Basingstoke Masonic Club
Basingstoke Masonic Club News & Updates Sept '26
We hope you find this update useful and informative. If you have content for future news briefings, event ideas, or suggestions that could benefit the Centre or the Club, please Contact Us outlining them.
The Basingstoke Masonic Hall Management Team
Introduction
It is now around six months since the new Management Team took office, and we felt it timely to update all members on the work underway at your Centre and the plans for the months ahead. The team has been working throughout the summer months planning events and developing the new website — we hope you have noticed the new logo, which represents both the Basingstoke Masonic Centre (BMC) and the Basingstoke Masonic Club (BMClub). In general, when BMC is used it refers to the Centre, and BMClub refers to the Club. This is your Centre. It is funded directly by you through your Lodge subscriptions — just as you support Province and UGLE. The Management Team’s responsibility is to ensure that the Centre remains fit for purpose, safe, welcoming, and fully compliant with all regulatory requirements. This is your Masonic home in Basingstoke, and we want every Brother to feel comfortable, valued, and “at home” whenever visiting and enjoying the facilities. We hope you find this update useful and informative. If you have content for future news briefings, event ideas, or suggestions that could benefit the Centre or the Club, please Contact Us and outline them.
What's Happening - Events Wise
A New Entertainments Officer We are delighted to welcome W. Bro. David Green as our new Entertainments Officer. Many of you will know that David has served the Centre with great dedication for many years as Secretary, and we extend our sincere thanks for his hard work, commitment, and steady leadership in that role. His contribution has been invaluable. David is now looking forward to turning his energy and creativity toward keeping the Brethren entertained. He already has a number of ideas — both new and traditional (we suspect a quiz night may be on the horizon!) — and he is keen to hear your suggestions for social events and evenings, whether held at the Centre or at external venues. This is your opportunity to help shape a lively, engaging programme for the year ahead. A number of events are already planned: November The Centre will once again host the Tylney Hall Golf Club Christmas Party, a regular private function that brings great atmosphere into the building and makes a valuable financial contribution to the running of the Centre. We are pleased to continue this long‑standing relationship, which supports our ability to maintain and improve your Masonic home. December Our annual Widows Lunch will take place on the first Sunday in December. Tickets are available through your Almoner and Dining Steward. Please also look out for notifications regarding the Carol Service and the Children’s Christmas Party, both cherished Centre traditions that always attract an excellent turnout. January The ever‑popular Burns Night Supper returns on Saturday 23rd January. The menu and ticket booking are available on our brand‑new Basingstoke Masons Website, which launches as you read this newsletter. To book, use the link at the bottom of the page. April / May We celebrate a major milestone — The Basingstoke Hall Centenary.
The Basingstoke Hall Centenary!
April and May we celebrate a major milestone — The Basingstoke Hall Centenary. Oakley Lodge will host a special event on 5th April to mark this historic occasion, when the new Temple was dedicated on the 5th May 1927 by the R.W. Provincial Grand Master, the Earl of Malmesbury, assisted by his Officers. The ceremony was witnessed by a large number of members and visiting Brethren, and was followed by the Installation of Bro. W.G. Hubbard, S.W., as Worshipful Master. The Address to the Worshipful Master was given by the R.W. Provincial Grand Master. Further details to follow.
New Website
We are proud to announce the launch of our new website, featuring both a Public Area and a dedicated Members‑Only Area. This improved platform showcases our Centre, supports Lodge administration, and helps attract prospective candidates by presenting a clearer, more welcoming window into Freemasonry and the wider Masonic Orders. Within the Members‑Only Area you will find the Centre Calendar, along with a growing collection of useful information, updates, and resources. To access these features, please register using the current password available from your Secretariat. As always, the password is confidential and should only be shared with a known Brother. We encourage all Brethren to explore the new site, make use of the Members‑Only resources, and help spread the word so that our Lodges and Orders continue to thrive. The website has to URL's, BasingstokeMasonicCentre.org.uk and BasingstokeMasons.co.uk, Links to the site may be found at the bottom of this newsletter.
Centre Improvements
Our Centre continues to develop and improve. Last year saw a major upgrade to the heating system. This year, £9,000 has already been invested in repairs and maintenance. A new central‑heating boiler has been installed, complementing the radiator system, and roof repairs have been completed to ensure we remain watertight when the weather turns. Wear and tear is an expensive reality — especially for a building approaching its centenary — and our Hall, the centre of our Masonic universe, needs all the support it can get.
For Secretaries and Scribes
Regarding the new website, you will shortly receive an Access Code for your use and for distribution to your members. Please ensure this newsletter has been circulated to your members, and kindly advise the Centre Secretary of any changes in Secretary or Treasurer within your unit. You will recall that Bro. Ian Ross, of Vyne Lodge, kindly stepped forward to take over from W. Bro. David Green in April. Unfortunately, due to personal and business commitments, Ian felt he could not give the role the time it deserved and has stepped down. W. Bro. Chris Berry has agreed to assist as Interim Secretary until the next AGM.
Funding through Lodge subscriptions and donations to the Improvement Fund is helping us navigate a period of rising costs. Any additional support members can offer — whether financial contributions, time, expertise, or materials — is greatly appreciated. A special thank‑you goes to Elvetham Lodge, The Lodge of the Morning Star, and Oakley Lodge for their generous donations this year, totalling £2,300 to the Improvement Fund. In this spirit, we would encourage each Lodge and Order to consider donating the proceeds of at least one raffle to the Improvement Fund during the coming year.
Financial Update
You will also recall that W. Bro. Richard Olliver stepped down as Treasurer in March, and W. Bro. Chris Berry, Treasurer of Vyne Lodge, volunteered to take on the role. As all good finance controllers do, the Treasurer would like to remind you that the 2026 final quarter contribution is now due. If you have not yet forwarded payment, a reminder will be issued. Treasurers will short receive an email outline the centre contributions towards the running costs of The Centre, Do look our for the email If your Lodge, Chapter or Order has appointed a new Treasurer, please inform the Centre Treasurer by email to bmclub.treasurer@gmail.com providing the new contact details.
For Treasurers
The Festive Board dining fee will rise to £25 per cover from 1st September 2026. With a Full Roast Dinner available for an additional £1.50. Despite the increase, dining remains highly competitive compared with public venues and other Masonic dining. This is the first rise in several years and reflects the employment cost changes introduced in 2025. The Christmas will be available from 28th October. These and Windows Lunch menu a link to these may be found at the bottom of this newsletter Bar prices remain at the same percentage below local pub prices — congratulations to our Bar Officer for maintaining this excellent value. As we operate as a Club, licensing laws require that the bar holds an up‑to‑date list of all members. This information will be requested in due course from Secretaries and Scribes to ensure our records remain accurate and compliant. The Management Team would also like to thank all staff for their continued commitment over recent years. There have been some changes within the dining and bar team, and we ask all Brethren to warmly welcome the new faces when you see them. W. Bro. John Childs continues to serve as Dining and Bar Officer, overseeing both Festive Board dining and bar operations.
Dining & Bar
Significant repairs have been completed this year, and work continues with a programme of general servicing and maintenance to keep the building safe and enjoyable for all. For security and safeguarding, an additional camera has been installed at the front door to monitor arrivals and departures. As a reminder, no Brother should be alone in the building for any substantial period. Gerald Eagle is the Building Officer. Should you find any issues in the building, please inform Gerald or the Secretary.
Building, Security & Health & Safety
BT will shortly install a new fibre connection to the building, ensuring fast and reliable internet access for visitors. The Management Team has introduced dedicated Club email addresses to ensure GDPR compliance, and a new Centre telephone number will be published in due course. A complete list of Officers and their contact details can be found in the Members‑Only Area of the website on the Meet the Team page - registering will be required to view this page, The Access Password is available from you secretary and has also been emailed to all Secretaries and Scribes.
Communications & Connectivity
The Management Team is seeking a forward‑thinking, dynamic Brother who can work confidently within a team and help support the continued success of the Centre. The role of Centre Secretary is an important and rewarding office, central to communication, coordination, and the smooth running of our Masonic home. Ideally, candidates should be comfortable with spreadsheets, electronic documentation, and modern online systems, as these tools form part of the day‑to‑day administration of the Centre. You do not need to be an expert — just organised, willing to learn, and able to work collaboratively with the team. Any Brother who feels they may have the skills, enthusiasm, and commitment to contribute in this capacity is warmly invited to make themselves known to the Management Team. We would be pleased to arrange an initial, informal discussion about what the role involves and how you could support the Centre going forward. Interested? To find out more and register your intertest contact us below.