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.

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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During the presentation, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, W Bro David Shakeshaft, PAGDC, recounted some of Bro Cleveley’s family, work, and Masonic history which included the number of years he had served as Treasurer of Solihull Lodge.  

He also mentioned his occasional role in the film industry as a stand-in for Sir Michael Caine.

Before presenting the 50-year certificate, signed by the Provincial Grand Master, to Bro Cleveley, he acknowledged the contributions he had made to Freemasonry.

Afterwards, W Bro Firdos Avari, Worshipful Master, presented Bro Cleveley with a cut-glass engraved tumbler on behalf of the Lodge, in gratitude for the support he had given over the past 50 years.

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The Deputy Provincial Grand Master was accompanied by W BRo Clive J Cooper, Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies, who ably performed his duties on the occasion.

The brethren afterwards gathered in the Lodge room for the photograph above, and then retired to the Festive Board.

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He will be proclaimed WM at a ceremony to be held a Knowle Masonic Centre on Monday, 18 September 2023, starting at 6:00pm.

The Deputy Provincial Grand Master, VW Bro David  A Butcher, PGSwdB, will be in attendance, and will deliver the address to the Master.

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A number of Solihull Lodge brethren were present to witness the ceremony and support them on the day.

The opportunity to meet and speak with brethren from across the Province was used to its fullest, and friendships old and new were renewed.

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