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Aelfric Lodge History

The Aelfric Lodge takes its name from the first Abbot of Eynsham Abbey.  

The idea of forming an “Eynsham Lodge” was first muted by a number of brethren resident in the village but nothing happened until November 1978 when brethren from Eynsham, attending a Windrush Chapter meeting at Witney, discussed the possible founding of a lodge which would draw its members from the village and surrounding area.  Names of possible founders were scribbled on the paper tablecloth and when the names exceeded two dozen, things moved swiftly and a formal meeting of those who had expressed an interest was held at Bartholomew School, Eynsham. 

At that meeting a resolution by W. Bro. Ken Sheffield, seconded by W. Bro. Charles Woodward, to form a new Lodge was carried unanimously.  W. Bro. Stevenson, then head of Bartholomew School, took on the role of founding Secretary and became the first  Secretary of the Lodge. W.Bro. Peter Ward, then Deputy Head, accepted and became the first Worshipful Master of the new Lodge. Ten months of much hard work followed and the warrant for the new Lodge was received in January 1980. The Lodge Crest was taken from the Bartholomew School badge with Mr Alan Mills (now W. Bro. Mills), head of art at the school, incorporating the armorial bearings within a perfect circle, the design being submitted to Grand Lodge and receiving approval in March 1980.  Fifteen months of planning, consultation and enthusiastic cooperation came to fruition on Wednesday, April 9th 1980, when the Lodge was consecrated in the Masonic Temple at 333 Banbury Road, Oxford, by the Provincial Grand Master, the Rt. Hon. Lord Rathcreedan and his team, setting the Aelfric Lodge on its journey to the present day.

The first twenty years of the Lodge was celebrated at the turn of the century by the publication of a history of the Lodge bearing that title in 2000.  Copies of the booklet are presented to each candidate and joining member on the night they become members of the Lodge.  The Lodge is now forty plus years old and an update to the booklet will undoubtedly be produced in time for its 50^th anniversary celebrations in 2030.