Dining at Lodge of Progress is an important part of our social and Masonic life. It gives members and visitors the opportunity to spend time together after the meeting and enjoy the friendship of the Lodge.
To help the Lodge plan properly and manage costs more effectively, we are introducing a clearer approach to dining bookings.
Booking is now essential
If you wish to dine after a meeting, you must book your meal in advance. This applies to both members and visitors.
At present, there is no dining fee to pay for visitors until March 2027. However, we still need everyone intending to dine to book their place. This is important because the Lodge must give catering numbers in advance and needs to avoid unnecessary over-ordering, waste and avoidable cost.
Why this matters
In the past, meal numbers have not always matched the number of people who actually dined. That creates difficulty for the Lodge in managing orders and finances responsibly.
By asking everyone to book in advance, we can:
- order the right number of meals
- reduce waste
- manage Lodge finances more carefully
- support a more sustainable dining arrangement for the future
- make sure members and visitors who wish to dine are properly catered for
What happens now
From now until March 2027, there is no charge to dine for visitors, but booking remains mandatory for everyone.
This means that if you want a meal, you need to let us know in advance through the Lodge booking process.
If you do not book, a meal cannot be guaranteed.
What changes from March 2027
From March 2027, the Lodge is proposing, subject to final ratification in June 2026, to move to a fully separated dining model.
Under that arrangement, all diners, whether members or visitors, will pay for their meal at the point of booking. Further details, including the booking process, meal price and timing arrangements, will be issued in advance before the new approach comes into effect. For now, the key message is simple: please book your meal if you intend to dine.
For visitors
Visitors are always very welcome at Lodge of Progress, and we look forward to sharing our festive board with you. To help us prepare properly, please ensure your meal is booked in advance through the Secretary or the published booking route for that meeting.
For members
Members are asked to support this change positively. Booking your meal helps the Lodge plan accurately, control cost and protect the long-term sustainability of dining arrangements.
Book in advance
If you are attending and wish to dine, please make sure your booking is made before the published cut-off for that meeting.
No booking means no guaranteed meal.
Lodge of Progress 8259 