Gibb photograph archive, Volume 2

No. 8 - Bishop of Exeter with Free Masons (sometime between 1930 and 1936)

The context of this event is unknown.

Lord Rupert Ernest William Gascoyne-Cecil (known as Lord William Cecil), Bishop of Exeter (1916-1936) stands in the middle of the back row.

William Surtees, Bishop of Crediton (1930-1954), stands on the right of the back row. See photograph 11a.

The other people are unknown.

Commentary by Eric Dare: Bishop Cecil in the centre. Bishop Surtees (right) was a major figure in the Masons. My only memory of Cecil was the annual blessing of the boys at a Sunday Evensong in the Nave, each boy kneeling while the Bishop placed his hand on our heads. In the vestry (opposite the side entrance to the cathedral [St Saviour's chapel between the Chapter House and the Cathedral]), we always had a tin of 'grease' to keep our hair in order. On these occasions we plastered our hair!