The refurbishment of Freemasons’ Hall in New Road, South Molton continues, with the latest project being the redesign and redecoration of the main ground Floor Dining Room.
The newly upgraded facility was relaunched on Friday 23rd January 2026 with 40 members and their guests attending a
Burns Night Supper.
As is Traditional on such occasions, the Haggis was piped in to the skirl of the Bagpipes, played with gusto by Exeter Piper and Freemason Glen Bishop. Guests were then treated to a magnificent rendition of Robert Burns’ Poem “The Address to a Haggis” by Jim Ferguson.
Following the meal, our own resident Scotsman, Ray McIntosh treated everyone, with a fine rendition of “My Love is like a red red Rose”. another Burns Poem set to a traditional Scottish tune.
The refurbishment of the main dining room is part of a long term renovation project to protect this unique Grade II Listed Building and to make it more suitable for Community use. As well as redecoration; the project included replacement of the old fixed Furniture, new Curtains and new energy efficient Lighting.
A team of Lodge members pitched in to ensure that the room was ready for the event. It was a close run thing, but in true “Changing Rooms” style the project was completed just in time for its official launch.
The next phase of the refurbishment project will be to improve disabled access to the first floor with the installation of a Stairlift and to make the historical museum displays more available to local Historians and Students for study and research.