Severus Lodge was consecrated in 1963, and met at Walbottle Co-op Hall. From the very beginning there was a monthly building fund appeal, an ordeal for junior officers to test their oratory skills in extracting cash from the assembled brethren.

In 1976, by which time the lodge was meeting at Wylam, the first practical opportunity of obtaining a building occurred. Falmouth House was inspected, the main part of which had been unused for about ten years after the Union Jack Club had moved to new larger premises down the road. There was evidence of critical neglect, blocked drains caused extensive dry rot in the front rooms and cellar access, woodworm was seen in the new bar area and elsewhere, whilst a flat roof was leaking and causing dry rot above the ladies toilet. There was however obvious potential to meet essential needs.

THE BIG STEP

After negotiations the Club offered to sell for £6,500, and whilst the lodge had accumulated useful capital in the building fund, not enough to buy, repair, convert, furnish and equip. At a special meeting a majority vote resolved to go for it on a loan plus DIY basis.

The property was acquired in 1978. Planning and building approvals were secured, whereupon fundraising and volunteer work started in earnest. The lodge still paid to meet at Wylam.

THE HARD PART

Subscriptions had to be raised. For the next four years many of the brethren of Severus Lodge committed themselves to lifetime loans, bought bricks and seats, worked tirelessly repairing damage, removing the old stage and bar, reorganising room space by building and cutting walls, installing and blocking windows, fitting out a new kitchen, with used equipment, installing a used boiler and central heating with used radiators, making a covered fire escape, fireproofing doors, creating a bar, rewiring electrical circuits, fitting fire alarm and emergency light systems, insulating roof space, plastering, searching and finding kitchen equipment, crockery, cutlery, glasses, pans, chairs and seats, making tables, fitting used carpets, laying used flooring in the festive board, painting and one or two other odds and ends. Members were exceptionally grateful for the help freely given by many other brethren from other local lodges particularly for haulage and electrical installation.

MADE IT!

In the hot evening of 10^th June 1982 the temple was consecrated by the Provincial Grand Master, R.W.Bro John S. Stephenson, and we at last stopped paying rent to Wylam. It was a time to reflect, as Severus and Nepos Lodges had drawn their names from our immediate Roman Wall heritage, we had now come 'home', to the Wall, with the Vallum in our own back garden. However now there were considerable debts to pay off and other lodges were needed to share the embryo facilities. First in, was Lodge Prudence, the mother Lodge of W.Bro Albert Swindale, regarded as the father of Severus Lodge.

EARLY PROGRESS

By 1987, we had nine lodges, including our mother lodge Nepos. Two: Royal Arch Chapters and two side degrees. Minor improvements, repairs and changes seemed continuous. The main door was moved from the front to the side, a new boiler installed, kitchen equipment was changed, lodge storage areas altered, new seats and tables purchased and repairs were carried out to the flat.

THE BOOST

By 1993, meetings were being held by twelve lodges, including our grandmother lodge. Tynedale lodge. Three: Royal Arch Chapters. Four: side degrees. This increase was very much the consequence of the Newcastle East End Temple closing. The loans had been cleared and a balance was in place to consider improvements. The Flat tenant left, prompting the immediate need to update the accommodation, so it could be let to a tenant of choice. The first major Hall project was the refurbishment of the Festive Board, which was completed in the recess of 1996, after which, the bank balances had to be rebuilt. Next the temple ceiling was remodelled, new lighting and carpet fitted, all in some haste, during the summer of 2000. Both these works, which most have considered very successful, cost some £15,000.

Since the original loans were cleared there has been a policy of undertaking adequate maintenance from revenue and slowly building balances to fund improvements. In order to make the building accessible to people with mobility impairements a one person lift and a toilet was installated

SO WHAT IS NEXT?

As reserve funds are at a minimum the highest priorities are to keep the structure and fabric of the building intact and maintain and gradually improve the furnishings and equipment. There is still a desire to ensure that the building is accessible to all disabled people and it is hoped that improvements will be made for sensory impaired people.

WHO DOES IT ALL?

Since the 'all in' initial period of effort, the administration of the building has been undertaken by Falmouth House Management Committee (Now Falmouth House Masonic Hall Co. Ltd) who are all Severus Lodge members. The Chairman says "It is important to recognize the committee members personal commitment to the responsibility of getting things to happen, it all involves time, expense, manual work and prompt action in order to provide the expected service. Several members are retired men who worked very hard during the early stages and want to see those beginnings mature in accordance with true Masonic principles. Nothing is perfect, however, and there are still many tasks ahead, but the original precept was and still is to provide the essential facilities needed by rent paying lodges as economically as possible without incurring further debt. To this end the rent remained constant from 1992 to 2001 and every effort will be made to keep increments to a minimum. Hall users have always been encouraged to communicate with the committee in respect of problems and ideas."

THE CURRENT SITUATION

Since January 2002, encouraged by The Province, all Hall matters have been the responsibility of Falmouth House Masonic Hall Ltd, a trust company limited by guarantee wherein the company members are necessarily the trustees of Severus Lodges and the directors are normally the Management Committee who in turn are appointed by Severus Lodge Committee.