The 1930s

Life had improved for the average man in the street. New products were on the markets, working conditions had improved and so had class relations. The weekend had been invented. The Wall Street Crash of 1929 changed things, however. Men tended towards more casual outfits, more sportswear, less stiff hats and starched collars. (The detachable collar became popular.) Clothes became less ornate and more practical and people were influenced to some extent by the movies (e.g. the pencil moustache - Clark Gable and Vincent Price style) rather than royalty. The flat cap became popular amongst the working class, while the homberg and bowler were favoured by the middle class. Waistcoats were no longer mandatory, unless one wanted to show off a watch-chain) and the double breasted suit began to appear, with wide lapels. Evening dress with white bow ties was worn by Officers in the Lodge on special occasions, but a dark suit and black tie otherwise served, as indicated on the photographs of Past Masters in the Conference Room at Dagger Lane.

In the limited edition of the history of the MInerva Lodge, Ellerby's compilation of the first one hundred and fifty years gives way at this stage to notes by W Bro H M Austin, PGStdB, who was initiated into the Lodge in January 1928. Austin's account notes Lodge matters up to 1974. It is interesting to note changes that have occurred since then: for example, he mentions a "Drinking Cup" presented to the Lodge in 1930 by Brother W A Elvin, "over a hundred years old, to be used for the purpose of drinking the Health of the newly installed Master every year, and is still used for that purpose." Covid put paid to that and similar practices, of course, and indeed, much of the silver and other valuable artifacts acquired through the years, while on display for a considerable time are now retained elsewhere for safe keeping.

Perhaps the most significant Lodge event in this year was the formation of a committee to "examine the traditional ritual of the Minerva Lodge with a view to

     (a) "Standardising the same so that its rendition may be uniformly delivered by any member of the Lodge.

     (b) "To make such detailed alterations as grammar and logic may demand.

    (c) "That the Secretary be empowered to provide on loan or otherwise any part of the Ritual to any member of the Lodge as may be required for the work of the Lodge."

It is apparent from the above that there was no official written ritual available, but the words were learnt by rote at Lodges of Instruction, and that variations had crept into the deliveries. This was a bold move to ratify the situation. Some months were spent by the Committee of seven Past Masters and two Brethren but a report was eventually submitted, and Brother Ellerby wrote out the entire ritual in what Austin calls "the most perfect script handwriting I have ever seen." Four typewritten copies were made from this, for the use of the Worshipful Master, Secretary and Lecture Master (to be passed on) and the other presumably as a spare. 

Austin makes no mention of Brethren initiated into the Lodge, but is punctitlious in recording gifts, such as in 1931: "Brother F C Manley presented a copy of the Masonic Memorial Service and Thanksgiving for Peace, held at the Cathedral of St. Peter's, York, on Wednesday 6th August, 1919, and this was accepted and placed in the Lodge safe." One may wonder why, thirteen years on, Bro Manley made this presentation, and whether the Memorial Service was ever consulted for use in future years. Another 1931 presentation was of "a Golf Trophy (representing Minerva mounted on four columns of Masonic emblems) for annual competition between Sister Lodges" by W Bro A Linsley.

The thrust of 1933 was towards the 150th year celebration of the Lodge. In March, a resolution to vote £200 towards this from the Lodge Fund was passed. At the Installation in June 1933, 118 Brethren attended, and W Bros Frank Hall, E C S Snow and J R Ellerby were installed as Master and Wardens respectively. There were further celebrations at a meeting on 9th October, held, by dispenstation, at the Guildhall (the photograph above was probably taken at this event.) Ellerby (fourth along in the front row) delivered an address on "The History of the Minerva Lodge" after which the Lodge was closed  and the Brethren retired to the Guildhall Reception Room for a banquet, cost (including wine and cigars) 19/5d per head.

It would appear that not only Minerva but other Lodges in the Province were enjoying a prosperity which was perhaps prohibitive for less wealthy Brethren who might have been considering taking the Chair. An edict was sent out in 1934 from Provincial Grand Lodge which acknowledged that while expenditure incurred by a Worshipful Master of a private Lodge is outside the jurisdiction of the Province, the following guidelines were suggested:

1.    That the Master makes his contribution by paying for those visitors he personally invites
2.    That the entertainment of official guests, generally limited to the Provincial Executive Officers and Worshipful Masters of neighbouring Lodges on nights of Installation, is defrayed from Lodge funds
3.    That when one Lodge visits another, the Official members visiting are limited to the Worshipful Master, his Wardens and six other Brethren, and these are paid for out of Lodge funds
4.    Grand Lodge Officers, Provincial Executive Officers and Worshipful Masters of Lodges should always be considered guests of the Lodge when visiting
5.    That Brethren other than those mentioned above, invited by private members, are paid for by the members inviting them.  

It was in 1934 that the German President von Hindenburg died.With the support of the German armed forces, Adolf Hitler became President of Germany, abolishes the office and declares himself Führer of the German Reich and people, in addition to his position as Chancellor. In England, Percy Shaw patented the cat's eye road-safety device. Rudyard Kipling and William Butler Yeats were awarded the Gothenburg prize for Poetry. Kipling was a Freemason, but there is no record of Yeats ever being one, though his "Winding Stair" collection has many allusions to Masonic themes. In September Stanley Matthews made his debut for the England national football team, beginning a record 23-year international career. He was also a freemason.

There is little of significance in the years leading up to 1939 in the Minerva minutes according to Austin's notes: he was possibly very busy having been appointed WM in 1936. Surprisingly he failed to mention the Silver Jubilee of George V in 1935, and the death of the monarch in January 1936, other than to record "The Brethren stood in silence in memory of our late King George V."

George's eldest son Edward succeeded to the throne as Edward VIII.

In Hull trolleybuses gradually replaced the tramway network, running from 1937 to 1964.