A Good Neighbour Lodge – An inspiration in action
A travelling lodge bringing Freemasonry into Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution Care homes
Essex Freemasons have long supported the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution Care Company (RMBI) and have consistently championed awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Their commitment to older Brethren and to the work of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution Care Company runs deep.
In that spirit, the Provincial Community Engagement Lead, David Barton, attended the Installation Meeting of Good Neighbour Lodge No. 8378 at Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution Prince George Duke of Kent Court, Shepherds Green, Chislehurst, in late November. The invitation came from Very Worshipful Brother Chris Caine, whose understanding of Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution care is exceptional. As an Essex Freemason and former Deputy President of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution, he oversaw improvements across the organisation that strengthened support for residents living with dementia. Walking into the home with him gave the entire day a clear sense of purpose.
Good Neighbour Lodge perfectly illustrates why the meeting was held in a care home. Constituted in 1971, receiving its Warrant on 10 February and being consecrated on 5 April in the Province of West Kent, the lodge was created as a travelling lodge to bring Freemasonry directly into Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution care homes, ensuring that Brethren unable to travel could still enjoy lodge meetings. Its first Worshipful Master, Right Worshipful Brother Lord Cornwallis, Military Cross, Deputy Lieutenant, Officer of the Order of St Michael and St George, Past Provincial Grand Master of East Kent, reflected the importance of this founding mission. The lodge’s identity rests on its ability to reach Brethren where they live.
Before the meeting opened, attendees were given a guided tour of the home, joined by visitors who had travelled from across the country, including from as far away as Durham, a testament to the dedication and commitment that define a travelling lodge. The level of care offered by the staff was evident throughout. Nurses wear dressing gowns in the evenings to create a gentle and familiar atmosphere for residents who may become confused or distressed at night, helping them feel settled and safe. Memory boxes outside each resident’s room, filled with personal items and photographs, reinforced a sense of identity and belonging, quietly reminding residents that this is their room and their home. Every detail reflected dignity, thoughtfulness and compassion.
The Installation Meeting saw Right Worshipful Brother Mark Estaugh, Past Provincial Grand Master of West Kent, installed as Worshipful Master for the ensuing year, succeeding Worshipful Brother Adam Caine. Watching a Past Provincial Grand Master take the Chair of a lodge dedicated to Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution residents emphasised how highly this work is regarded within Freemasonry and across the United Grand Lodge of England.
When the lodge opened within the care home, its purpose was felt immediately. Residents, some living with frailty, mobility challenges or dementia, responded at once to the familiar rhythm of the ritual. Recognition returned, expressions lifted, and the room took on a quiet but profound significance. For men who once played active and important roles in their lodges and Province but could no longer attend a Masonic Centre, this was not simply a meeting; it was a moment of reconnection with a part of themselves. Good Neighbour Lodge transformed an ordinary room into a place of dignity, memory and fellowship.
Reflecting on the experience, David Barton commented:
“What stood out most was how naturally Freemasonry came alive in that environment. This was not simply a meeting; it was the Craft fulfilling its highest values. It was compassion in action. It was visiting at its most meaningful – not visiting another lodge building but visiting the Brethren who need support the most. It demonstrated that the obligations Freemasons take are not symbolic; they are lived.”
This atmosphere continued into the Festive Board, one of the most inspirational experienced by those present. Members from different generations shared wine, laughter and stories, creating a genuine sense of unity and gratitude for what had been witnessed together. After the meal, time was spent with residents who shared memories from their lives, families and careers. Their reflections were heartfelt and deeply moving, adding another layer of meaning to an already unforgettable day.
Good Neighbour Lodge is extraordinary because it travels to ensure that residents do not have to. Its next meeting will be held at Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution, Zetland Court, 128 Alumhurst Road, Bournemouth, BH4 8HU, on Friday, 27 March 2025, and later the lodge will meet at Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution, Connaught Court in York in September. Wherever the residents are, the lodge goes, continuing its mission of inclusion, dignity and lifelong connection.
Everything witnessed that day, from the care shown during the tour to the reactions during the meeting, reaffirmed what Freemasonry looks like when its values guide action. Good Neighbour Lodge ensures that no Brother is forgotten or excluded because of age or circumstance. It demonstrates that the heart of the Craft lies in service, compassion and genuine human connection.
This is why visiting remains one of the most important duties in Freemasonry. Through visiting, bonds are maintained, companionship is offered, and the principle of lifelong Brotherhood is upheld. Lodges such as Good Neighbour Lodge make a vital contribution by carrying the spirit of Freemasonry directly to those who need it most. They show, in every meeting, that the principles of the Craft are strongest when expressed through action, and reveal with clarity what the true spirit of Freemasonry looks like.
For more information on Good Neighbour Lodge No. 8378, please contact:
More information on Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution Care Company can be found at www.rmbi.org.uk/our-homes/
Photos:
Top: Day room to Temple
Left: Right Worshipful Brother Mark Estaugh, Past Provincial Grand Master of West Kent
Right: Residents of the RMBI Care Home
