Essetesforde Lodge No 9746
Many masons in the Ashford area identified the need for a Lodge that met during the daytime, rather than in the evening as was traditional, and after the appropriate processes were completed the Essetesforde Lodge was established in 2001. This Lodge conducts all five of its meetings each year in the afternoons, commencing at 2 p.m. and with the exception of one meeting always ends before 6 p.m. ; the exception being the annual meeting at which the Master of the Lodge is changed and this ceremony is followed by a festive dinner which lasts until about 8pm. The meeting times are well received by those who are retired, as well as those on shift work, and now those who are working from home and have much more flexibility around their working hours. The Lodge meets in the Masonic Centre, North Street, Ashford, which is in the centre of the town and the premises have a chair lift which assists those that require this facility to move from the ground floor to the Dining Hall on first floor.
The Lodge is now well known within the Province of East Kent for the way in which it conducts the masonic ceremonies, and for the friendship the members offer to the many guests that visit the Lodge each year. Four of the five meeting are followed by a self service ‘afternoon tea’ and for being as informal as possible, thus facilitating an easy way to meet many of the others present.
Because of the reputation the Lodge has, many of its members put a lot of effort into maintaining the ritual used within the Lodge and to welcoming joining members from other Lodges, those entering freemasonry, young or old (or is it older), with the priority being enjoyment for all, always remembering those entering freemasonry for the first time, the priority is to enjoy the principles of freemasonry.
In the general introduction reference was made to the research that was conducted before the Lodge was created over 20 years ago now, and it was found there were several masons who no longer wished to dine, and drive, later in the evenings and had stopped attending their Lodge because of this; a good reason to introduce a Lodge that met in the afternoons. Many of the Founder Members felt there was the need to explain some of the Ancient Rituals in the Ceremonies conducted in the Lodge and introduced some of these in the Lodge Ritual-like drawing the Tracing Boards on the floor of the Lodge as was the practice in olden times. Much effort has been put into perfecting this Ritual and it is all recorded in a Ritual Book which is available to every member of the Lodge.
The Lodge always looks to support individual charities, always proposed and approved by the members, and has been pleased to donate money to the Royal British Legion and the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund as examples, in recent times. Donating money is one side of the thoughts of the Lodge and donating time is another; there are members of the Lodge that enjoy fresh- water angling and regularly give their time to attending events organised by the Province of East Kent to assist handicapped children to fish and enjoy a day out.
Visiting Brethren, of all ages, can be assured of a warm welcome at this friendly and happy Lodge and if you wish to attend or join contact the Lodge Secretary Fred keeler 01233 635335
Essetesforde Lodge Secretary:
W. Bro. Peter Willis PPSGD
T: 01233 610047
herbertsassistant@gmail.com
Website: None
Meeting Dates: Fourth Wednesday, February, March and September to November
Installation: September
No. of Members: 25
Ritual: Emulation
LOI: Third Wednesday of the month in which regular meetings are held.
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