The Next Regular Step.
January heralds the excitement of a new year, and in the Chapter of Sincerity (No.261) it was kicked off with yet another exaltation of a member of this lodge, Bro. Gary McEvans, into Royal Arch Freemasonry and the Chapter of Sincerity. What made it such a special evening was that so many of the companions were there from the Lodge of Unanimity and Sincerity, Comp. Gary's craft lodge, to support him in this important step in his masonic journey. Indeed, many of them volunteered to take on key roles within the ceremony of Exaltation. Congratulations Companion Gary, we all hope you enjoy your time in Chapter and wish you luck in your onward journey through traditional freemasonry.
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Gone to the Dogs!
The culmination of the talk was a presentation by the Worshipful Master of a cheque for £1,800 which has been raised throughout the year by the brethren of the Lodge of Unanimity and Sincerity through events such as raffles and whiskey draws.
Next The brethren and their guest retired to the dining room for a true feast of roast turkey with all the trimmings followed by Christmas pudding. The evening was rounded off with the lodge’s tradition of singing festive carols and songs. What better way to kick-off Christmas? |
December's meeting sees us coming together to celebrate Christmas and to share the festivities with those who matter; loved ones and friends, joining us as guests for a very festive festive board.
The evening kicked of with Brethren and guests coming in from a bitter cold outside to a very warm welcome in the Sherry Room, were a glass of something sparkling helped to kick off the evening. Following a shortened meeting the brethren were joined by their guests to hear from Ceri Hudson, a speaker on behalf of ‘Guide Dogs for the Blind’ and her beautiful guide dog Lucy. Guide Dogs for the Blind has been the chosen charity of the Worshipful Master this year. It was fantastic to hear how a guide dog can change the life of someone suffering severe visual impediment and it really brought to mind the importance of the work that Guide Dogs for the Blind actually do in training, not just the dogs, but the future dog owners. |
"Doing the Magic!"
Our Charity Steward Roger Earthrowl presented a cheque for £250 to Natalie Dyson CEO of Diversity Voice who was running a Christmas party for vulnerable people in our community.
Diversity Voice is a registered charity in Somerset championing intercultural understanding and providing support and services to prevent marginalisation and working towards equality for all. The charity was established in 2015 but draws on experience from 2008, when it was formed as an experience-led community group. Almost all of their team are multilingual and have experience of living and working in the UK as migrants. As Diversity Voice does not receive any core funding and relies on income from project-led initiatives, having Roger turn up to one of their Christmas initiatives with a cheque for £250 was the icing on the cake. Natalie Dyson said ‘Thank you for helping to make it [Christmas] special for them’. |
A Brother and a Companion.

Congratulations to Brother, and now Companion, Chris Lewis who took the fourth regular step in "pure antient masonry" and was exalted in to the Chapter of Sincerity (No.261). It was a wonderful evening and as you can see, there were a few familiar faces to help him along the way.
If anyone is interested in the Holy Royal Arch, then please don't hesitate to ask R.W.Bro. Ray Winston who's our Lodge's Royal Arch representative or failing that, anyone in the lodge who wears a Royal Arch jewel.
If anyone is interested in the Holy Royal Arch, then please don't hesitate to ask R.W.Bro. Ray Winston who's our Lodge's Royal Arch representative or failing that, anyone in the lodge who wears a Royal Arch jewel.
Welcome Brother Macey!
Photo shows (Left to right);
Worshipful Master Mike Meatyard, the newly initiated Bro. Daniel Macey and his proposer W.Bro. Alan Covey. |
So summer's over and it's back to it, and boy how we got back to it! Nothing beats a Initiation or First Degree where everyone, whether taking part in the ceremony or just watching from the side-lines, thinks back to the first time they stepped into the Lodge and into Freemasonry and how special it was for them.
On this occasion the Brethren worked hard to make it a special evening for Bro. Daniel Macey. It was a beautiful ceremony with some excellent floorwork and ritual followed by a festive board full of food, wine and song. I'm sure I speak for all the Brethren when I say "Welcome to the Lodge and welcome to Freemasonry Bro. Daniel. You've joined an unique organisation and an even more unique Lodge. We hope you enjoy it!" |
Light-Blues dining out.

So the Lodge is closed for summer and the meetings have all come to an end but that doesn't mean that the Freemasonry has to stop, especially not the fellowship.
Junior member's of the Lodge met up in Taunton to share an evening of food and fellowship at "The Skewer House". There was plenty to eat and drink but most of all there was plenty of conversation and laughter shared by all those in attendance.
The photo shows (Left to right);
André (friend of Bro. Chris Lewis), Bro. Nick Halsall, Bro. Gary McEvans, Megan (partner of Bro. Garry McEvans), Bro. Tim Churchley, Bro. Pete Gibson and Bro. Chris Lewis.
Junior member's of the Lodge met up in Taunton to share an evening of food and fellowship at "The Skewer House". There was plenty to eat and drink but most of all there was plenty of conversation and laughter shared by all those in attendance.
The photo shows (Left to right);
André (friend of Bro. Chris Lewis), Bro. Nick Halsall, Bro. Gary McEvans, Megan (partner of Bro. Garry McEvans), Bro. Tim Churchley, Bro. Pete Gibson and Bro. Chris Lewis.
"On yer bike mate!"
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Following on from W.Bro. Malcolm Hayden's unfortunate news I am trying to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
On the 26th August, I intend to ride the 85 miles from our lodge; the Lodge of Unanimity and Sincerity No.261 which meets in the Taunton Masonic Hall and where Malcolm is the current master, down to Lodge of Sincerity No.189 at Edgecumbe Masonic Hall in Plymouth, which is Malcolm's mother lodge. These two Lodges mean a lot to him, and he means a lot to both them and us. Many thanks for all you support in this venture! Here's a link to my "Just Giving" page where you can make a donation; Click here for Pete's Just Giving page. |
Hayley's Flying High!
Check out Hayley, a much loved member of our lodge catering team, taking on a zipwire challenge.
On the 25th June, Hayley and employees from 15 other Superdrug stores in our area, converged on the 'Adrenaline Quarry' in Liskeard, Cornwall to brave the 490m long zipwire reaching speeds of close to 40mph in order to raise money for Marie Curie , a really worthwhile cause. Hayley and the others have so far manged to raise around £6000 but are still trying to reach their target of £10,000. Well done Hayley and good luck!
Check out Hayley, a much loved member of our lodge catering team, taking on a zipwire challenge.
On the 25th June, Hayley and employees from 15 other Superdrug stores in our area, converged on the 'Adrenaline Quarry' in Liskeard, Cornwall to brave the 490m long zipwire reaching speeds of close to 40mph in order to raise money for Marie Curie , a really worthwhile cause. Hayley and the others have so far manged to raise around £6000 but are still trying to reach their target of £10,000. Well done Hayley and good luck!
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Lodge life:
In the Footsteps of Columbus
A visit to Kempsville Lodge No. 196. Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA.
A visit to Kempsville Lodge No. 196. Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA.
Provincial Annual Meeting.
6th April, 2023. Webbington Hotel, Loxton, Somerset
6th April, 2023. Webbington Hotel, Loxton, Somerset
lodge of unanimity and sincerity NO. 261
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