Greenstede Lodge 8035
Lodge Profile
What is Freemasonry in the Greenstede Lodge?
Masonry is about having fun, charity and Masonic ritual and at the Greenstede Lodge we pride ourselves on all three.
During the year we hold BBQ’s, wine tasting, afternoon teas, garden parties and many other social events to which all are invited especially those wishing to know a little more about freemasonry.
For charity we always strive to reach and, if possible, exceed the targets we have set ourselves. We are part of the Province of Sussex and English Freemasonry, who are always helping and assisting those less fortunate than ourselves. We not only help local people but join in greater projects, being the largest organisation in England to donate monies for hospital equipment, the Royal Life Boat Institution and many others.
At Greenstede we keep in contact with the widows of former members and assist where we can financially. We also help with hospital visits and the other more practical needs as necessary.
We meet officially six times a year from October until May at the Masonic Temple in St James Road East Grinstead. At these meetings new members join and are progressed through the three degrees. All these ceremonies are carried out in a special way termed masonic ritual. The ceremonies are small playlets and the members have scripts to learn and we at Greenstede Lodge pride ourselves at the high standard achieved by the members.
New members quickly learn what a great organisation they have joined and how everyone supports and encourages each other. Everyone is asked to progress through the various offices and is assisted all the way to the highest office in the Lodge, that of the Master.
Like most things in life the more you put into freemasonry the more you will learn and the more you will achieve.
History of Greenstede Lodge 8035
The Ancient Charges define a lodge as a place where freemasons assemble to work and to instruct and improve themselves in the mysteries of the ancient science. In an extended sense this applies to persons as well as to the place, hence every regular assembly or duly organised meetings of masons is called a lodge.
The Greenstede Lodge no 8035 was consecrated on the 30th September 1965 with the warrant dated 29th April 1965, with 18 founding members.
The founding members were from various professions including shopkeepers, local businesses and tradesmen, with ages ranging from 30 to 65 which is still reflected in our membership today. We pride ourselves with long term relationships with some members being in freemasonry for over 50 years.
Where We Meet
The Greenstede Lodge meets in the Masonic Temple in St James Road, East Grinstead, on the fourth Wednesday in October, November, January, February, March & May. The meetings are generally in the late afternoon, and are always varied, fun and relaxed.
At these meetings ceremonies are held and the general business of the lodge is discussed. At regular occasions instruction meetings are held in the evening all members are encouraged to attend to practice the ritual. We pride ourselves on the professional performance of our lodge in carrying out our ceremonies. At the conclusion of these instruction meetings we generally retire to the temple bar.
At the May meeting the new Master for the forthcoming year is installed.
Dining and Social
Greenstede Lodge dines (Festive Boards) after each meeting in the dining room within the Temple buildings.
We have lounge and bar facilities available for all members and guests.
We have several social evenings where we invite friends and families, which includes things like a curry evening, whisky tasting, quiz nights, etc. During each year we have a White Table, where all Masons’ wives, widows, friends, families and potential members are invited to attend. Usually a guest speaker is invited, which is followed by a meal in the dining room.
Each Christmas and on their birthdays Masons’ widows are sent cards and a small gift.
Charity
Greenstede Lodge is founded on friendship, charity and assisting the less fortunate where possible. We believe through our involvement with local charities we support local people who really need our help and assistance. The Lodge has supported the following charities in recent years: Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance: Riding for the Disabled: Young Epilepsy School Lingfield: Bloomin’ Arts: Age UK East Grinstead: East Grinstead Tadpoles: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Step-By-Step: Being Neighbourly and Dementia Research. We are able through the Provincial Grand Lodge of Sussex Charity to obtain a 50 per cent match funding to the amounts we raise.
We collect donations at lodge meetings, which go to the Lodge Benevolent Fund, this being under the control of Lodge members as to how it is dispersed.
If we can afford further charitable donations we are encouraged to make a regular monthly payment to the Grand Masonic Charity which helps support larger fundraising causes.
The Next Steps
We are not a secret society, we are a society with secrets and these are only pertinent to Masons. We are not in it for personal gain, in fact this is frowned upon in our constitution but we are there to try to improve ourselves both personally and as members of society. We welcome people from different faiths and ethnic groups as we are eager to acquire knowledge of different cultures.
Our oldest member is over 90 and our youngest is in his twenties. Our current membership come from many and varied walks of life including the following:- firemen,local councillors,shop keepers,salesmen,accounts,transport,.health support,surveyors,building industry, aircraft industry, service engineers, bt. engineers,rail engineers and general engineering. This is not the complete list of our occupations but gives an indication of the many of the occupations of many of its members.
New members are always being sought through members of the Lodge and their associates. Joining members are also important to broaden the lodge’s Masonic experience.
If you are interest please contact us at the address below for more information or arrange to meet up for a conversation.
Email address: [email protected]
