North Devon has more than 1,300 members of lodges

THERE are about 1,336 members of freemason lodges in North Devon and Torridge, according to information contained in the Devonshire Freemasons' Yearbook 2004/2005.

That edition was the latest version the Journal was able to get hold of.

That means that about 0.9% of people in the two districts are freemasons, based on 2001 census data which showed the population was 146,465.

Local councillors are therefore about ten times more likely to be freemasons than the local average.

These are the official freemason lodges in North Devon and Torridge:

● Loyal Lodge. Meets at Masonic Hall, Trafalgar Lawn, Barnstaple. Established 1783. About 70 members.

● Meets at Freemasons' Hall, South Molton. Established 1834. About 108 members.

● Meets at Masonic Hall, Bridgeland Street, Bideford. Established 1843. About 105 members.

● Meets at Masonic Temple, Northfield Road, Ilfracombe. Established 1866. About 63 members.

● Torridge Lodge. Meets at Masonic Hall, Well Street, Torrington. Established 1880. About 60 members.

● Meets at Masonic Hall, The Croft, Lynton. Established 1907. About 57 members.

● Conciliation Lodge. Meets at Freemasons' Hall, Holsworthy. Established 1910. About 73 members.

● Meets at Masonic Hall, Braunton. Established 1936. About 74 members.

● St Nicholas Lodge. Meets at Masonic Temple, Northfield Road, Ilfracombe. Established 1946. About 56 members.

● Lodge of Good Intention. Meets at Masonic Hall, Trafalgar Lawn, Barnstaple. Established 1949. About 75 members.

● North Devon Masters Lodge. Meets at Masonic Hall, Trafalgar Lawn, Barnstaple. Established 1989. About 45 members.

● Chapter of Loyalty and Virtue. Meets at Masonic Hall, Trafalgar Lawn, Barnstaple. Established 1821. About 67 members.

● Benevolence Chapter. Meets at Masonic Hall, Bridgeland Street, Bideford. Established 1911. About 56 members.

● Davie Chapter. Meets at Masonic Temple, Northfield Road, Ilfracombe. Established 1914. About 35 members.

● St Swithun Chapter. Meets at Freemasons' Hall, Holsworthy. Established 1919. About 44 members.

● Fortescue Lodge of Mark Master Masons. Meets at Masonic Hall, New Road, South Molton. Established1857. About 72 members.

● North Devon Union Mark Lodge. Meets at Masonic Hall, Northfield Road, Ilfracombe. Established 1900. About 31 members.

● Lodge of the West Gate Mark Master Masons. Meets at Masonic Hall, Barnstaple. Established 1954. About 53 members.

● Benevolence Mark Lodge. Meets at Masonic Hall, Bridgeland Street, Bideford. Established 1962. About 48 members.

● Holsworthy Mark Lodge. Meets at Masonic Hall, Derriton Road, Holsworthy. Established 1994. About 36 members.

● Meets Masonic Hall, Barnstaple. Established 1891. About 43 members.

● St Brannock Enclave. Meets Freemasons' Hall, Barnstaple. Established 1890. About 37 members.

● Meets Masonic Hall, Trafalgar Lawn, Barnstaple. Established 1993. About 28 members.