On the evening of 14th March, members and guests of Loyal Manor Lodge No. 6445 gathered for an enjoyable Curry and Quiz Night, which proved to be a great success.

The room was filled with friends and family, creating a lively and welcoming atmosphere throughout the evening. The quiz was both challenging and entertaining, with teams testing their knowledge while sharing plenty of laughter along the way. It was clear that everyone thoroughly enjoyed taking part.

After the quiz, guests sat down together to enjoy a delicious curry, which was very well received by all who attended.

The evening also featured a raffle, which raised money in support of the Building Fund. This generous contribution will help support the continued upkeep and future of the building.

Many thanks go to everyone who attended and helped make the evening such an enjoyable and successful occasion, and congratulations to the winning team.

On February 27, 2026, a significant ceremony took place where Brother Cody Pollock was raised to the Fellowcraft degree by Loyal Manor Lodge No. 6445, marking a key moment in his journey.

Brother Pollock had previously been initiated into the lodge with Brother Timothy James Manners during a notable double initiation ceremony. He showed his dedication to the Craft’s principles through hard work and active participation. The raising to Fellowcraft—a degree aimed at enhancing understanding of Freemasonry’s moral teachings, and the value of skill and knowledge—was performed with the customary dignity and warmth that define Loyal Manor Lodge’s events.

This advancement signifies not just Brother Pollock’s personal development but also the lodge’s success in fostering new members. Fellowcrafts represent an essential middle phase of Craft Freemasonry, building on the basic lessons of the Entered Apprentice degree while preparing for the knowledge of the Master Mason.

The members of Loyal Manor Lodge extend their congratulations to Brother Cody Pollock for this accomplishment and anticipate his ongoing contributions to the lodge and the broader Freemasonry community in Dorset.

The Loyal Manor Lodge Christmas Party was a wonderful evening and a fitting way to celebrate the festive season together.

The event was a great success, with excellent food and even better company, creating a warm and cheerful atmosphere throughout the evening. Our thanks go to Louise Dukes, who provided superb musical entertainment on the piano. Her playing set the perfect festive tone and accompanied our carol singing beautifully.

As well as singing carols, Brethren and guests enjoyed the traditional game of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”, which, as always, brought plenty of laughter and friendly competition. The raffle was also a highlight of the evening and proved very popular, raising much-appreciated funds for the Samaritans.

Further entertainment came in the form of a lively game of Heads and Tails, with some fantastic prizes on offer — including a delicious cake and a Weymouth Football Club mascot experience, both of which were keenly contested.

Overall, the evening captured the true spirit of Christmas: fellowship, generosity, and good humour. Our thanks go to everyone who helped organise the event and to all who attended, making it such an enjoyable and memorable occasion.

Loyal Manor Lodge recently enjoyed an evening of genuine pride and warm celebration.

A highlight of the night was seeing Brother Martin Parker raised to the Degree of Fellowcraft, marking a significant milestone in his journey within Freemasonry. Martin has made remarkable strides since joining the Craft, showing dedication, enthusiasm, and a genuine commitment to learning the ritual and embracing the values of Freemasonry. The Lodge congratulates him warmly on this important step.

The evening also brought further cause for celebration, as two of our Brethren received Provincial promotions.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to:

• Worshipful Brother Selwyn Williams
• Worshipful Brother Les Spencer

Both have served their Lodge and the Province with distinction, and their promotions are a fitting recognition of their hard work and continued service.

In addition, the Lodge took the opportunity to express sincere gratitude to Worshipful Brother John Halford, who has served as Lodge Secretary for an incredible 20 years. His dedication, steady guidance, and commitment have been invaluable to Loyal Manor Lodge. As a token of thanks, John was presented with a well-earned bottle of whisky — a small gesture for an immense contribution.

It was truly an evening that showcased the spirit of Loyal Manor: progress, recognition, gratitude, and brotherhood.

Members of Loyal Manor Craft Lodge and Loyal Manor Chapter were delighted to attend the recent presentation of a commemorative shield to the Veterans Hub in Weymouth by the Provincial Grand Master.

During the visit, two cheques — each for £100 — were donated on behalf of both Loyal Manor bodies to Rachel Gray, the Hub Manager, in recognition of the fantastic work the organisation does in supporting local veterans and their families.

The shield presentation symbolised the ongoing commitment of Dorset Freemasonry to the Armed Forces Covenant, under which it proudly holds Gold Status. In his remarks, the Provincial Grand Master highlighted the shared values between Freemasonry and the Armed Forces — particularly the bonds of brotherhood, service, and mutual support that unite both communities.

Also in attendance were the Mayor of Weymouth, Councillor Caroline Nickinson, and many local veterans, several of whom are themselves proud Dorset Freemasons.

Both Loyal Manor Lodge and Loyal Manor Chapter look forward to continuing their support of the Veterans Hub and strengthening the connection with serving and former members of the Armed Forces within the local community.

Loyal Manor Lodge No. 6445 recently celebrated the installation of Steve Watkin as the new Worshipful Master, following the successful tenure of his predecessor, Roger Hart. Under Roger’s leadership, the lodge saw significant growth and unity, and his contributions were widely appreciated by members and visitors alike.

The installation ceremony, presided over by Deputy Provincial Grand Master Mark Burstow, showcasing the deep tradition and brotherhood of Freemasonry. The evening continued with a lively festive board, among the distinguished guests was Portsmouth Lodge No. 487, whose presence served as a powerful reminder of the lasting bonds of fellowship and unity that connect Freemasons across lodges and generations.

As he assumes office, Worshipful Brother Watkin brings a clear commitment to building on the strong foundation laid by his predecessor. With a commitment to continuing the lodge’s tradition of excellence, Steve’s leadership promises to guide Loyal Manor Lodge into an exciting new chapter, ensuring its continued success and vibrant future.

Loyal Manor Lodge recently had the privilege of welcoming two new members into Freemasonry. Brothers Timothy James Manners and Alexander Cody Pollock began their journey into the Craft, marking the start of their Masonic path. This double initiation was a first for our lodge and was led by the Worshipful Master and officers of the Lodge. After the ceremony, the members of Loyal Manor Lodge warmly embraced the newly initiated brothers, highlighting the significance of mentorship and camaraderie. The Lodge looks forward to assisting Brothers Manners and Pollock as they progress through their Masonic degrees and become engaged members of the Craft.

Congratulations to Matthew Le Sueur on being Raised to Master Mason in the Loyal Manor Lodge on the 23rd May 2025.

Matthew has relatives from both sides of his family, so Freemasonry is truly in his blood. Matthew is already playing an active role in the support of the Lodge, and is now looking to take on further roles in office, over the coming years, and hopes to start his journey to The Chair later in the year.

Well done Matthew, we all look forward to seeing you progress.

Loyal Manor Lodge is honoured to recognise W. Bro Brian Barton, P.G.St.B., for his outstanding contributions. Inspired by W. Bro Alan Yates’ original concept for an earlier festival, Brian initiated the Nautical Cable Tow Initiative. As a result, Loyal Manor Lodge has successfully distributed 700 custom Nautical Cable Tows globally, in exchange for donations supporting the Dorset Festival ’25. To acknowledge Brian’s significant efforts, W. Bro Roger John Hart, P.Pr.A.G.D.C. (Beds), presented him with a bottle of whiskey.

This initiative has not only generated essential funds but also fostered stronger relationships among Lodges in England, Wales, and internationally, including Argentina, the United States, Malta, Australia, and Europe. Brian’s commitment has successfully united Brethren worldwide for a worthy cause, promoting goodwill between the Province of Dorset and the broader Masonic community. Following the conclusion of the festival W. Bro Brian continues to promote his cabletows – with proceeds going to Lodge funds.

At Loyal Manor Lodge we were recently presented with a lecture in the First Degree by Brother Brian Sharrock, covering the ceremony of Initiation. This meaningful ceremony, filled with tradition and symbolism, starts a candidate’s journey into Freemasonry, focusing on moral development, self-examination, and brotherhood. Through serious rituals and important teachings, the First Degree promotes values like integrity, humility, and the quest for knowledge. Our members, both new and seasoned, were reminded of the lasting lessons in this degree, strengthening the friendships that characterise our lodge. It served as a strong reminder of Freemasonry’s lasting impact and its dedication to developing honourable individuals.