As part of this year's Hull Heritage Open Days celebrations, visitors were treated to a fascinating and highly entertaining presentation entitled Nightsoil Men, performed by three contemporary "Daggard" Freemasons in a setting steeped in local history and Masonic connections in Whitefriargate.
Hull Civic Society Chairman, John Netherwood, introduced the presenters, Eddie Wildman, Neil Armstrong and Craig Maurier, who opened their talk at 11.00 am in the former residence of the distinguished nineteenth-century Freemason Simeon Mosely. Mosely practised as a surgeon-dentist and served as the first Worshipful Master of Kingston Lodge in 1864. The historic building provided an evocative backdrop for a morning that successfully combined education, humour and social history, allowing the audience to step back into a largely forgotten world.
Nightsoil Men explored the vital yet often overlooked work undertaken by those responsible for removing household waste before the advent of modern sanitation. Through a lively and engaging presentation, the performers brought to life the challenges, characters and everyday realities of urban living in Victorian Britain. Their humorous but informative approach ensured that an important aspect of social history was presented in a way that was both educational and thoroughly enjoyable.
The choice of venue added an extra layer of significance to the occasion. The former home of a surgeon-dentist and Freemason provided a tangible connection with the period under discussion, helping visitors imagine the lives of those who once lived and worked there. In many respects, the building itself became a character in the story, perfectly complementing the objectives of Heritage Open Days in bringing local history to life.
The event attracted an excellent audience, with the venue filled by visitors eager to learn more about Hull's past. Throughout the presentation there was clear engagement from those attending, with appreciative laughter accompanying the stories and anecdotes, and even a few startled screams when some rats appeared on screen!
The warm reception received by the Masonic trio was especially rewarding. Many attendees remarked on how much they had learned about a subject that is rarely explored, despite its crucial role in the development of public health and sanitation in Hull.
Heritage Open Days continue to demonstrate the value of preserving and sharing local stories, particularly when they are presented in such imaginative and accessible ways. Topics such as Nightsoil Men not only illuminate forgotten aspects of our past but also help strengthen connections between Freemasonry and the wider community.
The success of this presentation showed that even the most unlikely of subjects can captivate an audience when presented with enthusiasm, authenticity and humour. It was a memorable morning for all concerned. One cannot help but wonder what Simeon Mosely himself would have made of it all.
