Double Celebration At Ocianus Lodge

15th October 2023

Only two years ago saw ‭‬‭Ocianus Lodge No.8329, which now meets at Throckley Masonic Hall, finally celebrate their belated Golden Jubilee at Ponteland Memorial Hall, in the company of R.W.Bro Ian Craigs and a full Provincial Deputation. October 2023 saw celebrations once again in the Lodge, this time at Throckley Masonic Hall, when the Provincial Team, again led by R.W.Bro Ian Craigs, descended to dedicate the Lodges Honours Board.

The Lodge was initially established, in 1970,  as a base for homecoming and retired Brethren who were, or had been, members of the Service Forces, and who may have been prevented, by circumstances of age or distance, to regularly attend meetings of their Mother Lodges. Most of the Founders were ex-members of the Royal Navy and It was proposed that the Lodge would meet seven times a year, and only initiate one candidate at a time.

The Founders chose the name Ocianus, God of the Water and of all River Gods. This was the name inscribed on one of a‬ pair of Roman Altars dredged up from the Tyne during the construction of the present-day Swing Bridge in 1876. With regards the choice of a motto the Founders wanted to use “Victrix, Pia Fidelis, Felix”, which translates as ‘Victorious, Dutiful, and Faithful, Happy’, however, Professor Charles M Daniels of the Museum of the Antiquities of the Universities and of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon‬ Tyne provided some background to this when he indicated that the use of ‘Felix’ was incorrect. It turned out that Roman Legions’ titles were not mottoes, as such, but ‘battle honours’ conferred upon them by the Emperor. ‬‭

Prior to the Dedication Ceremony, the Lodge carried out an Initiation of a new candidate, Bro Alan Groves, into their number.

Congratulations from everyone at Northumberland Freemasons to the Lodge on its Past Masters Board dedication and to Bro Alan on his Initiation into Ocianus Lodge. We wish him well on his journey.

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