Aldershot's original ceremonial mace marks 100th anniversary

Rushmoor Borough Council recently held a reception to mark the centenary of the gift to Aldershot from local Freemasons.

The gold gilt and enamelled mace was presented to Aldershot Borough Council's mayor on November 5, 1924, as a special commemoration of the town's incorporation.

The gift came from the Freemasons of Aldershot and five original donor lodges.

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Rushmoor Borough Council held a reception to mark the centenary of the gift (Image: Provincial Grand Lodge of Hampshire and Isle of Wight) These include Unity, Peace and Concord Lodge No. 316, which was named after the motto of the Selbourne family, of which the mace's namesake, Viscount Wolmer, later became the third Earl.

The inscription on the mace reads: "The Gift of the Freemasons of Aldershot, Unity, Peace and Concord Lodge No. 316 (2nd Bn. The Royal Scots), Panmure Lodge No. 723, Aldershot Camp Lodge No. 1331, Aldershot Army and Navy Lodge No. 1971 and Palma Virtuti Lodge No. 4187."

It became a distinctive feature of every civic meeting, ceremony and procession until Aldershot merged with Farnborough to create the Borough of Rushmoor in 1974.

Even after the merger, the mace continued to be present at every council meeting, after it was adapted slightly.

The evening provided an ideal opportunity for the councillors to hear how Freemasonry had been integrally linked with the community through the service given by Freemason councillors over the years, as well as the mace.