Over 100 Herefordshire Freemasons and their guests attended the annual Widows’ lunch in Hereford today.
They were treated to a great meal and entertained afterwards by the wonderful voice of Billy Shannon. There was even had an impromptu chorus of ‘Happy Birthday’ and audience participation with singing and dancing!
A great time was had by all. Thanks to the Malcolm Davies, the Provincial Almoner for his organisation and members of Arrow Lodge who acted as Stewards on the day as well as an excellent meal from the catering staff.
Herefordshire Freemasons have been supplying TLC teddies to Hereford Hospital’s A and E department for some time. The Teddies were recently extended for use in the ENT Medical facility in the hospital.
Teddies for Loving Care delivers very special bears to hospitals bringing relief and a smile to children in distress.
The cuddly bears are used by medical staff to calm children down, reward them for being brave or to demonstrate procedures. Often the bears distract poorly children so nurses and doctors can get their jobs done quickly and efficiently.
The TLC teddy has become an invaluable tool for medical professionals and a real comfort for children, helping to reduce the shock and distress of their experience. Every child that receives a teddy gets to take it home.
The picture shows Jay and Abbie of the ENT Department at Hereford hospital holding one of the teddies which they have named Grommet.
They said:
For many of our younger patients, a visit to hospital can feel frightening. These teddies from Herefordshire Masons offer comfort and reassurance at a time when it’s needed most, helping to make their experience a little less overwhelming. These teddies are making a meaningful difference to their visit
Dean Waterfield Lodge raised two more Mast Masons in a double ceremony at the Masonic Hall Hereford. Our two Master Masons Steven Herbert & Richard Pugh have had all three of their ceremonies together. We wish them well on their journey in Freemasonry
L to R JW Scott McHattie, Richard Pugh, WM Stuart Powell, Steven Herbert, SW Jim Turpin
St Michael’s Hospice and Herefordshire Freemasons are pleased to offer a program of PSA Prostate Cancer Screening across Herefordshire in 2026.
Calling all men 40 and over, take a PSA test for prostate cancer and it could save your life. In its early stages, prostate cancer generally produces no symptoms, so it is important to diagnose the disease before symptoms arise and while it is still potentially curable. A PSA test is nothing more than a simple blood test. It’s currently the best readily available indicator of a possible prostate problem. So for something so simple that delivers such benefits why wouldn’t you invest a few minutes of your time taking a test.
Eastnor Lodge based in Ledbury recently donated to Ledbury First Responders who are a team of dedicated volunteers, that respond to medical emergencies and provide support to our community, through awareness training.
Part of the Hereford and Worcester Community First Responder Charity, the scheme in Ledbury has an operational area that stretches far from the town and out into the surrounding countryside parishes.
Community First Responders are a group of volunteers, that are trained by the ambulance service to respond to medical and trauma emergencies within their community, whilst the ambulance is on route.
The original reason community first responders were created, was to assist with the ambulance service response to cardiac arrest patients. This has now developed into a concise medical and traumatic trained response role.
The CFR team are responded within a ten-mile radius of wherever they are on call, this allows a rapid response to patients, event without the use of blue lights. The local knowledge and awareness of the road network, allows our team to navigate to patients efficiently.
Alongside responding, the CFRs also undertake Community Education, and Fundraising for the charity. The donation from Eastnor Lodge has been used towards a Community Engagement Kit which consists of:
1. Community Training Manikins Adult + AED –
2. Community Training Manikins Child
3. Community Training Mankins Infant
4. Public Access Bleed Kit Trainer
5. First aid kit
This will enable Ledbury First Responders to provide training and support in the local community.
The picture shows L to R Scott Kibble – Ledbury CFR, Paul Finlay – Eastnor Lodge and Fran Thomas – Ledbury CFR with some of the kit the donation supported.
