Thank you to the CFRs from Ledbury and Hereford for attending our Hereford Masonic Centre last weekend to formally hand over the two new vehicles. Special thanks to the High Sheriff, Vice Lord Lieutenant and Mayor of Hereford for coming along to make the occasion very special. We look forwards to seeing the new vehicles operational and helping the local communities
Also last week, the Masons from Bromyard presented a cheque for £1730 to Bromyard CFR to assist with medical kit and vehicle costs of the Bromyard CFR. The money was collected by the Lodge and Chapter and part match funded by the central Herefordshire Masons Charity.
We look forward to assisting other local CFRs across the County in the coming months.
Over one hundred and thirty Herefordshire Brethren and guests attended the Annual Provincial Grand Lodge in Hereford on the 1st June which was also the official launch of our Festival 31.
As well as the administrative items of the meeting, the new active Provincial Officers were invested as well as those receiving past ranks or promotions. The RW Provincial Grand Master also thank those uncollared officers who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes in assisting the organisation of the Province.
The meeting included the presentation of Solomon Certificates for those Brethren in attendance that had recently completed their Solomon Diplomas with online learning sections for each of the Three Degrees and the Royal Arch.
The Chief Executive of the newly rebranded Freemasons’ Charity, VW Bro Les Hutchinson, then provide a background to the Festival process and the Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro Michael Holland, officially launched it in his address to the Province. Several Brethren has already qualified for honorifics and were presented with their Festival Jewels. The first recipient of the Festival jewel was the Festival Chairman and Deputy Provincial Grand Master, VW Bro J Stuart Jones.
There was an opportunity to purchase Festival merchandise before and after the meeting which can also be purchased online here.
After the meeting there was a chance to socialise with the many visitors from far and wide and very well attended Festive board.
19 Herefordshire Freemasons travelled to Freemasons Hall in London’s West End to attend the Light Blues Communication. Hosted by Lodge Sine Nomine No 10000, the Brethren from Hereford attended the Lodge meeting along with ‘light blues’ from across UGLE. The Lodge was opened and called off and a procession of members of the Council of Freemasonry in Great Britain entered the Grand Temple. This included members United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE), the Order of Women Freemasons (OWF), the Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons (HFAF) and the Grand Lodge of Scotland. The Pro Grand Master MW Bro Jonathan Spence DL took the chair and following his address there were a number of informative presentations.
The day was rounded off by a buffet lunch in the Vestibule. Very grand surroundings to end a wonderful day.
The Taurus Chapter of the Widows Sons MBA recently held its long-awaited Hog Roast evening at Hereford Rowing Club — and what a tremendous success it proved to be.
Bringing together Widows Sons members, Freemasons, friends, families, non-Masons and children, the event welcomed a full house of 120 attendees for an evening centred around friendship, community spirit and charitable giving.
The event had been in planning since February, with the chapter’s social committee working hard behind the scenes to create an enjoyable and affordable evening for everyone attending. Originally capped at 100 tickets, demand quickly exceeded expectations and, after discussions with the venue, a further 20 tickets were released. These additional places also sold out, with the event reaching full capacity four weeks before the night itself.
The primary aim of the evening was to raise funds towards a special Taurus Chapter Christmas initiative later this year, which hopes to provide 60 Christmas dinners to individuals and families within the community who may otherwise go without during the festive season.
The evening also welcomed visiting brethren from several other Widows Sons chapters and associated groups, including Celtic Knights, Pilgrims, Worcestershire, Shropshire and South Wales, alongside supporters from across the UK.
Following the hog roast meal, a charity raffle was held, raising an impressive £770 alone. Combined with ticket sales and additional fundraising throughout the evening, the event generated nearly £2,000 towards the chapter’s Christmas fundraising target.
As the formal fundraising concluded, the evening continued with music, dancing and a lively social atmosphere which kept the dance floor full well into the night.
Members of Taurus Chapter expressed their sincere gratitude to everyone who attended, donated, supported the raffle and helped make the evening such a success.
The event once again demonstrated the strong community spirit that exists within the Widows Sons and Freemasonry alike — bringing people together not only for fellowship and friendship, but also to make a positive difference within the wider community.
