Herefordshire Freemasons and the Masonic Charitable Foundation have made a £33,644 grant to The Orchestra of the Swan.

Founded in 1995 and based on Warwick Schools Foundation, the Orchestra provides a wide range of musical activities across the region and are passionate about audience inclusivity.

Integral to the life of the Swan, is the music they bring to those living with dementia, PTSD, visual impairment and other conditions. It is moving to see the positive, transformational effect their players have on those who attend the regular dementia-friendly Café Muse in Hereford, while the players speak positively of the reward and specialist training they in turn receive. 

The session certainly encourage audience participation with dancing, singing and playing a variety of instruments.  The head of Freemasonry in Herefordshire Michael Holland, supported by Tim Bridgland Taylor and Andrew Moore were warmly received and able to see first hand the delight the session brought to the participants.

The MUSE sessions not only allow participants to explore musical instruments and rediscover any musical skills but also to make new friendships and reduce loneliness.

It was great to see the grant being put to good use and the looks of joy on the faces of those participating.  I think secretly we all enjoyed ourselves too!

Debbie Jagla, managing director of Orchestra of the Swan, said: 

“We’re very grateful to Herefordshire Freemasons for their generous grant which has secured the future of this important service for armed forces veterans or people with a link to the armed forces, whether through a partner who may have served in the forces or other family member, either living with dementia and/or other mental health challenges.  Over the last two years we’ve hosted well over one hundred Café Muse sessions at the Courtyard, helping to improve the emotional wellbeing of more than 1,200 attendees. All this was made possible through co-created musical workshops delivered by Orchestra of the Swan’s professional musicians.”

Freemasons from around the Province of Herefordshire remembered those that had paid the ultimate sacrifice by joining in acts of Remembrance in the city of Hereford and local towns throughout Herefordshire. 

As well at laying wreaths, Delphis Lodge met on Saturday November 11^th and so recited the poem “For the Fallen” by Laurence Binyon which was published in the Times on 21^st September 1914.  A bugler sounded the Last Post. 

The origins of the last post, which is now associated with remembrance, go back to the signal that the final sentry post had been inspected in a military camp inspection and the area was secure for the night.  It was also sounded at the end of battle so the injured on the battlefield knew it was safe to move and retreat back to their troops to get help. Six members of Herefordshire Freemasons lost their lives in the First World War and they are remembered in a tribute memorial at the Masonic Hall at Hereford.

Freemasons in Herefordshire play an important role in helping the local community dedicating both their time and resources to make a tangible difference to various good causes within the local area.

Two examples are the Freemasons of Loyal Hay Lodge in Hay on Wye donating £1,300 to the local Dial-a-Ride to support the community transport charity and Vitruvian Lodge in Ross on Wye donating £500 to the Royal British Legion to help fund a project to convert trikes for veterans with physical challenges.

The Freemasons of Hay on Wye donated a cheque for £1,300 on 21^st March to the local Dial-a-Ride charity. Pictured with Freemasons  from Hay on Wye are (third from left to right) Mrs Mary Fellows (Chair, Dial-a-Ride), Ed Jones (Volunteer Driver) and Sue Procter (Dial-a-Ride member).

Freemasonry stands out as one of the largest contributors to charitable causes in the country, with almost £1 million donated per week. Beyond monetary contributions, our members actively engage in volunteer work, making a significant impact in our communities.Post navigation