International Confederation of the Ancient Free Gardeners of Scotland 1676 - 2024
Meadowsweet Lodge No. 6
The Ancient Order of Free Gardeners is of Scottish Origin with the earliest record being a Minute of a Lodge of Free Gardeners in Haddington, East Lothian dated 16th August 1676.
The earliest Lodges were Operative, being made up of Gardeners employed in Large Estates and Country Houses. At that period Country Houses were particularly fashionable and both plants as well as Gardeners themselves were imported from the Continent. Within the Lodge, Free Gardeners would look after the sick and needy, and also care for the welfare of a deceased members family. These early Operative Lodges gradually admitted into membership non-operative gardeners and the structure was similar to other Fraternal Organisations. In the 19th Century membership expanded greatly, and thousands of Lodges were formed. These were the days prior to the Welfare State and the organization was very much a Friendly Society. These Friendly Societies flourished until 1946 when the Welfare State was created in the United Kingdom. Overnight Friendly Societies folded and by the Mid-Fifties Free Gardeners Lodges were all but extinct.
The earliest Lodges were Operative, being made up of Gardeners employed in Large Estates and Country Houses. At that period Country Houses were particularly fashionable and both plants as well as Gardeners themselves were imported from the Continent. Within the Lodge, Free Gardeners would look after the sick and needy, and also care for the welfare of a deceased members family. These early Operative Lodges gradually admitted into membership non-operative gardeners and the structure was similar to other Fraternal Organisations. In the 19th Century membership expanded greatly, and thousands of Lodges were formed. These were the days prior to the Welfare State and the organization was very much a Friendly Society. These Friendly Societies flourished until 1946 when the Welfare State was created in the United Kingdom. Overnight Friendly Societies folded and by the Mid-Fifties Free Gardeners Lodges were all but extinct.
However, in 2002 a revival took place with the development and creation of a small number of Independent Lodges, out of this development Ayrshire Bluebell Lodge No.7 was Instituted on Thursday 20th November 2003, and that Lodge Instituted the Rose and Bluebell Lodge on Saturday 24th August 2019 in Dalry, Ayrshire, Scotland and on the 29th August 2020 The Rose and Bluebell Lodge Instituted this Lodge, the Rose of England Lodge in Stoneleigh Surrey. The Rose of England Lodge consecrated The Wild Mandrakes of Montana No. 1 USA on the 20th March 2024. After this The Wild Mandrakes Lodge No. 1 received a request for a lodge in New York. Wild Mandrakes Lodge No. 1 formed the Great Blue Aster Lodge No. 2 in New York on the 13th day of July 2024. One month later The Wild Mandrakes Lodge acted upon another request from Florida USA. The Wild Mandrakes Lodge created Orange Blossom Lodge No. 3 on the 2nd August 2024. Orange Blossom Lodge No. 3 joined the united group with Wild Mandrakes and Great Blue Aster thus becoming a confederation of three. As 2024 progressed requests for Free Gardeners Lodges began to come into the Confederation. Now with a settled name of The International Confederation of Ancient Free Gardeners of Scotland (ICAFGS). The ICAFGS then created Cantuta Lodge in Boliva No. 4 on the 11th November 2024, Respectable Arbol de Acacias Lodge No. 5 in Columbia on the 25th December 2024, and The Ancient Fleur De Lys Lodge No. 6 on the 25th December 2024, Now Closed (Charter Rescinded). Then it created under dispensation, Meadowsweet Lodge now the New No. 6 in Spain, and Florecillas de San Francisco No. 7 in Cuba. It was agreed from the outset that the Ritual be read and not recited, this will ensure that all Brethren are equal, and none shall have any advantage over another.
Meadowsweet Lodge, which works closely with the Holy Celtic Order of the Temple, is mainly virtual and welcomes English speaking applicants from anywhere in the world. Virtual meetings are held every second month on a Saturday. Initiations in person are available in the USA, Spain, Switzerland and Serbia. To apply please use the contact form below.
Meadowsweet Lodge, which works closely with the Holy Celtic Order of the Temple, is mainly virtual and welcomes English speaking applicants from anywhere in the world. Virtual meetings are held every second month on a Saturday. Initiations in person are available in the USA, Spain, Switzerland and Serbia. To apply please use the contact form below.
An ancient Free Gardeners Apron
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Sash Detail
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Meadowsweet
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Immediate Past Worthy Master, Brother Alistair
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Chaplain & Secretary, Brother Tristan
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List of Master Gardeners
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Bro A. - Switzerland
Bro M. - GA. USA Bro T - SC, USA Bro M. - Serbia Sr V. - Serbia Bro A. - Wales Bro L. - TX, USA Bro. B. - CA, USA Bro. K. - Alberta, Canada 
2026/27 Worthy Master - Brother the Rt Revd Mark Colville
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