A first at Beeleigh Abbey Lodge as the Master installs his son as successor

New family tradition started at the Installation Meeting of popular Maldon Lodge

On 18 October 2023, at Maldon Masonic Hall, Martin Cook, the Worshipful Master of Beeleigh Abbey Lodge No.7017, installed his son, Stephen, as his successor in a very moving ceremony. This was a unique occasion for the Lodge in which it was the first time that a reigning Master had installed his son.

Martin said “The occasion was made more poignant because some 40 years ago, I was installed as the Master of my mother lodge, the Royal Victorian Jubilee Lodge, by my father who was then the reigning Master.” 

In 1950 when the Lodge was founded, the late William Alfred Foyle, the co-founder of Foyles bookshop in 1903 and owner of Beeleigh Abbey, gave permission for the Lodge to use the Abbey Crest of six fleur-de-lys on a silver background surrounded by a blue shield.

With 50 members, Beeleigh Abbey is a popular Lodge which meets eight times a year in Maldon. It is one of nearly 300 lodges in the Province of Essex with a total membership of around 7,500. Many Essex Freemasons do a considerable amount of voluntary work supporting local communities across the County as well as regularly donating around a £1 million a year of much needed funding to good causes and charities.

During his year as Master, Stephen Cook and all the members of Beeleigh Abbey Lodge are looking forward to helping the needs of local community groups as much as possible.

Photo:

Father and Son - Immediate Past Master Martin Cook (right) congratulating his son Stephen after installing him as the new Worshipful Master of Beeleigh Abbey Lodge.