CALENDAR

 

History of the Vale of Avon Lodge No. 8432 Chippenham Wiltshire

 

The Inspiration

The inspiration for our Lodge was first voiced on Thursday 27 May 1971, at an Installation Meeting of Corsham Lodge No. 6616. While responding to his toast, the Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro Reginald A. C. Forrester, observed that northwest Wiltshire was changing. The population was growing, new housing developments were planned, particularly in Chippenham, and he suggested that the time was right for a new Lodge to serve the area.

 

Four Brethren and a Shared Vision

Four Freemasons were inspired: Bros Fred Hudson, Michael Glanz, Cliff Davies, and Bill Harvey. Within three weeks, thirty-four like-minded Freemasons had expressed support for the idea and, at the first formal meeting, twenty-six committed themselves to the work of setting up the new Lodge. As preparations for consecration progressed, circumstances changed. Bro Fred Hudson sadly passed away, and Bro Fred Marlow moved to Cyprus. So, the Petition went forward with twenty-four Founding members, whose names appear on the Lodge Honour Board.

 

Choosing a Name, a Crest, and a Location

Three meetings of the Founders were held to agree the foundations of the Lodge:

 

The Name: Bro Marlow led the work, which eventually settled on a name that reflected both geography and spirit: Vale of Avon.

 

The Lodge Crest: Bros Cliff Davies and Bill Harvey led the design. Its symbolism was deliberate and layered. The trilithon evokes Wiltshire's ancient landscape. The rising sun between the stones recalls Avebury and Stonehenge as well as echoing Masonic symbolism. The river flowing through green countryside refers both to biblical imagery and to the River Avon itself, which winds through Chippenham in north and west Wiltshire.

 

The Location: Location was decided early on with the support of Lansdowne Lodge of Unity No. 626 and Corsham Lodge No. 6616. The Lodge would meet at the newly built Masonic Hall in Chippenham (now known as the Chippenham Masonic Centre).

 

The Consecration and Installation

The Foundation Stone was laid with full Masoaidedurs by RW Bro Reginald A. C. Forrester on 8 June 1971 with the Vale of Avon Lodge No. 8432 being formally consecrated on Saturday 30 September 1972 by the Provincial Grand Master for Wiltshire, RW Bro Reginald A. C. Forrester, assisted by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, W Bro Lt Col Revd. Giles R. Brocklebank DSO MC MA.

The Oration, delivered by the Provincial Grand Chaplain, drew upon the story of Samson, offering a moral lesson for the new Lodge as it embarked on its future. Then the Deputy Provincial Grand Master installed the first Worshipful Master, W Bro Michael Glanz, who then appointed and invested the first Officers. The consecration of our lodge was attended by 102 brothers who paid just £2.50 each for their festive board.

 

Beginnings

The Lodge flourished in its early years, developing the distinctive character of its ritual under the guidance of Michael Glanz who would become Director of Ceremonies. Cliff Davies, who served as Secretary for the Lodge's first thirteen years, ensured that the lodge ran as smoothly as the ritual in the Lodge Room

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Our Mission and Purpose

The Founders' original mission has not changed: We are still rooted in the local community; We continue to welcome men who move into the area without prior Masonic connections and offer them a genuine sense of belonging; and, we are still a welcoming home from home for Freemasons settling into the area.

 

Those founding principles, openness, welcome, and being rooted in the local community, remain at the heart of our Lodge today.

 

We have active social and Lodge calendars that include community and charity support (such as hosting the RBL, the Chippenham Folk Festival and the ATC). We have great live music, Big Breakfasts, a school of instruction, and of course evening socials like ‘beers with Bros’.

 

We place emphasis on participation in the work of the Lodge and actively encourages as many brethren as possible to take part on the floor, particularly in the delivery of ritual. We focus on supporting and developing newer Brethren, with the aim of giving light blue Masons early opportunities to take office and play an active role in the life of the Lodge.

 

If this sounds like a Lodge you would like to be part of, we invite you to make contact and learn more about life at Vale of Avon Lodge No. 8432.