Page 5 - Needles Lodge 2838 History

At the first meeting following the Consecration Ceremony (June

1901), there were three joining members, one Lieutenant R. E.,

one Q. M. Sergeant R.A. and one Sergeant R.A.

Military personnel stationed at the various forts in the West Wight

formed a significant proportion of the membership of the lodge

until the forts closed in the 1960s. The lodge went from strength-

to-strength during those early years. In 1902, there were three

meetings with candidates in all three degrees and by the end of

that year, there were 12 Initiations, 12 ceremonies of Passing, and

nine Raisings.

In January 1902 the fees were due at £1.11s.6d (£1.57½). The

first annual report showed 36 members at the end of the year.

At the installation meeting in May 1902, the Provincial Grand

Master, Sir Augustus Webster presented Founders jewels along

with a special presentation jewel to the Worshipful Master,

purchased by the brethren.

By 1906, the membership had risen to 58, and on Boxing Day of

that year, both a 2nd and 3rd-degree ceremony were worked with

a candidate for each.

In March 1909, a Lodge of Instruction was sanctioned to take

place on the first and third Tuesday of each month at the Eremue

Hall, Yarmouth under the authority of Needles Lodge 2838. It

was to meet on the first and third Tuesday of each month from

October to March.