Category: News
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Widows Lunch
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Donation to Herefordshire Veterans Support Centre
Herefordshire Freemasons recently made a donation to Herefordshire Veterans Support Centre (HVSC) which was match funded by the Masonic Charitable Foundation.
Herefordshire has a large community of former military service personnel. Estimates show that as much as 25% of the county’s population has connections with the military. Being exposed to events and challenges that can make them more vulnerable to loneliness, social isolation is a common issue affecting the Armed Forces community.
The HVSC was set up to provide a one stop shop of support and a friendly listening ear for anyone in the Armed Forces community in Herefordshire that may be experiencing issues or requiring support in other areas of life or work.
Samantha Lewis the Chair of the Trustees wrote.
“As you may be aware, it has been an exciting 12 months for the HVSC. Our new premises was officially opened by His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh in October. Since then, we have seen an increase in individuals accessing the support that we offer, increasing from approximately 44 a month to over 200. This means that funding like that provided by the Masonic Charitable Foundation and the Herefordshire Freemasons is now more important than ever, ensuring that we can provide whatever support is needed to our Armed Forces Community.“ “As well as working closely with community partners and signposting to other support networks across the county, we are also offering more groups and activities, such as a new weekly brunch for spouses of serving personnel, funded trips to veterans and range of other initiatives.” “Many thanks once again for your continued support.”
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Celebrating the life and times of a Well Known Freemason.
W Bro Geoff Wilding writes:
Two Lodges recently celebrated Burns night.
The 25th January, a great night for Scots around the world to celebrate the life and work of their national poet, and Freemason, Robbie Burns, and I was lucky enough to receive an invitation to attend Vaga Lodge last evening, which this year happened to fall on the night of the ‘Bard’.
The Initiation of Bro David McIntyre under the skilful guidance of W Bro Kip Waistell, the acting WM, was an excellent ceremony, however, on this occasion it was the after proceedings that stole the show.
Led by W Bro Johnnie Walker, wearing his Glengarry side cap, closely followed by W Bro Kip, of Clan Moncrieff, in a kilt and playing the bagpipes, the “Great chieftain o’ the pudding race” was paraded around the dining room before the newly-made Initiate gave the traditional address to the haggis. Quite an introduction to his Masonic career.
Hereford based Coningsby Lodge had their Burns Night Celebration on 4th February The event was well supported with forty-three Masons present, plus twenty-four Ladies and seven Gentlemen, including the Provincial Junior Grand Warden, Deputy Provincial Grand Master Designate, Worshipful Brother Stuart Jones and his wife, Wendy.
Led by the piper, Simon Addison in full Highland dress, the haggis was paraded by Brother Quinn escorting Brother Jackson, who then gave a dramatic address to the haggis, which was highly acclaimed by the assembled diners.
Following Terry’s excellent dinner of haggis, tatties and neeps, venison bourguignon and cranachan, the Worshipful Master Jason Payne firstly gave a factual but humorous toast to the Immortal Bard. This included a rendition of “Adieu! a heart-warm, fond adieu!”, written by Burns in 1786 as a farewell to the Brethren of St James’s Lodge, Tarbolton, as he planned to leave Scotland. He then thanked those present for their attendance and proposed a toast to them, to which his wife Debbie responded. Finally, he invited all to rise and sing “Auld Lang Syne” having first given a translation into modern English, which brought to an end a most enjoyable evening, during which £308 was raised for the Master’s Charities, Little Princesses and George’s Fund.
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Provincial Carol Service
Provincial Carol Service
We enjoyed great support for the inaugural Provincial Carol Service at St Martin’s Church in Hereford in December.
Thank you to Reverend Dowdeswell and all that attended. We enjoyed some hearty carol singing and three readings from W Bro Bryan Wood, Bro Dave Hulme and the RW Provincial Grand Master RW Bro Michael T Holland. This was followed by refreshments and a chance to catch up with friends and family.
Thank you to all those that organised the event, helped out and for the refreshments afterwards.
We are already looking forward to next year’s event!
