SPITHEAD MASONIC LODGE

No. 6719 - SEAVIEW - ISLE OF WIGHT

Spithead Lodge came into being after WW11, when W/Bro Lt.Col. L W Lewer D.S.O.; P.A.G.D.C. a past Provincial Grand Secretary came to live in Seaview and generated interest amongst Masons in the area, with a view to starting a Lodge in Seaview. The Consecration Ceremony was held at Ryde Town Hall on the 19 th of October 1948. The Lodge banner depicts the unusual former Seaview suspension Pier, which was wrecked in a storm in 1951. The Lodge met at various premises in Seaview and in 1965, a joining member of the Lodge, W/Bro Bruce Donald donated 2000 shares in Allied Iron Foundries of which he was the Chairman and the subsequent sale of these shares enabled the Lodge to purchase its present premises in 1969. Known as ‘The Pavilion’ at the time of purchase by the Lodge, the building was used as a war time cinema and the projector room can quite plainly be made out to this day.

The present Lodge premises were dedicated on the 20 th May 1970. Over the years, much effort and money has been expended on the building, which due to the nature of its construction is ’High Maintenance’; which combined with ever increasing regulations has meant that little time has ever passed without some undertaking being required.

Spithead is now a mature progressive Lodge, with members drawn from all sections of the local community. Through the efforts of both the past members of the Lodge and the current membership, traditions and standards have been maintained, and the Lodge looks forward to a thriving future. It is the combination of this forward looking approach, and a sense of history that today sees the Lodge enjoying a high reputation amongst the other Lodges on the Isle of Wight and also in the Province of Hampshire and The Isle of Wight.