Right Worshipful Brother M Attwood, Assistant Grand Master of the Order of Women Freemasons was then escorted into the Lodge Room by WBro David Fry, the Senior Past Master of Solihull Lodge to applause.

Everyone was then treated to a talk about some highlights of the history of Solihull Lodge 8088, given by WBro David Fry; followed by a fascinating presentation by RWBro Attwood about Women’s Freemasonry.

This presentation started with the early history of involvement of women in Freemasonry in the 18th century, then continued up to early 20th century with the foundation of The Honourable Fraternity of Antient Masonry, then a Co-Masonic Order in 1908. Disagreements within the order resulted in the foundation of a separate Co-Masonic Order, The Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons in 1913. The number of male members of both orders diminished to the point where by the 1930’s the Orders were for women only. The Honourable Fraternity of Antient Masonry added “Order of Women Freemasons” to their title in 1958 to avoid confusion with The Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons.

This latter Women’s Order now use the term “Freemasonry for Women” as a more modern title, perhaps to avoid any confusion with Co-Masonic fraternities.
RWBro Attwood continued with details about the Order of Women Freemasons to the present day, its aims and principles, governance of the Order, including higher Degrees, the membership and the charitable work the order does, both for the membership, their families and dependents and for the wider community. Mention was made of the Doris Jones Memorial Lodge 300, the Order of Women Freemasons Teaching and Research Lodge, and the Council for Freemasonry in England and Wales that covers male and female Freemasons and comprises the heads of the two female Grand Lodges, Order of Women Freemasons and Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons, and United Grand Lodge of England.

The Worshipful Master, WBro Phillip Benson, PProvJGD, thanked RWBro Attwood and WBro Fry for their presentations. The Closing Ode was sung followed by the Procession out of the Lodge Room.

The evening concluded with an Informal Festive Board in the Dining Room.

The post Solihull Lodge Host Meeting with OWF / HFAF appeared first on Solihull Lodge 8088.

… or complete the form below …

At Knowle Masonic Centre on Monday, 17 February 2025, Solihull Lodge 8088 will be hosting a special meeting after the usual Lodge meeting to hear a talk by RW Bro Mabs Attwood, OWF.  This talk will be open to all: Masons, or non-Masons.

If you would be interested in attending (by BOOKINGS IN ADVANCE ONLY), please complete the form below.

We look forward to seeing you there. Usual Masonic dress, or non-masons as you would to go out for a smart evening event.

Buffet Menu – Vegetarian options will be available

REMEMBER TO USE THE “CLICK TO ADD OTHER PEOPLE ..” BUTTON TO ADD

THE DETAILS OF ADDITIONAL PEOPLE YOU ARE BOOKING FOR

OWF HFAF Meeting Booking Form - Solihull Lodge 8088

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Name of person making booking *

First

Last

Title *

Email of person making booking *

Enter the Menu choices for ALL members of your party below. YOU are person number 1.

<div class="repeater-field-header wpforms-repeater-field-large"> <div class="repeater-field-header-title">Person <span class="repeater-field-header-count">1</span></div> <div class="repeater-field-header-acctions"> <ul> <li><i class="repeater-icon icon-down-open repeater-field-header-acctions-toogle" aria-hidden="true"></i></li> <li><i class="repeater-icon icon-cancel-1 repeater-field-header-acctions-remove" aria-hidden="true"></i></li> </ul> </div> </div>

Name of party member *

First

Last

Title *

Please indicate the Masonic Order of the attendee *

• UGLE Mason
• OWF Mason
• HFAF Mason
• Non-Mason

Lodge Name

Lodge Number

Buffet Booking *Please click to select[1] Standard Buffet - £17.00[2] Vegetarian Buffet - £17.00[3] Not Dining - £0.00

Party Members and Festive Board Bookings - Remember to add everyone

CLICK TO ADD OTHER PEOPLE

General Comments or Message

Other Preferences

Please confirm number of standard buffet meals @ £17.00 per head *

Please confirm number of Vegetarian meals @ £17.00 per head *

Please confirm number of people not dining *

I will use the following payment method (click to select) *

• ** PREFERRED METHOD** BACS Transfer to - Solihull Lodge 8088 / 51-61-26 / 04211529 - Please use "OWF 2025" + your Surname as your reference.
• At the meeting. Please hand your cash or cheque to W Bro Stephen Smith, Treasurer.

Submit Booking

Oops!  Missed someone?  Simply complete a second form, and add a note telling us that this is an additional guest.

The post OWF Special Meeting February 2025 appeared first on Solihull Lodge 8088.

The meal, as usual, was excellent, and enjoyed by all.

Maria Barham, a local singer / guitarist, and friend of the WM, kept everyone well entertained after the meal with festive songs and a sing-along medley.

A few selected photos of the event are shown below.

The post Christmas Lunch appeared first on Solihull Lodge 8088.

Our Worshipful Master is well qualified to lecture on this topic as he is a Retired Lecturer in Computing.

The post Security in a Digital World appeared first on Solihull Lodge 8088.

W. Bro. Thomas gave two Orations, the first being on the subject of the meanings and historical origins of the Proper Preparatons of Candidates for Initiation, and the second was about the historical origins and significances of the Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, Master Mason, and Installed Master Aprons that are worn in Lodge.

Both Orations were very interesting, educational, and entertaining. It was evident that W. Bro. Thomas had made a large effort in preparing them and the Brethren made more than a few Advancements in Masonic Knowledge from the material he presented in the Orations.

W. Bro. Dickens introduced himself and said his appointment as Visiting Officer was only from the 14th November, he was new to the role and Solihull Lodge was the first one that he visited as a Visiting Officer.

Following the Meeting, the Brethren and Visitors retired to the Festive Board where Traditional Faggots, Mash and Greens followed by Apple Pie and Custard was offered and enjoyed.

The post Being Prepared appeared first on Solihull Lodge 8088.

At the October 2024 Regular Meeting of Solihull Lodge 8088, the Brethren, Guests and Visitors were treated to an absolutely superb Extended Explanation of the Second Degree Tracing Board given by Bro Dan Boulstridge of Athelstan Lodge 1333.

The Lodge as a whole rose to congratulate and thank Bro Boulstridge for the quality of his work and for all the effort he had made in preparation for the presentation.

The next Regular Meeting of Solihull Lodge on Monday 18th November 2024 at Knowle Masonic Centre will feature a visit from W Bro Mark Thomas, the Provincial Grand Learning and Development Officer. He will be presenting an Oration on the subject of ‘The Meaning of Properly Prepared for the First Degree Ceremony’.

All Masonic Brethren are welcome to visit and hear some fascinating insights on the first steps we all take in the Craft.

The post Be Prepared appeared first on Solihull Lodge 8088.

Our 2024 Christmas Lunch for Members, family, and friends will be held at the Knowle Masonic Centre, 1621 Warwick Road, Knowle, Solihull   B93 9LF on Sunday, 8 December from 12:00.

After the Festive Fare, the afternoon will be helped along by festive entertainment featuring Maria Barham, well-known singer-guitarist.  

Please ask your hosts to book no later than Friday, 22 November, so that the catering arrangements can be finalised.  Early booking is advised to avoid disappointment.  The number we can accommodate is limited.

The Xmas menu option is available as Adult or Child (12 and under) sized portions, at £33.00 or £23.00 respectively.

The alternative Child ONLY (12 years and under) menu is £18.00.

Menu

You may choose from the main Xmas menu below (Adult or Child size portions) or the special menu for children ONLY, 12 years and under.

Child Only Option

Please Note that the Child only alternative menu is set, and cannot be altered.

Three courses

Melon – Chicken Nuggets – Ice Cream

We look forward to seeing you there.

The post Christmas Lunch Menu Visitors appeared first on Solihull Lodge 8088.

All our social events are open to non-members as part of a member’s circle of friends, and you would be sure of a friendly welcome.

Non-members can only attend as part of a booking made by a member on your behalf, so please ask a Member of Solihull 8088 to make arrangements for you.

Members, please log in to see more.

The post Social Events Bookings appeared first on Solihull Lodge 8088.

The Assistant Provincial Grand Master was accompanied by W Bro James Dalton, Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies, who very ably performed his duties.

W Bro Phillip Benson was expertly Installed in the Chair of King Solomon by Installing Masters W Bro Firdos Avari and W Bro David Fry, PProvJGW according to Ancient Custom.

The Address to the Master was given by the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, W Bro Avtar Panesar, PAGDC. W Bro Stephen Smith, PProvJGW, gave the Address to the Wardens and VW Bro Michael Morris, PGSwdB, PDepProvGM, gave the Address to the Brethren.

The post Installation of W Bro Phillip Benson as Worshipful Master appeared first on Solihull Lodge 8088.

Our 2024 Christmas Lunch for Members, family, and friends will be held at the Knowle Masonic Centre, 1621 Warwick Road, Knowle, Solihull   B93 9LF on Sunday, 8 December from 12:00.

After the Festive Fare, the afternoon will be helped along by festive entertainment featuring Maria Barham, well-known singer-guitarist.  

Please book no later than Friday, 22 November, so that the catering arrangements can be finalised.  Early booking is advised to avoid disappointment.  The number we can accommodate is limited.

You can use the online booking form below, or complete and return the PDF Booking Form.

The Xmas menu option is available as Adult or Child (12 and under) sized portions, at £33.00 or £23.00 respectively.

The alternative Child ONLY (12 years and under) menu is £18.00.

Menu

You may choose from the main Xmas menu below (Adult or Child size portions) or the special menu for children ONLY, 12 years and under.

Child Only Option

Please Note that the Child only alternative menu is set, and cannot be altered.

Three courses

Melon – Chicken Nuggets – Ice Cream

Please use the form below to book online for this event, or download the PDF from here to fill in and send to us.

Please complete all the required fields on the form, shown with an asterisk, together with ALL the names and meal choices for ALL members of your party.

Please double-check all your entries – have you missed anyone? – then tick the box for ReCaptcha BEFORE clicking the Submit button.

Oops!  Missed someone?  Simply complete a second form, and add a note telling us that this is an additional guest.

To pay …

• Either, send a cheque made payable to “Solihull Lodge Ladies Festival” for payment of the total to:
  W Bro Paul Draper, 30 Farm Side, Newhall, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE11 0RP
• Or, you can make your payment by BACS to Solihull Lodge Ladies Festival, 55-50-15, 49336657.  Please use “8088 Xmas 2024” as your reference together with your Surname.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Christmas Lunch 2024 Booking Form Solihull Lodge 8088

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Name of person making booking *

First

Last

Title *

Address of person making booking *

Email of person making booking *

Menu choices for members of your party. Remember to include YOURSELF. Please see details above.

<div class="repeater-field-header wpforms-repeater-field-medium"> <div class="repeater-field-header-title">Person <span class="repeater-field-header-count">1</span></div> <div class="repeater-field-header-acctions"> <ul> <li><i class="repeater-icon icon-down-open repeater-field-header-acctions-toogle" aria-hidden="true"></i></li> <li><i class="repeater-icon icon-cancel-1 repeater-field-header-acctions-remove" aria-hidden="true"></i></li> </ul> </div> </div>

Name of party member *

First

Last

Title *

Please indicate *

• Adult
• Child

Xmas Menu - Starter *Please select your Starter[1] Ham Hock Terrine[2] Tiger Prawn Thermidor[3] Roast Butternut and Ginger Soup (Vegetarian)None

Xmas Menu - Main Course *Please select your Main Course[1] Butter Roast Turkey[2] Roast Fillet of Salmon[3] Beetroot and Butternut Pithivier (Vegetarian)None

Xmas Menu - Dessert *Please select your Dessert[1] Christmas Pudding and Brandy Sauce[2] Chocolate and Salted Caramel Tart[3] Cheese and Biscuits (Vegetarian)None

Child Option - up to 12 Years

• Melon / Chicken Nuggets / Ice Cream

Add more people ...

General Comments or Message

Other Preferences

Please confirm number of adult Xmas Menu meals @ £33.00 per head *

Please confirm number of child-size Xmas Menu meals @ £23.00 per head *

Please confirm number of CHILD option meals at £18.00 per head *

I will use the following payment method (click to select)

• Cheque made payable to "Solihull Lodge Ladies Festival" and posted to: Mr Paul Draper, 30 Farm Side, Newhall, Swadlincote DE11 0RP
• BACS Transfer to 55-50-15 / 49336657 Please use "8088 Xmas 2024" + Surname as your reference
• At the next Lodge meeting. Please hand your payment to W Bro Paul Draper

Submit Booking

AFTER submitting your booking …

The post Christmas Lunch 2024 appeared first on Solihull Lodge 8088.