Lodge of Free Burgesses, 4504

In 1922, John Duguid Walker, a solicitor, J.P. and then Chairman of the Stewards' Committee of the Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne, conceived the idea of forming a Masonic Lodge for Freemen.

Newcastle upon Tyne Lodge No. 24 sponsored the petition to the Grand Lodge of England, and on the 27th February 1923 the Lodge of Free Burgesses, No 4504 officially came into being.

For the Lodge banner and Founders' Jewels, it was decided to adopt a design bearing a figure representing a Freemen ready for the defence of the City. The right hand of the figure supports a shield, on which is depicted the Incorporated Company Armorial Bearings of the principal Founders, that is Plumbers, Joiners, Bricklayers and Cordwainers.

The predominant membership of the Lodge of Free Burgesses being Freemen, and the feelage passing down from father to son, it necessarily follows that throughout the years the Lodge of Free Burgesses has been predominantly a family Lodge. Father, son, uncle, nephew, blood-brother etc.

Like many Masonic Lodges, Free Burgesses suffered from a decline in membership in the 1990s. Therefore, on the 19th January 2000, a decision was made to open up the Lodge to friends who were not Freemen. In 2004, a senior Joining Member from Monkchester Lodge, No 5762s became the first non-Freeman Master of the Lodge of Free Burgesses.

Throughout the years, the Brethren of the Lodge of Free Burgesses have fully appreciated the great work that was undertaken by the Founders of the Lodge. With determination they have emulated their example to hand on to prosperity a Lodge proud of its past and an inspiration to its future members.