Queens College Taunton Lodge

Welcome

To the Queen's College

Masonic Lodge

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 and much respected "Queen's Workings."

Historically, our Membership, from all over the UK, has been drawn from Old Queenians, their relatives, staff and friends associated with Queen's. Although our roots lie with Queen's College, we welcome enquiries from anyone with a genuine interest in Freemasonry whether as a new Initiate or as an existing Joining member.

We have an enviable reputation for the very friendly atmosphere at our meetings held on just four Saturdays a year, in March, May, October and December. We meet at the Taunton Masonic Centre in the Crescent - an impressive Grade 2 listed building, comprehensively equipped and having excellent in-house dining facilities. Guests from other Lodges are always welcome.

The December Christmas meeting is largely a social event to which Ladies and Guests are invited, followed by a Traditional Festive Lunch.

The Installation Meeting of the Lodge is held in March each year when the incoming Master is invited to choose a charity for the Lodge to support. Charitable giving is a feature of our meetings with the emphasis on supporting local charities.

The Lodge celebrated its Golden Jubilee Meeting on 8th July 2000. Two months later we were privileged to host the Federation of School Lodges annual meeting at School, where we welcomed over 400 Freemasons and Ladies from all over the UK.

MEMBERSHIP. We currently have approximately 45 members from all backgrounds spread throughout the UK. The importance of enjoyment and camaraderie in Freemasonry cannot be overemphasised yet due deference is paid to the traditions with the formal side of our ceremonies in which we encourage participation by all members to gain both in experience and confidence. It is in the full participation in the life of Queen’s Lodge, both at meetings and at other times of the year and in the visiting of other Lodges, that lifelong friendships develop.

CHARITY. The values of Freemasonry are based on integrity, kindness, honesty and fairness and from its earliest days, Freemasonry has been involved in charitable activities. Since its inception it has provided support for many widows and orphans of Freemasons as well as many others within the community. In addition, Freemasonry donates large sums to National, Regional and Local charities. It is however entirely up to the individual member what he gives to Charity, but it should always be without detriment to his other responsibilities.

Queen's College Lodge supports charities through both regular and one-off donations. It has become our tradition for the Master to choose one local charity to focus support on each year although, inevitably, there are often other needy causes such as international disasters calling for contributions like the Ukraine Appeal to which we contributed £5,000. These are examples of more recent local donations. See also 'Charity' in the page heading.

A brief history has been written and copies are available from the Lodge Secretary.

Occasional holidays abroad are taken to include a visit to the local Lodge.

Unless otherwise stated Regular Meetings are held at Taunton Masonic Centre, The Crescent, Taunton. TA1 4EB. (See 'NEWS' for more detail)

DATES for 2023:

Saturday 14th October

Saturday 9th December (Ladies & Guests)

DATES for 2024

Saturday 16th March (Installation)

Saturday 11th May