Category: News

The Pharos Lodge celebrating 75 years;
a member of
The Federation of School Lodges

The following is an excerpt from the Dover Grammar School Magazine ‘The Pharos’ in July 1950.

‘On Saturday, April 29th, 1950, Some five hundred members of Masonic Lodges from all over the county had come to witness the consecration by Lord Cornwallis of a new Lodge—our own, the Pharos No. 6967 on the register of the Grand Lodge of England, in the Great Hall at the Dover Grammar School for Boys.

To begin with, it would be difficult to find a finer setting for the mediæval splendour of such an occasion than that offered by the School Hall as it had been laid out, with devoted care and attention, by some of the founders. When everyone was seated round the huge square carpet covering the floor of the Hall, there could rarely have been seen a finer spectacle’.

On the 29th April 2000, with guests including the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, three Assistant Provincial Grand Masters and the Provincial Grand Secretary, the lodge celebrated 50 years and for the first time the Chair of King Solomon had a Master in occupation for a second time, WBro. Lionel Bish.

A lot has changed in the last 25 years but I am pleased to report that the Pharos Lodge, 6967, has a positive future ahead!

So on to this year, 2025, 17th of May we celebrated our 75th Anniversary.

A well-attended meeting witnessed the Presentation of the ‘First Degree Tracing Board’ by WBro Roy Skelton, something few have witnessed. This, followed by a 5-course meal, made for a memorable occasion. As members of the Federation of School Lodges, we were pleased to welcome WBro John Hubbard, one of the Joint Secretary’s as an Honoured Guest, emphasising our connection with the Federation

In 1946 fourteen school Lodges, mainly not meeting in London, decided to set up a grouping to further the ethos held by Lodges formed to pursue the unique character of the member’s schools within their Lodges. They decided to call the organisation the Federation of School Lodges and now comprises over 170 Lodges across the country. Its present President is RW Bro Mark Constant, Provincial Grand Master in the Province of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire.

The first Annual Festival was held in 1948 and, except for 2020 (the ‘COVID’ year), has held one ever since. Festivals have been hosted by Lodges from as far afield as Truro to Blackpool, from Cardiff to York.

As a major part of our celebration we have been given the honour of hosting the Federation Annual Festival, a privilege never given to a lodge in the Province of East Kent before. With guests and visitors coming from across England and Wales, a lot of work has gone into the preparations. The Representative for Kent and Sussex has had a busy schedule visiting Federated lodges in his region promoting the event, a job I’m sure other regional reps have likewise been doing.

At the time of writing, the Festival is only 8 weeks away. If you would like to attend, please book soon. Details and booking forms are available on the following websites, www.schoollodges.org.uk or www.pharoslodge.org.uk or by emailing arthur.fsl@outlook.com

Main Programme
From 12.00 pm Tea / Coffee & biscuits in the Grand Marquee, Holiday Inn, Whitfield
12:00 pm – 1.30 pm Registration at the Holiday Inn
From 1.30 pm Transfer to Dover Grammar School for Boys
2.15 – 3.00 pm FSL Annual Business Meeting – Dover Grammar School for Boys School Hall.
3.15 – 4.45 pm Lodge Meeting – the School Hall
Featuring a talk by WBro Mike Webb (former Town Centre Manager and former Town Clerk). He will be taking a quirky look at the history of Dover and the town’s Mayors since the 11th century, plus outlining the connections between the Lodge and the Grammar School.
4.45 – 5.30 pm Return to Holiday Inn, Whitfield. A self-paying bar will be open.
(Time for Ladies to change at hotel or Holiday Inn, if required)
5:30 – 6:30 pm Reception – pre-prandial drinks in the Grand Marquee, Holiday Inn,
6:30 pm Festival Banquet
9:00 pm “Happy have we met”

Accompanying Persons’ Afternoon Programme
2.00 pm Assemble at Holiday Inn, Whitfield for transport to Crabble Corn Mill, River.
2.30 pm (Cream Tea and Live Music).
2.45 – 4.45pm Presentation and optional guided Tour of Mill, followed by light refreshments with entertainment from the Dover Ukulele Players.
5.00 pm Return to Holiday Inn,
5.30 pm Join main programme (time for changing at hotel if required – alternatively, a room for changing, etc., will be available at Holiday Inn.

Greetings brethren, I hope you have had a great Christmas and digested all of that lovely festive fare.

It’s been quite a few months since I was actually able to see my computer screen properly, but after treatment just over a week ago I can resume regular communications with you all.

Firstly to lodge business matters. For those of you that were at our last meeting you will remember that a vote on a change to our By Laws could not proceed due to the wording being incorrect. I can now, with the support of the Provincial Office, submit the changes in the correct format to the Provincial Grand Master subject to the approval of the majority of the lodge members at the January meeting. At our next meeting we will be passing our latest entered apprentice.

To try and make everyone’s planning a bit easier for the coming year we have posted a page with the dates of our meetings in 2024/25, lodges of instruction and GPC ‘s including times and rooms. It would help the lodge a great deal if you would look at these and let me know as far in advance as possible if you cannot attend, especially if you hold active office. I will be able to give more information regarding what ceremonies we expect to hold through the year after the January GPC.

Federation of School Lodges.

As most of you should know by now I am a great promoter of our membership to the Federation. In the Province of East Kent there are now seven member lodges in total. Now that I am mobile again it is my hope to visit all of them when I can to show support. They are based as far apart as Cranbrook to Ramsgate, Dover to Rochester with Canterbury in the middle. A group of us regularly attend the Annual Festival and are looking forward to next years in Kimbolton. Please consider joining us as the following year, 2025, we are hosting it in the new school buildings! I can assure you that a lot of work is involved and the help and support of lodge members is fundamental to making it a success.

Finally, some news about some of our elder brethren. I am pleased to say that I have recently, along with our Worshipful Master, been able to visit W.Bro. Alan Copp in his care home and present him with a ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ to mark his becoming an Honorary Member.

On the same day we also visiting W.Bro. Denis Bond at the William Harvey Hospital. Bro. Peter Burville has returned home and I will be visiting in the next couple of days. I was also able to go to Deal with Roy to visit ‘Uncle Bill’ and wish him a happy Christmas.

Enjoy the rest of the holiday and I look forward to seeing you all (literally) in January,

W.Bro. A. Hornby, PPrDepGReg

Secretary of the Pharos Lodge (6967)