The Lodge meets at the Eastleigh Masonic Centre, Leigh
Road, Eastleigh,
(Postal Address:-2 Cranbury Road, Eastleigh SO50 5HA)
the Fourth Tuesday, September to May, except
December. The Installation meeting is
in May
The Lodge is open for Candidates for Initiation and welcomes visitors from other Lodges.
The Lodge operates the Hampshire Lodge of Emulation Lodge of Instruction No 1990 and meets every Friday (Christmas & Easter excepted) for the benefit of Brethren of neighbouring Lodges
Please feel free to contact the Lodge Secretary, Chris Court on 01794 367769 or email: - chris@court1946.freeserve.co.uk
BIRTH OF THE HAMPSHIRE LODGE OF EMULATION No 1990
In 1892 W.Bro George Felton Lancaster of Gosport Lodge No 903 suggested the formation of a new Lodge of Freemasons at Portsmouth to be exclusively of Past Masters with a view to the following:
Firstly: To give Brethren generally, by the delivery of lectures etc., a fuller and deeper knowledge of the history, science, philosophy and jurispudence of Freemasonry than could be acquired at ordinary Lodge meetings, where the work is restricted mainly to the initiation, passing and raising of candidates.
Secondly: By the aid of thoroughly expert Brethren, to work all the ceremonies of the Craft in succession in as perfect a manner as possible - this not only for the improvement of Lodge members, but for the instruction and guidance of the Worshipful Masters & Wardens of Lodges who were to be freely welcomed as visitors. This included the working of the Craft Lectures in sections, the Installation of Worshipful Masters and the ceremony of Consecrating and Constituting a new Lodge.
Thirdly: The consideration of matters affecting the interest of the Craft in general, and the Province in particular, with a view to suggesting any reforms deemed necessary in administrative work, and to promote the good and welfare of Freemasonry in the Province of Hampshire and Isle of Wight, especially.
Ultimately a petition for a warrant for the proposed new Lodge was prepared and signed by 23 petitioners and sponsored by Phoenix Lodge No 257, to be their 'second daughter'. This was approved by the Provincial Grand Master and sent to Grand Lodge.
On 6th January 1883 the warrant was granted to meet as a regular Lodge named the Hampshire Lodge of Emulation on 2nd Saturday of every month at the Masonic Hall, Commercial Road, Portsmouth. The Lodge was duly consecrated and constituted on 7th Aril 1883 by Right Worshipful Brother W. W. B. Beach, MP, Provincial Grand Master for Hampshire & Isle of Wight. W.Bro. John Ridd Hayman was installed as Worshipful Master; W.Bro. George Feltham Lancaster was invested as Senior Warden: and W.Bro. Richard Loveland-Loveland as Junior Warden. and the Lodge started upon the career for which it was suggested
FOUNDERS 6th
April 1883
Worshipful Brother Lodge No Profession
/ Trade.
J. Ridd Hayman 257 Journalist
G. Felton Lancaster 903 Clerk of Works
R. Loveland-loveland 698 Kings Counsel
R. Wake Mitchell 903 Collector of Rates
T. Roger Williams 257 Stay Manufacturer
Count George Des-Geneys 903 Count (Italia)
E. V. Haldane 20 Retired Officer
W. Hooper 394 Retired Officer
G. Rake 427 Architect
J. Druitt 195 Solicitor
W. Edmunds 309 Accountant
T. Francis 304 Farmer
H. Martin Green 257 Solicitor
E. S. Main 903 Writer
R. Asher Barfield 35 Brickmaker
J. T. Craven 342 Monumental Mason
S. H. Ellis 342 Clerk to Guardians
C. H. Liddell 804 Schoolmaster
Admiral W. H. Chisholme St Clair 257
John Brickwood 257 Brewer
G. Carter 257 Tyler
R. Barnes 342 Lead Merchant
After fifteen successful years it was apparent that under its original format, i.e. no candidates, expansion was limited as insufficient brethren with the knowledge, will and leisure, to carry on the work being available membership expansion was a necessity .The Rt. Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, mindful of the difficulties and the need to expand the benefits of Freemasonry in districts less fortunate than Portsmouth, approved a move to the Eastleigh District to continue the correct working of "Emulation" Ritual and accept initiates.
On 5th May 1899 the first candidate Mr. H. A. Tilley was elected and initiated following the change of Lodge direction.. On 24th October 1899 in. accordance with the Bye-Law change the Lodge held its first meetings on the fourth Tuesday every month except July & August in Eastleigh where
a number of joining members were elected and began its work on "ordinary" lines but maintaining the standards set by the Founders.
Bro. H. A. Tilley became the first initiated member to be installed as Worshipful Master of the Hampshire Lodge of Emulation No 1990 in 1904
It is
hoped visitors to this web page have enjoyed the experience and any further
information should be obtained from the Lodge Secretary