H F A  F     

   The Honourable Fraternity of Ancient  Freemasons 

A Women's Masonic Fraternity

Founded  27th November 1913

Sussex Lodge no 17

A chance remark in a café has led to a remarkable agreement between men and women freemasons in Lewes. When the members of Sussex Lodge no 17 Hove who had previously been meeting in Hove decided to close their doors in March 2007 due to increasing high rents making it economically unviable for their small membership, they little imagined that their Lodge would be able to re-start in less than a year.

One of the members of Sussex Lodge , a Past Master, who works in Lewes was queuing for a bacon butty in a nearby café and struck up a conversation with someone who she knew to be a freemason. On being asked about Sussex Lodge she sadly told him that the Lodge was now closed but as an aside she jokingly asked if they could use the men’s temple at Lewes. This request was however taken seriously and now thanks to the co-operation of the freemasons in Lewes and the Provincial Grand Master of Sussex who gave his permission for the temple to be used by women freemasons, they will be holding their first meeting in their new home in February 2008. See our Venues page for some pictures of the masonic temple at Lewes.

Now they are confident that they can look forward to a new chapter in their history. There are already several new members ready to join when the Lodge re-opens in February 2008. They have already planned the year ahead to include an Open Day at Lewes in August 2008.

Enquiries about Sussex Lodge can be sent to sussexlodge@hfaf.org

Website created and maintained by Bro. Christine Chapman, Assistant Grand Master