The RAOB Club

A quaint wooden hut at No 22 Burghley Street has become one of the busiest social centres in Bourne with activities on many nights of the week and live music on Saturdays.

The property was once used for a cottage industry, that of basket making, but is now home to the Bourne RAOB Club, home of the local lodge of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes, a philanthropic and charitable organisation with branches throughout the world and often referred to as "the poor man's Freemasons".

The origins of the order are uncertain although it certainly existed by 1820 and most probably began as a breakaway group from a philanthropic society for actors, holding its first meetings in a public house, the Harp Tavern in Covent Garden, London. Members were drawn from singers and theatrical associates, a club known as the Ancient and Honourable City of Lushington. It is not known when the movement adopted its present name, the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes, but "buffaloes" is believed to have come from a song sung at meetings.

Today, members meet regularly for social and charitable causes, giving money or service, working together as a fellowship to provide for members and their dependants in need and those of members who have died. Educational grants, family holidays and convalescent houses at Harrogate and Weston-super-Mare are among the various benefits offered by the RAOB to members.

The organisation comprises Minor Lodges, Provincial Grand Lodges and the Grand Lodge, their four degrees of membership being Brother, Primo, Knight of Merit and Right Honourable. Membership of the countryside Minor Lodges is open to all adult males regardless of social position, religion or political belief. Good citizenship and a desire to participate in the work of the Order "to the extent of his power" are the only qualifications for membership.

The Willoughby Lodge in Bourne is a Minor Lodge of the Peterborough and district Province and meets every Tuesday night at 8 pm.

See also The basket works