Petersham Lodge 4514 Profile
The Lodge has recently celebrated its 100 years anniversary with 70 members and visitors attending the celebration
We currently have 29 subscribing members from varying ages (25 to 80+) and from different walks of life. Amongst our members we have Forensic Specialists, University Lecturers, Geologists, IT Specialists, Therapists, Artistic Directors, Musicians & Senior Project Managers. Some of our retired members previously worked as Fingerprint Experts, Police Officers, Lecturers, Electricians, Social Workers, Property Maintenance Providers & Company Directors.
Freemasonry is not the only interest our members make time for. Amongst our ranks we have keen Anglers, Cyclists, Members of Golf Societies, Clay Shooting and Riffle Shooting Clubs, Ten Pin Bowlers, Skiers & Formula 1 enthusiasts.
The Lodge meets at the Guildford Masonic Centre, Hitherbury Close, Portsmouth Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 4DL. We are a Saturday Lodge. We hold five meetings a year, on the second Saturday in October, November, January and March (Installation of a new Master) and the third Saturday in April. Officers Nights are held on the Wednesday prior to the meeting at 7.30pm and the Lodge of Instruction is held, where appropriate, on the Wednesday before that. Attendance numbers do vary at the Lodge of Instruction, the younger members living in diverse locations and being subject to shift work. However, long distance learning is offered as an alternative, where necessary.
The Lodge subscription is currently £265 and will remain at this level for the foreseeable future.
The Lodge has an active social calendar with regular Spring and Xmas Lunches being arranged, plus other special events organised on an ad-hoc basis. We also hold Ladies Festival Weekends which have been well attended and the intention is to keep these going. Large sums of money have been raised from all these events for a variety of charitable causes.
Our community based charity ‘Christopher’s Shooting Star Children’s Hospices’ based in Guildford, is an important Charity for us to provide on-going financial support. The Lodge is also a regular supporter of the Summer Fetes at the RMBI homes of James Terry Court and Shannon Court along with the Xmas fete at James Terry Court with our Bottle Stalls. All the bottle prizes are paid for by the Lodge so that all monies raised go direct to the homes. We are also Patrons of both homes.
We have, in the recent past, had a steady number of initiates and a couple of Joining members enabling us to perform ceremonies at each of our regular meetings. It is essential that we try and keep new members coming in, but at the same time making sure they don’t become disinterested.
The Lodge enjoys a good number of guests at its meetings, many of them regular visitors. The line up of the Officers of the Lodge are filled by a mix of those members progressing towards the Masters Chair as well as some Past Masters. Many of these younger members are very enthusiastic about performing ritual and all seem willing to progress through the ranks.
The Lodge has a website which is run by one of our members. It can be found at:-
https//petershamlodge.org.uk
where all relevant information is available including who to contact if individuals are interested in joining.
The Holy Royal Arch Order is a degree in freemasonry considered the ‘next step’ to Craft freemasonry. More than half of our members are also members of the Royal Arch, with younger members being encouraged to join when they feel able. We have a Royal Arch representative who regularly promotes the order.
April 2023