Who we are
More Than You'd Expect.
A Bournemouth-based lodge with roots going back to 1953. Good people, ancient tradition, and a surprisingly decent social life.
The Honest Answer
Ancient tradition. Genuinely misunderstood. Here's the truth.
Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest fraternal organisations — and one of the most misunderstood. We’re not mysterious, we’re not exclusive, and we’re certainly not trying to run anything. What we are is a brotherhood of men from every walk of life, brought together by a shared commitment to friendship, personal values, and giving something back.
The rituals are symbolic and centuries old. The friendships are real and genuinely lasting. The meals afterwards are excellent.
Founded 1953
Built on Brotherhood. From the beginning.
Meyrick Lodge was founded in 1953, but its story starts a few years earlier — in the aftermath of the Second World War.
Men who had served together, who had relied on each other completely, found themselves back in civilian life missing something they couldn’t quite name. The camaraderie. The sense of shared purpose. The knowledge that the man beside you had your back.
W.Bro. Stephen May, then Master of Octa Lodge in Bournemouth, recognised it. So did fourteen other men. Together they petitioned to form a new lodge — and on 5th October 1953, Meyrick Lodge No. 7295 was consecrated at Bournemouth Town Hall. One hundred and seventy-five people attended the banquet that followed.
The name Meyrick was chosen unanimously. The colours — red, white and blue — were chosen to mark the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. At the consecration, the first Master presented the lodge with the twenty-sixth replica of the Bible presented to Her Majesty at her coronation. It is still in use today.
Seventy years on, the reasons men join haven’t changed much. The world looks different. The need doesn’t.
The Real Reasons
What You Actually Get Out of It
1
Genuine Friendship
Making real friends as an adult is harder than anyone tells you. The lodge gives you a ready-made reason to show up.
2
Personal Growth
The degrees and ritual aren’t just ceremony — they’re a framework for reflection, values and becoming a better version of yourself.
3
Community & Charity
From local causes to national initiatives, the lodge gives you a direct way to make a difference beyond your own front door.
4
Something Worth Belonging To
In a world of disposable everything, there’s real value in being part of something with history, tradition and genuine standards.
The Real Reasons
A Typical Year in the Lodge
We meet eight times a year at the Bournemouth Masonic Hall. Meetings follow a traditional format — ritual work, lodge business, and a meal together afterwards. Some nights are formal, some are relaxed. All of them end around a table with good company.
Beyond the regular meetings, the year includes a Ladies’ Night, charity events, and visits to and from other lodges. The social side of the lodge is as important as the ceremonial — probably more so, if we’re honest.
Ready to find out more?
Curious? That's Enough to Start.
No commitment required. Just a conversation with people who were exactly where you are not long ago.