Amalgamation – A Success Story

It is sad that during this Masonic year we will see the closure of two lodges within our province.  Faith and Confidence lodge No 8222 on November 15th at Winchester, and Fernhill lodge No 7707 on the 15th of December at New Milton.  Of note, however, is the successful amalgamation of Fernhill and Barton Court Lodges.

This amalgamation was marked by a renaming ceremony, which took place at the New Milton Masonic centre on Wednesday the 15th of October.  The Provincial Grand Master (PGM) Jonathon Whitaker was in attendance, accompanied by a sizeable escort.

Taking up the mantle of the message previously given by our PGM, “Your Lodge, your future”, both lodges have worked hard to raise their local profile.  This included advertising in local periodicals, sponsoring a PSA testing event, holding an open day at their Masonic hall as well as supporting organisations at public events and having a stall at those those events to promote Freemasonry.  Unattached Masons living in their local area were contacted and encouraged to join and attendance at the towns annual remembrance was made by Freemasons wearing their collars.

Internally, between both Lodges, combined social events were held.  A poll was held amongst the members of both Lodges as to whether they would be happy to keep the Barton Court name or change to a new one.  It was mutually agreed to adopt the name of “new Milton” Lodge.

Expressing a personal view, I believe the efforts made by both Lodges to ensure their continued existence, as well as the pragmatism and willingness to compromise, in order to reach a successfulamalgamation, should stand as an example that can can be used by other Lodges who may be facing difficulties