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The 18th annual Association of Medical, University and Legal Lodges (AMULL) festival was hosted by the Wyggeston Lodge No.3448, the United Grand Lodge of England Universities Scheme Lodge for the University of Leicester on Saturday 6th October 2018. Around 100 people attended and, despite the rain, everyone enjoyed a superb day of fraternity, festivity and fun. The programme was devised and flawlessly administered by Past Master W.Bro. Dr. Andy Green with support from the AMULL secretary, W.Bro. Athelstane Aamodt. A reception was hosted the night before by the Provincial Grand Master of Leicestershire and Rutland, R.W.Bro. David Hagger at Freemasons’ Hall, Leicester where the guests had the opportunity, many for the first time, to take in the surroundings of the decorative Holmes Lodge Room and the extensive masonic Museum. On the Saturday, the guests assembled for tea and coffee in cloistral hush of Leicester Cathedral, the resting place of King Richard III and the venue for the interfaith service conducted by W.Bro. the Rev Canon Michael Wilson, Grand Chaplain, whose excellent proceedings and highly topical address were rounded off with a rousing rendition of “Jerusalem” which the assembled congregation sang with gusto.   After the service, the guests made the very short walk to the beautiful Guildhall, one of the best preserved timber-framed halls in the country and with a history dating back 600 years. There, Professor Turi King gave a brilliantly entertaining and interesting talk on the excavation in Leicester that led to the discovery of King Richard III, managing to inject wit and humour into subjects like mitochondrial DNA and Y-chromosomes. Her talk, which entirely captivated the audience, was rapturously received and universally declared to be “brilliant”.  Professor King’s talk was followed by AMULL’s now-traditional champagne reception, thanks to the kindness and generosity of W.Bro. Charles Akle who provided the plentiful magnums.   The reception was followed by a delicious lunch in St. Martin’s House, culminating in a toast to AMULL given by W.Bro. Paul Marvin, the current Master of Wyggeston Lodge, with the response given by the AMULL President, R.W.Bro. David Williamson.   AMULL was delighted to make hardship grants totalling £5,000 to three excellent students: Naomi Amos, Bro. Andrew Slater, and Bro. Joshua Holford whose respective stories were filled with inspiring grit and determination. AMULL was also delighted to make an award of £1,000 to Leicester University Scholarship Fund, which was accepted by V.W.Bro. Michael Turnbull , Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Leicestershire and Rutland on behalf of the University. This donation was generously matched from the Leicestershire and Rutland Masonic Charitable Association presented by the Provincial Grand Master, R.W.Bro. David Hagger.   R.W.Bro. David Williamson said after the Festival: “All-in-all a truly memorable Festival from every aspect!”

Disabled children across Leicestershire and Rutland will now be able to benefit from an amazing gardening facility thanks to a grant to the Phoenix Children’s Foundation, from Leicestershire and Rutland Freemasons. The facility in Packington is where many different groups (special needs schools, children with special needs & disabilities) can access a team of miniature Shetland ponies, along with a range of small farm animals and even reindeer. There is a beautiful sensory garden and a delightful picnic area close to the animals giving the children a safe and controlled environment to enjoy. Also available to everyone is a newly installed disabled toilet facility, and a music therapy room which is proving to be very successful. The garden also includes an allotment style area where the children can grow vegetables, with raised bedding for ease of access. The grant of £3,500 from the Masonic Charitable Foundation has helped to make this a reality. To see the progress for themselves, W.Bro. Phil Caswell and W.Bro. Tony Sibson paid a visit to the Phoenix Children’s Foundation, where W.Bro. Tony said: “We are very pleased to be able to help The Phoenix Children’s Foundation who do such an outstanding job helping children and their families living with illness, disability or lack of opportunity.” Anita Withers, Collections Manager at The Phoenix Children’s Foundation said: “We are most grateful to Leicestershire and Rutland Freemason for their generous grant, which will help us to keep providing local disabled children a safe and accessible environment to learn and enjoy the importance of gardening.”

Freemasons’ Hall Leicester hosted a wide range of charities and good causes from all over Leicestershire and Rutland, as £60,875 was presented by the Freemasons’ to benefit the local community and those in need. The donations were presented by the Provincial Grand Master, David Hagger, who was accompanied by the Lord Mayor of Leicester, Ross Grant. Leicester based Reunite International who provide advice and support to parents whose children have been abducted overseas or parents accused of International parental abduction received a donation of £1,000 which will go towards the replacement of ageing telephone and computer systems. As explained by Reunites Holly Whatsize, Leicester is largest city outside of London where child abductions in these circumstances takes place, with 22 new cases in Leicester this year alone. Holly added: “We take on average 500 to 600 new cases each year”. Chris Gatfield of the Dove Cottage Day Hospice, who provide day care respite for those suffering from terminal illnesses was presented with a donation of £6,800 to help support over 100 families a week who are suffering from cancer and other long term conditions throughout North West Leicestershire and Rutland. Members of St Simon & St Jude Lodge No.8279 who meet at the Masonic Hall in Hinckley were pleased to join with the Masonic Charitable Foundation in presenting cheques totalling £5,800 to the Air Ambulance. Brian Moore from the Air Ambulance Service said: “the children’s helicopters transfer sick children from one hospital to another who specialises in that particular case”, he added: “the helicopters use fuel at a rate of £1 per mile”, to which these donations will greatly assist. In closing the presentation service, the Lord Mayor said: “on behalf of the City of Leicester, I would like to thank the Freemasons’ for supporting all of the amazing charities here today”. The Provincial Grand Master, David Hagger summarised by thanking the Lord Mayor, all of the charities present, and those Freemasons’ involved in the fund raising efforts.

The annual summer garden party hosted by the Grey Friars Lodge No.6803 was this year held on the 29th September at the brand new Lions RFU in Blaby, where visitors were treated to entertainment and food from the early afternoon to late into the evening. The event is designed to cater for all, which this year included raffles, tombola’s, interactive games and live music being performed throughout the day. Over 130 people attended, helping to raise money whilst having a great time. The event committee, consisting of W.Bro. George Elliott, W.Bro. Tim Chapman, W.Bro. Geoff Griessel-Brown, and Bro. Kwoklyn Wan had their work cut out in topping the success of last year, where £1,000 was raised. To their delight, adding up all of the day’s generosity resulted in a fantastic £2,000 being raised in aid of the Leicestershire & Rutland 2022 Festival, supporting the full range of grants and services provided by the Masonic Charitable Foundation to local charities. The cheque for £2,000 was presented to the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, V.W.Bro. Peter Kinder by W.Bro. Neil Davison and W.Bro. George Elliott. The Leicestershire & Rutland 2022 Festival is striving to reach the fundraising target of £1.8 million during the five-year Festival Appeal. The Chairman of the 2022 Festival, W.Bro. Dale Page said: “What a fantastic effort by all of the brethren at Grey Friars Lodge, with enthusiasm and support such as this, our target of £1.8m is within reach”

During early autumn of 2018, 10 Freemasons from Leicestershire & Rutland completed a gruelling 150 cycle ride around the two counties in efforts to raise money for Rainbows Children’s Hospice and the Masonic Charitable Foundation. Building on the success of last year’s charity cycle ride, the team turned their efforts to cycling over 75 miles a day for two days to raise money for these worthy causes. The majority of the riders visited all eleven Masonic Centres in the Province over two days, however three of the riders decided to challenge themselves even more and visit every centre on one day and completed the 150 mile ride at an average of 16mph, a tremendous effort by the three concerned. W.Bro. Lindsay Taylor-Haynes from Roundhill Lodge No.8639, commented “it was one of the longest cycle rides I have ever done, I enjoyed the challenge and delighted to help raise funds for such worthwhile causes” The remaining eight riders set off on the Saturday morning at a more measured pace over two consecutive days, being waved off from Freemasons’ Hall in Leicester by the Provincial Grand Master R.W.Bro. David Hagger, Helen Lee-Smith from Rainbows, and many friends and family members. The route for the first day took in the Masonic centres in Loughborough, Ashby, Coalville, Hinckley and Lutterworth, returning to Leicester for the overnight stop. The following day the riders headed to the eastern side of the county, stopping at Market Harborough, Uppingham, Oakham, Melton Mowbray, and Syston before the final push back to Leicester. The ride all went to plan, without punctures or mechanical issues at all, and were greeted back at Freemasons’ Hall by the Assistant Provincial Grand Master V.W.Bro Peter Kinder, family, and friends. Ride organiser W.Bro. Simon Oldfield from Wyggeston Lodge No.3448 said “We were delighted to have had such a fun time, for many of us it is a personal fitness challenge, riding with friends, and supporting each other, and fund raising at the same time, which is what Freemasonry is all about.” The Provincial Grand Master, R.W.Bro. David Hagger said: “We are all extremely proud of all of the riders for the efforts put in to raise such an incredible amount of money for worthy causes”

During the first year, over 500 bronze oak leaves with personal inscriptions have been purchased from the Bradgate Park Trust and installed on distinctive feature wooden oak pillars within the Memorial Wood. This represents a net income for the charity of over £70,000. The Memorial Wood at Bradgate Park, funded by the Leicestershire and Rutland Freemasons to celebrate their 300th anniversary, and Leicestershire County Council , was officially opened by the Pro Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England, Peter Lowndes on the 5th October 2017. Since then, the wood has settled down nicely after its opening, and the Bradgate Park volunteers ensure that it continues to look its best. Peter Tyldesley, Director of the Bradgate Part Trust said: “We are delighted by the public reaction to the Memorial Wood, which has become an attractive, peaceful and dignified place of remembrance and reflection.” He continued: “The Memorial Wood has been successful beyond our wildest expectations and we are already planning an extension. The Trust is extremely grateful to all those who have purchased leaves and to the Leicestershire and Rutland Freemasons for their support in enabling us to make it a reality.” The Provincial Grand Master of Leicestershire and Rutland, David Hagger said: “Freemasonry has always been part of the local community and we are thrilled to leave a lasting legacy for the people of Leicestershire and Rutland as part of our 300th anniversary celebrations.”

Rod set out on his epic journey across the Pennine Trail on the east coast at Hornsea, to Southport on the west coast. The journey took both Rod and his son four days over several weekends to complete the route, leading down to Hull then on to Barnsley and the base of the Pennines at Dunsford Bridge. En route the duo encountered various problems brought on by the weather and the terrain, and being far from any repair shop, improvisation was the name of the game as rocks and a small pair of pliers saved the day in straightening a damaged chain wheel. Other problems included loose bearings and pedals as well as punctures. At one point whilst crossing the Woodhead, the trail was so rough parts of the bikes were shaking loose, and when the improvisation didn’t work, a friendly local stepped in to lend a hand and a spanner to assist, as well as a donation to add to the total. The trail was well signposted, with only a few wrong turns, after 32 hours of cycling the pair safely made it to the finish line and a well-deserved rest. Pictured: W. Bro. Rod Harpham presenting the cheque for £1,000.00 to the Master of the Howe and Charnwood Lodge No.1007 W. Bro. Rodger Kenning.

On the 6th September 2018, members of the Morley Lodge No.8320 along with the Provincial Grand Master R.W. Bro. David Hagger and his Provincial Officers gathered at Freemasons’ Hall, Leicester, to celebrate 50 years since the dedication of the Morley Lodge Room. The Morley Lodge Room was on this evening the focus of attention as it was 50 years since the Lodge room was opened as part of the new extension to Freemasons’ Hall in Leicester by the then Provincial Grand Master, R.W.Bro. Brigadier C. Bernard S. Morley. It was also a celebration for one family within the Lodge, as Bro. Alexander Mattock, the fourth brother within the Mattock family to join Morley Lodge was passed to the degree of a Fellowcraft. Before the evening was over, W.Bro. David Hughes, the Provincial Grand Orator delivered in expert fashion a lecture on R.W.Bro. Brigadier Morley to an enthralled audience. “Bernard Morley served King and Country in both World Wars in an active capacity that gives him a special record of honour in local masonic circles. Born in 1899, he took his first forename from his father who was a hosiery manager, and his third from his Mother's maiden name. In 1901 the Morley family lived on the Evington Road in Leicester. Young Bernard was educated at Mill Hill and Wyggeston Schools. During the First World War he was commissioned as a Lieutenant into the London Scottish Regiment of the Corps of the Gordon Highlanders, while he maintained his military connection by joining the Territorial Army in 1926 taking a commission in the 4th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment. He was promoted to Captain in 1931, and later transferred to the Royal Artillery, though serving some short time with the Royal Engineers. With the outbreak of the Second World War he was rapidly promoted from Major, a rank he had achieved in 1937, to Lieutenant-Colonel, Colonel, in 1941, and temporary Brigadier in 1944. He was temporarily attached to the War Office in 1941 which may well have marked him out for further promotion. His rise in rank corresponded to the massive expansion of the armed forces during the war time years. Temporary promotions were common at the time. For a while he was the commander of the 64th AA Brigade which was part of the 2nd AA Division. He continued after the war as commander of the local Territorial Brigade, and though substantively a Colonel, he was given the honorary rank of Brigadier in 1945. The distinction between substantive and honorary rank is basically financial. The holder of an honorary rank does not receive the same pay and pension benefits as the holder of an equivalent substantive rank. One would guess that Bernard Morley rightly prized the honour more than the mere financial reward.   He received the Territorial Distinction in 1942, The CBE in 1944 and was an Aide de Camp to the Monarch between 1947 and 1956. He was Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire from 1950 and finally retired from military Service in 1957. So far as the local business community is concerned, Bernard Morley was prominent in one of Leicester's principal industries, textiles and clothing. He set up his own company as a Yarn Agent shortly after the end of the First World War, a considerable achievement for a young man. He continued in this occupation for many years, and was listed in a Trades Directory for the City of Leicester of 1954 as Bernard Morley and Co., having premises at No.97 London Road, which is now largely occupied by Topkapi Interiors, and which was certainly most conveniently situated for our Hall! He later became in 1956 Chairman of the Derby and Midland Mills. This company, which was primarily, though not exclusively, based in Derby and Ashbourne was brought into being in 1935 to amalgamate a number of smaller undertakings. It produced knitted fabrics, dyed textiles, worsted cloths and ladies` hosiery. The Company was taken over by Courtaulds in 1965 for a sum of £2m. Bernard Morley was prominent in local charities, particularly the local branch of the British Limbless Ex Service Men`s Association, and also in local politics in the Conservative cause being elected to Leicester City Council in 1945, becoming an Alderman in 1948 and serving until 1955. He was a Freeman of the City of London and was a PM of the Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters, as were so many other prominent Leicester industrialists. He was also prominent in the affairs of the Diocese of Leicester, as a member of the Diocesan Board of Finance. He was active in the local Chamber of Commerce and from 1958 he was a member of the Regional Committee for Resettlement of Regular Members of the Armed Forces. However, tonight we pay special attention to Bernard Morley's masonic career which began in 1926 when he was initiated into Lodge Semper Eadem. He went on record later stating that his First Degree Ceremony was one for which he was not well prepared outside the door of the Lodge and that less than happy experience determined him to pursue high standards of ritual. He became WM of the Lodge in 1938, and the length of time it took him to reach the chair formed the basis of much of his thinking with regard to progression and the promotion of new lodges in the Province. He became DC of Lodge Semper Eadem in 1945 and held that office until 1954, while he was also a member of the Lodge of Research serving as WM in 1961. Between 1961 and 1977 he published extensively in the “Transactions” of the Lodge of Research, primarily in the form of addresses given at Lodge Consecrations and Building Dedications. Throughout the late 1940s and into the 1950`s he was very active at the Provincial level, having been made Provincial Grand Registrar in 1946, later serving as Deputy Provincial Grand Treasurer and Provincial Grand Treasurer until 1954. At this time he was especially active in using his military connections to secure the return of our Hall to Masonic use following its wartime requisition by the army. He was promoted to Grand Rank in 1953 and became Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden and Deputy Provincial Grand Master in 1954. He then succeeded Sir John Corah as PGM in 1959. That appointment began the period of his masonic life for which he is now most remembered. Bernard Morley favoured the growth of small lodges in which the advance to the Chair was measured in just a few years, as he saw this as the best way to ensure that brethren retained their enthusiasm for the Craft and also to maintain the vigour of the Province. Indeed in 1959 he expressly declared: “Keep your Lodge small!” During his period of office the number of lodges in the Province rose from thirty nine to sixty seven, while he was an honorary member of forty six! The increased number of lodges also allowed him under the Rules of the Book of Constitutions to appoint for the first time locally an Assistant Provincial Grand Master. He toiled long and hard for the extension to our Hall here on London Road, for which he raised the funds to buy the land on which the Morley Extension now stands, and which we celebrate tonight, some fifty years on from its completion and dedication. Perhaps in this connection he only made one mistake in that he sold off the double fronted house on the corner of Prebend Street, but that may well have been because the money was need to complete the larger project. Certainly without Bernard Morley's efforts we would not have our present car park. He also assisted at the laying of the foundation stone of Devonshire Court in Oadby, another proud achievement for the Province. As PGM he was assiduous in issuing ceremonial instructions to Lodges, in particular with regard to the suppression of music in some lodges which had been condemned by UGLE in the 1960s and 1970s on the basis that masonic ceremonies were becoming too close in pattern to Anglican religious services. It should also be noted that he attempted to suppress the singing of carols at Christmas lodge meetings—but he was less than successful in that respect! I think it can be said that nowadays here at London Road only Prince Rupert Lodge still enjoys its December meeting's Festive Board without seasonal music—for which the Lodge Organist is duly thankful! Bernard Morley was, however, a stickler for protocol, and it is said that when he and his DPGM between 1959 and 1975, WG Fox, met in a morning to discuss Provincial business their conversation began by reflecting their wartime ranks: “Good Morning, Colonel, Good Morning, Brigadier.” You will note that “the Brig” spake first as in those days it was always the case that the most senior mason present always opened the dialogue. Bernard Morley stepped down as PGM in 1978, and died in 1981. His death was reported as a sad loss to Leicestershire, and was, of course a particularly heavy blow to our Province. Few men in its history have done more to shape freemasonry locally, and the great legacy that Bernard Morley left behind is vigorous today in the lodges founded in his time of office, all of which survive, and in this building which is truly a jewel in the masonic crown.” The meeting was concluded as the Provincial Grand Master stood to deliver “The Oration” given by the Provincial Grand Chaplain at the Dedication Ceremony.

Thousands of people who have had their lives devastated by the deadly earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia will be given urgently needed shelter and clean water, thanks to a grant from the Freemasons. The £70,000 grant will be split evenly between Plan International UK and the Red Cross. Plan will be able to provide shelter kits to 593 families (2,610 people), while the Red Cross will be helping 160,000 people with safe water and improved sanitation. The current death toll stands at more than 2,000, with over 5,000 people listed as missing. As many as 1.5 million have been affected, with many having lost homes and many more living without power, clean water or medical provision. The grant comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales. David Hagger, Provincial Grand Master of Leicestershire & Rutland Freemasons', said: “This is a terrible time for the people of Indonesia, and I am very pleased that the Masonic community have been able to move fast and provide Plan International and the Red Cross with funds to provide life-saving shelter and clean water to many thousands of people in need.” Alan Gosschalk, Fundraising Director of Plan International UK, said: “We are incredibly grateful to the Freemasons for providing this grant to help those whose lives have been turned upside down by the earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia. “People urgently need clean water, shelter and food and our team is responding by distributing shelter kits, blankets and tarpaulins to the affected communities.” Ben Webster, British Red Cross Head of Emergencies, said: I would like to thank the Freemasons for their generous grant of £35,000 to the Indonesian Earthquake and Tsunami Appeal, which will go towards helping 160,000 people with safe water, improved sanitation and hygiene kits alongside other essential aspects of the Red Cross response”.

A mysterious marble table adorned with Masonic symbols is part of the antiques shown and discussed in the latest series of BBC’s Antiques Roadshow which will be screened on Sunday 30th September 2018 at 8pm. Back in June last year, the Roadshow experts invited the Chairman of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Leicestershire and Rutland Library and Museum, W.Bro. Donald Peacock, to take the Masonic table to the Abbey Pumping Station in Leicester where filming was taking place. The table was purchased for just over £1,000.00 from a local auction in Leicestershire. Long-standing Roadshow expert Christopher Payne, a fine art consultant specialising in furniture, asked W.Bro. Don to explain some of the Masonic significance of the symbols in the table before he gave it his full opinion. Christopher felt that the underneath of the table was perhaps not as worn as he would have imagined for a 19th Century piece and the wooden stand had an Indian feel about it. He guessed that it might be only 40 years old. It was previously thought, that its roots may lie in the Pietre Dure tradition which had been imported into Malta from the Italian mainland by the Knights of St John. It seems the Knights of Malta used octagonal tables for some of their meetings and our marble table continues that tradition by being some form of tracing board or other instructional device. Don Peacock said: With this further assessment by the Antiques Roadshow experts, it still leaves us with the big questions, if the table is Indian – where did the original design come from? How did our table find its way to the East Midlands? He continued: “Of course, we have to remember that marble top and wooden base are not necessarily of the same origin. The hunt is still on!” The value? Well you’ll just have to watch the episode to find out.