Eastnor Lodge recently donated £3,000 to the Colwall Youth Project. The Project is in the process of securing a new premises adjacent to Colwall train station. The space will be transformed into a dedicated youth centre tailored to the needs of local young people, offering informal youth work, mentoring, wellbeing support, and community activities.
The move aims to improve accessibility for young people, especially those facing difficulties due to limited rural transport options. The new location will enable greater independence for young people travelling from surrounding areas, fostering a safe and supportive environment where they can build resilience and a sense of belonging.
It is expected that the unit will be fully renovated within the next six months. The Eveson Charitable Trust has very generously funded the rent for the building, enabling the project to focus their fundraising efforts on the renovation and fit out of the space so it can properly serve the community.
The location next to the train station is particularly exciting. It means young people from surrounding areas will be able to travel independently to access support, which is something many currently struggle with due to rural transport limitations.
The picture shows Left to right, the Lodge Charity Steward Nick Humphrey together with the Worshipful Master of Eastnor Lodge, Paul Finlay and Aron Williams, Senior Youth Worker and Project Manager at Colwall Youth Project.
Ariconium Lodge from Ross on Wye have donated £100 to St Mary’s Church to support their summer lunchtime concerts on the first Wednesday of the month from April to November 2026.
The concerts are for visitors and locals to attend and also to support the church spire renovations.
The picture shows the Worshipful Master of Ariconium Lodge presenting the cheque.
In November 2025 Dean Waterfield Freemasons heard that the Living Room needed funds to enable them to continue supporting the local homeless community in Hereford and those that maybe about to become homeless.
The charity ETHOS (Extending The Hand Of Support) headed up by Mel Groves provides invaluable support to the local homeless community. Members of Dean Waterfield Freemasons contacted Mel and arranged to meet her on December 22nd and donated £1,000 to support this wonderful group of dedicated individuals.
At a follow up meeting with Mel after Christmas she informed us that the donation arrived just in time to pay the Christmas meat bill, which was in excess of £900, for which she and the rest of the team were extremely grateful for. So much so she was keen to display our blue logo “Supported by Herefordshire Freemasons” in the front window.
Hereford Homeless Support is a local initiative dedicated to addressing the challenges of homelessness in Hereford. Founded in 2018 by a group of compassionate individuals, the project provides meals, clothing, and practical support to individuals experiencing homelessness. In collaboration with Ethos, the project established a safe space in the city, which led to the creation of the Living Room, a hub for essential services and support.
Vitruvian Lodge in Ross on Wye recently made a donation of £600 to Friends of Ross Community Hospital.
The money will be used to purchase a stainless steel trolley to be used in the wards to help distribute confectionary and small useful items for patients.
A plaque will be fixed to the trolley to show it was donated by the Lodge.
25th October was a truly momentous and humbling day for the Taurus Chapter of the Widows Sons MBA, as they had the honour of collecting and transporting the Herefordshire Provincial Wreath to the National Memorial Arboretum.
The Taurus Chapter members were met at Hereford Cathedral by the Head of Freemasonry in Herefordshire, Michael Holland, and his Deputy, Stuart Jones, to officially collect the wreath on behalf of Herefordshire Province. After a few photos and some warm words, it was time to saddle up.
The first stop was Hopwood Services, where they met up with Brethren from Worcestershire, Brycgstow, and East Kent Chapters and continued on together to Tamworth Masonic Centre, where they were greeted by an incredible sight — over 200 Widows Sons and associates, double the number expected! The sound of engines, the sea of cuts, and the feeling of shared purpose was something truly special.
After tea, coffee, and a riders’ brief, they set off again — a convoy of over 200 bikes heading to the National Memorial Arboretum. Credit must go to the marshals, who did an incredible job keeping the group safe and together along the route.
Arriving at the NMA was an emotional moment. The Chapter members gathered for group photos with the wreaths before making their way to the Masonic Memorial Garden for a few moments of reflection and remembrance. It was a poignant reminder of those who served, those who sacrificed, and those whose memory they honour. On returning home the chapter members were able to reflect on an unforgettable day and the great honour to be asked to take part in this first-ever national wreath ride on behalf of Herefordshire Province and the United Grand Lodge of England.
The following weekend twenty members of Herefordshire Freemasons travelled to the National Memorial Arboretum for the Freemasons Service of Remembrance. A very moving day of remembrance attended by around 300 Freemasons and their families from across the country. They were blessed by good weather and a great turnout to represent Herefordshire.
The Head of Freemasons in Herefordshire, Michael Holland, and his Deputy, Stuart Jones, were present accompanied by a number of Brethren and their Families. The National Memorial Arboretum is situated near Alrewas in Staffordshire, although this year’s host was Metropolitan Grand Lodge. The Head of Freemasonry for each Province represented together with the Standard Bearer, paraded to form a double line outside the Freemasons Garden, which is a permanent memorial in remembrance to fallen Freemasons.
The Assistant Grand Master RW Bro John Thomson was in attendance and took part in the ceremony, as well as the Metropolitan Grand Chaplain and Brigadier W Shackell. The procession also included representatives from the Royal British Legion, the armed forces including Johnson Beharry VC, Companion Orders, The Order of Women Freemasons and the Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons.
It was a very poignant moment when the standards and flag were lowered while the bugler played the Last Post followed by two minutes silence and Reveille. After this the procession formed to lay the wreaths in the Freemasons Garden. Music was provided by the Gresley Colliery Band.
Did you know?
The Masonic Great War Project records the names of around 4173 Freemasons who were killed in WWI. Further details can be found here.
Freemasons were classed as political prisoners by the Nazis in WWII. It is estimated that between 80,000 and 200,000 Freemasons were killed in concentration camps
