Samuel Pepys Lodge 8330

What is Freemasonry?

It is the UK's largest and oldest secular fraternal and charitable organisation - a society of men, concerned with moral, social and spiritual values.

Our sponsoring Lodge, Socrates Lodge No 373 had served freemasonry in Huntingdon for about 150 years, but in the 1960’s the town and district began to expand rapidly. A number of masons had moved into the area and Socrates Lodge founded a Committee to discuss the need for a new Lodge.

At a special meeting of Socrates Lodge held on 6th May 1969 it was agreed to proceed and 21 Freemasons, of whom three were members of Socrates, formed a committee of founders.

Huntingdon has a long history and past association with many eminent people , including Oliver Cromwell. But conscious that Samuel Pepys had for a time lived in nearby Brampton, and with the approval of the Samuel Pepys Society, his name was chosen for the Lodge. Socrates Lodge kindly offered the use of the building and furniture. The Founder Members supplied the Collars of office to which they were appointed and W. Bro Basil Dixon, who had been chairman of the founding committee, was invited to become the first Worshipful Master.

Arrangements then proceeded smoothly for the Consecration on the afternoon of 20 Jun 1970, a day so hot the Consecrating Officer R W Bro Bertram Guillaume, Provincial Grand Master, dispensed with the wearing of gloves. 163 Freemasons were present.

The Founders decided to use the strict Emulation working as the founders were from various Provinces, many using different rituals. This proved a wise decision, with a succession of excellent Directors of Ceremonies. The working has proved both effective and attractive. The subscription was originally set at £10 Pounds 10 shillings per year but by 1997 this had risen to £100.00. At the end of the first 20 years, the membership had increased to over 60. Indeed Huntingdon continued to grow and in 1988 Samuel Pepys Lodge sponsored the formation of Hinchingbrooke lodge.

The Lodge Banner was designed, made and presented by two members and the needle work was carried out by the wife of the Founding Senior Warden. Another member presented his family bible to be our V.S.L.

At the end of every Festive Board following the Lodge Meeting, the lights are dimmed, three candles are lit and we sing 'Peace Love and Harmony’, the qualities we strive to portray in the life of Samuel Pepys Lodge.