Who are we?
We’re proud to be celebrating our 150th anniversary in 2023, having been consecrated in 1873.
We’re a forward-thinking lodge. We enjoy maintaining the traditions of our lodge, but we also embrace changes when needed to meet current requirements and add to the enjoyment of our members.
We’re a diverse lodge in terms of age, profession and background, strongly maintain the principles of Friendship, Respect and Charity.
Since 2008 the lodge has been an active member of the Universities Scheme, meaning that we aim to be particularly attractive to, and welcoming of, university students, and others involved in local universities.
What we do
We aim for a high standard of meetings which all our members can appreciate and enjoy so that we look forward to our meetings.
We take care to arrange a simple, but well prepared and high-quality meal at our meetings.
We aim to care for our members in times of difficulties.
We look after our members to make sure they have the best possible experience of Freemasonry.
Why join us?
We consider ourselves to be a welcoming and caring lodge which attracts a wide-ranging age group from the youngest of members, who join us as students as we are a Universities Scheme Lodge. To older new members, all of whom bring a rich tapestry of experiences and life skills who naturally flourish in the diversity of our membership.
Parking:
There is a large car park and on street parking plus use of a school car park adjacent to the building.
Approach:
From the car park there is a large entrance with a roller shutter door. This doubles as an entrance for people with disabilities. Carry on past this and turn left into Wellington Street, there is a front door with two steps up. A door bell is also placed here with intercom communication.
Entrance:
Blue Door on Wellington street (keep ringing the buzzer – someone will eventually let you in).
Emergency:
Emergency exits are well sign posted.
Accessibility:
Only obstacle is 3 small steps into the temple.
Toilets:
Just inside the roller shutter entrance is a large reception area. This includes Ladies, Gents and Disabled toilets. There is a further Gent’s toilet just off the main reception area near the staircase and lift.
Inside:
The temple is large well decorated and has a permanent chequered pavement. Some of the furniture dates back to the eighteenth century.
Recent repairs and improvement to the various roofs have made the building warm and welcoming. There are ladies, gents and disabled toilets in the Wellington Suite and a separate gent’s toilet off the main entrance hall.
The bar area and Cooper Room are well decorated and comfortable. The Cooper Room is used for smaller Festive Boards, events and meetings. The main dining hall is a grand room capable of seating over one hundred comfortably. Doors lead directly into the well equipped 5 star rated kitchen.
Stairs/Lifts:
There is a large grand staircase from the main reception area. A lift is situated just off the main reception area.
