Elvetham Lodge News & Events

Centenary Year of the Elvetham Lodge

Auspicious Ceremony at the Basingstoke Masonic Centre

The Elvetham Masonic Lodge was formed in the White Lion hotel, Hartley Wintney in 1920 to meet the needs of locals due to the difficulties of travelling to other Lodges, notably, Oakley Lodge in Basingstoke and Border Lodge in Blackwater.

The Temple was situated in Hartley Wintney until 1993 when the premises were sold due to planning constraints and the Lodge relocated to the Basingstoke Masonic Centre. Today members come from the wider Basingstoke area.

Approaching the Centenary Year of the Lodge meant that the installation of their 100th Worshipful Master was a significant chapter in its history.

Roger Robertson, a Hartley Wintney Resident, was duly installed as Master of the Lodge in an impressive Ceremony in the presence of many members and visitors who then enjoyed a Celebration Dinner.

A surprise promotion for our lodge mentor

During an installation meeting at Pax Hill Lodge no. 9878 at which our PGM was present. Our lodge mentor Gerald Eagle was called on by our PGM and given an account of his masonic achievements relating to the province and our masonic centre in Basingstoke. He was duly promoted in the field to PPSGD which came a huge shock to Gerald as he was completely unaware that this was going to happen. I think I speak for everyone in saying thank you for all the hard work you do relating to our lodge and the Basingstoke masonic centre as a whole. Our PGM strikes again with another 'Ninja' promotion!

Elvetham's WM holds Ladies night and charity auction

Elvetham Lodges current worshipful master Warren Snook and his wife Lisa hosted a ladies night at the Apollo Hotel in Basingstoke and raised nearly £6000 for charity. The charity event was atteneded by masons and non-masons from far and wide. Some of the auction prizes kindly donated included a vintage bottle of whisky, a days sailing and a Weekend F1 European Grand Prix pass including pit access and grid walk donated by Ross Brawn.

A raffle was also held including many donated prizes from local businesses and members of Elvetham Lodge.

All proceeds from this event have been donated to Diabetes UK and The Ark cancer centre charity.

Elvetham Lodge donate to local charity

In keeping with the principle that charity is one of the cornerstones of Freemasonry, Elvetham Lodge regularly makes donations to local non-masonic charities that operate in our community.

One of the organisations that has recently benefited is SAFE (Saving Abandoned Fly-grazing Equines), a charity that helps to legally rescue and re-home abandoned and neglected horses in the Berkshire & Surrey area. Staffed solely by volunteers, the group aims to rehabilitate rescued horses until they are healthy and suitable for re-homing. Of course, this comes at a price – feed, veterinary care and equipment all cost money, so to help this great cause Elvetham Lodge was delighted to be able to donate £500 to this very worthwhile local cause.

For further information on SAFE and its activities http://www.safe-horses.co.uk/home.html

St George's Day night at the Basingstoke Masonic centre was covered in the 27th April Gazette Pg 22