Lilleshall and, in addition to the Old Ben Members invited Shropshire Masons with whom he was acquainted to help set up the Lodge. As a result of these meetings he was able to submit a petition for the founding of a new lodge to the Grand Master.

The Old Ben Lodge Number 9461 was consecrated at Crewe Street, Shrewsbury by the then Provincial Grand Master, R. W. Bro. Douglas Brown Whittingham on May 16th 1992 some two and a half years from the decision to found our own Lodge. The first Worshipful Master being Worshipful Brother Dr. Gordon Telford Haysey, now the Past Provincial Grand Master, without whose help we may not have succeeded.

The first few years of any Lodge are the worst but we have progressed well, our first Candidate, Bro. Peter Everall, became the Worshipful Master in 1999

The Lodge Logo, "The Good Samaritan", has a significant connection with the Old Ben Lodge. It was the one used by the Newsvendors Benevolent Institution and was introduced by Worshipful Brother Joe Llewellyn Jones, the first Immediate Part Master of the Old Ben Lodge, who was then General Secretary of the Charity. It was replaced in 1994 by a logo containing a facsimile of Charles Dickens. "The Good Samaritan" logo still recognized throughout the trade as "Old Ben" continues to be used by the Old Ben Homes Charitable Housing Association.

Approved for our use by Grand Lodge It is depicted in the centre of the Lodge Banner.

Our members come from all parts of the country, West Lancs, Liverpool, Bristol, Leicester, Wolverhampton, Market Drayton, Shrewsbury and Telford.

The lodge meets at Crewe Street, Shrewsbury on the Third Saturday in March, Second Saturday in May [Installation] and the fourth Saturday in October and November. This only differs when the Master in the Chair who comes from a different Province exercises his right to hold a meeting in his own Province.

We are always pleased to extend a special welcome to brethren who have a News Trade connection to our meetings. Our Secretary is P .J. Everall, 37 Bridge Way, Muxton, Telford TF2 8JL

I hope this helps you to understand a little about our background.

Michael Adams Worshipful Master 2002-3 2003-4