June’s lodge night saw the first of this year’s candidates become a Fellowcraft.  Thanks to all the officers and other brethren who took part in ensuring the ceremony ran smoothly and the candidate answered his questions well with no prompting.  The WM and officers were praised for the excellent ritual.  It was good to see a large number of visitors, old and new, in attendance, with a total of almost 50 brethren at the festive board.  I hope our visitors enjoyed their time with us and will come back again soon.

On Saturday, 17 June, after spending much of the day at Cadogan Court’s annual Summer Fair, the WM and a few other brethren from St Thomas with their partners attended a Salmon and Strawberries Charity evening arranged by Lopes Lodge (No. 5526) held at the home of Lopes’ WM.  It was a very enjoyable evening with excellent food and great company and raised a large sum to be split between Lopes Lodge’s charity fund and Devon Freewheelers.  Many thanks to Denis and Harlene and “Team Arden” for their hospitality.

Patients on Bolham Ward at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital are set to benefit from a new mobile machine to measure lung function thanks to a £500 donation by the St Thomas Masonic Lodge.
The Lodge made the donation after being made aware of the efforts of Barbara and David Tilbury, who have been fundraising for the Bolham Ward Trust Fund over the last year in memory of their son Patrick who sadly passed away in 2016.
St Thomas Lodge Worshipful Master Tim Caldwell, said: “We were made aware of the Tilbury’s appeal by Occupational Therapist Sarah Lonton.  At the time, they were fundraising for reclining chairs for the ward, however these have since been purchased and we are more than happy for the ward to use our donation for anything else that would be of most use.”
The new machine, a digital Spirometer, is used to record how well a patient’s lungs are working by measuring how much air is being inhaled and exhaled. It is used on the neurological ward to regularly monitor patients with degenerative conditions such as motor neuron disease or myasthenia gravis, which can cause difficulties breathing.
The hand-held Spirometer replaces a large and cumbersome mechanical spirometer, which was difficult and unwieldy for some patients to use.
Bolham Ward Matron Anny Willett, explained: “The small and compact electronic spirometer which we have been able to purchase with the Lodge’s very generous donation will be more accurate and much easier for both patients and staff to use. I would like to convey the thanks of the patients and staff of Bolham ward to the St Thomas Lodge and its members and to Mr and Mrs Tilbury for making this donation happen.”
Barbara Tilbury added: “I would personally like to thank the St. Thomas Masonic Lodge, for their generosity in helping me with this appeal, especially their Charity Steward for all of his help – I know what a difference it will make to Anny and her team to have their own instrument.”

At the Lodge meeting on 10 May we had a fraternal visit by a number of brethren from Fortescue Lodge (No. 847) from Honiton together with a number of other visitors.  We enjoyed a very interesting explanation of the First Degree Tracing Board which our entered apprentices seemed to learn much from followed by an informative Mentor’s Moment, which we hope will be the first of many, to enlighten us on various aspects of freemasonry. 

 During May the Worshipful Master has had the pleasure of visiting Old Helean Lodge (No. 6797) where one of the brethren gave a very informative talk about his work with the Military Police and to St Andrews Lodge (No. 4097) in Uffculme where he enjoyed a very well performed third degree ceremony and at the festive board he replied on behalf of the visitors. 

 Brethren of St Thomas visited Miles Coverdale Lodge in Paignton (No. 5069: http://www.milescoverdalelodge.org.uk/) as a fraternal visit. Unfortunately the Worshipful Master couldn’t make it due to other commitments but the  8 brethren who attended had a most enjoyable time. The ceremony was an enactment as the candidate had to cry off due to work commitments. The step-in candidate was very good as was the Senior Deacon who took him round in a most confident manner. Afterward the festive board was held at Redcliff Hotel (http://www.redcliffehotel.co.uk/ ) where W.Bro Walsom replied on behalf of the visitors.  We look forward to seeing the Brethren from Miles Coverdale at St Thomas in October when we will be having a third degree ceremony

W Bro Tim Caldwell was installed as Master on 8 February by the outgoing Master, W Bro Alan Bigwood.

Since his installation he has enjoyed attending a first degree at Lopes in March and Semper Fidelis in April where one of the brethren gave a very informative explanation of the Master Mason’s apron. He also attended the annual Provincial meeting at the English Riviera Centre, at which one of the St Thomas was awarded Provincial office and another promoted.

The Worshipful Master conducted his first ceremony on 8 March to initiate a new member and this was followed on 12 April by the initiation of another new member. We hope the new brethren will enjoy their journey through freemasonry and will spend many happy years with St Thomas.

A few dates for the diary:-

Cadogan Court Summer Fete on Saturday 17 June

As usual, St Thomas Lodge will be supporting this event and will be running the bar. Any brethren who would like to help, either with the bar or in any other way, should speak to W Bro Gary Hunter

Exeter Brewery Tour on 28 July

Curry Night at Gandy Street on 15 September

Ladies’ Lunch

Following the success of the last few years it is planned to hold another Ladies’ lunch at the Langstone Cliff Hotel, Dawlish on 22 October.

Ladies’ Night

This will be held on 27 January 2018 at Reed Hall, Exeter University and we hope that the brethren will support the Worshipful Master at this event. After the meal there will be music for those who would like to dance off the calories they have just eaten but equally there will be plenty of quiet areas for those who would prefer to talk.

More details of all these events will follow.

We would like to keep the website updated regularly but that depends on people letting us know what is happening. If you have any items which would be of interest to the brethren or have attended or planned any events you would like shared on this website please email details to

Worshipfu  Master Viv Carton

On Wednesday 10 February St Thomas Lodge held the major annual event of electing a new Worshipful Master. It brought to an end of W. Bro Viv Carton’s second term as Worshipful Master.
He had a very busy year in which two candidates were initiated into Freemasonry. He hosted a Hog roast (Thanks to Den and Harlene Arden), Ladies Lunch and Ladies night.
Plus W.Bro Viv visited over 60, yes 60 lodges in the last year. At our regular meetings he often had 4 -6 guests for the festive board and has become a very popular Mason as well as promoting the good name of St Thomas.

In his year over £1000 was raised for non masonic local charitys with £1000 going to his charity for the year St Loyes Foundation.

He now retires not only as Worshipful Master but in June he is retiring from working for the NHS running the Dialysis Department
We thank him for his commitment over the last year and wish him well for the future in Freemasonry as well as a long happy retirement.