The increase of the population of Hadleigh during the 1970s through to the 1990s contributed to The Lodge of Virtue and Silence No. 332 having a large membership and coupled with the time it was taking to work through to the chair naturally made some of the ‘elders’ think about forming a new Lodge. Before this could be achieved it was necessary to raise funds and invite members to become Founders. Every Founder gave a £100.00 donation and several fund-raising functions took place. It was agreed that the subscription should be £40.00. All the officers bought their own collars. The Founders had several meetings and WBro. P. L. King was the Secretary of the Forming Committee. There was much correspondence to and from the Province and UGLE and finally permission to form another Lodge in Hadleigh was agreed.
The name of the Lodge was chosen from several put forward. It was felt that the name of Hadleigh had to be avoided as the Lodge of Virtue and Silence is known as The Hadleigh Lodge. The name of the local martyre of 1555 Dr. Rowland Taylor was one that was put forward but the consensus was for Brett Valley, as this was the area that the new Lodge would serve. The use of the shield from the Coat of Arms of Hadleigh was permitted by the Hadleigh Town Council to be incorporated in our banner.
The date of the Warrant was 10th June 1992. Brett Valley Lodge No. 9479 was Consecrated on the 15th October 1992. As The Lodge of Virtue and Silence was the sponsoring Lodge their furniture was permitted to be used without reservation, but as the new Lodge got onto its feet, some equipment was presented to the Lodge by various members and other items purchased.
The Consecration took place in the Grand Hall at Hadleigh Town Hall.
Current Membership in November 2019 is 58.
Our Masonic Values:
Truth … Honour … Virtue … Charity … Benevolence
Fellowship … Family … Duty … Honesty … Justice
Freemasonry is one of the oldest and largest fraternal societies in the world. It provides a code of living based on good moral and ethical standards. It is available to men of any colour, creed or wordly status. It is a non profit organisation supporting charity and service to the community. It believes in family, charity and good fellowship, and provides a number of social functions for you, your family and non Masonic friends to attend.
Freemasonry is NOT a religion, or a benefit society. It does NOT promote social or economic advancement and is NOT connected with any political body. There are a few basic rules required of Freemasons.
- You must be at least twenty one years of age
- You must be a man of good repute, a loyal citizen and obedient to the laws of the land
- You must not have a criminal record
- You must believe in a Supreme Being, but may belong to any religion
- You will be expected to support Charity.
- You are expected to put family and vocation before your duties to Freemasonry.