Rushden Echo, 6th December 1918, transcribed by Kay Collins

The Grape Vine Lodge of Free Gardeners held its Annual General Meeting on Tuesday in the B.W.T.A. Hall. Bro. Arthur T Simms was in the chair, supported by Bros. George Rogers (Deputy Chairman), G Kent, B Holloway and C Gomm (Lodge Trustees), Alfred Colton, William Wagstaff and W A Goosey. Although the attendance was not so good as in pre-war time, a good number of members were present, mostly quite young members, a sign that speaks well for the Lodge in the future if the young members maintain their interest in its welfare. Bro W A Goosey, District Senior Warden, gave a brief address on the need for greater interest in Lodge work, especially in building up the Lodge by securing new members and adding to the numbers of the flourishing juvenile branch. The Secretary (Bro. J Burt) gave a brief statement of the Lodge’s financial transactions, showing that in spite of the war, which had claimed 160 of its members in defence of the country, the Lodge was still holding its own.

During the war 29 of the members had paid the supreme price—five in 1915, seven in 1916, ten in 1917, and seven in 1918. The following were elected to office for next year: Bros. George Kent, Worthy Master; Geo Rogers, Deputy Master; A T Simms, Senior Warden; J Jackson, Junior Warden; R Holloway, Tyler; C Gomm and C Stokes, Sick Stewards; Mrs C Richardson, Stewardess for Juveniles and Adult Females. The Secretary explained that the Past Officers’ framed certificate, which it is customary to present to the retiring Master, had not come back from the framer, and would be presented at some future date.