The Leonard Ball Lodge was named after a former distinguished Devonshire member, the Right Honourable Sir Leonard Ball who, in 1958, became Provincial Grand Primo of the Province of Kenya.

 

The Lodge first opened on Sunday 10th September 1989 at the Locomotive Inn, East Street. Newton Abbot. The Dedication Ceremony didn’t quite pass without incident, as one Brother not only cast salt into the Spirit Fire, but also took fire out! Fortunately injuries sustained were relatively minor and the remainder of the ceremony proceeded according to plan.

 

Within a few years, the Lodge became nicknamed the “Travelling Lodge” not only because of the Brothers’ propensity for visiting other Lodges both within and outside of the Province of Devonshire, but also because the Lodge itself has travelled… from one location to another in Newton Abbot. Starting at the Locomotive Inn, the Lodge has also had a home in The Jolly Abbot, The Dartmouth Inn, The Railway Inn, The Conservative Club and its present home, The Royal British Legion Club.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Lodge has involved itself in a number of charitable initiatives that have been of benefit to the local community including: assisting in the procurement of important medical equipment for a local doctors’ surgery;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the donation of a digital camera to the Newton Abbot Ambulance Service; and a donation to the Children’s Hospice, South West.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 1999 The Leonard Ball Lodge enjoyed a chance visit from the Packet Ships Lodge, No. 331 of the Grand Middlesex Banner, based in Falmouth Cornwall. The two Lodges “hit it off” immediately, and within a very short time, the decision was made to “twin”. In September of that year,  a twinning ceremony, devised by the late Bro. Clive Emsley, KOM was held. Pledges and twinning collarettes, as pictured below were exchanged. Since that memorable day, both Lodges have maintained close contact and enjoyed mutual visits on a regular basis. Indeed, such is the bond between the two Lodges that Brothers from the one Lodge will often be found participating in the ceremonies of the other.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© Leonard Ball Lodge, RAOB — 2006. All rights reserved

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A former home: The Jolly Abbot