Wessex Lodge No. 5297 - The Construction Industry Lodge

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Wessex Lodge No. 5297 - The Construction Industry Lodge

Wessex Lodge is a Freemasons' Lodge registered with the United Grand Lodge of England the comes under the Province of Hampshire and Isle of Wight.

It meets five times a year at Kings Court Masonic Centre, Chandlers Ford, Hampshire.

18/06/2026

With Province of Cheshire Freemasons – I just got recognised as one of their top fans! 🎉

17/06/2026

SOUTHAMPTON SPORTS CENTRE - transformational project
The second Site Visit of the Construction Industry Lodge was to see the works being carried out on behalf of Southampton City Council by Morgan Sindall Construction, at Southampton Outdoor Sports Centre.

A group of Wessex Lodge members, wives and other masonic friends were hosted at the centre, on the afternoon of June 12th.

They were given an in-depth presentation of the project and the work being carried-out. Being from a construction background, the members were interested in the contract process and the innovative methods Morgan Sindall brought to the scheme to keep the Sports Centre open, and available to the public during the work.

The presentation was followed by an extensive tour of the facilities being built, and in some cases being re-built, such as the ski slopes.

W.Bro. Brian Phillips explained to the Morgan Sindall team that our interest in the centre and our reason for wanting to visit the Sports Centre came from the knowledge that founder members of Wessex Lodge had been on the committee that Sir Sidney Kimber formed in 1933. That committee convinced the Southampton Borough Council to acquire the land and develop the facilities, for the people of the Borough.

The Sports Centre was formally opened on May 28th, 1938 by The Duke & Duchess of Kent, who was a very senior Freemason and the following year (1939) became the Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England.

Among those members of Wessex Lodge No.5297, that were on Sir Sidney Kimber's Committee were, Fred Woolley, Ebenezer Dibben, Hector Young, Sidney G Stanton (the Borough Engineer) and M H Pugh.

It is great to see Southampton City Council investing in the facilities and continuing to support the ambition of Sir Sidney Kimber and his committee.

If you wish to join Wessex Lodge 5297 - The Construction Industry Lodge, as a joining member or as a candidate for Freemasonry. Please 'message us, here' or check our website www.wessexlodge5297.org.uk for details.

03/06/2026

The meeting in May of the Wessex Lodge 5297 - The Construction Industry Lodge, was an Official Visit.
The brethren of the Lodge were honoured to receive W. Bro. Christopher Lockwood, Assistant Provincial Grand Master and his team of Grand and Provincial Officers at their meeting on the 29th May 2026.
The ceremony was an initiation and the candidate Benjamin Closs took his first step in Freemasonry. The Worshipful Master welcomed Ben into the Lodge and the Assistant Provincial Grand Master welcomed him into Freemasonry, with a very personal and meaningful explanation of the Craft and the Lodge room.
At the Festive Board after the meeting, Ben was greeted by all the brethren in a traditional way, for new members of the Craft.
It was an excellent meeting and a very enjoyable evening.

Any brother interested in joining Wessex Lodge as a Joining Member or anyone wishing to become a Freemason can find full details on our web-site www.wessexlodge5297.org.uk or by using Messenger.

04/05/2026

With North East Area of Hampshire Freemasons – I just got recognised as one of their top fans! 🎉

27/04/2026

WESSEX LODGE 5297 - The Construction Industry Lodge - QUIZ night update.

Despite the numbers being down from what was expected, because of the FA Cup semi-final falling on the same evening, Wessex Lodge managed to raise £500 to donate to Sal's Shoes, a charity that distributes pre-owned, but out-grown childrens' shoes to those who need them in the United Kingdom and to many countries overseas.
The evening started with the FA cup semi-final on the television in the bar at King's Court Masonic Centre, followed by the Quiz, a Fish & Chip supper and culminated with the presentation of a cheque for £500 to Louise from Sal's Shoes, by the Worshipful Master Paul Philp. He recounted his early years and remembering how as a sports obsessed lad, he constantly worried his mother, by wearing out his footwear.
In response, Louise stated that the donation of £500 will 'touch the lives of 500 children', a very thought provoking comment that makes the giving of charity, so worthwhile and helping to understand how it is applied. To quote from our own ritual, 'It will be thankfully received and faithfully applied' and it should inspire us to raise more for cash strapped charities, that need support.
You can help by spreading the word about this particular charity. You can find out more by viewing their web-site
https://Salsshoes.com
Louise also made contact with another of the charities we have supported FOSDA (Friends of Shepherds Down School), a special school in Wi******er for pupils with challenging learning needs, who entered a team for the Quiz.
Schools are an ideal source of out-grown footwear, as children finishing the summer term, will almost certain need 'new' shoes come Autumn, and could donate the 'old' ones to Sal's Shoes.
Https://Salsshoes.com

26/04/2026

With Masonic Charitable Foundation – I just got recognised as one of their top fans! 🎉

20/04/2026

With Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) – I just got recognised as one of their top fans! 🎉

09/04/2026

With North Central Area of Hampshire Freemasons – I just got recognised as one of their top fans! 🎉

28/03/2026

SEEKING JOINING MEMBERS
If you are a Freemason working in the huge range of businesses that make up or are allied to the UK Construction Industry and live in south of England, why not consider becoming a joining member of Wessex Lodge 5297 - The Construction Industry Lodge of the Province of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight?

We have a regular meetings, on the last working day, of January, March, May, October & November, each year and number of social events at which you would be welcome.

See our website for more details. www.wessexlodge5297.org.uk or message us via Facebook Messenger or our email address: [email protected]

We have a social event on April 25th (see below), at Kings Court Masonic Centre in Chandlers Ford, Hants. These would be an ideal opportunity to meet the current members of Wessex Lodge 5297 - The Construction Industry Lodge.

Here are the details of our social event:
QUIZ & a FISH & CHIP Supper - Saturday, April 25th, 2026 at King's Court Masonic Centre, Chandlers Ford. Starting at 7pm.

The event is open to Brethren from other Freemasons' Lodges in the area, their family, non-masonic friends and to anyone interested in joining Freemasonry.

The price of entry £11.00 for adults and £5.50 for children under 14 year old , includes a Fish & Chip supper. There are other menu options available, on the Booking Form.

The proceeds of the evening will be donated to SAL'S SHOES, a charity that has been introduced to us by a senior member, whose daughter has long been involved with the charity. It collects & distributes, out grown, but usable children's shoes to schools & needy children around the world. Since its inception 12 years ago, it has donated over 8 million pairs of shoes to 66 countries, including, and sadly, increasingly, to schools within UK. You can find out more at www.salsshoes.com

Donations of Draw Prizes will be very welcome.

To join us at this very enjoyable evening and help raise much needed funds for SAL'S SHOES, please request a Booking Form by e-mailing [email protected] or contacting us through Messenger.

WESSEX LODGE 5297 - The Construction Industry Lodge of the Province of Hampshire & Isle of Wight - SEEKING JOINING MEMBERS

06/02/2026

Excited to share that I just got recognised as one of Solent Area of Hants & IOW Masons's top fans! 🎉

Address

Kings Court Masonic Centre
Chandler's Ford
SO532GG

Website

http://wessexlodge5297.org.uk/

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