Upcoming Meetings

Back in 1906, there had been a desire among Masons who were Commercial Travellers (and others) to form a Lodge to meet on Saturday evenings, this being their ‘free’ period of the week.

Approval of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master (John Wessley Martin) was sought, who promised his assistance upon three conditions, which were; that the Lodge should meet at the Masonic Hall (at the time in Greyfriars Road, Reading), that not more than six regular meetings should be held in a year and that membership of the Lodge should not be confined to Commercial Travellers.

Accordingly the ‘Martin’ Lodge No. 3202 (named after J.W. Martin) was consecrated (founded) on 26th January 1907. The Lodge crest bears the Coat of Arms of the Martin family (Scotland) and the Latin motto ‘Auxilium Ab Alto’ translates as Help (or Aid) from Above (or on High).

In 1969 the Lodge ceased meeting at the Hall in Geyfriars Road and moved to the Masonic Centre in Sindlesham. The Lodge celebrated its Centenary in 2007.

For a number of years, the majority of the members were Commercial Travellers but over the passage of time this has changed and the members’ professions today are much more diverse in nature.

Although meeting on a Saturday was ideal for the Commercial Travellers at the time, for many today, this has become a bit of a ‘Marmite’ situation but, for those who are happy to meet up on a Saturday late afternoon and evening (now four times a year), then they can be assured of a warm welcome into the Lodge and plenty of encouragement to take part in the Lodge’s activities should they so wish. A little later after becoming a member, a mason can then look at the option of joining other parts (or ‘Orders’) of the Organisation, one of these being the Royal Arch and in which there is a ‘Martin’ Chapter which also meets at Sindlesham on Saturdays (three times a year).

To become a Freemason you do not need to wait to be invited; if you know a Freemason then just ask him or, if not, you can make contact through this website.

Meetings: Held at the Berkshire Masonic Centre, Sindlesham, Wokingham, on the second Saturday in February, March, October and December.