A Very Special Meeting

In June, a distinctive Masonic event – the bi-annual “Minster Meeting” – was held in Beaminster, Dorset, bringing together three lodges from the South West:

Somerset – Nyanza Lodge, Ilminster;

Devon – Lodge of Virtue and Honour, Axminster;

Dorset – Beaminster Manor Lodge, Beaminster. 

This unique bi-annual tradition traces its origins back to 1977 when former Ilminster school mates, who later became Freemasons found that their respective lodges of Ilminster and Axminster convened on the same evening, making it difficult to visit one another.  They sought and received a dispensation allowing their Lodges to meet jointly during the summer recess.  Beaminster later joined the group in 1989 as their Lodge also shared the same meeting night. Since then, the three Lodges have taken turns hosting the event, and typically includes a Craft ceremony and is attended by representatives from the three adjoining Provinces. 

This year’s gathering in Beaminster was exceptionally well supported and featured the Passing of Richard Warren to the Degree of Fellow Craft.  The evening concluded with a superb and highly enjoyable Festive Board, marking yet another successful chapter in this long standing tradition.