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Worshipful Brother Jeremy Dootson chaired a meeting of Architect Lodge No1375 at Swinton Masonic Hall but not quite a normal meeting as there was not only a launch of the appeal for the restoration of three very large and rare Masonic tracing floor cloths which are each over 120 years old, but also the visit of Assistant Provincial Grand Master Jonathan Clipsham who was there to add his backing to the launch of such an important appeal.

Along with the normal business of the lodge, there were also talks on the floor cloths given by Robert Macmillan, secretary of the lodge and Fred Lomax of the Manchester Association of Masonic Research. The talks were on each of the floor cloths and included very detailed descriptions of the symbolism depicted on the cloths.

The cloths have been in possession of the lodge from the time they met in a hotel in Didsbury and over the years, through constant rolling and unrolling, have suffered quite a bit of damage which needs repairing. The cloths are extremely large each measuring over 7ft or 2100mm. Identified by Fred Lomax as being designed by John Harris a famous tracing board painter, the first and third degree boards date from around 1845 and the second a earlier design from around 1825. The lodge obtained the cloths in the mid to late 1800s and are Masonic treasurers.

Although there are numerous floorcloths in existence it is unusual to find them with relatively ‘modern’ designs and because of their rarity the cloths need to be preserved for the future. These tracing cloths are not only unique in their size but are possibly the only ones apart from those belonging to the Emulation Lodge of Improvement for Master Masons in London of such a size with ‘modern’ designs which makes them extremely rare indeed.

Fred also gave Architect Lodge a substantial cheque for £1000 towards the restoration fund from the Manchester Association for Masonic Research which was very gratefully received by Jeremy on behalf of the appeal.

Architect lodge are trying to raise around £20,000 to have the cloths restored to their former glory, a sum that does seem somewhat difficult to reach given the current climate but an achievable goal for three great symbols of Masonic history.

At the social board Jon said how wonderful it was to be back with Architect lodge, he also said how he had enjoyed working with Jeremy’s father Bernard Dootson who unfortunately passed to the Grand Lodge Above last year. Jon urged the brethren to be evangelical about what they had heard in the lodge and if they had enjoyed it then talk to Architect Lodge about holding a meeting at which the talk they had heard could be given to their own lodge.

Your help is needed to raise funds, maybe one of your raffles could be held in the name of the appeal. Any donations big or small will be very gratefully received. There is a booklet available about the floor cloths that may be purchased by contacting the lodge.

The lodge members would also like the opportunity to go along to any lodge meeting and give the talk on the cloths.