About

Hall Barn Lodge, a short history

The Hall Barn Lodge was born out of many discussions over a few pints at the Kings Arms, Holtspur, now a Miller and Carter, by a few BA pilots and employees at Heathrow Airport, consequently Hall Barn was conceived and consecrated on 9th March 1973 in Tyler’s Green Village Hall, being sponsored by Penn & Tylers Green Lodge.  Present were 10 consecrating officers, 21 founders and 124 guests. After the proceedings, the Brethren made their way to the Bellhouse Hotel, Gerrards Cross, for the banquet.

The Bellhouse became our first home, we were known as a gourmet lodge, the hotel, in those days had a reputation in the area for first class cuisine attracting between 65 to 100 attendees per meeting, and of course the ritual was of a very high standard, which has been a feature of our Lodge for many years as was demanded by the founders.

Just a note that subscriptions in 1978, when I joined, were £11 per year and dining was £8 per meeting.

In 1991 there was a changing of the guard at the Bellhouse, the new manager was persuaded by De Vere hotels, the owners, that Fridays would be much more profitable used for weddings and conferences, so we moved home to Beaconsfield Masonic Centre where we have been ever since.

Over the years, many members of the lodge have been honoured with Grand Lodge appointments, namely;

  1. Bro. A McAuslane, our founding Master,
    W. Bro. Harry Deacon, W. Bro. Stan Gardner, W. Bro. Colin James, W. Bro. Nelson Hall and W. Bro. Rob Knock.

Also, Acting Provincial Officers, W. Bro. Harry Deacon – Provincial Secretary, W. Bro. Colin James – Provincial Senior Warden, W. Bro. Nelson Hall – Provincial Secretary (subsequently Deputy Provincial Grand Master), W. Bro. Steve Matthews – Provincial Senior Warden and W. Bro. Andy Sutton – Deputy Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies.

The last remaining founder, W. Bro. Ray Williams died in 2022, The longest subscribing member is W. Bro. Bob Ponti who was initiated in 1977, unfortunately for us, but not for him I’m sure, now lives in Dubai so is unable to visit us regularly.

We are always looking to swell our membership and encourage anyone interested in joining our number to make contact by completing the form at the bottom of the page.