'Northumberland' is a most beautiful county in which to practice our Freemasonry. Rural leisure opportunities range from walking, cycling, horse riding, climbing and a host of other sports. Gentler activities include sight-seeing, shopping and visiting a huge selection of pubs and restaurants (try the many fine Northumbrian local cheeses !!). As well as some of the most beautiful countryside in the UK, the legendary friendliness of people in Northumberland and Tyneside means all visitors will receive a welcome that is second to none.

Northumberland is unique in many ways. It is the only county in England to have its own tartan - a black and white check, sometimes known as 'the Shepherd Tartan' - which dates back to Roman times. It is the oldest textile check ever devised. It also has its own musical instrument - the beautiful and plaintive Northumbrian Pipes (listen to it as you enter this website) - popularised by the rich sounds of players such as Kathryn Tickell. And it is one of only a small number of counties proudly using its own flag. The Red and Gold flag has a history stretching back to the 7th Century Kingdom of Northumbria.

Northumbria has more castles than anywhere else in Britain, set in areas of outstanding natural beauty, a National Park, the Cheviot Hills and spectacular coastlines with tens of miles of golden beaches and a wide variety of bird life.

The main estuarial rivers - Tyne, Blyth, Wansbeck, Coquet, Aln and Tweed - offer beautiful scenery, great leisure activities and diverse wild life. The Tyne Valley, is better known as Hadrian's Wall Country. The famous wall charts a course through beautiful rural landscapes and traditional market towns.

The urban areas of Newcastle, Tyneside and South East Northumberland are, of course the base for most of the Masonic activity. In addition, though, Lodges meet in rural areas from Berwick-upon-Tweed in the North, Haltwhistle and Hexham in the West and the market towns of Alnwick, Bellingham, Rothbury and Morpeth amongst others.

At present there are 188 Lodges (2 more to open soon) and 6600 Freemasons in the Province of Northumberland which is administered from the office of Provincial Grand Lodge in the centre of Newcastle (next door to the Central Station). The Province is currently led by the the Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro. Peter Magnay and his Executive Team.

NOTABLE OCCASIONS IN NORTHUMBERLAND MASONIC HISTORY

1734
Matthew Ridley was appointed first Provincial Grand Master ('PGM') for Northumberland. Ridley was four times Mayor of Newcastle and sat in five Parliaments from 1747 to 1774. It is recorded that: "In the year 1745 (as Mayor) he rendered essential service to his country, averting by his prudence and activity the attack meditated against this town (Newcastle) by the enemies of the House of Brunswick and materially checking the progress of their arms".

1778
Right Worshipful Brother Matthew Ridley, the first PGM, died. He had been succeded as PGM in 1771 by W.Bro.John Errington, Chief of Beaufront who resigned in 1806.

1807
Sir John Edward Swinburne appointed PGM.

1814
Following the Act of Union of the (formerly) two Grand Lodges (1812), two old Lodges in Newcastle were united to become Newcastle upon Tyne Lodge No. 26 (later No.24).
Sir Matthew White Ridley, Bart., appointed Deputy PGM.

1818
On 27 July the Provincial Grand Lodge of Northumberland met in Durham to assist in the ceremony of Installing John George Lambton as PGM for Durham.

1822
Northumberland and Durham provinces arranged for the laying of the foundation stone of the Literary an Philosophical Society in Newcastle by HRH the Duke of Sussex, Most Worsipful Grand Master. This duly took place on 2 September when Freemasons of Northumberland and Durham processed in full Masonic regalia to the Mansion House in the Close. There they met the Grand Master and the Mayor of Newcastle. With other dignatories the procession proceeded to the site in Westgate Road. On the laying of the stone a Royal Salute was fired from the castle. The 'Lit and Phil' building is still in regular use and stands next door to the office of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Northumberland.

1823
Sir John Swinburne resigned as PGM.

1824
Sir Matthew White Ridley, Bart., installed as PGM

1837
Queen Victoria acceeded to the throne. At this time many of the Royal princes held, or had held, prominent positions in Freemasonry.
On 11 September the Right Hon John George Lambton, first Earl of Durham, was installed as PGM for Northumberland, becoming the first holder of the same office in both Northumberland and Durham.

1848
Rev. Edward Challoner Ogle installed as PGM by John Fawcett, PGM Durham.

1869
Rev.E C Ogle died after 21 years in office.

1870
Right Hon. the Earl Percy installed as PGM.

1872
First purpose-built Masonic Hall in Northumberland dedicated at Maple Terrace.

1878
At the invitation of His Grace the Duke of Northumberland, 750 Brethren attended the Annual Provincial Meeting held in the Great Hall of Alnwick Castle.

1886
Sir Matthew White Ridley, Bart., installed as PGM by RW Bro. the Earl Percy.

1894
Craft Freemasonry and Royal Arch Chapter Freemasonry united under one head.

1901
On the death of Queen Victoria, King Edward VII obliged to resign as Grand Master. He was succeeded by HRH Duke of Connaught.

1905
To mark the occasion of Alderman Richard Henry Holmes having completed 25 years as Deputy PGM a fund was set up, bearing his name, for the relief of distressed Masons and widows of Freemasons.

1906
Major A E Burdon installed as PGM by Lord Barnard, PGM Durham.

1909
Col. C W Napier-Clavering installed as PGM by Lord Barnard.

1918
Northumberland Masonic Charity Association formed.

1932

After 22 years as PGM Col. Napier-Clavering succeded as PGM by Sir Cecil A Cochrane.

1947
W Cooper Bailey succeded Sir Cecil A Cochrane as PGM.

1950
Provincial Headquarters moved to Broomfield Hall, Jesmond, after 20 years in St.Nicholas' Buildings.

1952
W Cooper Bailey succeeded by J M S Coates as PGM.

1976
J M S Coates succeded by John Sherwood Stephenson as PGM.
Neville Hall, Newcastle, opened for Masonic meetings.

1987
The first Craft Charity Festival to be held outside of London, held at Alnwick Castle.

1992
Michael Nixon Craigs succeeded John Sherwood Stephenson on his death.

1998
Michael Nixon Craigs succeeded by George Usher as PGM.

1999
Fourteenth Anniversary Festival of the Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys held at Newcastle Civic Centre, presided over by Rt.W. Bro. George Usher. Northumbrian Freemasons raised almost £2.8 million !

2000
Following a special Millennium effort by Northumberland Masons, the PGM presented a cheque for £100,000 to the Samaritans of Tyneside at an event at Newcastle Civic Centre.

2007
George Usher succeeded by Peter Magnay as PGM of Craft and Grand Superintendent of the Royal Arch Chapter on 11 July at St.James's Park (Newcastle United football ground).

PLEASE NOTE a more complete and detailed history can be found in the Northumberland Masonic Year Book obtainable from the Provincial Grand Secretary (approx £12). Readers may also be interested to read the standard work on 'Northumbrian Freemasonry' by John Strachan Q.C., regrettably now out of print but available in some Public or Masonic Libraries.