Westwood Conclave No. 276
The Order of the Secret Monitor of the Brotherhood of David and Jonathan in the British Isles and Territories Overseas was formed in 1887.
The meeting place in this degree in freemasonry is known as a conclave, and the first conclave, called Horatio Shirley Conclave was established on 14th July 1887 in Mark Masons Hall, London.
The Order takes as it theme the bible story of the friendship between David, King of Israel and Jonathan son of Saul.
The order is unique in that 4 brethren are appointed annually, each one to keep in contact with specified brethren and report if the services of the Almoner are required.
The degree developed slowly in the early years, but unlike other degrees the geography of its growth was quite unusual. Within 13 years, conclaves were founded in Madras, Calcutta, Bombay, Rangoon, Duran, Pietermaritzburg and Johannesburg.
The first conclave in Yorkshire was Skyrack Conclave founded 24th July 1903. This was quickly followed by Claro True Friendship Conclave in Knaresborough on 29th July 1905 and Odersfelt Conclave in Cleckheaton on 5th October 1906.
The order developed world wide with conclaves in Australia, New Zealand Canada, Spain, France, Gibraltar, Jersey and Guernsey.
In the U.K. the order is divided into 24 regions.
Yorkshire is now divided into 2 regions and Westwood Conclave is in the West Yorkshire region, which consists of 10 conclaves.
The Westwood Conclave which meets at the Masonic Rooms, Haworth was named after Dr. W. Westwood Ballardie who was at the time of the conclave's consecration on 14th September 1977 the Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler for Yorkshire.
The conclave meets 4 times a year, on the fourth Tuesday Ii February, July and September (Installation) and third Tuesday in May.
Membership is drawn from the Craft and several craft lodges are represented in the conclave.
Compiled by W.Bro. P. Wright, P.A.G.D. of C., P.Prov.G.G