There are many stories in David Sermon's new book about the establishment of the Oeconomy Masonic Lodge in Winchester.

An intriguing one is "A Tyler's Tale". Early in the life of the chapter, while meetings were being held at the City Arms, the brethren decided that a regular tyler - an officer who prepares the room in advance and guards the door during meetings - would be a distinct advantage.

The man they chose for the job was a 24-year-old waiter called Jonathan Inggs and he proved willing so they initiated him in 1805 and he took up his duties immediately.

A year later, Jonathan began to progress within the lodge, taking on various offices, though he was never elected master.

But, in 1819, he was unwell and began to "take urgent thought for the future".

A notice appeared in the Chronicle and Courier: "Jonathan Inggs, many years successively Waiter at the George and White Hart Inns, takes these means most respectfully to inform the Public that he has, in consequence of illness, been obliged to relinquish his situation; but, anxious for the support and welfare of his family, and at the earnest solicitation of many of his friends, he has taken and entered on the above Inn - the King's Head - where he trusts, from the advantage of its central situation in the city, as well as its internal accommodation, he will receive that share of public encouragement which he pledges himself it shall be his continual study to merit. NB: good stalled stables".

Jonathan Inggs, " a much-respected brother", died within a few months, aged 38.

In his book, Mr Sermon comments that, from today's perspective, it might seem odd that a man too unwell to hold down an employed situation should contemplate embarking on a business venture on his own account.

"Other things never seem to change, witness the advertisement's stress on the convenient central location of the venue and its provision for the means of transport. The ultimate irony is that, following demolition of the King's Head in 1934, its name was perpetuated as King's Head Yard and this is today used as a car park!"

David Sermon's book, The Chapter and the City, 200 Years of Freemasonry in Winchester, costs £10 and is available at the Hampshire Chronicle office, 57, High Street, Winchester.