Just “another typical day” in the life of Herefordshire Freemasons. Many Companions attended the Annual Meeting of the Gloucester and Herefordshire Royal Arch in Gloucester during the day. The ceremony saw the new Third Provincial Grand Principal, E Comp David Hedley (top right in picture) invested and also E Comp Tony Allcock (bottom right in picture) invested as the new Assistant to the Principals who will be covering all of the Herefordshire Royal Arch Chapters. Congratulations to them and all who received preferment on the day.
Further details on the Royal Arch Provincial Website here
It was also the first Installation Ceremony of the new Masonic Season at Vaga Lodge in Hereford in the evening. The Head of Herefordshire Freemasons and the Provincial Team were at the Installation ceremony. A great ceremony and festive board afterwards which was well attended by members, visitors and the Provincial Team. We wish the new Worshipful Master and his officers a productive and enjoyable year.
Meanwhile the Deputy Head of Herefordshire Freemasons represented us at the Arrive Alive Charity Gala, just one of the charities we have supported this year.
All of our core values in one day, Integrity, Friendship, Respect and Service.
Arrow Lodge recently had a very successful stand at the Kington Agricultural show. Lots of people came by to chat, and some signed up for further chats with a view to joining. The weather was fine for most of the day but, like a family camping trip, the weather broke just before we were about to pack up and the heavens opened! A very damp gazebo had to dry off inside later.
Thanks to the team that helped in setting up and those who helped throughout the day.
Herefordshire Freemasons were well represented, when a contingent of Brethren travelled to Freemasons’ Hall in London’s Covent Garden to attend the Quarterly Communication in September.
Quarterly Communication is an opportunity to see United Grand Lodge of England at work, hear about the direction of Freemasonry and meet Brethren from across the country.
It was a memorable day in the magnificent Grand Temple, followed by an excellent meal at a local restaurant in Covent Garden.
Survivors of the catastrophic floods in Nepal will be receiving vital emergency supplies thanks to a £50,000 grant from Herefordshire Freemasons along with other Freemasons from across the country, to the British Red Cross, who are supporting the Nepal Red Cross’ relief efforts on the ground.
The grant will be spent on shelters, water purification equipment and other relief items such as blankets, stretchers and first aid kits.
At least 1,259 deaths and 5,083 missing persons were confirmed in Nepal with an additional 21 dead and 541 missing in neighbouring Tibet. The flood carried the bodies of some victims 150 miles away into neighbouring India.
Hundreds of people remain missing or out of contact, many have been injured, and the death toll continues to rise. In mere moments, people have lost everything. Families in Rasuwa have seen homes, livelihoods, roads, bridges and public services washed away within hours. Surrounding areas have also faced destruction while communities remain on high alert. People are traumatised and await news of their loved one’s safety. Communications disruptions and washed-out access routes mean that it is still hard to understand the full scale of the disaster.
The Nepal Red Cross Society has supplied a generator to Dhunche – Rasuwa district’s administrative headquarters and an area badly hit by the floods – so that hundreds of people could charge their phones. This is crucial in helping survivors contact family members.
The Freemasons’ Charity is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales.
Rajesh Srivastava,head of Southeast Asia Region, from the Red Cross, said:
“This generous support from the Freemasons comes at a moment when families in Nepal have lost homes, loved ones and the means to earn a living. It will help our teams and the Nepal Red Cross Society get essential shelter, clean water and relief items to people who have nothing left – and support longer term recovery so communities can rebuild their livelihoods. We’re deeply grateful for this contribution at such a critical time.”
Michael Holland the Head of Herefordshire Freemasons said:
“The disaster in Nepal has seen many survivors losing everything, facing the immediate future with nothing but the clothes on their backs. The Freemasons’ Charity is sending immediate emergency funding to the Red Cross who have their workers on the ground helping those most in need.”
