Brethren, it is very good to see so many of you here today, notwithstanding the other attractions available on a very fine summer’s day!

I always think of this Quarterly Communication as something of a transitional moment in the rhythm of the Masonic year. This is the first Communication after the Annual Investiture and is the first occasion when the new Grand Officers of the Year, under the careful tutelage and watchful eye of the Grand Director of Ceremonies and his team of Deputies, discharge their duties in Grand Lodge. I think we can all agree Brethren, it has been a very encouraging start and bodes well for the rest of their term of duty.

This Communication, however, also sees  most of us think of the end of the current Masonic year where many Lodges and Chapters have a break over the hot months of the summer, although I am aware there are a number of Provinces where this does not occur and Lodges and Chapters are as busy as ever. It is, therefore, I think a moment for reflection for all of us.

It is nine months since I was installed as Pro Grand Master and six months since we launched the Strategy for Freemasonry, 2022 and beyond and it has been a busy time for everyone in Grand Lodge and in all the Provinces and Districts. I am very grateful Brethren for all the support I have received from you and my fellow rulers in my new role.

I am grateful to Provincial Rulers and their teams for the tremendous amount of work that has been, and is being, put into articulating the Membership Challenge for each Province and engaging with their Lodges and Chapters to make it real for our members. We have seen some excellent addresses recently at Provincial meetings where this has been the core message with a high level of encouragement for members to take the lead in their own Lodges and Chapters. 

These Addresses are being shared amongst Provincial Rulers, both as examples of very good practice others can use, and to demonstrate this is a team effort at all levels. In order to deliver the Strategy and tackle the Membership Challenge, every single Member has a part to play, and it is the responsibility of Provinces, Districts and Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter to give our Members the tools to succeed. 

You will now be very familiar with the Royal Arch  being an integral part of the Strategy’s approach and I hope many of you will have seen the “Discover More” booklet. There is more to come from the Committee of General Purposes with the planned launch of Archway in the autumn. In the interim, I would like to say something about the Royal Arch Representatives in Craft Lodges. 

I think it should we clear that to ensure the success of the Strategy an effective Royal Arch Representative in almost every Lodge is now even more important. This is a role which is critical to the Strategy for helping to increase Royal Arch membership. Since this post was first introduced different Provinces and Districts have developed their own ways of handling these appointments and I firmly believe that it is not for us “in the centre” to interfere too much where a successful scheme has already evolved or can be worked out locally. However, given the importance of this role in representing the Order within a Lodge, I do believe that any Companion nominated to be a Royal Arch Representative should ultimately meet the approval and receive the support of his Provincial or District Grand Master (and of course his relevant Grand Superintendent) in order for him to be able to enjoy the appropriate status of the role and to carry the responsibilities that go with it.

I am assured that further guidance to support Royal Arch Representatives in their tasks, along with examples of good practice, will be available on Archway when it is released later this year.

Brethren, you will know that the September Quarterly Communication will be held in Monmouthshire, exactly one hundred years since this first happened when the Communication in September 1923 was held in Liverpool. I will say more about this in September, but I hope it is clear the Rulers and Grand Lodge really do believe in seeing if we can get things to work that are a little different to the established norms, building on an excellent base, with small incremental steps. I very much hope it will be a success, but as The Grand Master himself said, “We will not know unless we try”.

Brethren, I am enthusiastic about our prospects, I am encouraged by the way you are responding to the challenge, and I have no doubt we can succeed if we all work together to ensure we continue to thrive.

Thank you very much Brethren and I wish you all a pleasant and relaxing summer.

In this 300th anniversary year of The 1723 Constitutions, Dr Ric Berman looks  at how Freemasonry became an effective diplomatic tool in France.

With a population of around  20 million in 1700 and  28 million in 1790, France was one of the more dominant countries  in Europe, dwarfing England, which had  a mere five million people in 1700 and around eight million by 1790. 

France also led Europe in the arts, culture and fashion, but it began to falter elsewhere as the writings of John Locke, Isaac Newton and others moved to the cutting edge of intellectual thought. Enlightenment thinking and scientific ideas became fashionable and were absorbed by Europe’s elites, with  a consequential impact on religious  and political thought. 

Newton’s theories demonstrated  that apparently impenetrable scientific problems could be solved by reason, and the thoughts of those promoting religious tolerance struck a chord with those Europeans opposed to religious diktat and an absolutist Catholic Church. Moreover, Britain’s example of a constitutional monarchy answerable to an elected parliament was balm to those living under autocratic and absolutist regimes. 

Over time, Enlightenment ideas gained impetus across Europe, not least through Freemasonry, which was embraced by the elites in many of Europe’s capital cities, from Paris to Vienna. 

Although there is limited documentary evidence, it is generally accepted that two Masonic lodges were established in Paris in 1726 and that these were followed by many others, including four in 1729 alone. Freemasonry became popular across France with Lodges found in Valenciennes, Lyons, Rouen, Le Havre, Pau, Nantes, Caen, Bordeaux, Aubigny, Avignon, Montpelier, Marseilles and Bayonne. 

A Scots Master degree had been worked in London in 1733, perhaps earlier. This and other higher and/or knightly degrees took off in France and were developed further, particularly during the following three decades. France embellished England’s three degree system, creating  a step-ladder in which candidates could be raised to ‘knights’ and ‘chevaliers’, rather than be linked allegorically to stonemasons. The approach aligned  with the medieval chivalric orders with which the French and other European aristocrats were familiar. 

It is hard to know precisely what influence Freemasonry exerted on social and political developments in France  and in Europe more widely. However,  the speed at which Freemasonry was adopted and the extent to which it spread suggest that its philosophical tenets and allegorical ritual had considerable appeal. 

A Grand Lodge of France was probably not established formally until June 1738, albeit that a decade earlier French Freemasons recognised Philip, Duke of Wharton as their Grand Master. Wharton lived as an exile in France from 1728-29 and had, of course, served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England in 1722-23. 

He was succeeded by two other Jacobites: Sir Hector MacLean, raised  to Lord MacLean in the Jacobite peerage;  and Charles Radcliffe, the titular Earl of Derwentwater, who in 1716 had fled England after being sentenced to death  for high treason. The sentence was carried out in December 1746 at Tower Hill following Derwentwater’s capture during the second Jacobite Rising of 1745. 

But it was not only the French who established Lodges in France. Charles Lennox, 2nd Duke of Richmond, another former Grand Master, convened an English Lodge in France in 1734, the year he succeeded as Duc d’Aubigny. Lodge meetings were held at his grandmother Louise de Kérouaille’s house in Paris and in a private room at the Hôtel Bussy. Richmond also established a Lodge at  his estate at Aubigny-sur-Nère, 25 miles south-east of Orléans. 

Louise de Kéroualle had been sent to  the English court by Louis XIV with the expectation that she would become one of Charles II’s royal mistresses and lobby in favour of French interests. She succeeded and was rewarded by Louis XIV with the Duchy of Aubigny, while Charles II made her Duchess of Portsmouth and granted their son the title of Duke of Richmond. 

The run-up to the Lodge meeting at Aubigny is recorded in a letter to Richmond dated 23 August 1734 from Thomas Hill, a member of his household. Among other things, it emphasises how Jean Theophilus Desaguliers intended to alter the ritual to create a ‘greater air of antiquity and consequently make it more venerable’ and thus more appealing to  its aristocratic audience:

I have communicated to the new, if I am  not mistaken, right worshipful … Dr J Theophilus Desaguliers, your Grace’s command relating to the brotherhood of Aubigny sur Nère. I need not tell you how pleased he is with this further propagation of masonry… he immediately asked me if  I had not Amadis de Gaula or some of the old Romances. I was something surprised at his question and begun to think as the house was tiled our brother had a mind to crack  a joke. But it turned out quite otherwise.  He only wanted to get a little of the vieux Gaulois in order to give his style the greater air of antiquity and consequently make it more venerable to the new lodge.

It became customary for Richmond  to travel to France annually, and in September the following year he convened a Lodge in Paris once again: 

They write from Paris that His Grace the Duke of Richmond and the Rev Dr Desaguliers (formerly Grand Masters of the Ancient and Honourable Society of Free and Accepted Masons and now authorised by the present Grand Master under his Hand and Seal, and the Seal of the Order) having called a lodge at the Hotel Bussy, His Excellency the Earl of Waldegrave, his Majesty’s Ambassador to the French King; the Right Hon the President Montesquieu; the Marquis de Lomaria; Lord Dursley, son of the Earl of Berkeley; the Hon. Mr Fitz-Williams; Messrs. Knight, father and son; Dr Hickman, and several other persons, both French and English, were present; and the following noblemen and gentlemen  were admitted to the Order, viz., His Grace the Duke of Kingston; the Rt. Hon. the  Count de St. Florentin, Secretary of State  to his most Christian Majesty; the Right Hon. The Lord Chewton, son to the Earl  of Waldegrave…

The standing of those attending underlines Freemasonry’s status as an effective diplomatic tool. The central figure was the Comte de Saint-Florentin,  a senior advisor to Louis XV and the minister responsible for the Huguenots  in France. He would have been an appropriate person to cultivate, and the concurrent initiation of the Duke of Kingston, and Earl Waldegrave’s eldest son, Lord Chewton, would have flattered him much as the Duke of Newcastle’s raising at Houghton Hall, Sir Robert Walpole’s country house, honoured the Duke of Lorraine a few years earlier. 

A second key figure was Charles Louis de Secondat, Baron Montesquieu. A jurist and judge, he was a writer and political philosopher who developed the principle of the separation of constitutional powers, a radical concept in a Europe dominated by autocratic monarchies. Montesquieu was also a member of the French  Academy of Sciences. 

Montesquieu’s association with Freemasonry began with an introduction to Earl Waldegrave, a prominent English Freemason, later Britain’s ambassador  to France. Waldegrave introduced Montesquieu to Lord Chesterfield, Britain’s ambassador to the Low Countries, who invited him to London where Montesquieu was presented at court, elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, and in 1730 initiated at the Horn Tavern Lodge. 

Montesquieu’s progressive views on the separation of powers within government marked him out as a potential political ally for Britain in its quest to influence the French aristocracy and Louis XV’s Court.

Companions of different backgrounds, ages and levels of experience provide insights into how membership of the Craft and the Royal Arch enriches their lives.

BEN FITZPATRICK, BEDFORDSHIRE 

I was initially pulled to Freemasonry by the mystery and history of the Craft, the ancient ceremonies conducted to hone you to become a better man. This has stuck with me. The ritual and the meaning behind each piece, when you fully understand, is nothing short of awe inspiring. It has led me to become  a better person and to consider things that I would not have before. Becoming Master of my Lodge has brought a different level of understanding to my Freemasonry, as has the Royal Arch, whose story adds a huge depth and wealth of knowledge to my Masonic journey. I live a very busy life, but during a meeting  I feel like I am in an oasis where the outside world and the pressures of life are left at the door and  a level of tranquility and unadulterated enjoyment can ensue.

MICHAEL HINTON, CAMBRIDGESHIRE

I enjoy the history and traditions of Freemasonry. The formality and dignity of ceremonies and the Festive Board of any Lodge or Chapter meeting are balanced by friendships, new and old, as well as the feeling of working as a team. My Lodge  was consecrated in 1754, so I am very aware  that I am following in the footsteps of so many  other members. I particularly enjoy the ritual – I have always enjoyed the words and use of language, the intricate phrasing and the rhythm of a well-delivered ceremony. There is a lot to learn from the stories told in our ceremonies, especially the Installation, which encourages us to improve ourselves and  to think about others. Freemasonry has taught me about teamwork, presentation skills, time management and tolerance. I am fortunate to have made so many  new friends and companions and I try to maintain the standards I have been taught by them.

ROBERT J STEER, CAMBRIDGESHIRE

I like the companionship, making new friends for life, the confidence it has given me to be able to stand up and recite ritual and, after dining, speaking at the Festive Board, which I could never do before joining Freemasonry. I also enjoy the language we use, especially in the Royal Arch, and learning the ritual

JON WEST, CAMBRIDGESHIRE

I joined the Craft for the mystery and to share something new with my proposer, my father. As my interests and perspectives change, I can always find another aspect of Freemasonry to enjoy and another piece of ritual to unfold and see how it relates to my daily life. The Royal Arch has not only widened the circle of my Masonic friends, but has also allowed me a glimpse of the final destination  of my Masonic journey, the resolution of the story that started at my Initiation. 

MORGAN TYE, HAMPSHIRE & IOW

Freemasonry has become an important part of my life, enabling me to meet some inspirational people from all walks of life. Since joining the Royal Arch, I have had the opportunity to further extend the friendship, guidance and support I receive from members and Companions. I had heard about Freemasonry, of course, but when I looked more closely, I discovered an organisation whose aim was to make the world a better place – a unique concept and something I wanted to be a part of. Since becoming a member, I have found Freemasonry has far more to offer than I could  ever have imagined. The Royal Arch has only cemented that opinion and taught me additional invaluable lessons. I would recommend the Royal Arch to any  Master Mason as it has enriched my Masonic journey and enhanced my enjoyment.

CHARLTON KRENTZ,  ISLE OF MAN

For me, Freemasonry is  a peculiar mix of rewarding challenges and opportunities, social interactions and personal fulfilment. Although I find these benefits elsewhere in life, they seldom come together in the same way as they do in my Lodge or Chapter. As a small business owner, I find much of my time consumed by work. Too much frivolous socialising and enjoyment is therefore often met with a gentle whisper from my inner voice: ‘There is work to be done.’ With Freemasonry, however, this voice is not only silenced, it is replaced with a genuine sense  of productivity, all while enjoying the company of friends both old and new. Indeed, Freemasonry is often seen as a social club, and while the social aspect is hugely important – it certainly is to me –  it is only one component of a far bigger picture. I well remember the daunting prospect of being given my first bits of ritual to learn and how I could physically feel myself shake as I stumbled through an arrangement of words of which I could make little sense at the time. As I looked around at all those in their impressive regalia, reciting huge pieces of complex English arrangements, I could scarcely imagine how I would ever be able to learn, let alone understand, even a fraction of these texts. Fast forward multiple years and these seemingly impossible pieces of ritual, which had once filled  me with dread and trepidation, had now been accomplished – although certainly not mastered. Their meaning had slowly become clearer to me with each recital. The beauty of Freemasonry is that we all realise how much work it can take. In turn, we reward each other in friendship and fraternity when we see that the effort has been made. It is the dedication, the perseverance and the ability to get over one’s inner barriers that ultimately lead to reward. For me,  this practical lesson has been a genuine gift.

ALAN SPARHAM, NORTHAMPTS & HUNTINGDONSHIRE

I have been a Freemason for 13 years and enjoy the camaraderie. Every single day, I enjoy giving and I genuinely never expect anything back. I appreciate the greater family ties between my brother and my two sons since they became Freemasons. Being both a Craft Mason and a Royal Arch Companion, I enjoy meeting the diverse range of members and Companions with a common goal. Selfishly, I enjoy the better person Freemasonry has made me, along with everyone being accepted for what they are without the need for pretence or status. As a teacher, I enjoy bringing that to Freemasonry and helping others to achieve.

KEVIN FOREMAN, NORTHAMPTS  & HUNTINGDONSHIRE

Initially, I was attracted to Freemasonry by an interest in the history of such ideas as the Holy Grail and King Solomon’s Temple, and believed that Freemasonry would be a way to learn more. After joining, I quickly developed a love for learning and performing the ritual and got a real buzz from taking office in Lodge. Soon after, I took an interest in the Royal Arch, looking for the next stage in my journey. My Exaltation was a wonderful occasion, literally a wow moment when being restored to light. The colour and drama in the Exaltation Ceremony continues to excite me and I feel honoured to have completed the journey through the three Principals’ chairs. Additionally, as Chapters source their members from various Craft Lodges, this has increased my circle of friends. My enthusiasm for the order has never waned over the past 20 years.

CONNOR GOSLING, BEDFORDSHIRE

The thing I love most about Freemasonry is the brotherhood we share. No matter which Lodge I visit, there is never a struggle to strike up a conversation with another member. Taking the next step in my Masonic career into the Royal Arch has opened a whole new world to me. I’ve met new Companions and visited their Lodges and Chapters. Joining the Royal Arch has not only expanded my Masonic career but has also allowed me to make new friends, not only within my own Province, but in the surrounding Provinces, too.

STEVE BYRNE, GUERNSEY & ALDERNEY  

I joined Mariners Chapter  No. 168 in May 2019 in the Province of Guernsey and Alderney. It was made extra special as my stepfather, Excellent Companion Bryan Waddell, visited from the Province of  South Wales to see my Exaltation. We all have our own journey in Freemasonry and many will say that the Royal Arch is the next step. No matter how long you have been in Freemasonry, it is without doubt a wonderful progression and inspiration in many ways – but until you join you will not know. It is important to seriously consider which Chapter to join and, when you take this step, your Masonic connections will grow, which results in many new friends overnight. The ceremony is wonderful and as I progress through the offices, each meeting is followed by an excellent evening at the Festive Board with good friends, great company and fabulous food. 

ANDREW JENNINGS, YORKSHIRE NORTH & EAST RIDINGS 

The principles of decency, integrity, honesty, and friendship have been shared both in my role as a family co-ordinator and as a Freemason. We have a responsibility to care for and support others in times of need, and to share positive relationships with our peers and anyone else we may come into contact with. I joined the Freemasons to be a part of this ethos – to share some of my spare time with like-minded people in an environment where I was surrounded by friends who I could trust – and with whom I could enjoy socialising. My membership of Constitutional Lodge No. 294 and, ultimately, Constitutional Chapter, has enabled me to discover that I can be a part of a significant history. My Royal Arch Freemasonry has given me an additional and invaluable insight into the true meaning of Freemasonry and an opportunity to learn from my Companions in the knowledge that I may one day pass on my knowledge to others.

CARL BASSO, CUMBERLAND & WESTMORLAND 

Being an armed forces veteran, I enjoy Freemasonry because it has given me a sense of purpose and belonging. Since joining in March 2018, I have embarked on a journey that has consisted of four elements – from being initiated, passed, raised and ultimately exalted into the Royal Arch. In a short space of time, I have progressed from Steward to Principal Sojourner, Scribe N and now occupy the office of Joshua. I’m very much looking forward to 2025 when I will be installed into the Chair of Zerubbabel. I enjoy the camaraderie that Freemasonry offers. I’ve met some fantastic people across the Province of Cumberland & Westmorland whom I now call friends. I enjoy learning new skills, such as rituals, taking part in the ceremonies we perform, public speaking at our Festive Boards and, most importantly, charity. It’s amazing that we can help those who are less fortunate than ourselves.

WILL LAMBARTH, SUFFOLK 

Initially, I enjoyed Freemasonry as a connection to my late grandfather. However, as I progressed through the Craft, I realised that my enjoyment also came from the ritual and story of Freemasonry, from the shared experiences with other people and from the friends I had made. The Royal Arch enhanced all of these. The ritual adds additional depth and meaning to my experience in Freemasonry, the story of the Royal Arch completes both the allegorical and historical story began in the Craft. And because of the smaller meeting sizes, you develop even closer friendships with other members. The Royal Arch, like Craft Freemasonry, is rooted in shared experiences that bring members together. On a practical level, the Craft and the Royal Arch offers a space for me to turn off  from work – you really can’t think of anything else when you’re taking part in the ritual. 

DAVID TURTON, GLOUCESTERSHIRE 

I love the challenge offered by long pieces of ritual – and the afterglow if all goes well. I love being a fourth generation Freemason, and I am proud to have two great grandfathers who were Freemasons.  I love the history that underlies Masonic Ritual. Such inquisitiveness has led me to write essays and lectures about things I have researched. I love the ‘shelter from the storm’ that a Masonic meeting can give. Even when at work in the Master’s chair, or as the Director of Ceremonies, I have experienced an innermost calm that only the warmth and affection of a group of Freemasons can create. And, finally, to my latest love. I am loving being a member of the Prince of Wales Royal Arch Chapter No. 951. The Royal Arch was the love of my father’s life and I am now following in his footsteps, albeit much later and in not such grand style. Shortly before his investiture as Most Excellent Grand Superintendent (MEGS), he assisted in my Exaltation into the Chapter of St Mary, Torquay. As I was still making my way in life in Gloucestershire, he said to me, ‘I don’t expect that you will be able to do much in Chapter for some time, but I am sure you will enjoy it when you do.’ I don’t think he envisaged that ‘some time’ would amount to more than 40 years, but I’m sure he would have been thrilled by my Installation as Third Principal of Prince of Wales Chapter this year. I’ve joined a happy band of Companions that are great fun to be with while taking their ritual seriously. My next three years will be a challenge.

Click here to take a look at the new Discover More booklet on the Royal Arch.

Role of Honour

Sharing a bond of brothers as well as one of marriage, the outgoing Master of Great Yarmouth’s St Mary’s Lodge has had the honour of installing his husband as successor.

It could be a first in Freemasonry, as well as  a sign of how far Freemasonry and the wider society has come in recent years. In January 2023, Gary Pickering, outgoing Master of  St Mary’s Lodge No. 3828 in Great Yarmouth, installed his successor, Steven Darby – who just  so happens to be his husband. 

Gary and Steven met in 1999 and married in  2015, the year Steven followed his husband into Freemasonry. Now, the couple run a shop in Great Yarmouth selling Masonic regalia, while Steven fulfils his duties as Master. And while Gary might  no longer be in the Chair, his own responsibilities haven’t quite ended. 

‘Steven doesn’t drive, so this year I am the Master’s chauffeur,’ 

says Gary during a break at their shop, Upon the Level. 

‘When he goes on a visit, I go along as well. Freemasonry has been very welcoming.  As Master, I visited a lot of Lodges, and they were all friendly and welcoming. You are always made to  feel part of the community and I’ve never been  to a Lodge where I’ve not been looked after.’ 

Steven agrees. 

‘We’ve never had any prejudice as  a same-sex couple in Freemasonry,’ 

he says. 

‘In fact, we’ve been widely supported. One gentleman whose partner was in Freemasonry said he hoped one day he could also put his husband into the Chair.’ 

Steven and Gary say the Installation was a special occasion, almost as memorable as their wedding and not just because it took place on Burns Night, complete with pipers and haggis for the Festive Board. St Mary’s Lodge No. 3828 in Great Yarmouth is, through a quirk of history, part of Suffolk Province, even though the Lodge is physically located in Norfolk. Representing Suffolk at the Installation was the Provincial Junior Grand Warden. After the ceremony, he told the couple it was one of the best Installations he’d ever attended because it was personal and happy. Gary continues, 

‘There was the right amount of solemnity, but a lot of happiness and joy.’ 

‘It was a special evening,’ 

agrees Steven. 

‘Because Gary was doing the ceremony, I didn’t have any nerves. I knew that whatever was going to happen,  I could trust him.’ 

That wasn’t quite the case for Gary, who says  he was more nervous installing Steven than he  was when put into the Chair himself. 

‘I wanted to  get it right so that it was a special night for Steven,’ 

he says. 

‘It was special and one I am so glad I did. You go to some Lodges and the ceremony is divided between different people, but I wanted to do all  of it, so when I pushed Steven into the Chair it  came as quite a shock for him.’ 

Gary was introduced to Freemasonry by colleagues at the secondary school where he used  to work. His proposer carried out his initiation,  first, second and third degrees, exalted him into  the Royal Arch and carried out the inner workings  at his own Installation as Master – something  Gary thinks could be unique. 

At first, Steven would accompany Gary at  Lodge social events, but as he saw how much Gary was getting from Freemasonry, he took the plunge and joined the Lodge himself. Both love the sense  of community as well as the chance to support charities, while the previously reserved Steven  has experienced a late blossoming thanks to the responsibilities of office and the support of his fellow Freemasons. 

‘I was very shy and timid before,’ 

Steven says. 

‘I could never imagine myself standing in front of  a room full of people. Freemasonry has given me that confidence and enabled me to do things I didn’t think were possible, such as learning all  the ritual.’ 

Freemasonry has also provided an opportunity for Steven and Gary to explore second careers as shopkeepers. Upon the Level sells Masonic regalia as well as carpentry made by Gary, who has always enjoyed woodwork and was a design and technology teacher for years. On retirement, he bought all the equipment he required to continue his hobby. Opening a shop has allowed him to turn that  into a business and he makes a range of Masonic and non-Masonic items, including gavels, toolboxes, jewellery boxes and furniture. Some  of the Masonic pieces have been purchased by customers as far afield as the United States and Japan, while others are used closer to home. 

‘Every year our new Master gets his own gavel,  a knocking block and a box inscribed with their name and the year they were Master,’ 

says Gary.  

‘I instigated that about six or seven years ago and  it is now a Lodge tradition. They get a choice of wood, so Steven chose beech, a nice light one.  I had to make my own as there was nobody to  make it for me and I chose a wood that everybody said was too dark, but I love it.’ 

As well as their mother Lodge of St Mary’s  No. 3828, Gary and Steven are both members  of  the Royal Arch St Andrews Chapter 1631. They are considering taking further side degrees – but only when Steven’s year as Master has ended. 

‘Steven did nine Lodge visits in his first month,  so it’s busy,’ 

says Gary. 

‘Taking on more wouldn’t  be right as we couldn’t give it the attention required. Becoming a Freemason is one of the most enjoyable things I have done. The friends and colleagues  I’ve made through Freemasonry far outstrips anything I did before. As a teacher, I was used to standing in front  of a class and talking. Joining Freemasonry, learning the ritual and meeting new people  filled the void. I can’t imagine where I’d be if  I didn’t have Freemasonry.’

Milestones and Masonry

Master of the Kennel Club Lodge, Tony Allcock has just  had the honour of installing fellow dog lover and civil  partner Tony Byron-Allcock in its landmark 150th year

This year, Freemason Tony Allcock  has the great honour of presiding  as Worshipful Master of Connaught Lodge No. 3270 – the canine special interest Lodge that has a large membership of Kennel Club members. 

It’s a particularly special year in which to take the reins. The Kennel Club celebrates its 150th anniversary, having enjoyed royal patronage since 1873, with HRH Prince Michael of Kent KCVO being an active President since 1983.  In April, the club was granted the  ‘Royal’ prefix by King Charles III and is now  The Royal Kennel Club, an organisation Tony  is extremely proud to serve as Chairman. But there’s another reason why this year is so special. Tony has just initiated his partner, ‘Tony2’,  as he’s called, into Connaught Lodge at Duke St, London, which was followed by a dinner at The Kennel Club in Clarges Street. 

‘The date had long been noted by many who looked forward to celebrating the significance of the occasion when a man initiates his husband,’ 

says Tony. 

‘You can imagine my delight and surprise when my civil partner Tony2, of his own free will and accord and despite enduring 18 years of me attending various Masonic meetings each week, announced he now felt confident enough to join our fraternity.  This marks a noteworthy milestone, giving clear indication that attitudes have significantly  changed, so those that might have felt inhibited now feel able to join.’ 

Tony was initiated into Freemasonry at an early age when he was successfully competing in bowls at world-class level. As well as amassing 15 world titles, he also owned a large commercial boarding kennels and an animal welfare centre in Gloucestershire, supported by a registered charity. Before retiring from the sport in 2002, he was awarded the MBE  for services to sport, and the OBE for services to sport administration and charity (for his work as Chief Executive of Bowls England and for fundraising for Visually Impaired Bowls England) by Queen Elizabeth II.  

‘There was gendered expectation to embody  all those characteristics expected of men,’ 

he remembers. 

‘Being a gay man presented a huge challenge, and unacceptance and isolation in  both sport and Freemasonry were hard to cope with. I came so very close to leaving the Craft.  Fortunately I didn’t, as today there is significant evidence to affirm a dramatic change in attitude and culture, particularly towards gay Freemasons.’ 

The couple met when Tony2 worked in the House of Commons with the Serjeant-at-Arms. 

‘At this time he had no idea who I was or what I did,’ 

says Tony. 

‘It was only after our initial meeting he mentioned my name to his brother, who instantly revealed he knew of me as he was an ardent viewer of bowls on TV. Initially, I withheld from Tony2  the fact that I had dogs – not just a few but around  23 at the time we met. This he would find out later!’ 

A friend of the couple, Rob O’Donoghue, is a Past Master of a Lodge in Stow-on-the-Wold near their home. He was instrumental in Tony2 thinking about joining Freemasonry. But instead of joining  a local Lodge, Tony2 instead opted for Connaught Lodge No. 3270 as his mother Lodge. 

‘Opinions about couples such as Tony and I have shifted substantially over the past decade,’ 

says Tony2. 

‘Our numerous Masonic friends feel that people should be free to chose (within due bounds) that which makes them happy. This has been supported by the Church of England. I feel confident about joining the Craft and look forward to meeting new Masonic friends who accept me just as I am.’ 

And Tony has no hesitation in recommending  the Craft to others. 

‘My message for anyone joining Freemasonry is simple: you will find friendship. Whatever you can contribute (not necessarily financial) will reap rewards. Freemasonry has changed considerably. It might be an organisation with heritage – and long may this continue – but  not to the detriment of discouraging new members. It can rightfully and openly proclaim its work in support for charity through its magnificent funding campaigns and community support.  

As a gay couple, we both felt very relaxed about this special initiation. In many ways, it spells out  a very poignant message that the principle is recognised and accepted. We have already received such great support from far and wide.’

Freemasonry is at a crossroads. In one direction is the well trodden path that leads to a spiral of decline. The other direction, less used, leads to broad, sunlit uplands. 

That is the view of Jon Whitaker, Provincial Grand Master (PGM) for the Province of Hampshire & Isle of Wight. It is one of the largest of UGLE’s Provinces with 250 Lodges containing 8,000 members who meet in 38 centres across six geographical areas.

Jon felt there was only one way to take on the challenge of a declining membership and that was  to literally get out onto a Membership Pathway himself, and lead the initiative from the front. With such a large Province the usual strategy would be for the  PGM to cascade his message through his six Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, each of whom heads an area. But on this occasion Jon decided it was so important he went to meet and chat to the brethren directly. He took his ‘Membership Roadshow' to all six areas where he addressed more than 750 members – about a tenth of the Province’s Freemasons. 

‘As the Provincial Grand Master I made the decision to lead on this initiative because it’s my job to ensure  that Freemasonry in this Province thrives, and not just survives,’

he said. 

‘The roadshows were introduced by the Assistant Provincial Grand Masters and those attending were key Lodge members as well as Visiting Officers. We appoint a Visiting Officer to every Lodge; they attend meetings, act as a liaison with Province and offer advice and practical assistance – and it is an office that will be vital in this challenge. In effect these Visiting Officers are my representatives and need to be on board. 

My roadshow message was clear –  continue to attract quality candidates, retain existing members, embrace change, make Freemasonry enjoyable and look after the brethren. Those are things that only Lodges can do – so the initiative  must be from the bottom up, as well as from the top down. 

One simple thing for Lodges to consider is improved planning, which will lead to more efficient ceremonies and a saving  of time. Brethren always appreciate this. Enjoyment is key and that means fun Festive Boards with reasonably priced food and no long, rambling speeches.  As a Province we are looking at ways of improving the quality of the centres, which will make a big difference. 

Lodges might consider changing the day or time they meet, or involving their families in social events in order to help foster a new spirit. A struggling Lodge can buddy-up with a stronger Lodge to learn from and to lean on. And in retaining members, Lodges have to avoid the RAF syndrome – raised and forgotten.’ 

Without arresting the decline in numbers, many Lodges, and the centres in which they meet, face a bleak future.  And the numbers are stark, as Jon  revealed on his roadshows with his customary transparency. 

‘In the past 15 years, the Province has lost 3,000 members and is down to 8,000. Its 38 centres were adopted when there was a membership of 20,000. If nothing is done over the next 30 years, membership could drop by a further 6,000 – not a good legacy to leave to the next generation. 

‘We rely on volunteers,’ 

explained Jon, 

‘but we wouldn’t have anywhere near enough with such a reduced membership. The Province couldn’t be run. In my roadshows I explained exactly what  the problem is and just how big it is. 

‘A Lodge might be delighted to have initiated two candidates in a year, but  if they have lost four it is a declining  Lodge. At each roadshow, there were brethren with lots of questions; and  they were often challenging, but I found  that refreshing. There is no lack of enthusiasm and emotion.

‘Feedback has been extremely positive with brethren genuinely pleased that the PGM held these meetings face-to-face. Some have told me about declining Lodges which have turned the corner and are now growing. One Lodge in my Province that I visited recently was down to a critically low 14, but they had a meeting and decided to carry on and take a last shot and follow the Membership Pathway. They created a Lodge profile to enable them to show who they were, and what they were and did. They then set about actively recruiting in the local community both through word-of-mouth and using social media, in effect they made a plan for the first time… and the Lodge is now on the up.

‘That feeling of turning a Lodge around is wonderful and you can often get a sense of the excitement that Lodge’s founders felt when it was consecrated. It’s a type of reset and rebirth. As I say to the brethren, it’s your Lodge, your future.

‘I have been a Freemason for 35 years and by nature am quite traditional, but we have to do things differently to successfully recruit and retain. There  is an apt quote from Churchill who said: “Winning the affection and trust of  young men is a very different proposition to persuading old men that the way they have done things is obsolete.”

‘We have to carefully balance  the broad range of our members and potential members. Every Lodge, area  and the Province needs to engage and identify its future leaders. Succession planning is key.’ 

Jon is determined to make a difference in his tenure, to ensure Freemasonry thrives in his Province.

I am Matthew Wainwright, a Master Mason from  the St Werburga Lodge No. 4147 and Royal Arch Companion from the Chapter of Justice No.253, both in the Province of Derbyshire. 

I had always been intrigued by the history and origins of Freemasonry, as well as its links with  the medieval stonemasons. Being a tradesman myself and having a spiritual nature, I knew I wanted to  become a Freemason. 

I was initiated into Freemasonry on 22 February  2019 – coincidentally my 36th birthday. Although I had been interested in Freemasonry for a considerable length of time, I thought I did not know any Freemasons who I could talk to about joining. Little did I know that I had been associated with many for most of my life. During my time as an Entered Apprentice, I visited various Lodges in Derbyshire and Staffordshire. One Derbyshire Lodge that particularly attracted my attention was the Cornucopia Lodge of Provincial Grand Stewards of Derbyshire No. 9925. It was their striking red aprons that first caught my eye – although I soon realised it was so much more than just a  different coloured apron. 

This process of discovering the various aspects of the Craft, from the different regalia to the different Lodges and the whole backstory, is why I wanted  to continue my membership and strive to learn more. I wholeheartedly enjoy the history and my personal development journey within Freemasonry. I find the different regalia and the ritual fascinating; a rabbit hole of learning that just keeps on giving. 

I like meeting new people who I may not have had the opportunity of getting to know if I was not a member. Indeed, many of my best friends are Freemasons. Why? Because, like me, they are men of integrity, strict morals and sound judgement. I try to surround myself with positive vibes and have a desire to help others. For those few hours a month, you can shut out the problems of modern, fast- paced life and relax with friends on an equal standing. 

When I was made an Entered Apprentice, my white apron showed I was newly admitted. However, I was treated like I had been in the Craft for years. I was so touched that I wanted to document my journey. I wrote an article that was really for my own recollection.  A few Freemasons that read it said that I should  send this in to the Provincial Communications Team. I took their advice and submitted my article. I was  then contacted by Provincial Communications Officer  Stuart Riley and my work was published on the Provincial website. 

A few months later, I was invited to attend a UGLE Communications presentation at Derby Freemasons’ Hall. This was led by Shaun Butler and Dean Simmons. A very informative presentation was delivered to a packed room of Derbyshire Freemasons, teaching  us about the importance of good, positive communications and social media. At the end, Stuart asked for volunteers to set up and run a new Derbyshire Freemasons Instagram account. Without even thinking, my hand went up. It was the only hand that was raised. To my surprise, Stuart kindly allowed me to take on this challenge under his guidance. Being an Entered Apprentice, I knew  his would be a big challenge and I had to advance my Masonic knowledge quickly to better fulfil this task.  It is down to the faith Stuart put into my abilities that allowed me the freedom to experiment and develop the platform in my own style.

Tech charity Lifelites and Jersey Freemasons have renewed their Platinum Partnership for the next five years to support children using hospice service in Jersey to access assistive and inclusive technologies. 

Since 2016 Jersey Freemasons have raised over £100,000 for Lifelites to ensure that they can provide the latest assistive and inclusive technology to their children’s hospice partner on the island, Jersey Hospice Care. Lifelites are now intending to donate a package of brand new technologies, including staff training on how to use it, and technical support to the hospice at a value of around £52,000.

Graham Spence, Provincial Grand Master and Head of Jersey Freemasons said:

'Freemasons in Jersey are very keen to continue supporting Lifelites work here. The combination of providing valuable experiences to children using hospice services and the educational and experiential possibilities offered by the technology that Lifelites provides is second to none. We are delighted to commit to our continuing support for Lifelites technology packages.'

Lifelites’ CEO, Rob Lightfoot said: 

'We are incredibly grateful to Graham Spence and his brethren. Jersey Freemasons are second to none in the incredible support that they provide us. Their support is crucial in allowing us to continue to support children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions in Jersey. We are living at a particularly difficult time with the cost of living crisis hitting families with seriously ill and disabled children harder than most. The technology we donate can help children to create unforgettable moments of connection and joy with their families and the hospice staff who support them. In these difficult times, it is absolutely crucial that we continue to work with our children’s hospice partners to help provide the best respite and end of life experiences for these children.'

Lifelites has been donating their equipment and services for children using every children’s hospice across the British Isles for the past 23 years and is the only charity that does this. Lifelites continues to provide new technology, maintenance and training to hospice staff on how to use it, to ensure that as many of these children as possible will have the chance to enjoy the benefits of this technology during their short lives. 

About The Charity

Lifelites is the only charity working with children’s palliative care services across the British Isles to enrich the lives of children and young people with life-limiting conditions and disabilities. We work by donating the latest assistive and inclusive technology and help 10,000 children each year.

Harnessing the power of technology allows Lifelites to help these children to escape isolation, giving them the means to keep in contact with their friends and schools. It gives them a chance to play and express themselves, to bring the outside world in and to live life as fully as possible.

They donate different packages of technology to each of our projects depending on a tailored assessment of their needs. Each of our packages is worth around £52,000 and has a four year lifespan. This includes the cost of the equipment, installation, staff training, technical support and equipment maintenance. Every four years, they aim to return to each palliative care service with a brand new package of the latest technology.

Freemasonry is centered around the principles of charity and self-improvement, with a strong focus on benefiting both ourselves and our communities. In line with this ethos, the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) actively participated in a new initiative called The Big Help Out. This campaign, launched nationwide on May 8th in commemoration of the King's Coronation, aimed to uplift and enhance our local communities.

UGLE encouraged Freemasons to volunteer for The Big Help Out, and as a result, we have collected stories from Freemasons all over the country who generously contributed their time and efforts to The Big Help Out.

Read some of the fantastic stories from Freemasons below. 

Oxfordshire - Ready Teddy

In a heartwarming display of generosity and compassion, Oxfordshire Freemasons distributed 400-500 teddy bears to children at hospitals across the region as part of the Big Help Out initiative on May 8th to celebrate the King's Coronation.

During the Big Help Out, Oxfordshire Freemasons joined forces with local hospitals including Oxford, Horton, Abingdon, Henley, and Witney, to bring smiles to the faces of young patients with teddies.

Under the expert and enthusiastic guidance of Oxfordshire Freemason Roger Hampshire, the Province's highly successful Teddies For Loving Care programme has been providing comfort and solace to children during their hospital stays. 

Devon - Clean for the King

As part of the Big Help Out, Freemasons in Devon got their hands dirty and organised a “Clean for the King”.

Okehampton Freemasons teamed up with local community group The Okehampton Rivers Improvement Group (ORIG) to tidy up litter around the town.

Using Okehampton’s Lodge and Chapter of Obedience as a meeting point and base for refreshments, children and parents from the local primary school joined forces with Okehampton Freemasons, members of the local Lions Club, town councillors and members of other community interest groups, to clear litter from around the town.

The Okehampton Rivers Group gave prizes for the biggest piece of rubbish collected, which was an abandoned road closed sign, and for the most unusual piece of rubbish, which was hotly contested, but was won by a decorative false fingernail.

Local Freemason Chris Hodgson said the event was a brilliant morning that was enjoyed by everyone involved. 

He added: ‘It was a fantastic community get-together with great teamwork, great companionship and a great demonstration of what community can do.’

Cheshire - Branching out

Freemasons in Cheshire showcased their green thumbs during the Big Help Out initiative, where they engaged in various activities to help maintain a tranquil green space in Runcorn.

"The Green", which was previously a pub football pitch and potato field, was turned into a serene oasis in 2000. This picturesque location serves as a recreational space and a venue for village events.

In commemoration of the Coronation, dedicated volunteers came forward to plant heritage trees, including a Rowan tree for The Queen's Green Canopy and a Cherry Tree.

The volunteers not only focused on tree planting but also dedicated their efforts to the upkeep of raised plant beds. These beds served as educational spaces for local school children and scouts, allowing them to learn about gardening and horticulture.

Simon Medland, a Freemason and volunteer for the Big Help Out, expressed his delight, describing the experience as a "brilliant day." 

UGLE wants to thank all of our members who volunteered their time and got involved in The Big Help Out. For more information about the excellent work that Freemasons do then visit our charitable work page.

'I want to thank both my partner Ben and the Worshipful Master, Anthony Wilkins, for what can only be considered a truly wonderful experience, that of undertaking my Initiation into Freemasonry. While initially fearful and reticent due to my lack of knowledge and understanding of what was to come, Ben offered the guidance (and in my own personal case, the comfort) needed to be capable of going through the process with a steady foot, head held high and voice unquavering, at least enough so that I would not embarrass myself in front of those I’d soon consider Brothers.

While the process itself turned into a bit of a blur, key moments shone through the mental fog. Being restored to light put me in state of initial shock, but with  Anthony’s reassurance I was able to proceed with no issues. Another key moment was that of the Tracing Board being shown and explained to both myself, and another recently made Brother. To cap off the ceremony I was most fortunate to be the recipient of a unique address from the Tyler which I believe was very useful in putting much of the initiation into context for me. Later at the Festive Board I was informed that this address was of his own creation.

 Probably the biggest surprise of the night was that of being greeted by a fellow Romanian (Robatzchi Dragos) who was also a member of a Cornish Lodge. This helped quell any worries I had, safe in the knowledge that there was someone else present who was born in the same country and from the same culture as me.

It was quite a night, (one that I will not soon forget) an experience I will forever treasure and a group of people I cannot wait to interact with more in the future.

'For myself also this has proved to be one of the most unique meetings in my nearly decade in Cornish Freemasonry. It was a night of real firsts, in the literal and metaphorical sense, and a night I hope has done much to reaffirm Freemasonry as a relevant and adaptable force for good in a modern world that is all too often keen to dismiss it.

It was certainly a very unusual experience for myself, and for the Lodge, for me to not only be able to propose my own partner as a Candidate but to also undertake a large part of the ceremony. To my mind, it is very indicative of the fact that Freemasonry today really is a society that is accepting of all, regardless of race, religion, orientation, or background.

Certainly, even in the past century, it would have been unthinkable in most societies to see two men of different nationalities not only being open with other Brethren about their relationship but also being allowed to join the same Lodge. The fact that Nick has been welcomed not only warmly, but with great encouragement is a testament to not only how far Freemasonry has come compared to some sections of our society even today, but also, crucially, a testament to how it remains a relevant force for acceptance and equal opportunity in doing good.

Coming from a culture where Freemasonry has also long been anathema understandably led to some reservations in Nick, as he has referred to himself, but again the extraordinary welcome he has received from Penwith, and W. Bro. Wilkins in particular has been of immense help in assisting him to navigate and understand his concerns. 

It was also a privilege to be able to deliver so much of the ritual of the First Degree that has long fallen into disuse. The delivery of the full Tracing Board was something I have received very positive feedback about, and it pleases us both to know that it was felt that something significant was achieved at Nick’s First. Certainly, it is an ambition at Penwith to revive much of our traditional but now forgotten or disused Emulation Ritual, and we hope that with Nick’s First we have made a good start in reviving some of our now forgotten heritage.

Above all, Nick and I feel that the main point we hope that those both inside and outside the Craft will take away from this experience is that Freemasonry in Cornwall is very far from being the stereotype of the dusty 19th Century old men’s club that it’s detractors all too often put about. It is a vibrant society made up of a diverse membership, it is a relevant society that is not afraid to adapt with the times, but above all it is a society that really will accept you for what you are, whoever you are, and will support you all the way in the aim of doing good, something that it has amply demonstrated in this case.'

The Children's Cancer run is a 5 mile family fun run, which grown to become one of the UK's biggest single charity fun runs.

The Fun Run

Widows Sons Northumberland chapter for many years has supported the Greggs Children’s cancer run, this event celebrated its 40th year with a glorious sunny day, and thousands of children in attendance to complete the sponsored run raising over 8 million pounds for cancer research since the run started. The Widows Sons Northumberland chapter for many years have been keen supporters of the event .

Members of the Widows Sons form the official start line for the first race with motorbikes lined up, with the eager young runners warmed up and ready to run behind, once the starting pistol is fired the bikes roar off, with the children in hot pursuit. 

Widows Sons members then provide a display of motorbikes for the children (and eager Dads) to sit on and get photos taken. Another great example of Freemasonry in our community. 

The History

Children’s Cancer Run came from very small beginnings over 40 years ago. It started through Kings School in Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear in order to raise money for the North of England Children’s Cancer Research fund, as at the time, one of their pupils was suffering from Cancer of the kidney.

This initial idea blossomed, slowly at first… the first run only had a couple of hundred people from Kings School.

A volunteer committee was set up to manage the organisation of the run, and today, many of the original members are still volunteering their services. Particularly satisfying and completing a ‘circle’ is the fact that Chris Peacock, the pupil at Kings school who had Cancer of the kidney and who inspired pupils and staff to raise money in the first ‘sponsored’ run is now also chair of the committee.

The Widows Sons

The Widows  Sons Masonic Bikers held their AGM recently celebrating another very successful year, with membership numbers now over 1500 spread across 40 chapters, and £144,000 raised and donated to charities across England and Wales, which is a fantastic achievement. The Widows Sons also has an associate scheme which allows wives partners and children to participate in their many charitable events, and introduce potential new members to Freemasonry, as a consequence over 100 candidates a year are introduced into Freemasonry.

All over the country Widows Sons members support good causes, charities and fund raising events, by attendance at fayres and parades, assisting charities in fund raising ventures, and through their own group events. Find out more on their website. 

Achieving his £100,000 fundraising goal for the Masonic Charitable Foundation could make round-Britain Walker Chris Jones a record-breaker, because it's believed no-one else has contributed such a sum to Masonic Charity through their own individual efforts.

That's the prediction of the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF)'s Chief Executive Les Hutchinson, made when the two met face-to-face for the first time at our Provincial Grand Lodge meeting, though he agreed it would need to be confirmed.

And the milestone came a step closer to achievability when Provincial Grand Master Dave Wheeler called Chris out from the ranks of the Lodge Masters to give him a donation of £10,000, more than doubling the money already pledged on his fundraising page here.  Chris paraded round the room to the Proclaimers' hit 'I'm Gonna Be (500 miles)' played by Provincial Organist David Shepherd, and applause which spontaneously synchronised with the music and Chris's footfall.

Fundraising

Before the walk started Chris had worked with Provincial Communications Officer Stuart Pearcey to set up the fundraising page, one of the first using a new MCF fundraising platform. Chris said: 

'We talked about what target we should set, and we mentioned £25,000 and £50,000, but in the end I decided I should shoot for the Moon and set it at £100,000. With the wonderful and unexpected donation from the Province of Lincolnshire, the £9,000-plus pledged already, Gift Aid yet to be added, and lots of Provinces yet to visit, the total has become very much more realistic.'

It was a combination of circumstances which brought Chris and Les together at the Epic Centre at the Lincolnshire Showground. Chris was taking a break from his 7,500-plus mile solo walk to return for the Provincial Grand Lodge meeting and to install Andy Bagworth as his successor as Master of the Free Wheelers Lodge no. 9991; Les had been invited months before as guest of honour.

The Walk

Chris embarked on his walk on New Year's Day in Skegness, determined to circumnavigate the country to raise awareness of mental health issues, and to raise funds to help sustain the MCF's work, which includes a counselling service he's credits with saving his own life when he was close to suicide. He is chronicling his journey in an entertaining blog with regular updates and a dedicated following of regular readers. His posts reveal how well he has been supported by Freemasons, who have given cash donations as well as inviting him to their meetings, offering accommodation, and walking alongside him. Read the posts here. 

Les had been going mention Chris in his address to the meeting, but Provincial Grand Master Dave Wheeler asked him not to, so as not to dull the surprise of his presentation. Instead Les chose to shine the spotlight on Jason Baker of Industry Lodge in Scunthorpe, who is leading a team to tackle a brutal 10k assault course set up by some of the Army's toughest troops.

If you want to help support Chris in his incredible journey, you can donate on his fundraising page.

How it started

It originated after an allergic reaction suddenly caused a swelling and blocking of the windpipe to the wife of Ian Simpson, a Freemason. Her life was saved by the rapid action of the medical staff at an A&E unit, who was able to resuscitate and stabilise her. Mr and Mrs Simpson were and are both eternally grateful for the swift and caring attention she received, but found the experience the most frightening of their lives and speculated on the distress that children must face when visiting A&E units.

The idea of doing something useful for medical staff at A&E units was discussed with other local Freemasons and from that point the idea of Teddies for Loving Care was born. The appeal was launched in Essex in 2001 and has since been adopted by most of the Masonic Provinces across the country. Prior to the launch a great deal of research was carried out. Hospitals were asked how many teddies would be needed. It had to be established what size and style of teddy would be suitable in order to meet the stringent toy safety regulations and be 'cuddly' enough to appeal to small children. By canvassing local Masonic Lodges and explaining the concept confidence was gained that support for an appeal would be there.

Thankfully after 20 years that support and enthusiasm for the Appeal still exists and by this year well over 2 million teddies have been distributed nationwide. Most of the money raised to fund the appeal comes from Freemasons themselves, but funds are also received from grateful individuals and the sale of TLC merchandise e.g. other teddies (not the ones supplied to hospitals) and lapel pins.

The Teddies for Loving Care scheme was started in the Province of Devonshire in 2008, the first hospital to receive teddies was Torbay, Followed by the RD&E at Exeter, then Derriford in Plymouth then finally NDDH in Barnstaple. The teddies were then also given to Little Bridge House, the Children's Hospice, also in Barnstaple.

How it works

It was a slow process to start with, to get ward staff to present a teddy to every child, but they became used to the idea! Medical staff use the teddies to demonstrate the treatment they need,  this approach has bee proven to help calm the child down, as well as the parents "You have a calm child you have a calm parent". Being in hospital can be a very scary experience for a small child, especially if they are feeling really unwell.

Medical staff use their discretion and will give a bear to a child that is suffering particularly from trauma, injury or illness. They use the bears to befriend the children, to reward them for being brave and in some cases to demonstrate what they are going to do. Quite often a child coming to a ward will find a little furry face already in their bed awaiting them. One radiologist in NDDH told me that she had probably "X-rayed" more teddies than children!!

One A&E sister said 

'I cannot remember how we used to cope before the Teddies, I hope you can continue to supply them for a long time'

Another said "It's not just a teddy, it's so much more"

What it does

As the TLC appeal is a Masonic initiative, it has raised the level of public awareness of the contribution made to the community by Freemasonry, giving insight into the principles on which Freemasonry is founded, and how those principles are exercised in the modern world.

Recently ‘Devonshire Freemasons Teddies for loving care’ has become a formal Charity, the benefits of being registered are that apart from the more formal structure they are now eligible for "Gift Aid" which gives an extra 25% from the Government on donations from tax payers.A new design Teddy was launched in February 2022, this has a larger label depicting where the bear is from along with a heart shaped nose. 

Keith Bower (Devonshire Freemasons Organiser for TLC) commented:-

'On achieving the 75,000 milestone it was decided to mark the occasion by a special presentation of a large Teddy to NDDH whose staff are most appreciative of our efforts and we knew that the bear would be put to good use. In fact "Charlie" (we christened him that) new home is in a treatment room where he will be showing children what their examination is going to consist of, and of course be available for cuddles.'

Pat Davies (NHS Adv Clinical Physiologist at NDDH) said:-

“Teddies really break the ice, Getting Teddie wired up to an EEG machine makes everything become so much less scary,they are a reward and a companion, and coming back becomes a lot less traumatic for Children.”