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Vernon Lodge

1802

Retford

About the Lodge

Our Lodge meets on the second Monday of each month October through to May at the Masonic Hall, Carolgate, Retford. We begin our meetings at 6.30 sharp. Depending on the ceremony of the evening we will be finished usually between 7.45 and 8.30. After each meeting we enjoy dining together where we sing, we laugh and share a meal together. Staying for the meal is optional, but to most people it’s an important and integral part of the evening.
Our social activities usually extent to two regular (and optional) social activities as well as other ad-hoc events.
The first of the two socials is our Burns Night which we hold instead of our January meeting. This is what is known as a White Table Event which means that friends and family are allowed to attend as well as Masons. We begin the meeting by a tour of our Temple, something that most people never get the chance to see. Afterwards we sit down to a spectacular Burns night meal which includes a piper to ‘Pipe in the Haggis’.
The second is known as Black-tie event where we invite friends and family to join us, dress to impress and enjoy a meal. This isn’t a Masonic event in anyway, it’s purely a social event to enjoy each other’s company.

Our membership is made up of a group of men of very diverse ages and backgrounds. While some Lodges seem to specialize in men from particular occupations, you’ll find anything and everything is represented in Vernon. We have Lawyers, Butchers, Ex Service Men, retirees, IT professionals to name a few. Whatever your background you will be the equal of every other Brother. As with all Freemasonry, rank and privilege are left at the door. When we enter the lodge, we are simply a group of men who enjoy each other’s company and with a shared goal of discovering more about Masonry.
The current age range of our members spans from Brothers in the 30’s up to our silver statesmen. We offer a happy home to men of all ages. Age is neither an advantage or a barrier.

We are proud of our very close connection with our Daughter Lodges, Carolgate and East Retford. A Daughter Lodge is formed either because the Mother Lodge has become too big and the Lodge splits, or that is a special interest group that has formed within the Lodge and a new Lodge is formed to cater for the interest. We will often have visitors from our Daughter Lodges with us, and we are always welcome at theirs.

A picture of a Masonic Lodge Banner

Interested in Joining Us?

Then please get in touch

Lodge History

Vernon Lodge was formed in 1879 and was named after Cannon E.H Harcourt Vernon, a well-respected Freemason in the Area.

We, the Brethren of Vernon Lodge are proud of our long heritage and while we take our Freemasonry seriously, that doesn’t mean that we’re always serious.

Ideal Candidate

• Men of all ages and backgrounds, to create a lively & diverse membership group.
• All Freemasons must be able to answer yes to the following question: Do you believe in a supreme being? As we are open to men of all religions and belief systems we will not tell you how to interpret that question.
• Have availability and being able to commit to attending the meeting on the 2nd Monday of each month (October to May) While it’s not a requirement for any member to progress through the offices of the Lodge, everyone will be encouraged to do so. If you choose to take an active role as an officer you will also need to be able to commit to attending a rehearsal on the Wednesday before the main meeting. This would normally commence between 18 months and 2 years after becoming a member.
• Have a willingness to learn
• Have a willingness to get involved in the activities of the Lodge with the support of their families
• Have an interest in learning about the history and deeper meaning of Freemasonry.


Why join Vernong Lodge? Only you can answer that. If you are interested in becoming a Freemason and in the Retford area, we would love to hear from you. We would be very happy to talk with you, meet with you and answer your questions. There will never be any pressure to join us and we will meet with you as many times as you would like to. Some people make the decision to join very quickly, for others it takes longer, there is no correct protocol.

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