Following the informal meeting on 1st March 1961 it was agreed that a second meeting should be held at the Masonic Hall, Horsham at 8.30pm on 17th March 1961. Prior to this W Bro Stapley would raise the matter with the Lodge Committee of March & Darnley Lodge so as to gauge their reaction to the proposition to form another lodge in Horsham. It was further suggested that the Lodge should meet on the first Wednesday in each month and that Lodge Meetings should be limited to six per year between October and March. W Bro Stapley proposed and it was seconded by W Bro Clayton that W Bro Morden be elected Treasurer and Bro Whatham be elected Secretary.
It was proposed that the new Lodge should be known as the Horsham Lodge. It was generally felt that March & Darnley as the oldest Lodge in the town should sponsor the application. It was also believed that as the name of Carfax was already in use by an Oxford Lodge, it might not be possible to use it in West Sussex.
A second Meeting was held at the Masonic Hall in Horsham on Friday 17th March 19621 when a number of essential details were discussed. The maximum cost to a founder Member was envisaged to be about £20. It was hoped that sufficient Members would be secured to enable this figure to be reduced. This proposal must be regarded as a recommendation only, since no proposal could be finally approved until a full meeting of Founder Members was held. It was agreed that the next meeting should be held at the Masonic Hall on Wednesday 12th April 1962.
At a third meeting, after a general discussion, it was decided that a formal Notice of Motion be put to March & Darnley Lodge that a new Lodge was being formed and their support was being requested. It was further agreed that the Secretary Bro Whatham should formally write to Provincial Grand Lodge to request their support. March & Darnley Lodge had no objection and was prepared to sponsor the new Lodge.
A Fourth meeting of the proposed Lodge took place at the Masonic Hall on 12th October 1961. It was noted that the application had been placed before the Provincial Grand Master W Bro Arthur Jolly who had given his approval and permission for the necessary Petition forms to be sent for completion. These had been signed by the Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens of the sponsoring Lodge March & Darnley No 1141. Founder Members must be Master Masons of three years standing. It was generally agreed that in view of the definite objection by March & Darnley Lodge to use the name ‘Horsham Lodge’ this should be discarded. It was decided that the CARFAX LODGE should be selected. It was agreed that a first subscription of £5 per member should be collected to meet immediate expenses. It was agreed that a current Account in the name of the Carfax Lodge should be opened at the Westminster Bank, Horsham.
A Fifth meeting of the proposed Carfax Lodge took place at the Masonic Hall on 6th February 1962. The Secretary reported that he had received confirmation from Province that the Most Worshipful Grand Master had been pleased to accede to the prayer of the Petition for the proposed CARFAX LODGE and that the Number of the lodge would be 7819. The names of the Master, two Wardens and four other Founders should appear on the Petition.
The following Fees were payable: to Grand Lodge for the Warrant – £10.10.0d; Founders Fee – £2.17.6d (23 @ 2/6d); to Provincial Grand Lodge of Sussex – £10.10.0d. A Lodge Crest or Badge would have to be approved by Provincial Grand Lodge. Bro Whatham had given this much thought and would prepare a design for approval by the Brethren.
A Sixth meeting of the Founder Members of the proposed Carfax Lodge No 7819 took place at the Bell Inn, Park Street, Horsham on 2nd April 1962. The Consecration Dinner would be undertaken by the caterers Messrs Forfars of Brighton. The consecration dinner to be held at the Sussex Masonic Temple, 25 Queen’s Road, Brighton, at the wish of the Provincial Grand Master. Bro Bridges raised the question of an informal Lodge of Instruction. It was agreed that this should meet twice a month throughout the summer and winter and that a fee should be charged of 1 shilling per night. W Bro S C Bridges was elected Secretary and Treasurer.
Full Rehearsal on 16th May 1962. A full rehearsal of the founder Members was held under the direction of W Bro Lt/Col J O Byrne, MC, PAGSwdB, Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, at the Masonic Temple, Horsham.