The Masonic Centre, High Street, Newmarket, CB8 9AE
Etheldreda Lodge is the oldest Lodge that meets at Newmarket Masonic Centre, having been founded in 1885. The Lodge is actually older than the building it meets in. It was founded during a ceremony at the Jockey Club Rooms, and early meetings were held at the White Hart Hotel on the High Street. This explains the anomaly that Etheldreda Lodge is part of the province of Cambridgeshire, whereas Newmarket is in Suffolk. At the time, the border between Suffolk and Cambridgeshire ran along the middle of the High Street – the White Hart was in Cambridgeshire. Etheldreda Lodge was formed by existing Masons living in and around Newmarket who found that travelling into Cambridge and back by horse and cart was too time-consuming. The Lodge is named after St Etheldreda, who was born in nearby Exning in A.D. 636.
There are over 40 members of Etheldreda Lodge, from all walks of life. It is a very friendly and welcoming Lodge, with a thriving social element outside of the formal meetings.
Meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month from October to April. For those keen to learn, there are also two rehearsals per month (first and third Thursdays).
There are plenty of opportunities to meet outside of the Lodge programme – annual black tie dinners, a Pheasant Supper and other events, all supporting our charities.
We welcome all enquiries from eligible candidates. We offer a series of informal opportunities to meet existing members (and we welcome spouses and partners to these), prior to a more formal interview.
If you are interested in joining the Lodge, or finding out more, please contact us.