The Lord Mayor of Leicester, Councillor Kulwinder Singh Johal, who took office on the 14th May 2026 and is serving for the 2026–27 civic year, visited Freemasons’ Hall Leicester this week to gain a deeper understanding of the charitable work carried out by Freemasons across the city and county. The visit also offered an opportunity to explore the historic and architecturally significant building on London Road, in the heart of Leicester. Councillor Johal was welcomed by Peter

Sometimes the greatest difference begins with a simple decision to give our time, energy and care to others. Martha Millington-Pipe, granddaughter of Mervyn Wass of Ferrers and Ivanhoe Lodge No. 779 in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, recently travelled to Kenya with Derby County Community Trust to volunteer at Jubilee School. What followed was a life-changing experience filled with teaching, laughter, friendship and practical service. Supported by her family and generous donations from Ha

In May this year, Rev’d Clive Watts, then Master of Grace Dieu Lodge No. 2428 in Coalville, travelled to Manila in the Philippines to spend two weeks volunteering with The Streetlight Trust. This UK charity supports the work of Kanlungan sa Er‑Ma Ministries, which provides vital care for some of the poorest and most vulnerable street children in the Ermita and Malate districts of the city. During his visit, Clive witnessed first-hand the challenges faced by children living in

Members of Jason Lodge No. 7716, Leicester’s Freemasons lodge dedicated to cycling, were proud to present a donation of £2,731 to Leicester Wheels For All in support of their Great Central Rides project. Leicester Wheels For All provides inclusive cycling opportunities for people of all ages and abilities, ensuring that everyone, regardless of experience or mobility, can enjoy the freedom and wellbeing that cycling brings. This donation will help the charity continue deliveri

On Wednesday 7th July, Pete Williamson and his wife Jean presented a generous £3,200 donation to The Robbie Anderson Cancer Trust at the Teenage Cancer Trust Unit (Ward 27) at Leicester Royal Infirmary. The donation comprised £1,600 raised at the Provincial Grand Chapter Annual Meeting in March, matched by a further £1,600 from the Leicestershire & Rutland Freemasons Charity, a combined effort reflecting the Royal Arch and Craft Province’s ongoing commitment to supporting you

A heartfelt donation of £1,000 has been made by local Royal Arch Freemasons to Samuel’s Promise, a community‑driven fund within The Children and Young People’s Cancer Association. The cheque was presented to Samuel’s parents at the Buttermarket in Mountsorrel, offering both financial support and a moving moment of remembrance for their son. Samuel, a Charnwood boy, lived in Rothley, played football for Mountsorrel Juniors, attended school in Quorn, and later studied at Loughb

The Masonic Fishing Charity (MTSFC) exists to “bring an interactive fishing and countryside experience to people with special needs.” It achieves this by organising both coarse and fly‑fishing events at fisheries across the country, inviting participants from special needs schools, specialist centres, and individuals who have experienced trauma. These days offer a unique opportunity for fun, confidence‑building, and meaningful connection with nature. Following the unfortunate

Bradgate Park was alive with activity on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th June as the popular country park hosted a bustling open weekend near the central café. Around 40 stalls filled large marquees and individual gazebos, creating a vibrant marketplace for local groups, charities, and community organisations. Representing Leicestershire & Rutland Freemasonry, members of Lodge Semper Eadem, Matthew Zmija, Trevor Rogers, David Hall, Brent Goodwin and Ian Aldridge, set up the gaz

At the recent Installation Meeting of the Union of Rugby Lodge on Friday 8th May, members and guests came together in a remarkable show of generosity to support the vital work of Leicestershire & Rutland Blood Bikes. Thanks to the exceptional kindness and gracious permission of the newly installed Master, Joseph Maxim, a collection was held during the evening in aid of this life‑saving voluntary service. With the valued support of Daniel Quelch, Colin Brink, and Glen Reader,

More than 11,000 children across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland will be better protected from online harm thanks to a £50,000 grant from the Freemasons, awarded to Warning Zone Children’s Safety Charity. The funding will support the development and delivery of Warning Zone’s online safety programme, helping Year 6 pupils prepare for the risks they face as they transition to secondary school. Children today are navigating an increasingly complex digital world. Risks

Leicestershire and Rutland Freemasons have provided £1,000 in funding to support Henry Hughes, an elite deaf swimmer who has been selected to represent Great Britain at the European Deaf Swimming Championships in October 2026. Due to a lack of funding, Henry had faced the prospect of withdrawing from the competition. The contribution, made in partnership with Joe Humphries Memorial Trust and its Inspire Project, has enabled him to secure his place at the event. Henry Hughes

The Leicestershire and Rutland Freemasons’ Charity (LRFC) has reinforced its commitment to community engagement and youth development through its sponsorship of the Philharmonia Orchestra and its flagship education initiative, Orchestra Unwrapped, in Leicester. The project, which introduces live orchestral music to primary school children across the city, gave more than 1,200 Key Stage 2 pupils and teachers - including SEND students - the opportunity to experience professiona

St Mary’s Lodge No. 7164 demonstrated the enduring strength of Freemasonry on 27 April 2026, when members gathered to welcome a new brother into the Craft. The meeting, always a highlight in any lodge’s calendar, was made even more memorable by the attendance of the Head of Leicestershire & Rutland Freemasonry, Peter Kinder, accompanied by a distinguished team of Provincial Officers. With the lodge room filled to capacity, the officers of St Mary’s delivered an exemplary cere

Pepper’s – a Safe Place – has received a £1,000 donation from St Mary’s Freemasons Lodge No. 7164 to support its new centre in Melton Mowbray, where the number of people using the service has doubled since the move. Located on Nottingham Street, the new centre is helping Pepper’s reach more adults in need of support with their mental health, emotional wellbeing and loneliness. Its welcoming and accessible setting has made it easier for people to drop in, connect with others a

This year’s Sportsman’s Dinner took place on Thursday, 19th March 2026, at the Leicester Tigers’ Welford Road Stadium. Now firmly established as a highlight in the calendar, the event once again delivered an evening of exceptional entertainment, camaraderie, and charitable generosity. Guests were treated to not one but two international sporting megastars as headline speakers. Presiding over the evening’s proceedings and returning by popular demand was Roger Dakin . A former

Raj Solanki, who has led Knighton Lodge No. 4711 over the past year, proudly selected Heartwize as the Lodge’s charity for his term. The organisation works to increase public awareness of out‑of‑hospital cardiac arrest, ensure basic resuscitation skills are taught in schools, and expand access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) across local communities. For Raj, this mission carries deep personal meaning following his wife’s heart attack two years ago. To support the

Ratae Meridian Lodge No.9673, the only daylight Lodge in the Province, brought members, families, friends, and prospective members together on 28th January 2026 for a memorable charity event in support of PASIC , a local organisation providing end‑of‑life care and vital support to children with cancer and their families across Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, and Leicestershire. The event was hosted at Amrut Indian Restaurant in the heart of Leicester, where guests enjoyed

Members of the Jason Lodge No.7716, Leicester’s Freemasons lodge dedicated to cycling, were proud to attend Wednesday's fantastic inclusive cycling session at Abbey Park — and even prouder to present a donation of £2,731 to Leicester Wheels For All in support of their Great Central Rides project. The event was especially memorable as it was attended by Chris Boardman CBE — Olympic champion, Active Travel England Commissioner, and now the new patron of the Wheels for All char

Teddies for Loving Care (TLC) celebrated its 25th anniversary on Saturday 7th March 2026 with a special event at Freemasons’ Hall in Leicester. The milestone brought together civic leaders, healthcare partners, and Freemasons to honour a quarter‑century of providing comfort to children in hospital. Founded in Essex 25 years ago, TLC began as a simple idea: to give a teddy bear to children attending Accident & Emergency units or hospital wards, helping to ease fear and anxiety

A highly successful prostate cancer screening clinic was held on Saturday 7th February 2026 at Desford Community Primary School, offering an important health service to men from across the local area. The medical team was led by Miss Jyoti Shah MBE , consultant urologist with the North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, supported by specialist nurses Lauren and Vanessa , along with Jyoti’s husband Paresh . All four generously volunteered their time to make the clinic possible