Welcome to Freemasonry in Dorset.
What is Freemasonry?
WHAT WE ARE (Purpose)
We are a unique members' organisation which has thrived for over 300 years. Having no political or religious affiliations, we comprise members of all ages, races, religions, cultures and backgrounds. We meet in our individual Lodges throughout the country where we have ceremonial traditions which encourage us both to be more tolerant and respectful and actively to fulfil our civic and charitable responsibilities; we also make time to eat, drink and meet together, and form lifelong friendships.
WHAT WE AIM FOR (Vision)
To attract those from all backgrounds and walks of life, enabling them to develop into more thoughtful and confident people. To inspire and challenge them to practise the core values we celebrate – Integrity, Friendship, Respect, Charity – in their private and public lives. To cement our reputation as a force for good in our communities and society at large and as a thriving organisation that people aspire to join.
OUR VALUES
INTEGRITY: Rather than working on buildings like the masons of old, today's Freemasons focus on building themselves as people of integrity, and membership provides the structure to help achieve that goal.
FRIENDSHIP: One of the oldest social organisations in the world, Freemasonry is not defined by an ideology. It is open to people from all religions and political persuasions, and provides the common foundation for friendships between members, many of which will last for life.
RESPECT: With a membership of more than 200,000 people drawn from communities across the UK, Freemasonry brings people together irrespective of their race, religion or any other perceived differences that can divide us as a society.
CHARITY: Kindness and charitable giving are deeply ingrained within the principles of Freemasonry. The organisation provides a support structure that helps members make positive contributions to communities and worthwhile causes through fundraising events or volunteer work.
Click here to watch a Discover Freemasonry video!
Dorset Freemasons supporting Service Dogs UK
Service Dogs UK provide Veterans from the Armed Forces and emergency services suffering with PTSD with specially trained assistance dogs at no cost to the Veteran.
Nigel Rousell said 'We are hugely grateful to Dorset Freemasons for the generous donation of £1,000 to our South West Hub. These funds will be ring-fenced for a reward project that we wish to launch'. more...
Philippines typhoon victims to receive essential supplies thanks Dorset Freemasons
Hundreds of families across the Philippines in desperate need of help in the aftermath of Typhoon Rai will be receiving essential supplies thanks to a grant of £25,000 to Plan International from Dorset Freemasons and other Provinces.
Freemasonry, through the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) and Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF), is responding with Plan International to support affected communities at this critical time. more...
Sesquicentennial Meeting
It was a busy night at Beaminster Manor Lodge 1367 Sesquicentennial meeting with both the Provincial Grand Master, Grand Officers and Provincial Grand Lodge Officers attending the special occasion.
At the Lodge's consecration in 1872 at the White Hart hotel, forty three Brethren were present. The White Hart was situated on White Hart Street. Sadly this grade-II listed pub closed in 1999. more...
Thunder in the Hills
Dorset Freemason Graham Bunter, of King's Court Lodge 2689 Gillingham, appeared on the BBC 'Antiques Road Trip' last night.
Celebrity antiques presenter James Braxton visited Graham, owner of Mendips Raceway, which is situated above Cheddar on the Mendip Hills and home to some of the most exciting stock car, banger and caravan racing in the UK!
Mendips Raceway opened in 1969 and is in its fiftieth season of racing. more...
Jimmy's Food Bank
For the second year running Poole Freemasons have collected donations for local food banks. This Christmas five full car loads were donated to Poole Food Bank
The cars were so jam-packed that there was only space left for the driver.
Organiser and Freemason James Whatley, said 'Thank you to all Poole Freemasons who selflessly donated to this campaign. Your generosity will go towards helping so many less fortunate this Christmas'. more...
Nominate 21 Results
Throughout 2021 Dorset Masons from across the Province have been nominating their favourite local charities. From this list of worthy causes three charities have been drawn, with each charity receiving a grant from the MCF, using some of the funds we have helped raise through Festival 25. The names of the three charities were drawn at the Christmas regular meeting of the Lodge of Benevolence in Sherborne on Monday December 13th 2021.
The 1st drawn charity was: more...
Christmas Clay Shooting Competition
The Dorset Vs Hampshire and IOW Provincial 'Christmas Clay Shooting', competition took place on Saturday 4th December at Purbeck Shooting School.
After a successful and enjoyable day the Brethren held a raffle which raised £320 for Helping Homeless Veterans-UK. A fantastic charity making positive changes for veterans who have fallen on hard times.
By the way, Dorset won the competition this year!
Photo: David Wood the CEO of Helping Homeless Veterans-UK more...
Christmas message
Please click on the video link below to watch a special Christmas Message from Graham and Gail Glazier more...
Beaminster Manor
Brethren enjoyed a brilliant evening at Beaminster Manor Lodge with everyone wearing masks, being social distanced and using the hand sanitizers.
We experienced an exceptional First Degree Ceremony where we Initiated Oliver Hemsley. We also proposed two new joining members, who offer a lot of experience and will benefit the Lodge immensely.
We were most fortunate that the Provincial Grand Master, Graham Glazier attended. more...
To Mother for Christmas
Officers from the Lodge of St Cuthberga were treated to a reciprocal visit to their Mother Lodge, the Lodge of Amity No.137. Twelve Officers were hosted by their opposite number.
Sadly the candidate for initiation was self-isolating so the ceremony was postponed. However, the Lodge of Amity pulled together a great evening. more...
Charity Donations
At the last meeting held to celebrate the 100 years since the lodge was founded a new charter was presented in the lodge. It was a special night enjoyed by all, a once in a life time event. At the festive board which followed the lodge was entertained by the Boscombe Salvation Army as per previous years it is a good lead up to Christmas. During the festive board a raffle and other events raised a sum of money which will be distributed as follows, £500.00 to the Salvation Army, £100. more...
Dorset Freemasonry signs the Armed Forces Covenant
The Provincial Grand Master of Dorset, Graham Glazier and his wife Gail attended the AFV Gunnery School, Lulworth Camp. They were accompanied by Michelle Worvell, Director of Communications and Marketing at United Grand Lodge and Shaun Butler, Communications Manager at United Grand Lodge. more...
Lodge of St. Mark Remembrance Sunday
David Clark supported the Lodge of St. Mark No.8479 on Remembrance Sunday by laying their wreath at the Bournemouth Cenotaph with the Master from Northbourne Lodge No.6827.
Courtesy of Dave Packer
more...
Canford Lodge Remembers Our Fallen
On 11th November Canford Lodge No. 9727 attended the Kinson Remembrance Service at the Kinson Hub.
David Clark represented our Worshipful Master with our newest Entered Apprentice Anthony Hand and myself. David's and my wife also attended.
A very emotional service with representation from various branches of the Armed Forces and choirs from three local schools. The service was very well supported by the local community.
Courtesy of Dave Packer
more...
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Weymouth Masonic Hall
With thanks to David Harrison for some of the detail we give you Weymouth Masonic Hall.
It was built in 1815, and has a Regency feel to its overall design; with a Neo-Classical façade, two large fluted pillars at the entrance supporting a frieze and triangular pediment, and to add to the overall feel, the Hall is painted in a Regency soft pink. It is based on the Hephaisteion in Athens, probably from Stewart and Revett's drawings. more...
Amphibious Lodge honour local Victoria Cross winner.
As we come to the end of the Worshipful Masters year in Office we have been busy distributing the proceeds of the Brethren's fundraising efforts to the various good causes he has chosen. more...
Dorset Freemasonry Remembers #1
The first in a series of articles, on Dorset Freemasons lost in WW1, leading up to Remembrance Day.
In this article we remember 2nd Lieutenant Arthur Augustus Sharp who died on 22 March 1918. He was killed on the second day of the First Battle of the Somme (1918). He is remembered on the Pozières Memorial. more...
Dorset Crest.
Following on from a piece of work our Comms Officer was doing for Freemasonry Today we thought you might like to know a little more about our formal Dorset Freemasonry Crest!
The Dorset Crest you have submitted is based on the United Grand Lodge of England coat of arms as authorised for use by the Province of Dorset 20 or more years ago by Grand Lodge. more...
United Service present a 50 year certificate.
Members of United Service Lodge and guests were delighted to be present when Anthony Taylor was presented a certificate and pin by Richard Sartin to commemorate 50 years in Freemasonry. Tony first joined Freemasonry in 1969, and unbelievably told younger members of the lodge he had to wait 8 years before being accepted! more...
The Southwell Street Fayre Group goes from Strength to Strength
Geoff Daniels from the Portland Lodge 1037 who meet at The Portland Masonic Centre has been the driving force of this group since its formation in 2014 and have distributed over £9500 to local charities.
Their aims being:
To enable families to enjoy a inexpensive day out
To give back back any funds made to Portland based charities and local groups and they will be applying for Charity Status this year. more...
Tribute - Bruce Graham Clarke
Bruce Graham Clarke, one of the last surviving crew members of the XE Midget Submarines used in Operation Foil in 1945, has passed away aged 95 years in Dorset. A Public Servant, dedicated Freemason and talented artist, Bruce won the Distinguished Service Cross for his role in the mission to cut the undersea telephone cables connecting Singapore, Saigon, Hong Kong and Tokyo. The successful operation forced the Japanese to use radio and leave themselves open to message interception. more...
Jurassic Coast Youth Adventure 2017
Thank You Messages to Dorset Freemasons from Provinces:
JCYA 2017 – QUOTE
'My granddaughter had serious health problems…. The doctors tried all forms of medication to no avail so she was referred to surgeons ……. This course of action made her very depressed ….. and she has been undergoing psychology sessions which did not appear to be helping.
After a week spent abseiling, zip wiring, archery etc. she returned home a different young lady to the one who left. more...
Shillingstone Oak Trees - five years on
On the last day of 2012 a band of intrepid Freemasons from the Lodge of Honour and Friendship 1266, led by the then Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Nigel Leonard, scaled an almost vertical slope in freezing cold, driving rain and a howling gale to plant three Oak Trees on a hillside in Shillingstone. more...
Presentation of a sailing boat to Lyme Regis Sailing Club
Montagu Lodge No: 665 at the very west of the province presented a new Oppi Cube sailing boat to Lyme Regis Sailing Club to assist with training children from the age of six to sail. This training also helps with their personal skills and development. As our Charity Steward said at the presentation it will help the development of other muscles instead of just their thumbs. The Mayor was present and a very happy occasion was shared by all with a glass of champagne. more...
1266 and friends celebrate 300 years in style
The lodge of Honour and Friendship lodge, along with our daughter lodge Bleckley Clark, marked the 300 annoversary of freemasonry with a rare march through the streets of Blandford in full regalia. The lodges were joined by guests and friends from accross freemasonry and were honoured to be joined by the Provincial Grand Master and the rest of the provincial team. Over 100 members in total were present! more...
472 and Provincial Grand Master's Discretionary Fund help young girl
Shaftesbury's Lodge, Lodge of Friendship and Sincerity No. 472, with the assistance of The Provincial Grand Masters Discretionary Fund were able to present a cheque for £1000.00 to the family of Ruby Mae recently.
Ruby Mae McBride is a 6 year old local girl suffering from an extreme form of diabetes. For the last 3 years she has had to have between 7 and 10 injections a day on top of 10 to 15 blood sugar tests a day. more...
How football - and Adam Lallana's father - helped save the Freemasons
iNews (the online version of the daily paper) carries an excellent article by the author Adam Sherwin explaining why a specialist football lodge is encouraging young men to become Freemasons.
Point your browser at the URL below.
https://inews.co.uk/essentials/culture/television/freemasons-adam-lallana/
more...
Blackmore Vale Lodge put their 'ducks in a row' with charity donation.
Blackmore Vale Lodge from Sturminster Newton were recently delighted to donate to the Ducks and Drakes Cancer Trust; a local charity raising funds for specialist equipment and nurse training.
Andrew Drake and his family set up the charity when he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, Juvenile Polyposis. As this type of cancer is genetic the rest of Andrews' family were checked and his sister and father were found to have the same condition. more...
Doc Martin discovers ancient Masonic burial site - Part Two: The Dorset Connection
There are strong Dorset links to this story in the background to the Mother Lodge of George Hales, recorded in 'Ancient Freemasonry and Old Dundee Lodge No. 18 1722-1920' by Arthur Heiron written to celebrate 200 years of the Lodge.
In the 18th century Lodges customarily met in taverns and took their name from their home, when they moved they changed their name to the new hostelry. more...
Doc Martin discovers ancient Masonic burial site - Part One
Last Tuesday evening Martin Clunes presented the first part of a series of programmes exploring the Islands that surround Australia. One of the Islands he visited was Norfolk Island.
Norfolk Island was originally a penal colony reserved for the worst offenders, being hundreds of miles from any other land in the Pacific Ocean. more...
Atlantic Rescue of Dorset Freemason.
A Dorset Freemason and his family have been saved when their yacht became rudderless in the Atlantic Ocean.
Tony White, Treasurer of the Lodge of St Cuthberga, his step-daughter Fran, her husband James and their children Heath (9) and Isla (7) were rescued from their rudder-less yacht, Dove II, five hundred miles east of Barbados. more...
Weymouth Drama Club, Curtain Raisers.
Members of Faith and Unanimity Masonic Lodge Number 417 of Dorchester, attended a recent production of, 'It Snows', by the youth players of the group 'Curtain Raisers'.
The current master of the lodge, Grant Baker presented the youth group with a cheque for £ 2061.30. on behalf of the lodge members. This donation enabled them to purchase a background scenery projector and other props needed for their future productions. more...
A Brief History of Thomas Dunckerley
The inaugural Provincial Grand Lodge for Dorset was 'held under the Banner of the Lodge of Amity' on the 24th June 1780 at Poole. Thomas Dunckerley was the first Provincial Grand Master for Dorset and held the position for 18 years.
The Lodge of Amity purchased a portrait of Thomas Dunckerley in 1783 for 5 guineas, and had it framed for three shillings and sixpence. This portrait hangs in the Lodge of Amity temple over the Secretary's table. more...
A very happy 100th Birthday party at Zetland Court.
The Dorset Freemasonry family encompasses all ages; from our newest Entered Apprentice, through our most experienced Past Master to the beloved Widows our sadly departed members leave behind.
We had a great example of this at Zetland Court this week as we celebrated Olive Loake's 100th birthday. Olive was born in Coalville, Leicester. After moving to Dorset she was a manager at the Co-Op in Moordown for many years. Her late husband Joe, was a Past Master of Northbourne Lodge. more...
Philippines typhoon victims to receive essential supplies thanks Dorset Freemasons 
Sesquicentennial Meeting 
Thunder in the Hills 
Jimmy's Food Bank 
Nominate 21 Results 
Christmas Clay Shooting Competition 
Christmas message 
Beaminster Manor 
To Mother for Christmas 
Dorset Freemasonry signs the Armed Forces Covenant 
Lodge of St. Mark Remembrance Sunday 
Canford Lodge Remembers Our Fallen 
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