In the beginning...
The Masons in Ponoka had a difficult time getting their Lodge under way.  They needed seven Charter members and were able to muster six.  A bank manager, Lumber merchant, lawyer and several hunters and traders are included in their list.  The problem was that the hunters and traders were itinerant and could not be relied upon to remain in the town for any length of time.  It was discovered that the Ponoka lawyer (*see below) was an Entered Apprentice Mason.  The Brethren appealed to Eureka Lodge No. 65 G.R.M. to help them pass and raise the valuable Entered Apprentice.  It was then that Eureka Lodge was able to sponsor the establishment of a lodge in Ponoka which was to be called Britannia.  The dispensation arrived in due course and Britannia Lodge was instituted on December 31, 1904.

Fire of Premises
While the Lodge was under dispensation a disastrous fire destroyed all possessions of the Lodge.  Such was the enthusiasm that it took but four days for the Ponoka Masons to find new quarters and recommence their preparations for consecration.  The Charter for Britannia Lodge No.  98 G.R.M. was issued on June 15, 1905 by the Grand Lodge of Manitoba.  Despite their need for new members the Brethren did not allow a desire to grow overshadow the quality required for Masonic initiation.  An early record states that "the Brethren were very careful with the ballot."

Outstanding Visitation Meeting
80 visitors, in 16 automobiles, journeyed from Edmonton Lodge No. 7, on Saturday November 8, 1929, for a special meeting to exemplify the Master Mason degree.

Britannia’s Third Degree Team
Until 1958, the Britannia members of their Degree Team ‘cast’ wore business suits.  At that time Britannia Lodge purchased special regalia from Edmonton No. 7 (for $900.00).  From that time onward, Ponoka’s Degree Team was costumed.  In one 11 year period, this Degree Team performed the drama of Hiram’s Legend on 56 occasions.

Overseas and other Road Trips
In 1983, 48 members of Britannia Lodge, and their wives, made an overseas trip to Scotland, for the primary purpose of visiting five Lodges in Scotland, and exemplifying the 2nd section of the Third Degree.

In 1984 the degree team journey to Prince of Wales Lodge No. 100 G.L.B& Y in Vancouver B.C. and exemplified the 3rd Degree and visited the Lodge at White Rock.

In 1985, after a lot of work by Brother John Low, a Charter tour of Germany by 88 Ponoka Masons, wives and Masonic friends, was made for the primary purpose of exemplifying our Third Degree to West Germany’s Britannia Lodge No. 843.  In November that same year, the team bussed to Athabasca to raise a Brother of Tawatinaw Lodge No.71.

The Third Degree team continued to travel: Eastgate No. 192 (1986); Lloydminister, Saskatchewan, to emulate the 3rd degree to Britannia No. 23 G.L.S. (1987);  Forestburg No. 128 and Lockern No. 151 at Rocky Mountain House (1988); St. Johns No. 25 in Vegreville and Bowden No. 42 (1990); Ionic – Landmark No. 45 (1992); Wetaskiwin No. 15 (1995); Edmonton No. 7 and Meridian No. 129 in Stony Plain (1996); an Open Air Lodge at Bassano No. 55 (1998); Crossfield  No. 48 to raise 7 members of the newly formed Airdrie Wild Rose Lodge No.2001 (2001); and Camrose No.35 (2003).

The Degree team has changed many times over the years with long time head RWBro. Ernie Hickmore passing the chair of King Solomon on to WBro. Charlie Cutforth. The 2005 Third Degree schedule will again be busy with two outings already booked.

This event was one of the most successful, if not the most successful, in Britannia's history.  The Brethren of Britannia thank all of those who attended to make this such a memorable event...see you in another hundred?