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Leicestershire & Rutland Freemasons embarked on a five-year mission to raise £1.8m for local charities and good causes as part of their 2022 Festival. Since 2017 members from around the two counties have been digging deep to find innovative and spectacular ways of raising money in order reach their challenging target. These efforts included sponsored cycle rides and walks, summer fetes and raffles, hill climbing and sky diving, and sportsman’s dinners featuring Brian Moore, Phil Tufnell and Kevin Keegan. If the target was not challenging enough, the lockdown period we all found ourselves in made it even more difficult to get out and about in the aid of charity. The Festival committee took the decision to continue with the fundraising efforts and not ask for an adjustment or extension of the target. The culmination of this fundraising period was a gathering of Freemasons and their partners at the Leicester Tigers ground on Welford Road, where an evening of entertainment followed the reveal of the grand total achieved. To assist with the celebrations, the United Grand Lodge of England was represented by the Assistant Grand Master R.W.Bro. Sir David Wootton, and members of the Masonic Charitable Foundation led by Les Hutchinson. Dale Page in his capacity as chairman of the 2022 Festival was keen to thank all members who had taken on the challenge, as well as the other members of the fundraising committee, namely W.Bro’s. Phil Caswell, Simon Oldfield, Andy Green, Richard Barnett, Freddie Harris, Steve Skidmore, Ian Nesbitt, John Peberdy, Mark Pierpoint, and Rick Morris as well as the Provincial Grand Master R.W.Bro. Peter Kinder. The guest for the evening, R.W.Bro. Sir David Wootton oversaw revealing the grand total raised, as onlookers waited to see if the target of £1.8m had been achieved. The big screen on the stage revealed the final amount raised to be a fantastic £2,022,000 which was accompanied by fireworks and music. The Provincial Grand Master of Leicestershire & Rutland Peter Kinder said “I would like to thank Dale and his committee for all their hard work over the last few years to raise an amazing amount of money for local charities and good causes. I would also like to thank all of the Freemasons from around the county who have given up their time to take to their bikes, to the hills, and to the skies in the aid of charity”

In this article W. Bro. Don Peacock interviews W. Bro. Aubrey Newman, one of the leading Masonic Historians of our time and of course a prominent member of the Province of Leicestershire and Rutland. We commence with the citation issued by Grand Lodge in 2017, which gives some of the background to Aubrey’s career. QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION 13 SEPTEMBER 2017 ORDER OF SERVICE TO MASONRY CITATION FOR W BRO PROFESSOR AUBREY NORRIS NEWMAN, PJGD Bro Aubrey Newman was made a mason in December 1967, just after his 40th birthday, in John of Gaunt Lodge No. 523, in Leicester, serving as its Master in 1981 (and again in 2000, after putting in a five year stint as Secretary from 1994 to 1999). In 1984 he joined Lodge of Research No. 2429, also in Leicester, becoming its Master in 1996. In 1990 he became a member of Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076, the Premier Lodge of Masonic Research, and was its Master in 1998. He was exalted into the Royal Arch in St. Martin’s Chapter No. 3431 in 1984, becoming its First Principal in 1990. He is a Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden, as well as a Past Provincial Grand Scribe N, of Leicestershire and Rutland. In 2004 he received the rank of Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies, and in 2016 was promoted to Past Junior Grand Deacon. As a lecturer, and in due course Professor, in History at the University of Leicester, Bro Newman has had a distinguished academic career and is now an Emeritus Professor of the University. His particular specialities are the Eighteenth Century and British Jewish History up to the present day, in which connection he is a Vice-President (and former President) of the Jewish Historical Society of England. In 1990 he founded what is now the Stanley Burton Centre for Holocaust Studies at Leicester – the oldest holocaust research centre at a British University – of which he remains as Honorary Associate Director. He has the additional distinction of having the annual Aubrey Newman Lecture, instituted in 2006, named after him. As might be expected from his background, Bro Newman’s outstanding contribution to Freemasonry has been in the area of masonic research, covering such diverse matters as the history of the Provinces, and Jews in English Freemasonry. He was Prestonian Lecturer in 2003 (The contribution of the Provinces to the development of English Freemasonry) and for over ten years has chaired the Editorial Committee of Quatuor Coronati Lodge. Most recently, he was the joint organiser of the highly successful Tercentenary Conference in Queens’ College, Cambridge in September 2016, the proceedings at which have recently been published in a volume (running to over 700 pages) Reflections on 300 Years of Freemasonry. Though he is now in his ninetieth year, his researches continue. Bro. Don - Bro. Aubrey, you and I have collaborated on a number of projects including the History of our Province and you have told me some of your own personal history but I am sure there is much more you could tell us. Firstly, Bro. Aubrey could you tell us a little about your formative years and what influences directed you to an academic career as an historian? I suppose that I took it for granted that I would go to University; my parents wanted me to read Medicine but I dislike blood and in Scottish Universities the course for the first two years included detailed practical anatomy. And when I was due to graduate I had the option – of doing my military service or going on immediately to Oxford. I decided to do my national service first and once I had started Oxford I just continued reading History. At Oxford there was a gap of time between the end of the exam period and the viva examination. I decided to kill time by sitting for the Civil Service entrance. There were two parts to that – up to 1,000 marks for the written exam and three hundred for the intensive interviews.. I discovered later that I had 700 plus for the written exams but less than 70 out of 300 for the interviews. They obviously decided that I was NOT Civil Service material. I don’t think that there was anyone else who had such a wide difference between the two elements of the exam. After that, there was not very much I could do with a History degree but teach, preferably in a University. There were no jobs being advertised for four years but eventually I got Leicester, where I have been since 1959. Secondly, you are renowned as a Historian specializing in the Holocaust and you have lectured extensively on this subject as well as being Emeritus Professor at the Holocaust Centre at Leicester University. Would you like to tell us more about this and how your own researches were influenced by events that happened in your family circle? Holocaust came by accident. I was originally a specialist in 18th century political history, prepared however to teach anything from 1500 to the present time. But sometime in the late 60s the then Chief Rabbi visited Leicester; I was introduced to him as Dr Newman. When he realized that I was not a mere medic but an academic I was summoned back to the presence and told that a training college for Ministers had just lost its resident historian; he instructed me that I had to come down to London and teach there one afternoon a week on Modern Jewish History. When I said that I knew nothing about it he told me that I could always read it up in advance!! A little later the University started to modify its syllabus and I was asked to lay on a course in modern Jewish history for its (largely non-Jewish) students. Later on, in the early 80s I was invited to spend a semester in an American University teaching a course on the Holocaust. Accordingly when I came back to Leicester I was asked to create a special course on The Holocaust. But I have never claimed to be an expert on that subject nor to have conducted research on it. I merely liked teaching and the class proved to be popular. But so far as I and my family are concerned my father came to this country when he was a child, and if any of my family perished in the Holocaust I have no knowledge of it. Could you tell us about your interest in Freemasonry and how you came to join the Order? My father was a Freemason in Glasgow, Montefiore Lodge, and served for many years as its Treasurer. But my mother was reluctant about becoming the principal guest at the Lodge Ladies’ Night, so that my father never had the opportunity of becoming Worshipful Master. But he did become quite prominent, and when the Grand Lodge of Israel was founded under the auspices of the Grand Lodge of Scotland in 1953 he was included in the delegation from Glasgow, and presented the new Grand Lodge its official Volume of the Sacred Law. By this time I was living away from home and never had the opportunity - or even desire – to join his Lodge. But the year before I came to Leicester I was teaching part time at Nottingham University and learnt of the problems they were having in establishing a University Lodge there. But I never took seriously the possibility of becoming a Freemason myself until I met various persons in Leicester who were in the Craft. Their example led me to consider it, but I decided not to start the process until I was properly established in my career in the University and no longer on one-year contracts. At that stage it transpired there was a waiting list for initiation; my sponsors were members of John of Gaunt Lodge, but it was not until I was 40, in 1967, that I was eventually initiated. As I have already indicated, it was on that night that I realized a link between my academic interest – the politics of Eighteenth-century Britain - and my Freemasonry. Over the years I also increasingly became interested in the founder of John of Gaunt Lodge, William Kelly, but my first opportunity of Masonic Research came when I was invited to deliver a lecture to the Loughborough Lodge of Installed Masters on ‘Fit and Proper Persons’, the subject being individuals who became Freemasons in the eighteenth century. It was this which led to an invitation to deliver a version of that lecture to the Leicester Lodge of Research and indeed also to an invitation from the then secretary of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge, Revd. Neville Barker Cryer. What particular Masonic subjects are of interest to you as an historian? You have specialized a lot on the career of William Kelly a Past PGM of our Province and used that research to write many interesting papers that have told us more about him as a person and a Freemason. Can you sum up your appreciation of him as a PGM and leader of other Degrees in our Province? I am interested in why individuals became Freemasons. It is, I think, linked with social status. Certainly the difference between the so-called Moderns and Antients in the 18th and very early 19th century is so linked. And the arguments during the nineteenth century over Provincial Grand Masters are equally linked to social background and status. In that context William Kelly sticks out from his social origins and his own obvious ambition. He clearly had inspired great affection in the Province, as shown not only in the way he secured his appointment as Provincial Grand Master in the Mark Degree but also in the way in which Lord Zetland had no alternative but to appoint him Provincial Grand Master in the Craft. His continuing involvement with, and over, all the degrees which subsequently appeared in Leicester testifies to the way in he dominated Masonry. In looking at the range of Grand Officers during the last quarter of the century I am sure that there was no one like him. You have deservedly had many honours in the Craft and the most recent was the award of the Order of Service to Masonry (OSM). This is a very rare award and must have given you great satisfaction. It is a very great honour indeed, but there is an even greater aspect of it. I gather that each jewel, which has to be returned eventually to Great Queen Street, is tailored to each recipient, and that the particular jewel which I wear, previously was worn By W Bro F. Smyth, a very noted Masonic historian. Wearing this particular jewel is indeed a very great honour, over and above that of being admitted to a very select group. The citation suggests that it has been my work as a Masonic historian which has led to this honour, and indeed I am very proud of the contribution I have been able to make to an understanding of Masonry within the framework of English society. I was recently also lucky to have had a volume of my collected Masonic papers published by Lewis Masonic. This gives me great pleasure because it is evidence of my overall desire to spread more widely an understanding of our Masonic history. Many years ago my father gave me a warning not to allow my Freemasonry to take over too much of my academic life. Instead of that happening I have been able to combine both of these aspects of my life into one long career. And I have even been able to combine that with a tribute to my father. As I indicated earlier, my father had the honour of helping to represent Scotland at the foundation of the Grand Lodge of Israel. Fifty years later I was invited by that Grand Lodge, as part of its Fiftieth celebrations, to deliver my Prestonian Lecture at a special meeting of the Israeli Lodge Montefiore. All the visiting Grand Masters were invited by the Grand Lodge of Israel to be present, even though the subject was the relationship between English Freemasonry and the English Provinces, and even though some of them did not speak English. I suspect that I had the opportunity of sending more Grand Masters to sleep at the one time than anyone else has ever done. At the meeting of the Grand Lodge of Israel next day the Grand Master presented a special jewel to all those who had been present at the foundation ceremonies. Suddenly I realised that my name was being called out; I was being given one of those medals to add to the medal which my father had been given and which I had inherited. I now have them on the same ribbon, and on my now infrequent visits to Lodge Montefiore it gives me great pride to wear those two jewels, a tribute to my father as well as to my own career. In addition to having been awarded the Grand Master’s Order of Service to Masonry I have been very fortunate in two other fields. Some nineteen years ago I was asked by Joh Hamill, a very distinguished Masonic historian as well as ‘high up’ in the Grand Lodge hierarchy how I would react to an invitation to deliver a Prestonian Lecture, and if so what my theme would be. I was surprised at the suggestion but offered a paper on the part played by The Province in the overall structure of English Freemasonry. The title seemed satisfactory but I heard no more for two years when I was informed of my appointment. In the course of my delivery of the lecture I visited a number of Provincial Grand Lodges, including the most senior Provincial Grand Lodge, that of Cheshire, as well as leading Masonic centres all over the country. I believe that it was this appointment which eventually led to my being given Grand Rank, since, as I was frequently told, it did not come from a Leicestershire recommendation. My interest in one Provincial figure in particular, William Kelly, led to my being invited to deliver a lecture to Mark Grand Stewards Lodge on Kelly and the way in which he ‘invented’ a Mark Province, that of Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Northamptonshire, and Rutland. Further researches in the papers of William Kelly and the early history of the Mark Degree led to my invited to deliver a second lecture to Mark Grand Stewards. These researches in Mark Masonic history led to an almost unique event, my being awarded Mark Grand Rank and being invested ‘in the field’ after a lecture I delivered in Leicester at my Mark Lodge’s Sesquicentennial meeting. My aim has always been to explain Freemasonry to as wide a range of Freemasons as I can. Freemasonry has always flourished through the activities of the ordinary Freemason. His initiation, his membership, his interest in Freemasonry has made Freemasonry flourish, and if I have introduced individual Freemasons to a deeper understanding of our beloved institution then I can feel that I have truly earned the honours I have received; if I can get the Freemasons of Leicestershire and Rutland to appreciate the significance of the inheritance they have received from past Freemasons living in Leicestershire and Rutland – including its fine Masonic Hall – then I will feel that my original commitment has been amply fulfilled. Well, that is a really fascinating and interesting story and I thank you Aubrey for sharing it with the members of this Province and the Craft at large. If you want to share more masonic thoughts with Aubrey, why not read his book Some Masonic Musings, his collected Masonic writings?

On Friday 3rd June 2022, the residents, staff and guests of Devonshire Court, an RMBI care home to the south of Leicester, were delighted to welcome the Provincial Grand Master of Leicestershire and Rutland, R.W.Bro Peter Kinder, and members of the Provincial Grand Lodge to witness the ceremonial planting of a tree to commemorate HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Pictured left to right: Peter Kinder, Juliet O'Connor Accompanied by the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies W.Bro Geoff Searson and W.Bro David Highton the Provincial Grand Almoner, the PGM took great delight in laying the final spade of soil under a crimson Acer “Norway Maple” tree. Juliet O’Connor, Devonshire Court Home Manager, thanked the Leicestershire and Rutland Freemasons for their continued support and for the PGM for his continued support and for coming to plant the tree personally. After the official ceremonial planting, the residents, staff, and guests were all invited to an informal gathering where tea and cakes were served to all volunteers and staff. Fee Collins, Activity Co-ordinator, who organised the Platinum Jubilee event was responsible for organising the day as well as the ongoing daily activities and events to engage and entertain the residents. Still following strict COVID-19 guidance, everyone respectfully wore a facemask after having their temperature taken, indicative of the outstanding care that the staff give to the residents to maintain their health and well-being. Juliet O’Connor spoke about how important it was that the province marked the Platinum Jubilee alongside the masonic community with the presence of the PGM. She mentioned that the recent two and half years had been very tough for the staff and residents of the home. Having had COVID-19 herself, which involved time in intensive care, Juliet spoke of how proud she is of the team at Devonshire Court who showed great commitment being onsite day in and day out. She further noted that it had been a “scary” time for all but working together – staff and residents as one team – they have been able to move forward together and become stronger for it. The residents knew with confidence that their staff would be there for them every day. Juliet has supported her team admirably over the past couple of years and understands the importance of such an event to lift the spirits of residents and staff. Speaking after the ceremony, R.W.Bro Peter Kinder spoke about how honoured he was to be asked to perform the tree planting on behalf of the Freemasons. Mentioning how important Devonshire Court is, he reflected on the connection Devonshire Court has with royalty, from its opening in 1966 by HM Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother through to now celebrating the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. He was proud to be present along with so many other Freemasons who attended the event, continuing the link Freemasons have with the care home in the heart of the country. He commended the effort and work that the staff have devoted to the home over the past few years, with residents commenting on the high quality of care they receive and how staff make Devonshire Court feel like a ‘home from home’. The home has been the beneficiary of donations from the Masonic Charitable Foundation as well as a number of kind donations from members who are no longer with us. A wonderful example of the donations has been the work put into the decoration and homely feel of the care home. From the “Fred Lifford Lounge” and corridors, a rejuvenated restaurant called The Restaurant on The Square, beautifully set out every mealtime to an onsite hairdresser and nail bar. During the most challenging of COVID times, the talented team were able to offer much-needed haircuts to the residents giving residents dignity as well as a “touch of glam” when visiting hairdressers were not permitted in the care home. Such a variety of real-life experiences helps the residents enjoy their days, offers opportunities to connect with other residents and gives valuable structure to their days. There is even a cinema with a popcorn machine and even a bar for those regular “social” get-togethers! It is clear that the financial support given to the home has been used to enhance and enrich the experience for the residents through person-centred care. Residents are asked about what bespoke trips and experiences they would like to do such as trips to the zoo, places of local and national interest, as well as celebrating a friendship that has lasted 55 years. It is clear that staff have strong and positive relationships with all residents, they understand their personal interests, needs and care. Bethan Thomas, the Resource Planner for the home, talked about the impact that the Freemasons in the province have on the home and the residents themselves. Along with Juliet leading the team, her hard work and commitment are evident in ensuring staff are available, rooms are fully equipped, and appropriate resources are purchased. The enthusiasm of the staff to make Devonshire Court an outstanding care home, shines through with warmth and pride, mirroring the ongoing charitable support and commitment of the Leicestershire and Rutland Freemasons.

Thousands of Ukrainian refugees as well as displaced people still inside Ukraine will be given help and support, thanks to half a million pounds raised by Leicestershire & Rutland Freemasons and other Provinces across England and Wales The money is being directed to charities working on the ground in Ukraine, as well as organisations helping refugees in neighbouring countries including Poland, Moldova, Romania, and in the UK. The £500,000 was raised in less than three weeks and the total is still growing as Freemasons continue to dig deep to help the refugees. The war in Ukraine has created by far the largest refugee crisis in Europe since the Second World War, and more people are fleeing Ukraine for countries to the west every day. The chosen charities, each of which will receive £100,000, are: The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) – which could help set up a ‘Blue Dot Hub’ to provide a safe space for up to 5,000 children and families on the move every day. Blue Dot Hubs offer critical services such as child-friendly spaces, mother and baby facilities and crucial family reunification support. Plan International UK – which could help set up 55 temporary learning spaces in Poland, Moldova and Romania, so children can learn and play in a safe space away from the war. The Refugee Council – which could help to fund two full-time therapists to provide specialist therapy for hundreds of traumatised refugees. British Red Cross – to fund work with hundreds of Ukrainian refugees in the UK to help them overcome loneliness and isolation and to offer other practical support to help ease them into life in Britain. UK for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency – which could help provide essential repairs to severely damaged homes in Ukraine that have been damaged by shelling and conflict. Local Freemasons contributed to the grant through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales. Peter Kinder from Leicestershire & Rutland Freemasons, said: “Freemasons have an outstanding record helping those in need in this country and around the world, but this huge sum to support Ukrainian refugees was raised in record time. I’m very proud that Leicestershire & Rutland Freemasons have been able to play such an important part in this essential work.” Pictured: A Red Cross medic in Poland helping a family newly arrived from Ukraine

Ever since the very first idea to form a Special Interest Lodge for Rugby enthusiasts, the passion and drive of the core team known as “the Tight Six” has continued unabated. Battling through the pandemic and the disappointment of cancelled dates, the Founding Members finally realised their dream on the 2nd of April 2022, as the consecration took place at Freemasons’ Hall Leicester. After many late evenings preparing and rehearsing, on Saturday 2nd April 2022 the Hall began to buzz with anticipation from 8am. With over two hundred members expected at the consecration, the consecrating team and lodge officers who were to be installed took in a few last-minute rehearsals as the visitors poured through the doors. By 10am the Oliver Lodge room was close to being full as the consecrating team, led by the Provincial Grand Master, Peter Kinder, gathered to begin the proceedings. The consecration of a new lodge is a wonderful ceremony, with many in attendance who had not witnessed such an event before. They carried out their duties impeccably, culminating in the presentation of Founders Jewel’s prior to the new lodge being handed over to the members to hold their very first installation. The term given to the very first Master of a lodge is “Primus Master”, which on this occasion was the honour of Daniel Quelch of the Rothley Temple Lodge No.7801. Daniel was installed as the Primus Master of the Union of Rugby Lodge by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Brian Carruthers, after which Daniel proceeded to install his very first team of officers. The Senior Warden and fellow member of the Light Blues Rugby Football Club is Andrew “Jock” Keenan (Enderby Lodge No.5061), and the office of Junior Warden was bestowed upon Paul Cave of The Holmes Lodge No.4656. After the meeting, a Festive Board was prepared for over two-hundred Freemasons, with drinks and laughter for anyone who wished to stay afterwards. The Primus Master Daniel Quelch said, “After so much planning and preparation it is such a relief to see the lodge finally consecrated. Although saddened by the absence of several key members of the founding team, including Bob Reay, Greg Viviers, and Michael Foster, I would like to thank all the team for their hard work and dedication over the last few years to make the dream of a Rugby Lodge come true.”

The Lodge of Research No.2429 regular meeting on 28th March 2022 hosted a special guest to present an enthralling topic all about the Victoria Cross. The Lodge room was nearly full as members of the lodge, members of the correspondence circle and other Freemasons took their seats on a warm March evening. Introduced on 29th January 1856 by Queen Victoria to honour acts of valour during the Crimean War, the Victoria Cross is the highest and most prestigious award of the British honours system. It is awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the British Armed Forces. It may be awarded posthumously. It may be awarded to a person of any military rank in any service and to civilians under military command although no civilian has received the award since 1879. The guest speaker for the evening was Mark Smith, a military museum curator and specialist in military medals. He started collecting British medals in 1969 and owns an extensive private collection that he has amassed over the years; he started dealing in Militaria in 1983 in Islington, London - a hobby which has become a life-long passion. He is a well-known expert on the Victoria Cross, but flying clothing and RAF log books are also his specialist areas. Mark’s notable appearances on Antiques Roadshow include valuing a large collection of World War One German memorabilia at Walthamstow town hall and a toy panda mascot that flew on the famous “Dambusters Raid” in 1943 when the Roadshow visited RAF Coningsby. Mark was joined Loughton Lodge No. 8455 in June 2002 and became Master in 2012. First appointed to Essex Provincial Grand Lodge in 2017 he is currently Provincial Grand Orator, a position he has held for five years. He was appointed as Assistant Grand Sword Bearer in Grand Lodge in 2020. Further information on the Lodge of Research can be found on their website: www.research2429.org.uk Pictured Left to Right: R.W.Bro. Michael Wilson, W.Bro. Mark Smith, W.Bro. David Crocker, W.Bro. Jonathan Varley, W.Bro. Andy Green

Thousands of Ukrainian refugees will be given help and support from Freemasons in England and Wales, following a £50,000 grant to the British Red Cross. The Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF, the Freemasons’ Charity) and the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) have been monitoring the growing refugee crisis of over 500,000 Ukrainian people who have been forced from their country or been internally displaced from their homes. We are seeking to identify the most critical needs and we are pleased to be able to support and work with the British Red Cross in helping the growing number of refugees. Many Freemasons have contacted the MCF and UGLE to ask how they can offer further support in addition to this grant. We have therefore established a dedicated Ukraine Crisis fundraising appeal using the Relief Chest Scheme to allow Freemasons, their families and friends to donate. We encourage Freemasons and others wishing to support Ukraine to donate via the Relief Chest online appeal page at mcf.org.uk/ukraine. In addition to this national appeal, Freemasons from Lodges across England, Wales and overseas have been sharing their own stories about volunteering, fundraising and donating at the local level. We are inspired by their efforts and proud to be able to join them in responding to this growing humanitarian crisis.

For several months, key members of The District of Leicestershire and Rutland Ancient and Accepted Rite Rose Croix have been consulting with the Chapters to ascertain their development needs and requirements. In an engaging process, members were asked what it is about the Order they wished to learn more about, and how they would like this training to take place. As a result of the survey, the first workshop took place at Freemasons’ Hall Leicester on the 19th February 2022, under the watchful eye and guidance of Inspector General Henry Kukiewicz, and his training team comprising of Chris Maybury and Gordon Richardson. A most welcome sight on a Saturday morning to greet the attendees was a bacon cob and tea and coffee, as the delegates met to discuss the agenda for the day. The workshop was opened by Chris and Gordon who proceeded to deliver fascinating historical knowledge of the Order, where it was conceived, how it spread, and its relevance today. The next part of the morning was dedicated to instruction and insight into the First Point, which was most enlightening for new and longstanding members of the Order. After an engaging question and answer session, the Inspector General thanked his training team for the hard work undertaken to bring the workshop to life, to the team at Freemasons’ Hall for preparing the room and providing the refreshments, and to all those who gave up their time to attend and further their knowledge. Further workshops will take place within other centres of the Province later in the year, and every member of the Ancient & Accepted Rite Rose Croix are encouraged to attend and benefit from a deeper look into the Order and the ritual. The current schedule includes a workshop at Melton Mowbray on the 14th May and Loughborough on the 1st October 2022.

Leicestershire & Rutland Freemasons together with The United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) has awarded more than £4.7m through four Covid-19 relief programmes, focusing on community support, food support, domestic abuse, homelessness and mental health. Covid-related donations from local Freemasons began in 2020 and since then they have contributed for a total of £4.7m to help those in need. The donations are being used to help communities in various critical areas, including foodbanks, support for unpaid carers, personal protective equipment (PPE), schools, mental health, homelessness, supplies for hospitals and hospices, domestic abuse, tablets, funds for NHS workers, ambulances and equipment. To support the community, Freemasons also worked 18 million hours as volunteers in a range of different areas where there was a need, including driving vulnerable people to hospital, preparing meals, taking care of people at risk and organising care packages, as well as producing scrubs, PPE and hand sanitiser. Leicestershire & Rutland Freemasons helped to provide essentials to vulnerable people and those that were shielding, activity packs for isolated older people and young children, podcast recordings for those affected by vision impairment. They also donated care packages for care home and NHS staff, hardship grants for those in need, home comforts for Covid-19 patients, and transport and equipment provision for medical professionals responding in the community. In addition, at least 141,150 visors and face masks have been donated, alongside more than 3,000 sets of scrubs and gowns to hospitals, care settings and hospices. Also, more than 130,000 meals have been provided for those in need and approximately 60 food banks have been supported. Meanwhile, to help protect women and children from domestic abuse, Freemasons donated more than £165,000 in 2020. During the Covid-19 lockdowns, the donations helped more than 2,000 women, with parcels containing essential items for those fleeing domestic abuse. To support mental health issues, more than 130,000 children and young people are currently being supported by the Freemasons. Alongside this, almost 1,400 adults benefited from better support. The programme is assisting those in need by giving 100,000 children and young people access to information, support and guidance online. In addition, children are also being supported with mentoring and skills workshops. Teachers, professionals and parents are being supported via three projects, offering mental health first-aid training, learning events and parental support. Concurrently, Leicestershire & Rutland Freemasons are supporting homeless people with more than 30 different initiatives. A total of 39 charities have been helped. Of these, 15 individual Emmaus organisations have received grants. The funds have provided accommodation to 1,080 individuals, while 300 people have been supplied with food daily and 250 with food weekly. They have also been given access to services such as counselling, and employment and training opportunities. Elsewhere, to support thousands of families struggling during the crisis, Freemasons donated 300,000 meals and 38 tonnes of food to homeless people, women’s refuges and vulnerable people, supporting more than 120,000 individuals in total. Moreover, £560,000 was donated to provide meals and help numerous foodbanks. Peter Kinder, head of Leicestershire & Rutland Freemasons, said: “During the course of the pandemic, Freemasons set out to donate at least £3m to Covid-related causes locally and around the country, and we have exceeded our expectations by donating almost £5m nationally.” He continued: “Our response to the pandemic shows what Freemasonry is all about; supporting those in need, giving back to our communities and volunteering where it can make a real difference. Freemasons have been doing this for more than 300 years.” Photo: Nurses from Bosworth Ward of Glenfield Hospital in 2021

The Holmes Lodge room at Freemasons’ Hall Leicester was bustling with excitement and anticipation as members of the Lodge of the Golden Fleece and their many guests and visitors gathered to witness the Installation of Samuel Harris. Due to last year’s extremely sad death of the Master of the lodge, David Williams, the proceedings for the evening were in the hands of Jed Peacock to direct the lodge through the Installation. The nearly 70 members were fortunate to witness an excellent ceremony of Installation, as Samuel for the first time since he joined Freemasonry in 2013, sat in the chair in the East of the lodge. During the investment of the officers of the lodge, the new Master presented personalised gavels, expertly crafted by Simon Sharman of the Lodge of Welcome, to the two wardens to help them in their duties throughout the evening. The Master was also pleased to present personalised napkins to several members in grateful recognition of service to the Lodge of the Golden Fleece. The Address to the Wardens was expertly and flawlessly carried out by Jim Williamson, who himself was Installed as Master of the lodge forty years ago. The address to the brethren was undertaken by Jed Peacock, having only just installed the new Master, and taken on the role of Director of Ceremonies, to cement his excellent participation in the evening’s proceedings. As a special surprise to Samuel, a friend from far off lands had made the journey all the way from Cyprus to be at the meeting, as Karl Coles wanted to surprise and celebrate with the lodges new Master. Watching the meeting was the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Brian Carruthers, accompanied by the Provincial Director of Ceremonies Geoff Searson, who enjoyed a fantastic ceremony and a full and joyous festive board afterwards. Left to Right: Master of the lodge Samuel Harris, and his surprise friend and guest from Cyprus Karl Coles

On Wednesday 2nd February 2022 the Chapter of the Flaming Torch held its annual installation meeting at Freemasons’ Hall in Leicester. The Chapter was very pleased to receive the Second Provincial Grand Principal Chris Packham as a guest and representative from the Province for the evening. Installing his successor, Alan Ball guided the evening extremely well, with the assistance Tom Mee, Martin Stevenson, and the Director of ceremonies Mark Street. As is usual for the Chapter of the Flaming Torch, the meeting and meal afterwards was a joyous occasion, with all those in attendance leaving in high spirits and looking forward to the next meeting. Pictured Left to Right: Mark Street, Tom Mee, Richard Barnett, Alan Ball

On Monday 17th January 2022, Freemasons’ Hall in Leicester was bustling with several lodges and Royal Arch meetings taking place all on the same evening. In the Morley Lodge room, Granite Chapter held their 123rd meeting which was a special occasion not only for their newest member but also for his father, who was present to welcome him into the Royal Arch. Ryan Kirkpatrick joined St Deny’s Lodge on the 23rd February 2017, where his father has been a member since 2012. After patiently waiting for Freemasonry to resume, Ryan decided to join the Granite Chapter, where his father was only too pleased to visit and watch his son be exalted into the Royal Arch. To make the evening special, the Deputy Grand Superintendent, Paul Wallace stepped in to lead the Chapter for the evening, adding an extra dimension of expertise and experience to the proceedings. Pictured Left to Right: Chris Dackombe, Ian Kirkpatrick, Ryan Kirkpatrick, Paul Wallace, Steve Adams.