Who are we?
Brighthelmstone Lodge No. 8042 was consecrated on the 10th December 1965. The Provincial Grand Master of Sussex, R.W. Bro. Arthur Jolly, installed W. Bro. Tom Bastock as the first Master of Brighthelmstone. Also in attendance that day were the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, V. W. Bro. The Rev. C. H. Mosse, his two assistants, along with 26 consecrating officers, 18 founder members of the Lodge and 141 visitors: a grand total of 189 attendees.
- Members of the Lodge come from all walks of life, continuing the tradition started at the Lodge’s inaugural meeting in 1965.
- As of late 2023, the Lodge comprised 28 members. During 2023 we gained two new members, and in the previous year one new member. We are happy to say that we lost no members during the Covid epidemic, or since.
- The ages of Lodge members range from early 30s to early 80s, thus ensuring a wide range of life experience.
- With the exception of one member, who lives in Cornwall, all our Lodge members live within or near Brighton.
- Lodge members are engaged in a wide range of occupations and professions, along with some members who are retired.
- Brighthelmstone Lodge is always open to new members in order to ensure the Lodge remains in its current healthy state. We anticipate a new member being initiated into the Lodge in early 2024, with the possibility of a second new member later in the year. Along with new members being initiated into Freemasonry, we welcome existing Masons to join.
- We emphasise the importance of family and work life and strive to ensure that the partners and families of new members are in full support of their joining the Lodge.
- Lodge members who have been Master Masons for a minimum of four weeks are encouraged to join a Royal Arch chapter. Approximately half the members of Brighthelmstone Lodge have joined Regency Chapter, which is associated with the Lodge. Another Lodge member is due to be exalted into Regency Chapter in December 2023.
What do we do and why?
Brighthelmstone Lodge meets six times a year, all on a Friday evening: in September, December (installation), February, April, May and June. The meeting start times are usually 5.30pm. We meet at the Sussex Masonic Centre in Queens Road, Brighton. The Centre, being in the centre of Brighton, has excellent transport links for both trains and buses, for example being only a short walk from Brighton railway station.
Ritual, Traditions and Education
Brighthelmstone Lodge ceremonies are based on the Sussex Working ritual, with our own traditional embellishments added to it. Our working practice is to help all members do their best regardless of disabilities (physical or otherwise) whilst seeking excellence in themselves. Shared participation is actively encouraged to ensure variety, inclusion and enjoyment amongst all our members.
To encourage Masonic education through LOIs, tapping into the knowledge and experience of senior Lodge members, using online tutorials within SOLOMON and to consider the Light Blue forums within the Province of Sussex to meet other new Masons and share your experiences.
Lodge Meetings
Our meetings are to be enjoyed and usually last for 1½-2 hours. We invite visitors to attend our meetings, either through invitations from individual Lodge members or from the Lodge as a whole. The Lodge will also perform various ceremonies for personal advancement as well as educational talks.
Festive Boards
Our festive boards consist of a 3-course meal where we socialise with our members and guests. Formal toasts will be given after the meal and the Lodge will hold a raffle for our Masonic Charities.
Social Events
We aim to hold a number of social events each year. In addition, the Worshipful Master may hold a formal Ladies Festival with his partner, to which Lodge members, Masons from other lodges, as well as non-Masons (family, friends, etc.) are invited.
Charity
Charity is at the heart of Freemasonry, and we support Provincial charities such as the MCF Sussex 2028 Festival (for which we received Platinum status for exceeding 300% of our target by the end of 2022), Provincial relief funds, TLC appeal, Masonic Trout and Fishing as well as any Grand Lodge Festivals. We will also donate to local charities as proposed at the Lodge GPC meetings. All members are encouraged to take out standing orders each month as part of their personal commitment to Charity.
New Member Support
The support and mentoring of all new brethren are primarily given by the brothers Proposer and Seconder, Lodge Mentor, LOI Preceptor and Director of ceremonies.
Our Worshipful Master
Our Worshipful Master, Worshipful Brother Alan R Watson was installed into the chair of King Solomon on 13th December 2024.
He is also the Lodge Almoner. Having been initiated into Freemasonry in April 2017, W.Bro Alan has held every office in the lodge.
History of Freemasonry
There are several theories about the origins of Freemasonry, ranging from ancient builders to medieval stonemasons.
Still to this day, the roots of modern Freemasonry are the subject of intense speculation, but the general consensus among Masonic scholars is that they lie with the medieval stonemasons that built our castles and cathedrals.
Let us take you on a journey back in time through the history of Freemasonry – as we begin in the medieval era, all the way through to 2017 when the Royal Albert Hall was center stage for the United Grand Lodge of England’s 300th anniversary celebrations.
History of Brighthelmstone Lodge No. 8042
The Lodge was consecrated on 10 Dec 1965 at the Brighton Sussex Masonic Centre by members of Regency Lodge No. 6349.
Famous Freemasons
From the world of politics and sportsmen through to literature and science, there have been many recognisable names in Freemasonry over the years.
Prince Philip
1921 - 2021
Sergeant Johnson Beharry
b. 1979
Winston Churchill
1874 - 1965
King George VI
1895 - 1952
Sir Alexander Fleming
1881 - 1955
William Hogarth
1697 - 1764
What is Freemasonry?
In short, Freemasonry is a set of values described in allegory to the operational craft of a stonemason, specifically around the time of the 13th century. In plain text, this may read a bit strange, but in reality, it provides a framework for the moral and social obligations of a Freemason for the benefit of his community and fellow man.
Once initiated, a man becomes a Brother and begins to build his knowledge of the masonic framework and how it can be applied to everyday life in order to be just and upright in serving his community.
A Brother often refers to his progress in masonry as a masonic career which accurately, just like a job, describes how far along in the masonic path they are with regards to different orders and roles they choose to take within their Lodge or Lodges.
Is Freemasonry a cult?
Many a mason will have faced this question, and given the description above, coupled with its secrecy, it is not uncommon to suspect so.
It should be considered that members are from all walks of life and do not require agreement on religion, politics or anything else, except for the development and benefit of their local community and the charity work of their Lodge.
If you were to look at wider society you would see symbols, rituals and ceremony every day, whether it be military, monarchical, academic or personal routine. It’s just that we have ours.
In the strict sense of the term, many members would not consider it such but merely a conduit for organised charitable work with an agreed set of values.
Why all the secrecy?
In truth, the secrets of Freemasonry are widely available from various sources on the internet, some more legitimate than others, so if you go looking, it is suggested you read with caution.
If that’s true, why bother keeping them? Well, isn’t it better when you are a part of something exclusive? It’s the truth that binds us as a collective of diverse individuals, if we had nothing in common, we would still have our secrets and our ritual.
Each mason is sworn to secrecy, so you won’t find any revealed here. The only way to find out for sure is to join.
Become a Freemason
You will be welcomed by all our members and we would expect you to integrate with us to develop your Masonic journey as well as our values of Integrity, Respect, Friendship and Service.
Integrity through participation in and learning of Masonic practice.
Respect through the support to and from the brethren of the Lodge in all that we do.
Friendship with ourselves, members of other lodges in the Province and of other provinces that can be lifelong and heartfelt.
Service through financial support to the Lodge and Province as well as giving your time when required.
The Lodge prides itself on our rituals during the ceremonies and enjoyment of our Lodge meetings and the festive boards. We also have annual social activities to get to meet each other outside the immediate Masonic environment. These events also include families and friends (both Masonic and non-Masonic).
Be an active member, learn the ritual, socialise with Brighthelmstone Lodge members and visit other lodges to broaden your horizons. If you take an active office within your Lodge, it is expected that you make every effort to attend when required.
Above all, it is hoped that you will develop to be a better person to yourself, your family, your friends and your Masonic brothers.
Annual fees are payable in advance on 1st October each year. As of 2023 the fees are £300 for dining membership and £180 for non-dining membership.
These annual fees contribute to the running of the Lodge. The dining membership fee also includes the cost of the meals provided at the festive boards. Any meals for guests and non-dining members are paid individually. There is a reduction in annual fees for those brethren under 25 years of age.
There is a one-off initiate fee to be paid in addition for all new members to cover the cost of registration and books. This is currently £95 for 2023. Joining and re-joining members will pay a one-off fee of £30.
Freemasonry and charity
Raising money for charity
During each ceremony (Ritual) and practice (Lodge of Instruction) we collect small donations, and after our meals we have a raffle, with all of the proceeds donated to the year’s chosen charity.
We also host various open nights throughout the year, for masonic and non-masonic guests, known as a white table. They often consist of entertainment and a formal dinner. We use this as another opportunity to raise donations for charities.
Additionally, every member is asked to make a regular donation to the Masonic Charity Fund to the value of which they can reasonably afford. Read more on Charitable Work | United Grand Lodge of England (ugle.org.uk)
Members
Charity fundraising
Yearly volunteering hours
Join Us
Email us to become a freemason or for more information.
