Freemasonry in England

News & Freemasonry in England

Norfolk 2016 Festival Appeal exceeds target to raise over £2 million

Freemasons Norfolk

Donations from the Norfolk 2016 Festival Appeal, in aid of the Freemasons’ Grand Charity, came to a staggering £2,051,686.44. The incredible total was announced at a Festival Finale dinner, held at St Andrew’s Hall in Norwich, on Thursday 26th May.

Posted: 14th June 2016

Freemasons from the Province of Norfolk have exceeded their target to fundraise £1.5 million for the Norfolk 2016 Festival Appeal by over £500,000.

Wallsend Festival 2016

c0e7de2236b7b2aa98d8db8f354f8fc8

The display stand was situated immediately inside the entrance to the Customer Service and Library complex and so it was an excellent spot. The team consisted of 5 fine men in the persons of W Brothers Dave Watson, Bob Bruce, Steve Reay and Brothers John Holmes and Tom Clifford.

On Saturday 2nd July 2016 the Wallsend Masonic Hall’s “A Team” was in action at the Wallsend Festival. The aim was to advertise and promote Freemasonry in Wallsend. The display stand was situated immediately inside the entrance to the Customer Service and Library complex and so it was an excellent spot. The team consisted of 5 fine men in the persons of W Brothers Dave Watson, Bob Bruce, Steve Reay and Brothers John Holmes and Tom Clifford.The event was not particularly well attended and there were long periods of inactivity. There were visitors from Canada who were after directions to an ancestral home in Wallsend and were more than happy with the directions we gave them although it was nothing to do with Masonry but we made friends.The upside of the day was that we got two young men interested in what Freemasonry is about and one of whom left his personal details. Tom has since been in touch with this gentleman and has arranged to meet him on Wednesday. Well done, Tom. Bob also had the contact details with another gentleman but he is still waiting to hear from him.All in all it was a quieter day than anticipated but rewarding was all part of a learning curve.

REMAF Day Out in the Lake District

On board the Tern as it sails to Lakeside 5e9806d3ce2e0ac23bfbf1e57bbf0805b7243ea1

A coach full of REMAF members (Retired Masons Fellowship) left Ellesmere Port Masonic Hall early on Monday for their annual summer jaunt, this time they set-off for the sunny Lake District town of Bowness for a boat and train journey around Lake Windermere. First it was all on board the Tern built in 1891 originally steam powered but now converted to diesel for a sail to Lakeside, then across the landing stage to board a 1950’s Lakeside Steam Railway train heading for Haverthwaite, a stop for afternoon tea then a return journey to Lakeside to meet our coach for the trip back home.

Lamesley Church Ladies Sewing Circle present beautiful newly restored banner

Sewing the Seeds of Love

Freemasons around the world are very proud of their history and customs, so much so than many lodge archives as well as masonic museums are full to bursting with artefacts and items of interest going back hundreds of years. One of the most iconic and obvious items that your attentions within a Freemasons lodge is the intricate lodge banner which hangs in an illuminated position for all to see. This is an item that lodges like to keep and display for all to see, despite many decades of wear and tear.

Ormskirk Group golf in full swing

01 7a95c59dfe96e4fc7047ea8d6d159e752a7de467

During the afternoon the stiff breeze often presented a challenge to the competitors which added humour amongst the players with golf balls constantly spinning out of control. At the end of the competition the player’s ranks were swelled when the Ormskirk and Bootle Group Chairman Frank Umbers and others joined them for a well-earned drink at the 19th hole.


©2026 FreemasonryMatters.co.uk. All rights reserved.