The Hereward Lodge, number 1232, is a long and established Masonic craft lodge having been consecrated in 1868 at the Angel Hotel, Bourne.

The founders of the lodge named the lodge after a respectable son of Bourne – Hereward the Wake – wake meaning watchful – and is recorded in the Domesday Book as holding lands in the parishes of Witham-on-the-Hill, Barholm and Stowe.

In its early years the lodge was known as a “moon lodge”, meaning that meetings took place on Wednesday, on or before the Full Moon, at 7pm in the evening, at the Angel Hotel. In those days there was no “e” in the spelling of Bourne.

In 1882 at a meeting, it was unanimously carried “that the day of meeting be altered from the Wednesday to the Friday on or before each full moon”.  
In 1938 at a building on Wherry’s Lane, the new Bourne Masonic Temple was consecrated. 1968 saw the Centenary meeting held at the County Secondary School Bourne. 1982 saw the formation of a second Craft Lodge in Bourne that shares the same premises.

The Lodge of Aveland became our daughter lodge, number 9060. 2011 -Premises on Wherry’s Lane was sold and new property on Roman Bank acquired.

This was consecrated in September 2011. 2018 – The Hereward Lodge celebrates its 150th year anniversary.

Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest and largest non-religious, non-political, fraternal, and charitable organisations. It teaches self-knowledge through participation in a progression of ceremonies. Members are expected to be of high moral standing and are encouraged to speak openly about Freemasonry.

Freemasonry instils in its members a moral and ethical approach to life: its values are based on integrity, kindness, honesty, and fairness. Members are urged to regard the interests of the family as paramount but, importantly, Freemasonry also teaches concern for people, care for the less fortunate and help for those in need. The Hereward Lodge meets 8 times a year, from September to April
(inclusive) on the 3rd Friday of the month.

Meetings start at 6.30pm, and generally last about 1 ½ hours, and take place in a formal setting during which traditional Masonic ceremonies may be performed along with the administrative business of the Lodge. Afterwards we retire to dinner, known as the Festive Board, where we enjoy a 3-course meal, which currently costs between £13 and £15 along with a bar for drinks.
The evening usually concludes by 10pm.

Hereward Freemasons are required to dress as follows, dark suit, black or Provincial tie, white collar and gloves, black shoes, and socks, and of course, our Masonic Regalia, which can be different depending on what stage of your Masonic Career you are at. Rehearsals for Masonic ceremonies are held on the Friday before each meeting, and those members who are involved in the ceremony/meeting are encouraged to attend. New members are welcome to attend these rehearsals, and when they are ready, they are encouraged onto the masonic pathway, which is a structured progression, leading them to ultimately become the Master of the Lodge for a year. They will be supported at all stages as part of the Masonic Mentoring Programme.

To aid both new members and other longer serving members a “Lodge of Instruction” is held on the first Friday of the month. The intention here is to educate and enlighten in all aspects of Masonry, rituals, and protocols.
This is very informal and as at the Rehearsal, the dress code is casual.

Charity is close to a Freemasons heart and money raised is donated to local charities/organisations as well as the Provincial Charity fund and to the national Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) which makes sizeable donations to many worthy causes and in support of worldwide disasters. We support struggling families, people with learning difficulties, the elderly in society, we help the homeless, and we help hospitals fund research on degenerative diseases. Freemason’s donations are second only in size to those of the National Lottery.

On becoming a Freemason, you will soon be making new friendships with people having similar outlooks on life. We welcome men of all Faiths and Religions, people of integrity who desire the very best for each Freemason or complete stranger, making life fun and being worthwhile.

Above all, we enjoy our masonry and welcome good men from all backgrounds.

For more information contact: Ian Greenfield : 07788 144537: iangreenfield@hotmail.com