A masonic lodge has celebrated over 100 years of history at its 1,000th meeting.

The Blackmore Vale lodge has been meeting in Sturminster Newton since 1912 and recently celebrated the milestone with a talk on the lodge's history before a dinner at The Exchange in Sturminster Newton.

The Provincial Grand Master Graham Glazier and his Deputy and Assistant attended the occasion, which is a rare event.

A spokesperson for Blackmore Vale lodge said: "Nearly 100 people witnessed a great ceremony, where amongst other things, The Provincial Grand Master presented the lodge with a commemorative gift to celebrate their achievement and Mike Neville presented a roundup of the last 100 plus years of the lodge."

Key milestones and events from 1912 to the present day were discussed including  their first new member in 1913, Bernard Hollick, their 100th meeting in 1923, a joining member from Kuala Lumpur in 1922, and the 200th meeting in 1934, where it was decided that £5 would be given to one of the 'lodge widows'.

During the Second World War, the lodge building was used by the military, meaning the lodge's 250th meeting was held in the Methodist Church.

The 500th meeting was held in 1968, when Vernon Guy, a local farmer, was brought in as the newest member of Blackmore Vale lodge.

In March 1995, the 750th meeting saw William Conduit join the lodge, the father of last year's Master, Andrew.

Blackmore Vale lodge meet on Fridays in Sturminster Newton, and are a vibrant and thriving lodge made up of a real cross-section of the local population.