About us

This Freemasons lodge was formed in 2012 the first of a series of special interest lodges that the then Provincial Grand Master Michael Wilks envisaged as part of the modernization of freemasonry. There were a number of scout lodges around the country but not in Hampshire.

The ‘raison d’etre’ of the lodge was to support scouting in the masonic province of Hampshire and Isle of Wight. Initially all members must have made the scout promise at some point in their lives either as a child or adult.

Because the founders of the lodge were all freemasons already a decision was made to hold only four meetings a year. These meetings are held at Kings Court Masonic Centre, Winchester Road, Chandlers Ford on the fourth Friday of February, April, September and October. This being a ‘Craft’ Freemasonry lodge there are three ceremonies for every new member to undergo each with a moral message and the intention of ‘making good men better’.

There are many parallels with the aims of scouting and a very large number of freemasons have been in scouting as a youth member. Tony Harvey, an honorary member of Pax Hill and volunteer at HQ, has written a lecture which is available as a book on this very subject. Scouting and Freemasonry: Two Parallel Organisations? A number of our members currently are active in scouting in various roles in the county.

An important part of freemasonry is charitable giving by its members. We do not collect money from the public but we do encourage members to give to charity via their lodge. Since 2012 Pax hill Lodge has donated over fourteen thousand pounds to scout groups in Hampshire and Isle of Wight for equipment and obtained another three thousand pounds for groups from provincial charity funds. We also support masonic charities as well.

After each meeting we have a dinner known as the ‘after proceedings’ or ‘festive board’.  We hold a raffle (one of our ways of raising money for charity). You can also make donations to the Lodge Relief Chest by envelope or standing order, either of these methods enable us to claim the tax back on your donation if you are a UK tax payer.

We have regular social events of Curry Nights, BBQs, etc as this is another important part of masonry some of which families are welcome to attend.

As with most hobbies there are costs involved. The annual subscription for membership of Pax Hill Lodge is £130. This is made up of an annual membership fee to Grand Lodge, our umbrella organization and a compulsory donation to the Masonic Charitable Foundation, a smaller annual fee to Provincial Grand Lodge of Hampshire and Isle of Wight. A bit like scout membership fees. Most of the rest goes on rent to the premises where we hold our meetings and a few admin and other costs. Meals cost on average £20 each meeting and say £5 for raffle tickets plus a drink if you wish.

When you first join there are some additional fees to cover registration with Grand Lodge and items the lodge will supply to you, these amount to approximately

£150. All these fees can be paid by monthly standing order if you prefer.

If you want to discuss possible membership of Pax Hill Lodge please contact us.