Huddersfield Chronicle (20/Oct/1883) – The Royal Visit to Huddersfield

The following are a selection of articles which appeared in the Saturday edition of the Chronicle, following the royal visit the previous Saturday which was reported in full in the 15 October edition of the newspaper.

The edition also carried details of the masonic meeting which preceeded the royal couple’s departure from Huddersfield.

See also:


The Royal Visit to Huddersfield.

Having been instructed by the Corporation to re-print in pamphlet form the full report of the Royal visit, which had appeared in the Daily Chronicle, we have been urged to print an additional number of copies, which may be obtained at the office, and at the booksellers and newsagents, on and after Tuesday next. The pamphlet makes 60 pages, Is neatly stitched, and will be published at l½d.


THE ROYAL VISIT TO HUDDERSFIELD.

The Mayor of Huddersfield (Alderman J.F. Brigg) has received a further communication, dated the 13th inst., from Mr. R.H. Collins, C.B., Comptroller of the Duke’s Household, of which the following is an extract :—

I am happy to inform you that the Duke and Duchess of Albany are not a bit the worse for their visit to Huddersfield. Indeed, I should rather say that such a healthy and vigorous display of friendliness as you all treated them to cannot fail to have braced them up. The gathering in the Town Hall on Monday morning, and the sight in the town afterwards on the way to the station, were both worth seeing. One feels that one did not half take it all in at the time. The Duke and Duchess are glad to hear that Mr. Norton’s poor man is getting better.

The Mayor wrote a letter to Captain Martin, adjutant for the Yeomanry, thanking him for the excellent and efficient services rendered by the Yeomanry on the occasion of the Royal visit. In reply to this letter Colonel Sir Henry Edwards has written to the Mayor promising to publish the letter in the regimental orders in order that ail the members of the regiment may peruse it. Sir Henry adds :—

Individually, as your visitor, I am immensely gratified with the brilliant result attending the efforts of all parties interested in all the proceedings of those memorable days in which the Freemasons of the Province of West Yorkshire had the good fortune to take no inconsiderable share. Monday was indeed a red letter day in the annals of Yorkshire Freemasonry, never to be forgotten by you, Mr. Mayor, and those, who, like yourself, had the opportunity of taking part in its most interesting ceremonies. And I feel it an exquisite pleasure and privilege to be able to tender my warmest thanks and congratulations on behalf of myself, Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Brother Tew, and 3,000 loyal and true masons under my charge in this province to you, dear sir, and the committee for bringing the glorious proceedings of the Royal visit to a successful issue, and, moreover, without a single contretemps. Believe me my dear Mr. Mayor, yours very truly and fraternally,

Henry Edwards.


TO THE EDITOR OF THE HUDDERSFIELD DAILY CHRONICLE.

Town Hall, Huddersfield, 15th October, 1883

Sir,

I beg to hand you for publication a letter which I have just received from the Secretary of His Royal Highness the Duke of Albany, expressing the satisfaction of their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess with the reception which they received from the inhabitants of Huddersfield on Saturday last.

The letter was written this morning before their Royal Highnesses had experienced the warm and hearty renewal of that reception which was accorded to them in conjunction with the Ancient and Honourable Order of Freemasons, whose address of welcome was presented to His Royal Highness the Duke in the Town Hail, and who accompanied them to the station on their departure, or I am sure their Royal Highnesses would have added their acknowledgements for a reception as cordial and as loyal as the one of Saturday.

Permit me to add, through your columns, my own cordial and grateful thanks to my fellow-townsmen for the hearty and generous manner with which, one and all, they have responded to my appeal to them as Mayor, to assist and support me in giving a suitable welcome to the Royal visitors ; a welcome which has conferred honour and dignity upon our town, and which will not soon be forgotten.

I am, yours very truly,
John F. Brigg, Esq.,
Mayor of Huddersfield

Whitley Beaumont, Huddersfield, October 15th, 1883.

Dear Mr. Mayor,

The Duke and Duchess of Albany are anxious to join no time in conveying to the people of Huddersfield their hearty thanks for the enthusiastic welcome which they received last Saturday.

Their Royal Highnesses were greatly touched by so genuine and hearty a display of loyalty, and they would be glad if you would take an early opportunity of communicating this expression of their feelings to your fellow townsmen.

The Duke and Duchess wish also to renew their thanks to you and to the Corporation for the pains which you and they took to ensure a successful issue to Saturday’s proceedings.

I remain, dear Mr. Mayor,
Very sincerely yours,
R.H. Collins.


The town of Huddersfield has done much, and is doing much, to earn for itself a high position for enterprise, skill, and industry among the towns of Yorkshire, and this year with the visit of the Social Science Association, with its Technical School and its interesting and striking Exhibition, it has done a great deal to justify the position it is assuming among the industrial centres of the West Riding. But till now it has not been so distinguished for the trouble it has taken to provide the poor with means of recreation as it has been distinguished for its exertions to provide then with the means of intellectual or technical improvement. Today, however, Huddersfield possesses, with its Technical School, a public park which, when completely laid out, will hardly be surpassed in the West Riding, except in the case of Leeds, and Prince Leopold could hardly have closed his visit to Yorkshire more pleasantly or characteristically then in assisting, as he did, with the Princess, in opening a park which will form a fresh and striking ornament to a town which, even without a park, enjoys an almost unique reputation tor the beauty of its situation, its enterprise, its culture, and its picturesque surroundings and associations.
— Yorkshire Post.


Mr. Vincent Hatch had the honour of photographing His Royal Highness the Duke of Albany on Monday morning at Whitley Hall ; also the Duke and Duchess, with other distinguished visitors, in a group. By the kindness of the Mayor he was likewise permitted to photograph the proceedings at the Park on Saturday, also the banquet in the Town Hall, and other ceremonial specialities.


GREAT MASONIC DEMONSTRATION

H.R.H. THE DUKE OF ALBANY AT PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE.

In connection with the visit of their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Albany to Yorkshire, the Freemasons of Huddersfield were not wanting In loyalty and enthusiasm to arrange for a meeting of the fraternity in oar town during the sojourn here of the Royal pair, and to induce His Royal Highness the Duke to attend that meeting and receive an address of welcome from the brethren of the town and province. The occasion has proved a happy and popular one. To give the utmost space available for so large an assemblage as was expected, by the kindness of the Mayor and Corporation, the large room In the Town Hall had been improvised as a lodge room, the furniture necessary being supplied by the several lodges of the town. A preliminary lodge was opened at 10 a.m. by brethren from each lodge, the respective offices having been assigned to the happy occupants by arrangements mutually agreed on, viz. :— Brother Rev. P.F.J. Pearce, Harmony, 275, as W.M. ; Brother W.B. Wall, Huddersfield, 290, as B.W. ; Brother W.H. Jessop, Truth, 521, as J.W. ; Brother B. Hutchinson, for Brother Allen Haigh, Thornhill, 1,514, as S.D. ; Brother William Fitton, Albert Edward, 1,783, as J.D. ; Brother William Harrop, P.M., Huddersfield, 290, as I.G.

Upwards of 1,000 brethren availed themselves of the invitation of the Reception Committee, and assembled to do honour to the Queen’s youngest son as such, and also as the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of Oxfordshire, which position he ably occupies.

At 10:30 a.m. this preliminary lodge was transformed into a special provincial grand lodge, promptly and loyally summoned by Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Henry Edwards, Bart., Provincial Grand Master of West Yorkshire, and which was attended by a large gathering of provincial and past provincial officers, including Brother T.W. Tew, J.P., Deputy Provincial Grand Master of West Yorkshire ; Brother J.F. Brigg, Mayor of Huddersfield ; Brother Joshua Marshall, Past Provincial Grand Organist, who ably presided at the organ.

After the customary salutations to the Provincial Grand Master and the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Sir Henry Edwards briefly acknowledged the compliment. He said, though suffering acutely from severe cold, he could not resist this opportunity of thanking his brethren of West Yorkshire for the magnificent gathering of that day, counted not by tens or hundreds, but even into the thousands. Never did he witness such a grand spectacle in his life — (applause) — except once, at the installation of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales in London. Most heartily did he thank the brethren for their welcome and for their assembling in all loyalty to do honour to Prince Leopold on soon an auspicious occasion. (Applause.)

Brother Tew, Deputy Provincial Grand Mister of West Yorkshire, added his thanks to the brethren, and also the masters and brethren of the Huddersfield lodges for their splendid and well-managed gathering. (Applause.)

A deputation, consisting of the Mayor of Huddersfield, the Town Clerk, and the Worshipful Masters of the five Huddersfield lodges, then proceeded to the entrance of the Town Hall, where they met His Royal Highness the Duke of Albany, Provincial Grand Master of Oxfordshire, whom they escorted to the lodge room, and who was graciously received within the portals of the Grand Lodge, by Brother Tew, D.P.G.M., and conducted to the Throne, the brethren joining heartily in singing the National Anthem.

Upon His Royal Highness ascending the throne the P.G.D.C. banded the Duke a beautiful programme, enclosed by folding doors, containing the National Anthem and the Masonic hymn “Hail, Masonry Sublime,” printed in blue, on white satin. The other parts were an arrangement of electric blue looped silk fringe, cream and white satin, crimson plush, white silk tassel, with Masonic emblems embossed in gold. The Duke was much pleased with this elegant article, and afterwards stated that he would give it to the Duchess as a souvenir of his visit. This souvenir was made by Mr. W.H. Cook, stationer, John William Street.

The director of ceremonies, Brother Allen Haigh, then announced that His Royal Highness had graciously consented to receive an address from the Provincial Grand Lodge, and celled upon the brethren to salute His Royal Highness with the grand and Royal honours nine times, which was heartily responded to by every brother present.

Brother Sir H. Edwards, Provincial Grand Master of West Yorkshire, then read the following address of welcome, and afterwards handed it to His Royal Highness, whose acceptance of the same was the signal for tremendous applause.

To His Royal Highness Prince Leopold George Duncan Albert, Duke of Albany, E.G., K.T., and Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Muter of Oxfordshire of Ancient, Free, and Accepted Masons, whom may the Great Architect of the Universe long preserve.

May it please your Royal Highness, we, the Officers past and present of the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire, and the Masters, Past Masters, Wardens, Officers, and Brethren of the Lodges of Harmony, No. 275 ; of Huddersfield, No. 290 ; of Truth, No. 521 ; of Thornhill, No. 1,514 ; and of Albert Edward, No. 1,783, of Ancient, Free, and Accepted Masons, beg to express their great delight that you have permitted us to welcome the presence of your Royal Highness this day, and that of Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Albany on the 13th Inst., to this seat of manufacturing Industry In the province of West Yorkshire.

We, the Freemasons of the town of Huddersfield, do moat cordially thank your Royal Highnesses for graciously according us this opportunity of offering our respectful homage of loyalty and affection on this, the first occasion in the history of our town, that a member of the Royal Family of England has graciously honoured this town with a visit.

We embrace this opportunity of assuring your Royal Highness of our warm attachment to Her Gracious Majesty the Queen, to yourself, and to Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Albany, and of our steadfast loyalty to the Throne and Constitution of these realms.

We desire to express our unfeigned gratification at your acceptance of office as the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the province of Oxfordshire. We have also learned with the highest satisfaction that the 86th festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys in June, 1884, will be under your presidency — a Prince whose talents and abilities are universally recognised and fervently appreciated, and whose services to the craft of which you are such an Illustrious member are so many and varied. We, therefore, acknowledge with pride and gratitude our fraternal attachment to your person, as well as our loyal obedience to you and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, our Most Worshipful Grand Master of Freemasons of England, as recognised heads of our ancient and honourable Institution.

We devoutly pray that your Royal Highness may be long spared to adorn the craft, and that the principles of Brotherly Love, Belief, and Truth may take deep root, not only In the hearts of all Masons, but in the hearts of all men.

Commending your Royal Highness to the protection of the Great Architect of the Universe, we are, in the names of the officers past and present of the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire, and of the brethren of the five Masonic Lodges at Huddersfield, your Royal Highness’ most devoted and faithful servants,

Henry Edwards, Provincial Grand Master of West Yorkshire.
Thomas W. Taw, Deputy Provincial Grand Master of West Yorkshire, and Senior Grand Deacon of the Grand Lodge of England,
Percy F.J. Pearce, W.M. Harmony, No. 275.
Wm. B. Wall, W.M., Huddersfield, No. 290 ;
Wm. H. Jessop, W.M., Truth, No. 521 ;
Allan Haigh. W.M., Thornhill, No. 1,514 ;
Wm. Fitton, W.M., Albert Edward, No. 1,783.

Provincial Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire, Town Hall, Huddersfield, October 15th, A.L. 1883.

His Royal Highness, on rising to reply, was vociferously cheered, and on its subsidence said :—

Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of West York-shire, Worshipful Deputy-Provincial Grand Master, Provincial and Past Provincial Grand Officers, and Worshipful Masters and Brethren of the five Huddersfield lodges, I thank you most heartily for the fraternal greeting and generous words of welcome from so important a body of Masons as those of West Yorkshire, which cannot bat be gratifying to me. I beg most heartily to reciprocate the kindly feeling both on my own behalf and on behalf of the province over which I have the honour to preside. (Cheers.) It will be long before the Duchess of Albany and I forget the enthusiastic welcome which the people of Huddersfield gave as on Saturday. (Applause.) This spontaneous outcome of the Masons of West Yorkshire tells of your vitality and loyalty. I thank you for your expressions of loyalty to the Queen, the Throne, and to the Constitution. (Applause.) With Masons loyalty is a cherished rule — (hear, hear) — nor are the bonds of that rule likely to be weakened under the guide of our Most Worshipful Grand Master. (Load cheers.) Right Worshipful sir, I again thank you from the bottom of my heart for your right loyal welcome. (Loud cheers.)

At the close of the applause, Sir Henry Edwards rose and said :—

May it please your Royal Highness, in the name of the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire, over which I have the honour to preside, I have no hesitation in thanking you from the bottom of my heart for having so graciously accepted our address this day. (Hear, hear.) I assure your Royal Highness there are no more loyal set of people in the whole earth than the Masonic body of West Yorkshire. (Load applause.) Proverbially they have been so for generations, and for generations I have no doubt they will long continue to be. (Cheers.) One word to the brethren. I am sure they will excuse me speaking at length today, having pledged His Royal Highness that nothing should take place to prevent his starting homeward at his agreed time. All will therefore wrist me in carrying out the arrangements to the very letter. (Applause.)

As His Royal Highness retired from the Lodge room the brethren joined in singing a Masonic hymn, alter which the brethren left the room and formed in procession in Ramsden Street, and to full Masonic costume escorted the Duke and Duchess (the latter having arrived at the Town Hall daring the Masonic proceedings, and awaited the Duke in the Mayor’s parlour) to the Railway Station, where they were met by Mr. G.J. Armytage, director, and Mr. Normington, district superintendent of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company, who accompanied the Royal pair.

The brethren then returned to the Town Hall, and on resuming his position, Sir Henry Edwards congratulated the brethren on the success of the day’s proceedings. It had done credit to the craft and the country, and has passed off without the slightest hitch of any kind. At no meeting could greater enthusiasm have been shown, and he was sure they would be proud to hear the name of “Yorkshireman” after the day’s festivities.

Brother Tew thanked all again for their hearty and sympathetic support and assistance, and, though not an easy matter to arrange all the detail of such a day, yet nothing had arisen to mar the proceedings in the slightest degree. Brother Tew concluded by thanking the Mayor and Corporation and chief of police, Brother Ward, in the name of the Provincial Grand Lodge, for their assistance. (Applause)

Brother J. F. Brigg, Mayor of Huddersfield, briefly expressed his acknowledgments on behalf of the Corporation. No time, effort, or expense had been spared to make the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Albany worthy of the town, and he thought the splendid gathering of West Yorkshire Masons of that day at the conclusion of their visit had crowned the occasion with much glory. (Cheers.) He assured the Provincial Grand Lodge that it he had any influence with the Corporation at any other time they might require the Town Hall he would endeavour to obtain it for them. (Applause.)

After votes of thanks to the W.M.’s of the five Huddersfield lodges the proceedings closed.

Sir Henry Edwards, Provincial Grand Master, entertained their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Albany, the Hon. Mrs. Bourke, Mr. H.F. Beaumont and Mrs. H.F. Beaumont, Captain Percival, the Mayor (Alderman Brigg), and Mr. Tew, D.P.G.M., at luncheon in the committee room adjoining the Mayor’s Parlour.

The weather was glorious indeed, the sun shining with much warmth and brilliancy, and the enthusiasm of the crowds who lined the streets was great and general, every window and space along the route being crowded.


The demonstration on Monday even surpassed that of Saturday, not only in the magnificent sight presented by the Masonic procession, but also in the hearty and enthusiastic reception accorded to our Royal visitors. On the route from Whitley Beaumont to the Town Hall large crowds gathered and cheered His Royal Highness. About mid-day the Duchess arrived, and received a loyal welcome. The procession from the Town Hall to the station was very effective. The appearance of the Freemasons in their regalia was exceedingly fine, and the whole Masonic demonstration was a great success. The streets were crowded with people, who now recognised their Royal Highnesses, and vociferously applauded them along the entire route. At the railway station Miss E. Barber, daughter of Mr. E. Barber, of Holmebridge, near Holmfirth, presented the Duchess with a bouquet of white flowers. It appears that Miss Barber was formerly at school at Waldeck-Pyrmont, and while there the Duke and Duchess paid a visit to the school. Although admission to the station was by ticket, large numbers of people had managed to secure admittance, and the task of keeping a clear space was sufficiently difficult to tax all the powers of the police on duty there. The crowd was a good humoured one, but would not be denied the chance of showing their loyally to so distinguished a Prince. They pressed forward, and after the Duke and his suite had taken their seats, they broke through the line of police, and crowded right up to the carriage door. Numbers of people had gathered on the metals, and some of them stood even on the buffers between the carriages, so anxious were they to obtain a view of Royalty. Loud, long, and hearty was the cheering as the train steamed out of the station, and everyone appeared to be pleased that they had succeeded in doing their part towards making the reception such as few towns can equal and none surpass. From the time their Royal Highnesses first came to the moment of their departure the enthusiasm of the people appeared to grow, until it culminated in the imposing demonstration of Monday. The train, which was a special to Sheffield, consisted of engine and tender, four coupled carriages, and a saloon. It was in charge of Mr. G.J. Armytage, Clifton, director of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company ; Mr. Thomas Normington, district superintendent, Wakefield ; and Mr. Wright, locomotive superintendent of the same company.

His Worship the Mayor (Brother J.F. Brigg) afterwards entertained Brother Sir Henry Edwards, Bart., P.G.M. ; the Deputy Provincial Grand Master (Brother Tew), Brother Wright Mellor, J.P., P.M. ; Brother Booth, P.P.G.W. ; Brother the Mayor of Pontefract, Brother J. Bailey, Town Clerk, P.G.W. ; Brother Lieutenant-Colonel Day, P.G.W. ; Brother J Bottomley, P.P.G., Registrar ; Brother Allen Haigh, G.D.C., to luncheon in his reception room.

It is estimated that 1,200 Masons were present at the presentation of the address, comprising representatives of Masonry from all parts of the kingdom.

We understand that the Duke and Duchess expressed their greatest pleasure at the reception which had been accorded them, and their delight at their charming visit to Huddersfield.