Our History

Verity Lodge was Consecrated

on 16th December 1926

At the Saffrons Rooms, Eastbourne, East Sussex by W.Bro Henry Gervis, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Sussex

Our  Founders  were :

• W.Bro. Frank Cole                                                     Our first Worshipful Master
• Bro. Rev Walter Scott-Boscene                                Our First Senior Warden
• Bro. William Efl Dunn                                                Our First Junior Warden
• W.Bro. H.J.Davies
• W.Bro. J.Fairbrother
• W.Bro. W.H.Hammond
• Bro. R.E.Richards
• Bro. R.H.Rice
• Bro. A.J.Donnelly
• Bro. W.M.N.Beney
• Bro. W.H.Christian
• Bro. W.J.Richards
• Bro. H.S.Tullett
• Bro. C.E.Dunn

Seven of our founders went on to become Master of the Lodge

SOME BACKGROUND
The reason for founding the lodge was to give advancement to keen and enthusiastic brethren and offer the opportunity of making progress, which was not possible in their respective lodges on account of their large membership. Many of the Founders were members of Tyrian Lodge No.1110 who were happy to be the sponsor of the new Verity lodge, which was originally a Temperance Lodge.
The reason for the choice of name is not known and the Lodge has no Motto, but the meaning of the name Verity was suggested as “Essence of Truth” by the Consecrating Chaplin.
The Lodge held its first few meetings at the Saffrons Rooms before moving to the Angles Hotel where it met for the next eleven years. It moved to the Queens Hotels in November 1938 and then the Towner Art Gallery in December 1940 where it stayed until April 1942.  One meeting was held in “Windermere”, Seaside Road during an Air Raid in November 1940. In October 1942 it moved again to the Drive Hotel and in October 1945 relocated to the Masonic Temple in South Street Eastbourne where we still meet today.
During its time Verity Lodge has had amongst its members many men from all walks of life and all different professions, but all with the common interest of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.

The Lodge Banner was designed by W.Bro R E Richards and presented by Bro A F Fry It was dedicated by the Provincial Grand Master on 1st December 1933

 

The Eastbourne, New Zealand Jewel
This Jewel was made in 1930 by W Bro. John Nix, a well known Eastbourne Jeweller and member of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths of the City of London.
Six Eastbourne Craft Lodges then in existence caused this Jewel to be made and presented to Lodge Eastbourne No.217, New Zealand, English Constitution in 1931. The Badge consists of a Square and Compasses on which is embossed the Coat of Arms of the County Borough of Eastbourne and the Motto “Meliora Sequimur” (We follow the better things). On the ribbon of Masonic blue are gold bars bearing the names of the original subscribing Lodges in Eastbourne, our New Zealand Brethren have added other bars as further Craft Lodges in Eastbourne were Consecrated. It was always worn by The Worshipful Master in New Zealand during the After Proceedings. Sadly, Lodge Eastbourne No.217 surrendered their Charter on the 28th August 1993 and as a consequence the Jewel was returned. Permission has been granted to all the Worshipful Masters of the original subscribing Eastbourne Lodges by the Provincial Grand Master of Sussex to wear this Jewel, should they so desire, at Festive Boards after Installations.
This Jewel is now known as The Masters Jewel.

 

 

Freemason Hospital and Nursing Home Certificate
Presented to Bro. S.G. Tugwell of Verity Lodge who qualified and was enrolled as a Life Governor. The accompanying commemorative jewel in this photo actually belongs to Bro. A. Jenner also of Verity Lodge.
No date is visible on the certificate. However, the postmark on the envelope containing the certificate is dated 18 January 1939.
Bro S.G. Tugwell was installed into the Chair of Verity Lodge in 1940 and Bro. A. Jenner respectively in 1947.    

 

In 2017 we celebrated 300 years of Freemasonry.