Ye Olde Cleveleys Lodge No 7059
Ashley Conservative Club Victoria Road,
Thornton
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The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB) is a Fraternal, Benevolent and Social Organisation in the United Kingdom. It is open to any male over the age of 18, provided he is a "true and loyal supporter of the British Crown and Constitution" and he "enters of his own free will and consent". The organisation aids members, their families, those left behind by deceased brethren (Widows/Orphans) and other charitable organisations. During the 19th Century, via the British Empire, the Order spread throughout the British Commonwealth and Lodges now exist in Britain, Northern Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Middle East, India, Africa, Gibraltar and Cyprus.
History
In so far as surviving records can prove, the earliest known traceable date of a Lodge of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes is the "Phoenix Lodge No.1" in 1822 at the Harp Tavern, Great Russell Street near Drury Lane Theatre, London and was created by stage hands and theatre technicians who had been denied a long held privilege extended to them by the actors and artists of the day.
A late 18th century order known as the City of Lushington consisted almost exclusively of actors or variety artists, and held its meetings in the Inns and Taverns close to the well populated theatres of the day. To be a member of the Lushington's, one was required to be either an actor or artist who actually earned their living 'treading the boards'. Selected guests of members were invited to attend these gatherings, and many stage hands obviously availed themselves of this privilege for a number of years. At some unknown time, the Lushington's became a 'closed shop,' presumably because meeting rooms in the Inn or Tavern were not big enough to accommodate everyone (member and visitor alike). Whatever the reason the Lushington's only allowed members to attend their meetings.
