Gateshead - Durham Freemasons

Date : 2023-09-27

It’s Freemasonry, But Perhaps Not As We Know It !

Following the successful relationship between our Lodges that started in 2022, the members of St Mary’s Lodge.Gateshead returned the visit that Lodge Possilpark (Possilpark, Glasgow) had made to them in September 2022 with 12 St Mary’s members going along to witness a Scottish Third Degree Ceremony at their Lodge in Glasgow.

Our Worshipful Master Joe Kendall was welcomed into the Lodge by their Rt Worshipful Master, Edward Dixon and St Mary’s members formed two columns ahead of him. The ceremony started at 7.30pm and it did not finish until 10.30, then we retired to the Festive Board where the informality of the proceedings extended the evening considerably. Dinner was three courses: Scotch Pie; Chicken Curry and Rice and a Tunnock’s Biscuit; interesting but greatly accepted by all.

Back to the ceremony, where the ‘volunteer’ candidate for the evening was our very own Paul Sutton, of St Mary’s Lodge who was subjected to often ‘brutal treatment’ on his being Raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason. At some point it was unsure whether he would indeed be accepted as a new Master Mason, such was the unabated ‘testing’ demanded and scale of the physical attention demanded of him !

Also in attendance on the evening were an Official Visit from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Glasgow, established 1739 led by their Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Rt Worshipful Brother Alan Cuthill who interestingly is a Past Master of another St Mary’s Lodge, Partick St Mary’s Lodge No.117. Alan formally welcomed St Mary’s members to the Province of Glasgow. He had also done his homework on our Lodge from Gateshead, commenting on St Mary’s Church and its prominent position on the Gateshead side of the iconic Tyne Bridge. The former Principal Church of Gateshead, for over 900 years it played a significant part in life in the Town and Borough. He hoped that the association between our two Lodges would grow and be mutually beneficial to both parties. Bill Baty thanked Rt Worshipful Brother and his Provincial members for the honour of being supported by them; he thanked him for his remarks and sentiments and wished them well.

At the Festive Board our member, Joe Kendall spoke of the honour of heading our visit to Lodge Possilpark. In his own special way he made reference to the candidate, to the quality of the (long) ritual worked and for the generous hospitality afforded to us.

Several Possilpark Brethren have promised to attend our Lodge Installation in February 2024 (first Friday) when Joe Kendall will install Michael Kendall, his son, into the chair of St Mary’s Lodge; a unique and special occasion – all are welcome!

We look forward to seeing them next year and for the relationship between our Lodges to continue to grow, flourish and develop in the future.

I would recommend any member to consider visiting a Lodge or Lodges outside their own area or Province; it is illuminating and so rewarding to see how others perform ritual and it broadens one’s masonic knowledge.

Stronger Together

<< Back to search results

Benevolence at Work | Durham Freemasons

2023-04-08

The Ravensworth Masonic Golf Trophy 2023 | Durham Freemasons

2023-03-30

Rose Croix | Durham Freemasons

2023-03-18

Allied Donation | Durham Freemasons

2023-03-04

Industry Visit | Durham Freemasons

2023-01-25

50 years Chapter Celebration for David Railson

2023-01-01

A Busy Night at St Mary’s Lodge | Durham Freemasons

2022-12-06

Dunelm & CHUF | Durham Freemasons

2022-12-01

A Durham And Northumberland Scarlet Cord Extravaganza | Durham Freemasons

2022-11-23

Gateshead Fell Celebrate | Durham Freemasons

2022-11-18

‘Veterans at Ease’ | Durham Freemasons

2022-10-23

A Running Success | Durham Freemasons

2022-10-13

Date : 2023-06-04

St. Mary’s L4864

Who are we?

We believe we are one of the most respected Lodges in the Province and will be celebrating our Centenary in 2027. We are a daughter Lodge of the Lodge of Industry No. 48.

We have a wide range of ages and experience in our membership.

We are a very well attended Lodge in the Gateshead Masonic Centre and make our Visiting Brethren most welcome. Every month we have a good attendance of both Members and Visiting Brethren.

We place great emphasis on our ceremonies and value our membership.

What we do

St Mary’s Lodge practice the values and traditions of Freemasonry, but at the same time embrace technology, innovation, support our Province and UGLE.

We work ‘Old Working’ style of ritual. We also support any initiatives requested by our Masonic Authorities and work tirelessly with our membership to introduce the above and maintain our standards.

Why join us?

We are a very innovative Lodge; very aware of the personal morals, responsibilities and principles of Freemasons and how they are integrated within today’s more ‘modern world’. Every month we are well-attended and Brethren are guaranteed to have an enjoyable night with us. We believe in and practice good ritual as we believe this is imperative to our organisation and our future. The atmosphere at our Lodge nights is always positive and Members and Visiting Brethren look forward to a good ceremony and an enjoyable Festive Board which follows where standards are maintained but in a less formal and enjoyable manner.

St Mary’s Lodge are an integral part of masonic life within Gateshead and take our responsibilities for our building, our fellow Lodges, our Province and our area very seriously. We support the PGM in all his initiatives and ideas.

We have a good number of senior Provincial Officers amongst our Membership who oversee the standards that are expected. We also expect those continued high standards from everyone who joins us and offer direct support from our Membership Officer, our Mentor and many other Brethren who are on hand to advise and assist. In recent years, we have been privileged to have quite a few Brethren from Lodges that have closed in our area and building join us. We make great efforts to integrate them into our Lodge and educate them in what is expected.

When we meet

On the First Friday in every month, except July, August and January. Our Installation/Annual Festival is in February.

Fees

Joining fee: £50

Lodge subscriptions: £168

Typical dining fee: £10 for three courses. Brethren are requested to dine with exceptions for dietary or medical needs. Meals need to be pre-ordered in advance of the meeting.

Contact

George Robert Tatters, Secretary or William Baty, Mentor.

George Robert Tatters, Secretary grtatters@outloook.com 0191 4202079 William Baty, Mentor 07956 125851 wbaty@aol.com Website Facebook

facilities at Gateshead Masonic Hall

Address

Alexandra Road, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, NE8 1RB.

Hall information

Directions Google Maps W3W ///strong.gentle.films Additional Information

Lodges that meet here

Lodge of Industry L48

Parking:

Ample car parking is available within the grounds of the building with some limited on-street parking if necessary.

Approach:

Gateshead Masonic Hall offers three main entrance points, two of which are easy access. The main gated front entrance via Alexandra Road presents a few well lit steps, accompanied by a handrail.

The two accessible entrances to the building are via the rear car park where the building is on the level. The first of the two wheelchair accessible points is via a set of doors leading from the car park into the main dining hall. The alternative route takes you to the Alexandra Road entrance of the building via well lit, perimeter footpath within the halls grounds. These routes are well lit and secured by CCTV.

Entrance:

Wide double doors.

Emergency:

There are Emergency Exits from all rooms evacuating to level ground outside the building. There is a defibrillator installed and several trained personnel.

Accessibility:

The Masonic Hall in Gateshead is a single storey building making it fully accessible to all and especially those with mobility issues. The building is accessed through wide double-doors at the front and rear. There are ramps leading into the building at both doors and there will always be a welcoming and friendly Gateshead Freemason available to assist if required. All rooms inside the building are on the same single floor and easily accessible without the need for internal ramps or lifts. There is a Hearing Loop within the main Lodge Room

Toilets:

There are separate male and female toilets, both are wheelchair accessible.

Inside:

The building hosts a large 200 capacity dining hall with a professional kitchen and fully functioning bar. The bar offers a selection of alcohol and non-alcohol drinks, including a selection of draught beers, cans and bottles.

A large temple seating 100 and a smaller temple seating 50.

A library / large meeting room, and a smaller meeting room.

The hall has separate Male / Female washroom facilities, each with their own cloakroom.

Stairs/Lifts:

Access via the front entrance presents seven small steps assisted by a handrail. There are no further steps or lifts required within the building as it is built on ground level.

<< Back to search results