Queens College, Taunton Lodge

The Lodge, which currently has fifty-six members, meets four times a year, in January, March, May and October, at the Masonic Hall in Taunton. Meetings usually start at 4.00 p.m. and are followed by dinner, also held in the Masonic Hall. Our meetings are well attended and we always welcome a good number of visitors.

The Lodge is open to former pupils of the School, their fathers, sons and other direct relatives, current and former members of staff, current and former Governors of the School and other friends of the School.

Future events are scheduled for:

Saturday 3 September - Federation of School Lodges Annual Meeting, Truro

Saturday 8 October - Lodge Meeting & Ladies Festival (Taunton & Pickeridge Golf Club)

Saturday 10 December - Lodge Meeting (Morning Meeting followed by Christmas Lunch)

Saturday 21January 2012 - Lodge Meeting

Saturday 17 March 2012 - Lodge Meeting (Installation)

Further details/ information for potential new or joining members, or visitors can be obtained from:

The Lodge Secretary, David Sargison

(a) 4 St Luke's Road, Beckington, Somerset BA11 6SE
(t) 01373 831799
(e) davidsargison@hotmail.com

The Worshipful Master, Jonathan Dolling

(a) 63 Nutfield Road, Thornton Heath, London CR7 7DQ
(e) j.dolling@gmail.com

Recent News

Jonathan Dolling (1980 - 1988) was installed as Master of the Lodge by his predecessor, Jamie Ware, on 19 March 2011.

Recent new members include Simon Stewart (1999 - 2006), Tom Ware (2000-2006) and Ben Rowe (1998-2006).

Recent Joining members include George Teideman and Richard Teague.

It is with much regret that we report the recent death of our member, Stuart Gothard (1954-1959).

The Lodge is pleased to have raised funds at its recent meetings in support of 40 Commando Royal Marines Welfare Fund and the Japanese earthquake/tsunami victims.

History

The Lodge was consecrated on 8 July 1950 and came into being as a result of the enthusiasm of a number of English and Welsh Old Boys of the School who were Masons. The Lodge of Unanimity & Sincerity No 261, also meeting in Taunton, sponsored the Lodge. The founders established that the Lodge should work the Oxford ritual. This has been adapted over the years to produce our own unique “Queen’s Working.”

The Lodge has been privileged over the years to have had many eminent Brethren from Somerset and other Provinces as members. In May 1980, Ken Kinnersley (father of Mike and Alan), who joined the Lodge in January 1958 and was its Master in 1968, was appointed and installed as Provincial Grand Master for Somerset, an office that he held until 1990. At present, the Lodge can boast one Grand Officer and many Provincial Officers as members as well as both the current and immediate past Provincial Grand Masters for Somerset as Honorary Members. During its sixty years, the Lodge has initiated eleven Lewis’s. A brief history has been written and copies are available from the Lodge Secretary.

The Lodge is a member of the Federation of School Lodges and has hosted the Annual Festival of the Federation on two occasions, in 1967 and 2000.

The Lodge celebrated its Silver Jubilee Meeting on 12 July 1975 and its Golden Jubilee Meeting on 8 July 1950 (50 years to the day after the consecration of the Lodge). The Diamond Jubilee Anniversary was celebrated by a lunch at the School on 3 July 2010.

The Installation of the Lodge is held in March each year. A Ladies Festival is held annually at which the Lodge supports a charity, chosen by the wife of the Master, through its fundraising efforts.

The Lodge welcomes enquiries from OQs who might like to consider becoming a member of their old School Lodge or simply visiting us from time to time.