Date of the Warrant of Constitution 8th April 1874

The first meeting was held in The Old Ship Hotel, Kings Road, Brighton,Sussex which is the oldest hotel in Brighton and has been our regular meeting place ever since. The Lodge is unique in that it holds its meetings and festive boards at the hotel. During the festive board the lodge has a tradition which always surprises the first time visitor and is greatly enjoyed by all.

There will always be a warm welcome to any brother if they would like to visit us.

Where and when we meet.

We meet at The Old Ship Hotel, Kings Road, Brighton on the last Thursday of October, November, January which is our Installation meeting, February, March and April. Updates on meetings can be found on the website, or by contacting our Lodge Secretary. Our Lodge of Instruction takes place on Wednesdays of the month of meetings at the Provincial Headquarters, 25 Queens Road, Brighton. We meet at 7pm for a prompt rehearsals at 7.30pm.

Charity

Our Lodge Charity Steward encourages regular contributions on a monthly basis which is then forwarded to Province for distribution via the Charities Officer. These donations are recorded and attributed to members as part of the Lodge giving to Province. The Lodge supports various local and national charities. The Lodge participates in presentations of cheques to raise our profile in a positive manner. Visits to sites and talks are held by the charities to explain why they need support and gives the Lodge members a better understanding of their ethos. Our charities donations book is inspected annually and the findings reported at a Lodge meeting.

Financial Implications.

Annual Fees:

  • £140 full members
  • £100 country member

Dining Fee. £26

Raffle tickets are usually £5 a strip for a wide variety of prizes.

The Copper Pot was introduced by a member to collect money at our Festive Board if there is no raffle. The money raised is given to the Lodge Benevolent Fund or an announced charity.
Members are encouraged to regularly contribute to the Provincial Office via the Charity Officer by giving directly or

the preferred method which is a monthly standing order.

Time Commitments

Six meetings are held throughout the year in October, November, January which is the Installation meeting, February, March and April on the last Thursday of the month. The meetings begin at 4.30pm to 5.30pm depending on the evening agenda. The Festive Board follows and the evening will usually end at 9.00pm to 10.00pm. Lodge of Instruction meetings are held at 7.30pm to 9.00pm on Wednesday evenings at Queens Road. However finish times can vary depending on the content of the meeting. New members are encouraged to attend.

We welcome visitors to witness the ceremonies in which they have participated to enhance their understanding of the rituals. We also encourage our new members to visit other lodges.

Candidates

The Lodge Mentor will, alongside the proposer and seconder, look after the initiate. We are careful to choose a good man who will represent Hove Ecclesia and Freemasonry in general and in a positive manner. We will endeavour to take a good man, make him better and mentor him at every step on his path through the Lodge. We promise to invest our time in educating and developing his Masonic knowledge. We further promise to encourage him to progress through the offices of the Lodge to the Worshipful Master’s chair. Prospective members will be encouraged to attend social or non formal events in advance of the formal interview process which is normally held at Queens Road before a Lodge of Instruction.

Suitable candidates come from all walks of life and each of the candidate’s attributes are utilised in the Lodge to formulate a positive dynamic team that encourages personal growth, forever seeking to bring out the best in everyone.

Lodge Mentor

Our Lodge Mentor is an experienced Freemason who has an excellent grasp of human relations and is well able to ensure that all queries are resolved in a timely manner. His role is to oversee the mentoring of the newly initiated brother for all of his Masonic journey. In practice, when an initiate joins the Mentor will allocate a specific brother, usually the

proposer, to mentor him on a permanent basis. However it is recognised by all members that everyone has a responsibility to answer any questions or refer him to his direct mentor or Lodge Mentor as befits the situation. The Lodge Mentor is responsible for keeping up to date with Masonic literature and present relevant booklets at the Initiation after the ceremony.

Royal Arch Representative
W.Bro. Simon Chabot is known to all members of the Lodge and will make himself available if any brother wishes to advance his Masonic career.

Social Activities

At our Installation meetings the ladies enjoy a meal, normally at The Old Ship, then join the members for drinks in the hotel bar after the Festive Board. Traditionally there is a Ladies Night on a Saturday in November where we all get together with our partners for a dinner/dance as a thank you for supporting us during the year. In the summer recess it is usual to hold a summer festival where partners, families and friends join together with prospective members for a BBQ or picnic so we are able to introduce them to get know each other and the workings of the Lodge. There are also “white table” events which are open to non masons with guest speakers.

Summary

The Lodge Plan will remain fluid in its content and will be revised by the Membership Officer on an annual basis and will be available at the January meeting.

Officers of the Lodge

Lodge secretary. W.Bro. John E Cannell PPrGSwdB Mentor Officer. W.Bro. Russ Glover PProvAGDC Finance Officer. W.Bro. Graham F Pay. PPrGSwdB Charity Officer. W.Bro. John C Blackman. PPrJGW Membership Officer. W.Bro. John Higgins PPrJGD

All Lodge Offices are correct as of January 2022.