Pedestrians who use the footpath running from Faversham Parish Church past the Queen Elizabeth’s School to Abbey Place cannot fail to notice the resplendent Elizabethan half-timbered building to one side. On closer examination one may notice a plaque fixed on the front shiplapped timber stating – ‘ THIS WAS THE ORIGINAL QUEEN ELIZABETH GRAMMAR SCHOOL. BUILT IN 1567. IT IS NOW THE MASONIC HALL.’

Back at the start of 2005 the three Lodges, Lodge of Harmony, Athelstan Lodge and Manor of Faversham Lodge together with other Degrees that use the hall, determined to raise additional funds towards its upkeep. The trustees appreciate the task they have not only to provide appropriate facilities for the users, but also to preserve the heritage for the benefit of all. The hall often holds open days, usually as part of the National Heritage Days held every year in September. Consequently the Friends of Faversham old Grammar School (FOFOGS) was set up with two representatives from each of the seven Masonic tenants, under the able chairmanship of W.Bro. Bill Boggia. FOFOGS embarked on a number of fund raising schemes starting with a Wine and Wisdom and followed by a bumper raffle with a top prize of a London theatre trip and rounded off with an excellent garden party. These events were so successful that £1000 was raised and a cheque presented to W.Bro. Andrew Osborne, chairman of the trustees of the Old Grammar School charity.

W.Bro. Osborne announced that this sum together with other donations was sufficient to pay for the refurbishment programme that had already commenced. Most important of all, to everyone’s happy relief, the rents would not need to be raised for the coming year!

W Bro Tony Elliott PPrDGSuptWks
Information Officer for Swale Lodges

From Ed46, P20