Consecrated 1863
Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons
Grand Patron of the Grand Charity
150 years of Freemasonry in Batley, West Yorkshire.
Founded on 3rd September 1863 at the Crown Hotel, Trafalgar Lodge quickly moved to their own premises in Commercial Street, and then on to purpose-built premises in St James' Street. We would probably still be there but when the town of Batley needed our land for a new Bus Station in the early 1960's, we picked up our Lodge and moved up the hill.
Trafalgar Lodge has been in residence at Blenheim House, Batley Field Hill, since October 1962, and we enjoy shared facilities which include a fine Temple for our Ritual, a spacious bar and ball-room for our socialising & our social events - and plenty of parking-space.
Our Founders & early forebears were resilient enough to overcome several daunting difficulties - not least when several senior Brethren were stricken in a very short time-scale. However, they built a strong and vital Lodge with traditions that we are still proud of today.
In the last 148 years, the Lodge has held over 1,800 monthly Lodge Meetings, at which more than 64,000 attendances have been recorded by our Members, and we have welcomed more than 15,000 Visiting Brethren.
Membership of the Lodge is still held with pride and we all try to ensure that our strict Emulation Ritual is practiced to as near perfection as we can reasonably achieve. There are weekly practices on a Thursday which are attended by Members ranging from their early 20's to early 70's.
We all share a common bond with our beliefs, our traditions, our discipline, our Ritual and our Charitable giving. It is without doubt the best "mans' club" that there is - because Freemasonry allows the individual to develop as fully as he can.
Members do not stay Members for 20, 30, 40, 50 or even 60+ years if they don't enjoy it.
We meet for our Lodge Night on the 1st Thursday of every month from 7:00 pm
Our Installation Ceremony takes place on the 1st Thursday in December.
We have regular practice meetings on every Thursday starting at 7:30 pm.
Freemasonry is one of the world's oldest secular fraternal societies. The following information is intended to explain Freemasonry as it is practised under the United Grand Lodge of England, which administers Lodges of Freemasons in England and Wales and in many places overseas.
Freemasonry is a society of men concerned with moral and spiritual values. Its members are taught its precepts (moral lessons and self-knowledge) by a series of ritual dramas - a progression of allegorical two-part plays which are learnt by heart and performed within each Lodge - which follow ancient forms, and use stonemasons' customs and tools as allegorical guides.
Freemasonry instils in its members a moral and ethical approach to life: it seeks to reinforce thoughtfulness for others, kindness in the community, honesty in business, courtesy in society and fairness in all things. Members are urged to regard the interests of the family as paramount but, importantly, Freemasonry also teaches and practices concern for people, care for the less fortunate and help for those in need.
For many years Freemasons have followed three great principles:
Every true Freemason will show tolerance and respect for the opinions of others and behave with kindness and understanding to his fellow creatures.
Freemasons are taught to practise charity and to care - not only for their own – but also for the community as a whole, both by charitable giving and by voluntary efforts and works as individuals.
From its earliest days, Freemasonry has been concerned with the care of orphans, the sick and the aged. This work continues today.
Freemasons strive for truth, requiring high moral standards and aiming to achieve them in their own lives. Freemasons believe that these principles represent a way of achieving higher standards in life.
You can find more information on becoming a Freemason here.
There is a lot to understand about Freemasonry and not all of it can be explained on a website. If you would like to know more about becoming a member of Trafalgar Lodge please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have. We will be only too happy answer them.
Email wmaster@trafalgarlodge971.org
Address:
The Secretary
Trafalgar Lodge 971, Blenheim House, 66 Batley Field Hill
Batley, W Yorks, WF17 0BG