HISTORY OF 208

In December 1909, the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland issued a warrant for a new lodge to be inaugurated in the Lanarkshire village of Waterloo. Working under the warrant of Wishaw Orange and Purple District Lodge no 16, it was named Waterloo True Blues, and held its first meeting on Saturday 11th June 1910 in Waterloo School House.

However, due to the geography of the area, the lodge was always small in numbers, and in April 1922, the lodge declared its warrant dormant. Thanks to the timely intervention of the District Lodge trustees, the lodge managed to continue working until May 1924, when its property was taken in by District Lodge. On 20th September that year an application was granted for the re-issue of the warrant to be operated in the mining village of Overtown. The Lodge changed its name to Overtown True Blues and held its meetings in the local primary school and Church hall.
In 1932, the lodge moved premises again, this time to St. Marys Masonic Hall in Wishaw.

In February 1973, the lodge formally applied to change its name to Wishaw True Blues, just 41 years after moving out of Overtown!

Throughout its history, the members of Wishaw True Blues have always played an active part in the politics of the area, and have been at the forefront of many campaigns to right injustice. Chiefly among these was the campaign to free the "UDR 4". When 3 of the four were eventually pardoned in 1991, they visited Wishaw to thank the Lodge for their support and for campaigning on their behalf.
Members of the lodge also played their part in stopping a parade by the Clydeside Troops Out Movement, gathering together a 3500 name petition, which included the signatures of 2 local nuns, and a sympathetic group of Celtic supporters!

Wishaw True Blues took parental control of Victoria Juvenile Lodge no 115 in the late 1960's, encouraging a growth in the membership of that lodge and nurturing them through a difficult period, by offering moral and financial support.

Over the years, Wishaw True Blues have been honoured to be accompanied on parade by a number of Ulster bands. Until 1972, the lodge was regularly accompanied by Cliftonville Protestant Boys Flute Band for 20 years. Our most recent band from across the water was Cairnlough Flute Band, who we are delighted to say will accompany us again at our Boyne Celebrations in Shotts this year.

Homepage History of the Lodge About the Order Our Culture Latest news Links