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.