Welcome to Vale of Brislington Lodge

Our 150th Anniversary Evening

On Friday 18th March 2022, the Vale of Brislington Lodge No 1296 celebrated it’s sesquicentennial anniversary.

The Vale of Brislington Lodge was consecrated in November 1869, and so reached 150 back in 2019, but celebrations thwarted by Covid were delayed until last Friday.

The evening opened with a welcome to Martin Slocombe, representing David Medlock, the Provincial Grand Master for Somerset, who himself could not attend having contracted Covid, and Richard Lewis, the deputy the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the Province of Bristol. Both provinces being well represented as the Vale of Brislington Lodge, although in Somerset, was consecrated by Brethren from Bristol who wanted to open a vacation lodge some reasonable distance from the centre. Also attending was Richard Winter, assistant Provincial Grand Master of Somerset, no less than 3 Past Provincial Grand Masters, namely Stuart Hadler, David Jenkins and Alan Vaughan. The senior and junior wardens from both Bristol and Somerset were also very pleased to attend.

Item 4 on the agenda was to read a letter, written by the Worshipful Master and his wardens in March 1970. This letter has remained sealed for 50 years and sends greetings to the current WM and his team, along with hopes for 2019. A copy of this letter can be seen in the Gallery below.

Visitors and members alike were extremely fortunate to bear witness to what must be described as a flawless 3rd degree ceremony. One person remarked “We may see it equalled, but I doubt we will see it bettered”. Brethren more used to Emulation were especially enthralled to see Bristol working, as this version of the ceremony has certain elements that make it more impactful and dramatic in places. Everyone sends congratulations to Brother Matthews on being raised to the degree of a master mason in such a fine manner.

The festive board, or after meeting as it’s called in Bristol, was a busy, joyful and memorable event, with good food, great company and some very special toasts. Martin Slocombe, thanking Bob Moore for some of his words, having reminisced on the amazing 150 years achievement, then reminded the current members of the lodge that they are now the founders of the next 150. He ended by referring to the Royal Navy advert ” born in Blyth, made in the Royal Navy”, by remarking “The Vale of Brislington Lodge , born in Bristol, made in Somerset”. Richard Lewis cited the strong and beneficial bond that exists between the two provinces, and toasted the lodge, wishing them very well indeed for the future.

The Vale of Brislington Lodge presented each province with a trowel as a lasting reminder of the evening, and which is to be used to continue spread the cement of Brotherly Love and Friendship.

The Vale of Brislington Lodge supports local Scout Group

Early in December 2021, the Master of Vale of Brislington Lodge, Mark Britton was approached by the 5^thBristol Scout Group to say that: ‘Due to the global pandemic the Brislington based 5th Bristol Scout Group, including Beavers, Cubs and Scouts, were looking for financial support. The Scout Association has recently said that many groups would not be able to survive due to financial hardships. As a section we are having to still pay memberships, subscription, insurance, and facility costs. We have seen an increase of parents unable to pay their subs due to job losses which unfortunately, seems like only the beginning. We have started to see this influence our finances as well as our members’

The plight of the group was discussed at a (Zoom) Lodge Committee meeting in December with the members agreeing a donation of £400 to the 5th Bristol.

Early in the New Year the Lodge received the following letter of thanks from the group.

Your donation of £400 was absolutely fantastic news for the group. Please extend our appreciation to the committee and all Lodge members. I have asked for this amount to be ringfenced and for us to work closely with you to keep you up to date on how your generosity has supported the 5th and our local community’

I have let our committee members know and they are all blown away with your kindness. Our Group Scout Leader especially is absolutely thrilled, it’s clear that he has definitely been feeling the pressure to keep the 5th afloat during these trying times. After announcing this morning that we had managed to raise just over £250 on the group’s Christmas raffle that was organised this was the cream, wafer and cherry on the top!”

The Vale of Brislington Lodge were very pleased to be of help and look forward to working together with the local community in the future.

150th Celebration Evening

On March 25th 2022 we will be celebrating our delayed 150th Anniversary and all brethren are welcome to attend.

Diving in to the 1870s copies of The Freemason which are available to read online, there were so many lodges being founded in 1870 that Vale of Brislington Lodge 1296 wasn’t written about in the February 26th 1870 edition, but it shows CONSECRATION OF THE GOOCH LODGE No. 1295 and the CONSECRATION OF THE ROYAL STANDARD LODGE, No. 1298 in the same page. This was the time of the founding of our lodge as well. So we’re close: https://www.masonicperiodicals.org/…/pa…/5/articles/ar00503/

Vale of Brislington Lodge founded March 1870. Visit the archives newspaper here

Moving forward 152 years to the 25th March 2022, and we will finally official celebrate this amazing milestone, our Province of Somerset kindly wished us well and marked the occasion publicly in March 2020 as well,.

Reserve your place by emailing our secretary
Would you like to join Vale of Brislington Lodge? New members are always welcome.
To join Vale of Brislington Lodge please contact our secretary Roger Evans on reeswacf@gmail.com
To reserve a place at our 150th Anniversary Evening on March 25th please email our Dining Steward W Bro Gary Morris on gary@gimtrading.co.uk

Visit Vale of Brislington Lodge

Visitors are welcome, we meet at 18.30 on the 4th Friday of January, February, March, April, but in May 18.00 for our Installation, then 18.30 again in June, July, September, October, November and December. We meet at the Masonic Hall, Bath Road, Keynsham. Meals are usually about £15 each, an example meal is Robert Burns Night in January 2022. Menu: Haggis then Roast Beef & Seasonal Vegetables, Cheese & Biscuits.
All bookings by e-mail please, by the 20th of each month in 2022 to W. Bro. Gary Morris: gary@gjmtrading.co.uk

Would you like to join Vale of Brislington Lodge? New members are always welcome.
To join Vale of Brislington Lodge please contact our secretary Roger Evans on reeswacf@gmail.com
To reserve a place at our 150th Anniversary Evening on March 25th please email our Dining Steward W Bro Gary Morris on gary@gimtrading.co.uk

Vale of Brislington Lodge Ladies Festival 2022

Nominated Charity: Multiple Sclerosis
Worshipful Master Bro Stephen Duddridge and Mrs Angela Duddridge
Invite you to join them at the Vale Of Brislington Lodge Ladies Festival
on Saturday the 12th March 2022 – 7pm for 7.30pm £45.00 pp

Double Tree, Hilton Hotel, Redcliffe Way, Bristol – 0117 926 0041
Saturday Night – Festival Dinner & Dance £45.00 pp – Black Tie

Double Room £125.00 – book direct with the Hotel (Code: VOB – Vernetta)
Complimentary car parking, register your Vehicle Number at reception on arrival

Menu
A: Sweet Potato & Butternut Soup, Ciabatta Croutons
B: Chicken & Apricot Terrine, Red Onion Confit, Sourdough Crostini
C: Goat Cheese Salad, Mizzuna, Red Onoin, Wallnuts, Raspberry Vinaigrette

A: Roast Chicken Fillet, Pancetta, Creamed Potatoes, Seasonal Veg, Red Wine Jus
B: Herb Crusted Hake, Olive Crushed Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, Salsa Verde
C: Potato Gnocchi with Roasted Zucchini, Garlic, Chilli, Spring Onion, Parmisan Cream

A: Sticky Toffee & Date Pudding, Vanilla Ice Cream
B: Raspberry & White Chocolate Cheesecake, Crème Chantilly
C: Mature Cheddar, Stilton Blue, Brie, Crackers, Chutneys & Grapes
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Please send your booking with payment ASAP:
Gary Morris, 29 Maplestone Road, Whitchurch, Bristol BS14 0HQ
Email: gary@gjmtrading.co.uk
Cheques payable to “Vale Of Brislington Lodge Ladies Festival”
E-mail or detach and return – denote V = Vegetarian or VG = Vegan (ask for menu options)

vale-of-brislington-ladies-festival-2022-flyer-revised-jan-22 Download

We look forward to meeting you and you will be made extremely welcome. Thank you for visiting our lodge. W Bro Coles.

BBC Somerset has interviewed MW PGM David Medlock

Join Vale of Brislington Lodge in 2022 ?

We are always looking for new members, if you would like to join Vale of Brislington Lodge then we would like to hear from you. Please contact us soon. We are part of Somerset Freemasons which covers the cities of Bath and Wells and we are located in Keynsham and have Bristol Workings.