The Lodge was founded in 1965 and until 2017 met at the unique Temple in Rickford. Unfortunately the cost of upkeep of the building was such that it was decided to move to Yatton Masonic Hall where the brethren have settled in successfully and look forward to increasing the membership in the future using the recently introduced Pathway guidelines.
The Lodge is fortunate that there is no specific theme regarding membership. We have members from the professions such as architects, solicitors, accountants and police officers as well as company directors and self employed members from auto and building and associated trades.
This together with a predominate age range of 40/50 year olds ensures a welcome to candidates from all walks of life and means they have the opportunity to make friends outside of their current circle.
There is a wide spectrum of hobbies among members ranging from clay pigeon shooting, scuba diving, fishing, motorcycling, golf and musicians. The Lodge is well known in the Province as the Forest of Mendip Lodge Wanderers as we actively visit other lodges as a group.
Our members have various functions where we invite our wives and partners, such as a Sunday Lunch, Breakfast meetings and quiz evenings all carried out at local eateries. We also have a Christmas Lunch with our wives and we always invite the widows of past members.
Once a year we have a Ladies evening where the ladies can dress in all of their finery and enjoy being pampered, this normally takes place in a local hotel.
Our meetings are on the Friday after the third Wednesday in March, April, May, June, September, October & November and normally start at 1830 and conclude about 2230.
After our meeting we have a meal (referred to as the Festive Board). During the meal we have a raffle to raise money for local charities. The Brethren have donated in the past to Great Western Air Ambulance, The PDSA, Springboard, the Local Scout/Cub group and various others.
The Forest of Mendip Lodge is a Happy Lodge and we always enjoy the comradeship. We welcome gentlemen of all religions although we are not a religious organisation.