A Brief History of Hamtun Lodge, 7083
The Hamtun Lodge No. 7083 came into being in the rehabilitation period following the end of the Second World War. It was early in 1950 that the idea of forming a new lodge in Southampton was discussed by a group of Masons whose mother lodges were situated in far away parts of the country. These Masons found themselves in Southampton due to the circumstances of the late war and felt themselves to be Exiles from their own lodges. They felt their future lay in Southampton and so wanted to form a new lodge. As many of these 'exiles' were sailors, to this day we refer to ourselves as a seafarers' lodge - hence the lodge logo and crest.
On the 30th June, 1950 W. Bro. F. Melling approached Clausentum Lodge No. 1461 to ask them to arrange for the third Friday of each month to be reserved in the Masonic Hall, Manor Rd., Woolston, Southampton for the proposed lodge. Clausentum subsequently became our 'Mother lodge' (see lodge family tree). The consecration of the lodge took place on the morning of the 20th September where the founders (25 of the 26 ... one being away at sea) together with 9 Grand Lodge Officers, 45 Provincial Grand Lodge Officers and 202 visitors attended the ceremony in Southampton Guildhall. This event was followed by the Installation of Hamtun Lodge's first master, W.Bro. K. E. H. Muskett.
The second meeting of Hamtun Lodge was on Friday, 19th October 1951 when the 'business" of the lodge really began with the Initiation of our first two candidates. Mr. T.S. Melling, son of our first S.W. W. Bro. Frank Melling, and Mr. W.J. Wild, the son of our first J.W. Bro. Walter Joseph Wild.
On the 15th February 1952 the Lodge was opened and then closed, no business being done, as this was the day of the funeral of H.M. King George VI.
During this first year our W. Master W. Bro. Ken Muskett became ill. He showed great courage in continuing his job and the work of and in the lodge despite a worsening condition. On the 19th September 1952 he passed away, the day he would have been installing his successor. So ended our first year... .6 Initiates... 6 joining members and 1 death. Our first Ladies night was held on the 14th February 1953 at Mayes Restaurant. The Beautiful Lodge Banner was presented to the Lodge by the late Wor. Bro. Douglas Harfields P.A.G.D.C. whose advice and guidance during the formation of the Lodge was so valuable.
In due time the lodge has gone on to witness many momentous occasions such as the lodge itself becoming a sponsor for a new lodge in agreeing to help launch the William Fawcett Lodge No. 8612. We have been greatly honoured to have had a number of brethren elevated to Grand Rank and Provincial Grand Rank, and we continue to go from strength to strength as a testament to the foresight of our founding brethren.