The Ashley Lodge 6525

Fundraising in the rain.
Yesterday our Worshipful Master, members of the Lodge and their partners manned our cake stall at this year’s Zetland Court Summer Fete. With the rain easing off as the afternoon progressed they were kept busy selling the cakes, sausage rolls, cookies, Jam and other items until nearly all the stock had gone. The stall was just one of a number of stalls at the Fete all raising funds for the Association of Friends of Zetland Court charity, helping to enrich the daily lives of the residents of the court, currently one of the RMBI care homes around the country.

In total our stall raised £380 for the charity and when coupled with the fete entry/raffle tickets sold during our March regular meeting, we raised a total of £480.

Special thanks go to all the members, their partners and families and Lodge widows who provided produce to sell on the stall.
A great day was had by all those who attended despite the wet conditions.

Our May regular meeting was a relatively short affair, where those present heard about the continuing support given to Dorset Freemasons, their dependants and widows by our own in house charity, Dorset Masonic Care. Everyone then retired to the dining room for a presentation on the Coup De Main operation to capture the Orne canal and river bridges in the early hours of 6th June 1944.
An enjoyable meal followed the presentation culminating in a lodge favourite, trifle. Also on display during the meal were a number of documents and artefacts relating to the history of the Lodge ranging from1947 Consecration documents to historical Ladies evening table flyers dating back through the 1950s, 60s and 70s.

During the evening just under £200 was collected in aid of our 2026 nominated charity Dorset Children’s Foundation.

NEW ANNOUNCEMENT
We are proud to announce that on behalf of Dorset Freemasonry, we have recently awarded £50,000 to MYTIME Young Carers in support of the Making Memories project.

Learn more about our charity grants: https://ow.ly/Ohmq50YNSlY

Building Together was the theme for our April regular meeting, where the Provincial membership team gave an interesting presentation about this initiative and how it forms the foundation for the future of Freemasonry.

Following the presentation, those present retired to the dining room for a convivial meal in each other’s company. During the meal over £250 was raised for charitable causes with £205 going to the Master’s chosen charity for this year, The Dorset Children’s Foundation.

The Dorset Children’s Foundation was set up to improve and enrich the lives of children with disabilities and their families who are experiencing difficulties related to the impact of disability, including physical health, emotional strain, and social isolation through a range of provisions.

Yet again a great evening where Freemasons come together to make a difference in our community.

Friday 27th saw the Worshipful Master and his team perform a perfect ceremony, in front of a packed temple. This was a special evening for the WM, as he was making his youngest son Max, a Mason. After the ceremony all were treated to great food and a fun Festive Board where the traditional singing was performed by the Ashley boy band much to the enjoyment of those present!The evening also raised over £395.00 for charitable causes including the Master’s chosen charity, Dorset Children’s Foundation.

🟠 A huge thank you to Ashley Lodge for presenting Mosaic with a generous cheque for £1,613 🟠

We are incredibly grateful for this support, which will help us to continue providing vital services to bereaved children and young people across Dorset.

Your generosity truly makes a difference and thank you for helping us support families when they need it most.

Friday 27th February, saw Brother Ricketts pass before a packed lodge to become a Master Mason in a well conducted, memorable ceremony by the Master and his officers. Brother Smith, his proposer, did a small but well executed part of his ceremony, which touched everyone's hearts. Downstairs for the meal there was, as always, plenty of laughter and banter with an excellent 3 courses on offer and over £200 raised for local charities.

Brother Gary Connolley took his third step in Freemasonry at our first regular meeting of 2026 - last night. In a memorable ceremony conducted by our Worshipful Master and his team Bro Gary was made a Master Mason and embarked on a new chapter in his Masonic journey.

Following the ceremony those present joined together in good-humoured company for a meal of sausage and mash followed by large helpings of trifle. Our first meeting of 2026 was a great start to the year and raised over £225 for charitable causes to boot!