A Centenary Marked in the Grounds of Goldsborough Hall

W Bro Richard Steward, Worshipful Master of Lascelles Lodge and Marian Hunt, widow of W Bro Tony Hunt

On 31st March 2026, an oak tree was planted in the grounds of Goldsborough Hall to commemorate the centenary of Lascelles Lodge, first consecrated in December 1925.

The occasion holds particular significance for the Hall. Lascelles Lodge was founded by Viscount Lascelles, who lived at Goldsborough Hall during the 1920s with HRH Princess Mary, the King’s great aunt. A committed Freemason, the Viscount established the Lodge in Wetherby, embedding a legacy that continues a century later.

The newly planted oak tree in the Goldsborough gardens

The newly planted oak, Quercus petraea (sessile oak), stands as a fitting symbol of longevity and continuity. The tree and accompanying plaque were generously donated by the late W Bro Tony Hunt, formerly Master of Power Lodge prior to its amalgamation with Lascelles Lodge in 2004.

Members of the Lodge were greeted by Mark and Clare Oglesby, owners of Goldsborough Hall, before the tree planting ceremony and were treated to a light lunch in the Drawing Room afterwards.

This recent planting echoes a moment from the Hall’s own history. In 1926, Viscount Lascelles, later the Earl of Harewood, planted a tree in the Lime Tree Walk to mark his role as Provincial Grand Master of West Yorkshire. On the same day, The Lord Ampthill, then Pro-Grand Master, also planted a tree in the Walk.

These acts of commemoration form part of a long-standing tradition, connecting the estate with the heritage of Freemasonry.

Mrs Marian Hunt with RW Bro and E Comp. James H Newman OBE,  Provincial Grand Master and ME Grand Superintendent

Freemasonry itself is one of the world’s oldest social and charitable organisations, with roots in the traditions of medieval stonemasons. The centenary tree now joins the landscape of Goldsborough Hall as a quiet but enduring reminder of that history, and of the people who have shaped it.