First Meeting held in the Masonic Hall, 

Church Street, Melksham.

A regular meeting of the Chaloner Lodge No.2644 was held at the Town Hall, Melksham, on Friday 19th March 1897 at 4pm. convened by the Worshipful Master.

Brother Charles Sawtell was unanimously elected Treasurer of the Lodge by ballot and Brother Arthur Augustus Angel was elected Tyler of the Lodge by a show of hands. Brother John Parker was elected Almoner for the ensuing year. ( It would seem, from the foregoing, that the Brethren of those days did things in an unorthodox manner as Arthur Angel was elected Tyler but had not, as yet, been initiated into the Order!) Brothers Herbert Munday, Oliver Leak, Samuel Cary Roger Gauntlet, Douglas Kinnier MacDonald, Ernest Williams, William Cory Heward Bell and Alfred Lawrence were balloted for and elected Joining Members.

The dispensations granted for the initiation of the twelve candidates and the serving brethren was read.

The proposed bye-laws of the Lodge were then read, considered and passed by the Worshipful Master and the Brethren.

The bye-laws stated that the initiation fee should be seven guineas and the annual subscription £1 - 5s - Od., payable in January of every year.

The minutes then record that the above named candidates, after signing the usual declaration and paying their fees, were prepared and duly initiated.

It was proposed that a vote of thanks be sent to those who had made the Ceremony of Founding and the Consecration of the new Lodge, so smooth and efficient. Also to Worshipful Brother Sparks, Secretary of the Lodge of Friendship and Unity No. 1271, Bradford-on-Avon, for the instruction and exhaustive letters on the procedure for forming a new Lodge; to the Vicar, the Rev. E.G. Wyld and the Church Wardens, Thomas Merriman and Dr. Rumbold, for the use of the Church and the bells, and to Messrs. Stratton for the assistance rendered at the opening ceremony.

It was then proposed by the Worshipful Master and seconded by Brother Saxty, that William Spackman, a farmer of Broughton Gifford, aged 35, should become a candidate for initiation.

Brother Lowther, Junior Warden, proposed and Brother Parker, Junior Deacon, seconded Brother Robert Henry Gowing, Commercial Traveller, Junior Warden of the Lodge of Concord No.632, Trowbridge, as a joining member.

Letters received from Brothers Davies and Tritton applying for the post of Tyler of the Lodge were ordered to lay on the table, as the appointment had already been made.

All Masonic business being ended, the Lodge was closed in due form with solemn prayer and perfect harmony.