Septem History Timeline

6th December 1961
Lodge Consecration
Consecration of the Septem Lodge No:7788

Members of the Military Jubilee Lodge No:2195 petitioned Grand Lodge during 1961/1962 to form a new Lodge in Dover which they wanted to call Septem Lodge. The petition was granted and the Lodge was duly consecratred on the 6th December 1961 in the Dover Town Hall. There were 33 founding members, 13 Grand Lodge Officers, 58 visiting Provincial Grand Lodge Officers and a further 204 visiting brethren that were recorded, a further minimum of 200+ Guests were actually present making the total in excess of 500.

1961
Lodge Crest
Creation of Lodge Crest

The Septem Lodge Crest was created prior to the Consecration of the Lodge by a committee of the founding members. It was adopted at the time of the consecration in December 1961

January 1962
First Regular Meeting
January 13th 1962

At the first Regular meeting there were 2 candidates for Initiation Bro's D S Millar and G S Blundy who were balloted for and initiated at that meeting, there were 4 joining members, Bro's H F Holton (age unknown) J A Edmondson (aged 35) W A Tressider (aged 39) and H M Preece (aged 36). The Charity collection raised six pounds eleven shillings and nine pence (£6.58 in todays money) and appears to have been rounded up to seven pounds. Three further candidates for inititation were mentioned in open lodge.

May 1966
Lodge Membership
Lodge Records for 1966

In May 1966 it is recorded that there were sixty five members of the Lodge, 27 were founder members and 38 were either initiates or joining members, the Lodge recruitment policy was encouraging growth of members.

May 1968
Lodge Banner
New Lodge Banner Commissioned and Presented

In May 1968, the 7th Worshipful Master, W.Bro J W Coddington (MBE), commissioned and presented to the Lodge a banner of the same design as the crest. The design of the banner was traced out on to light blue satin fabric  by Bro. A Todd the seventh initiate. It was embroidered in gold and coloured silks by the Master's daughter, Mrs J Hunter.

June 1968
Banner Dedication
Lodge Banner dedication

The Lodge banner donated by W.Bro J W Coddington (MBE) was dedicated at a special service for that purposes. During that same year it was decided that the Annual subscriptions payable in Guineas would now become payable in Pounds and accordingly the Annual Subscription went from 3 guineas to 4 pounds. The cost of Lodge meals at that time was 12 shillings (60p in todays money).

July 1971
Lodge of Instruction
Lodge of Instruction Meeting Places

From July 1971 until November 1976, Lodge of Instruction was held at the Crown and Sceptre public house in Elms Vale road. Members also met in 1976  at the Park Inn Ladywell for additional or alternative Lodge of Instruction. It is worth noting that ritual books were not permitted at Lodge of Instruction meetings as one was encouraged to be word perfect before rehearsals.

1975
Fire
Dover Masonic Hall engulfed by Fire

In 1975, there was an extremely severe fire that engulfed the Dover Masonic Hall. This meant that remedial work was required which was undertaken by members of the various Lodges who were qualified Tradesmen. This saved an extremely large amount of money  and the building was put back bigger and better than it was before the fire. it did mean that Lodge Meals had to be taken at the St Andrews Church Hall Buckland and the old Merritime Hall. The Chief Steward at the time could be seen carrying crates of beer and wine to these other dining places and then back to Snargate treet afterwards.

May 1987
Anniversary
Celebration of 25 Years of the Septem Lodge

In January 1987, the Lodge celebrated its 25th Anniversary, the Worshipful Master at that time was W.Bro A A Wood who was initiated into the Septem Lodge on the 8th September 1979 and attained the Chair in May 1986. W.Bro Wood was a 'Lewis' the son of a Freemason, he was a Past Charity Steward of the Lodge who attained the Provincial Rank of PPrAGReg in 1994. 

May 2011
Anniversary
Celebration of 50 Years of the Septem Lodge

In January 2012, the Lodge celebrated its 50th Anniversary during its regular January meeting. The Lodge was opened and the required Masonic Business was carried out and then closed. Afterwards Wives, Partners, Girlfriends and Dignitaries were invited to join the WM, his Officers and the Members of the Lodge for a short presentation on the History of the Lodge being given by W.Bro T A Hunt the incumbent WM. W.Bro Hunt became a joining member of the Septem Lodge in May 1996 and has unusually served as the WM of this Lodge three times in 2002, 2007 and finally 2011. At the end of the presentation all were invited to the Lodge Meal and a typical 50th Birthday celebration began.

March 2020
Suspension of Masonic Activity
Corona Virus Pandemic Suspends Masonic Activity

In March 2020, the Grand Master took the decision to suspend all Masonic Activity for Craft Lodges, this was followed by the Provincial Grand Master of East Kent  ensuring that all Freemasons in this Provice were aware of the suspension and all that this would mean.

May 2021
Suspension
End of Suspension of All Masonic Activity

In May 2021, the Lodge began to emerge from the  suspended Masonic activitiy  from March 2020, due to the Covid 19 Pandemic, the WM, W.Bro J M A Newman began his second year in May 2020 as the WM and will complete this year. He will have served 2 years and 2 Months by the time of the next Installation Meeting in July 2021. W.Bro Newman was initiated in to Freemasonry on the 12th November 2011 and progressed to the Chair in May 2019. His tenure comes to an end with the Lodge in the healthy state of 55 members and 1 Honorary Member.

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