Freemasons from lodges meeting across Leicestershire and Rutland, plus visitors from far and wide attended the Annual Communication of the Provincial Grand Lodge which was held on Friday 30th November 2018 at Freemasons' Hall, Leicester.
The Provincial Grand Master of Leicester & Rutland, R.W.Bro. David Hagger welcomed the many guests from other Provinces, and also a most welcome guest from the United Grand Lodge of England, the Assistant Grand Master, R.W.Bro. Sir David Hugh Wootton.
The meeting continued with the appointments and changes to the Provincial Executive team, with the retirement of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, V.W.Bro. James Buckle having served the Province well in the position since 2010. He was succeeded by the promotion of V.W.Bro. Peter Kinder. The Provincial Grand Master then promoted W.Bro. Dr. Andrew Green to the position of Assistant Provincial Grand Master. The position of Assistant Grand Master in Leicestershire & Rutland was created in 1962, W.Bro. Andrew is now the youngest serving in this post at the age of 47.
Many other Brethren were honoured with Appointments and Promotions to Provincial Grand Rank and invested by the Provincial Grand Master during the meeting in view of their commitment to Freemasonry in Leicestershire & Rutland.
The Leicestershire and Rutland Masonic Charity Association reported that during the last year, donations were made to 55 local Charities of £60k. These local Charities, supported by the LRMCA, are providing much needed services and support to the community. In addition, The Masonic Charitable Foundation continues to support local Charities within the Province, with donations to Charnwood Twenty Twenty of £35,481 over a period of 3 years, £5,000 to Home-Start South Leicestershire, and £3,500 to The Phoenix Children’s Foundation. Also, three local Hospices received grants, £500 to Dove Cottage Day Care, £3,790 to LOROS, and £1,580 to Rainbows.
The Provincial Grand Master then addressed the Brethren, in particular focussing on events within the Province that have raised monies for the 2022 Festival target of £1.8m, as well as the celebrations of the Tercentenary of organised Freemasonry held during the last year, such as The Memorial Wood at Bradgate Park, funded by the Leicestershire & Rutland Freemasons and Leicestershire County Council. This initiative has so far raised a profit of over £70,000 through the sale of over 500 bronze oak leaves with personal inscriptions which have been purchased from the Bradgate Park Trust and installed on distinctive feature wooden oak pillars within the Memorial Wood.
After the meeting, 330 brethren dined within Freemasons’ Hall where all enjoyed an excellent meal to celebrate the previous year, and usher in the new.
The Assistant Grand Master, R.W.Bro. Sir David Hugh Wootton received a presentation gift for his return journey to London, which included stilton cheese and a Melton Mowbray Pork Pie. On receiving the gifts, Sir David said: “This has been a fantastic and superb day, Freemasonry at its finest!”
The Provincial Grand Master, R.W.Bro. David Hagger brought an end to the day by saying: “Yet again we have had a fantastic year in the Province of Leicestershire & Rutland, with so much work undertaken by our 77 Lodges to raise money for those in need, and above all ensuring that all of our members enjoy their Freemasonry”