Cosham | Havant | Horndean | Portsmouth | Purbrook
Welcome to the website of The South East Area, which is responsible for administering Freemasons’ Lodges under the United Grand Lodge of England that meet in the southeast of the Province Of Hampshire and Isle Of Wight.
We have just under 2,000 members and 49 Lodges meeting in 6 Masonic centres (Cosham, Havant, Horndean, Portsmouth, Purbrook, Royal Naval & Royal Albert Yacht Club) across the South East Area of Hampshire and Isle of Wight. Our Headquarters are based at Provincial Offices, 85 Winchester Road, Chandler’s Ford, Eastleigh.
The organisation’s aim is to empower members to be the best they can be, both for themselves and for society around them. It does this by providing a structure of support to help them make positive contributions to their local communities, whether it be through fundraising events or volunteer work. In an uncertain world, the principles of Freemasonry: integrity, friendship, respect, and charity ring as true today as they ever have before.
Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest non-religious, non-political, fraternal and charitable organisations.
There are over 200,000 Freemasons meeting in more than 7,000 Masonic lodges throughout England and Wales. Our values are based on integrity, kindness, honesty and fairness. Freemasonry offers the opportunity of meeting a wide variety of people from the local community in a very sociable environment.
It consists of men brought together for the sake of mutual intellectual, social and moral improvement. We do this through participation in dramatic ceremonial plays. It recognises no distinction of religion and emphasises the duties of citizenship. Religious or political discussions are not permitted in our meetings. It offers no monetary advantages. It supports a wide range of charities, both Masonic and non-Masonic.
Integrity: Building good people
Freemasons are focused on building themselves as people of integrity and membership provides the structure to help achieve that goal.
Friendship: Building together
Freemasonry provides the common foundation for friendships between members, many of which will last for life.
Respect: Building unity
Freemasonry brings people together irrespective of their race, religion or any other perceived differences that can divide us as a society.
Charity: Building compassion
Kindness and charitable giving are deeply ingrained within the principles of Freemasonry and the organisation provides the structure for members to make positive contributions to their communities and various causes.
Clubs and Teams
In Freemasonry, clubs and teams play a large part in building and supporting relationships between our members, their families and with our local communities.
Refreshment Society
Intended to be an informal social group that primary represents newer members, but not exclusive to light blues. The aim is to give Freemasons, their families and friends a chance to socialise together away from our lodge meetings and convey a strong message of union, brothers, friends and family.
Guided by today’s lifestyle, ensuring fun and enjoyment for all freemasons, their families and friends, with no detriment to masonic values & principles.
Freemasonry in The Community
Freemasonry in the Community (FiTC) is a project designed to provide information on what we do, our charitable work and our support for local communities. Our aim is to provide a forum for the general public to understand the ethos of our organisation and to attract men of good standing to join our organisation.
We take part in a number of events right across Hampshire and Isle of Wight, supporting charities and organisations too numerous to mention here but of many differing types to enable all of our members to support such organisations, either by direct giving or helping and supporting in a more practical way.
You will find our display trailer and our support unit at many shows and events as well as in towns and villages across the county from shopping centres to high streets, these displays enable those interested in Freemasonry to come and speak with a real Freemason – and yes we welcome your questions on the many aspects of Freemasonry in a frank and open manner.
Capstan Group
The Capstan Group was set up to provide support for Masonic widows, widowers or elderly brethren who are feeling isolated.
It is a free provision – there is no joining fee and those attending are welcome to bring along a friend, support worker or family member. It is one of a number of similar groups set up around the Province of Hampshire & Isle of Wight all with a similar purpose.
Based at the Purbrook Masonic Centre, the group meets regularly twice a month on the 2nd and 4th Thursday, from 11.00 a.m. until 1.00 p.m. The Group publishes a programme of events at 6 monthly intervals which are sent out to all Lodge Almoners and Secretaries. We do have visits and outings to places like the theatre, RHS Wisley, National Trust properties, the Isle of Wight and many other places. Our programme activities can include interesting speakers, playing bingo, beetle drives, quizzes and luncheons. The feedback from our members is always positive, supportive and they enjoy the company of their peer group. We do also encourage our members to get involved on the Committee and we are fortunate to have two members from the Group.
Funding for the group came originally from a donation from the Province, and latterly by generous donations from various Lodges in the South East Area and the MCF. This is also bolstered by donations from other sources and raffle income.
Area Executive
Freemasonry in England is governed by the United Grand Lodge of England and is one of the oldest fraternal and charitable organisations in the world with over 190,000 members.
To effectively manage such a large organisation, it is divided into Provinces which are roughly aligned with English counties. The Province of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight has 8,500 members in 250 Lodges and is led by a Provincial Grand Master, RW Jonathan Charles Whitaker. Still a very large area, so the day to day management of the Province is further split into 6 geographic areas each with its own Executive. This site reflects the organisation of the South East Area and covers from Portsmouth to Havant and Horndean which has 2,000 members in 49 Lodges that meet in one of 5 Masonic Centres – Horndean, Purbrook, Cosham, Havant and Old Portsmouth.
South East Area Executive
The area executive is headed by an Assistant Provincial Grand Master with an Area Chairman, 6 Area Vice Chairman and Area Secretary.
Charitable work
Charity being at the very heart of our values, Freemasons support Charity through personal donations which are distributed by the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF), the largest grant making charity in the country, supporting Freemasons, their families and the wider community.
Nationally the MCF provides around £20 million in support each year to help Masonic Families, and other non-Masonic charities, such as hospices, air ambulance, medical research and international disaster relief appeals.
In Hampshire and Isle of Wight the MCF supports each year over 250 Masonic families at a cost of £500,000 and provides grants totalling £150,000 to local non-Masonic charities. At an individual Lodge level, Freemasons also raise money for their favourite local charities through raffles, sponsored events eg. Parachute jumps, cycle rides, walks, long motor cycle rides etc.
Recent and upcoming Charity Events
In the SE Area a charity cheque presentation evening is held once a year giving local charities, who have received a donation, an opportunity to provide a short presentation on their work to a wider Masonic audience.
In September this year, the Portsmouth News Community Chest, funded by local Freemasons, was launched at the Cosham Masonic Centre. Editor of The News, Mark Waldron, told those present he was ‘honoured’ to help launch the initiative that will see a cash pot of £1,000 handed out every two months for one-off projects, or to help kick-start longer-term projects.
Interested in joining?
There are several ways to become a Freemason with most members being introduced by friends and family. If you don’t know anyone who is a member and that you can talk to, then your first step is to contact your nearest Lodge.
Most Lodges meet in the early evenings - Monday to Saturday - but we also have those that meet during the day so we cater for all.
We have many special interest Lodges that have been set up for those with a particular passion - from cars to motorcyclists and rugby!
Simply register your interest by completing a short form.
If you have moved from another Province or through personal or work circumstances are a lapsed mason wishing to rejoin, simply register your interest as above.
FAQs
Browse our FAQs below for common questions –
Freemasonry is one of the oldest social and charitable organisations in the world with its roots lying in the traditions of the medieval stonemasons who built our cathedrals and castles.
Freemasons aim to shape their conduct and lives around four important principals – Integrity, Friendship, Respect, and Charity.
The United Grand Lodge of England which governs Freemasonry in England and Wales only permits men of 18 years and over.
The two leading women’s Grand Lodges that have a close relationship with us are Freemasonry for Women and the Order of Women Freemasons. These two groups only admit women as that is their choice of membership and like ourselves, prefer to practice Freemasonry in a single sex environment.
Events
We are an extremely active part of the Province of Hampshire and Isle of Wight with events ranging from Lodge meetings, White table , family days to Official Visits and more. Check out our events calendar below.
Events for 25th April
Portsmouth Temperance Lodge – 2nd Degree
Solent Lodge – Placeholder
Portsea Lodge – Placeholder
Events for 26th April
King Edward VII – Placeholder
Duke of Connaught Lodge – Placeholder
Events for 27th April
Portsmouth and District Masters Lodge – Installation
Phoenix Lodge – 2nd Degree
St Mary Lodge – Placeholder
United Service Lodge – 2nd Degree
Portsmouth & District Masters’ Lodge – Installation
Wayfarers Lodge – Placeholder
Events for 28th April
Southsea Lodge – Initiation
Richard Bond Lodge – 1st Degree Demonstration
Events for 1st May
Events for 2nd May
Events for 3rd May
Carnarvon Lodge – Placeholder
Excelsior Lodge – 3rd Degree
Absit Invidia Lodge – 2nd Degree
Events for 4th May
St Thomas Lodge – 3rd Degree
Portsdown Lodge – Placeholder
Domus Dei Lodge – 2nd Degree
Events for 5th May
Neptune Lodge – 2nd Degree
Events for 6th May
Events for 7th May
Victory Lodge – Installation
Spinnaker Lodge – Placeholder
Events for 8th May
Events for 9th May
Cosham Lodge – Placeholder
Forest of Bere Lodge – Installation
Events for 10th May
Charles Dickens Lodge – 3rd Degree
Events for 11th May
Comrades Lodge – Demonstration of Initiation Ceremony
Havant Lodge – Talk of Masonic Interest
Clanfield Lodge – Placeholder
Events for 12th May
Drayton Lodge – Placeholder
Events for 13th May
Hayling Island Lodge – 2nd Degree & Official Visit
Prudence Lodge – 2nd Degree
Portus Magnus Lodge
Events for 14th May
Events for 15th May
Events for 16th May
Old Portmuthian Lodge – Installation
Solent Lodge – Demonstration of 1st Degree Ceremony
Events for 17th May
Georgian Lodge – Placeholder
Lodge of Hope – Placeholder
Royal Marine Portsmouth Lodge
Events for 18th May
Horndean Lodge of Harmony – Installation
Royal Sussex Lodge – 2nd Degree
St Clair Lodge – 1st Degree
St Clair Lodge – Emergency Meeting, Initiation
Events for 19th May
Arthurian Lodge – Placeholder
Landport Lodge – 2nd Degree
Events for 20th May
Events for 21st May
Events for 22nd May
Events for 23rd May
Portsea Lodge – Placeholder
Events for 24th May
Duke of Connaught Lodge – 1st Degree
King Edward VII – Placeholder
Events for 25th May
Five Heads Lodge – Placeholder
United Service Lodge – Placeholder
Wayfarers Lodge – Placeholder
Events for 26th May
Southsea Lodge – Placeholder
Richard Bond Lodge – Placeholder
Events for 27th May
Events for 28th May
Links Lodge – Placeholder
Events for 29th May
Events for 30th May
Events for 31st May
Tudor Rose Lodge – Placeholder
Events for 1st June
Portsdown Lodge – Placeholder
Pilgrims Lodge – Placeholder
St Thomas Lodge – Placeholder
Events for 3rd June
Victory Lodge – Placeholder
Events for 4th June
Spinnaker Lodge – Placeholder
News
To see what’s going on in our Area, check out our news feed below. Alternatively, you can subscribe to our Twitter feed and Facebook page by adding our handle @HantsMasonSE.
RT @RogerMaber: During a relaxed evening dining with Ruling Masters from his SE Area, head of @HantsMason @jw_hamble posed a key question W…
Read MoreRT @UGLE_GrandLodge: On behalf of all #Freemasons, we wish Her Majesty The Queen a very happy 96th birthday! https://t.co/ENwGbVQ5V9
Read MoreRT @RogerMaber: 4 charities tonight received cash awards - Gosport & Fareham group of the MS Society, MHA Communities Gosport & Fareham, @r…
Read MoreRT @RogerMaber: Fabulous press coverage today with a two page spread on Saturday evening’s @HantsMason and @portsmouthnews Community Chest…
Read MoreRT @RogerMaber: Dine a Master Mason - Steve Allum and members of his @HantsCompanion executive are introduced at tonight’s event for Free…
Read MoreRT @RogerMaber: Article in today's NEWS. Join us next Saturday at Gosport Masonic Centre. The Community Chest a partnership between @HantsM…
Read MoreRT @HantsMason: PGM @jw_hamble made an Official Visit to Andover Combined Services Lodge 8300 to celebrate their belated 50th Anniversary (…
Read MoreRT @UGLE_GrandLodge: "Brethren I have had a wonderful time as Pro Grand Master and I will say a little more about that at my last hoorah in…
Read MoreRT @HantsMason: A fantastic experience to be at the Mental Health Awareness Seminar this morning. The Welfare team @HantsMasonPGA put on a…
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