freemasons

Robert Burns – Freemason, Bard of Ayrshire & Ploughman Poet

Robert Burns

Burns’s rise in popularity for his poems also contributed to his rise in Freemasonry. At a meeting of Lodge St. Andrew in Edinburgh in 1787, at which the Grand Master and Grand Lodge of Scotland was present, Burns was toasted by the Worshipful Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother Francis Chateris, with the words “Caledonia and Caledonia’s bard, Bro. Robt. Burns”

Famous Members of our Ancient and Honourable Institution

Winston Churchill

talk is aimed primarily at our younger brethren who have as yet not had time to absorb the immensity of our great Masonic institution. During the ceremony of your initiation you stated that you were prompted to solicit our privileges by a favourable opinion, preconceived, of the Institution, a general desire for knowledge and a sincere wish to render yourself more extensively serviceable to your fellow creatures

Freemasons’ Fund for Surgical Research – Grand Lodge

365946805 The Grand Master Duke of Kent is introduced to RCS research department secretary Martyn Coomer by FFSR Chairman Anthony West

Freemasons’ Fund for Surgical Research support for Royal College of Surgeons – Freemasonry Today

Chapter support for surgical research Established with £587,629 in 1967, the Grand Lodge 250th Anniversary Fund is a registered charity supporting the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS). By the end of 2013, the fund’s capital was £3.7 million, despite providing more than £4.3 million in grants during the previous 45 years. However, with lower returns and the increased cost of financing Fellows to undertake surgical research, fulfilling the fund’s aspirations was becoming difficult. Supreme Grand Chapter therefore decided to launch an appeal to support the RCS in recognition of the 200th anniversary of the Royal Arch, and £2.5 million was raised. From this year, two Royal Arch Fellows in every five fellowships will be supported. To reflect these changes, the fund was renamed The Freemasons’ Fund for Surgical Research (FFSR) on 1 January 2015.

Freemasons help British Red Cross deal with floods across UK

658967624 British Red Cross First Aid Unit in Cambridgeshire provides highest standard of care with medical supplies, oxygen & a defibrillator on board

Grand Charity funds help British Red Cross deal with floods across UK – Freemasonry Today

After the smoke has cleared and the flood waters receded, teams of British Red Cross volunteers are now on hand across the UK to give victims vital emotional support. Sarah Holmes investigates how masonic funding has helped this service to roll out nationally When the Telford family home caught fire in September 2014, Michelle and her five children got out with nothing but the pyjamas on their backs. ‘It was awful watching the black smoke billow out of the house,’ remembers Michelle. ‘All I could think was “What am I going to do? Where are we going to live?” ’ A plug in a bedroom sparked the blaze, which quickly engulfed the house along with a lifetime’s worth of possessions. Nothing could be saved. Fortunately, the family didn’t have to deal with the consequences alone. Within minutes, a British Red Cross Fire and Emergency Support Service (FESS) vehicle – one of a national fleet part-funded by The Freemasons’ Grand Charity – arrived on the scene to offer the family hot drinks, clean clothes and a safe place to sit away from public view. ‘The volunteers stayed with us for a good couple of hours until they knew we had somewhere to go,’ says Michelle. ‘I was so grateful for their help.’ Michelle is just one of the many people who have received support from the FESS, which has evolved over the years to help victims through such emergencies as fire, flood and road collisions. ‘In an emergency situation, very few of the blue light agencies have capacity to look after the emotional needs of survivors,’ says Simon Lewis, head of emergency planning and response at British Red Cross. ‘Quite often, families are left to deal with the consequences alone. That’s where the British Red Cross comes in.’

‘If my role didn’t exist, who would help these families?’ Funded by the Grand Charity

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‘If my role didn’t exist, who would help these families?’ Funded by the Grand Charity

My role is entirely funded by the Freemasons’ Grand Charity, which supports charities such as Kids, which have to seek out funding streams from different avenues. I really enjoy my job but obviously there are challenges – and one of the biggest is that the demand for our service is immense. With so many cutbacks there is no shortage of families who want our help. If we didn’t help them I don’t know who would. Some of the children on my caseload have emotional and behavioural difficulties and don’t attend school. Those who do have a low attendance rates or are at risk of fixed term or permanent exclusion from school or college. Once I start working with a family I often have to work hard to gain their trust; I have to persuade them to trust me. Some families may have experienced domestic violence, health problems, or family tensions and don’t know how to cope with very challenging behaviour. Sometimes explaining Kids’ remit to other professionals can take time and patience.

Burnham’s BARB receives £4,400 donation from Freemasons

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Burnham’s BARB receives £4,400 donation from Freemasons for inshore rescue boat

The inshore rescue boat operated by Burnham-On-Sea’s BARB Search & Rescue has been given a £4,400 upgrade thanks to a donation by a group of local fundraisers. The Freemasons have presented the funds towards the Burnham charity’s boat, which helped communities across Somerset in 2013 and 2014 during flooding. Jeff Body of Alfred Guthrum Lodge, based in Wedmore, has presented £3,400 to BARB and John Chinn has presented a further £1,000 from the Provence of Somerset Freemasons. “We are delighted to be helping BARB – they do a fantastic job and it’s good to know the funding will stay local and be put to good use immediately with the upgrade of this rescue boat,” said Jeff. “We saw how busy BARB was during the floods and wanted to help the charity with its work. It’s reassuring to know that the boat is here.” The boat has been upgraded with a more powerful engine, other improvements including a new steering console, and the funds will also help with training costs. BARB crewmembers are pictured thanking the group with the presentation of a certificate outside their seafront station in Burnham.

Freemasons funding 50% of London’s Air ambulance

Freemasons make air ambulance gift

Freemasons funding 50% of London’s air ambulance

An enormous 50% of the funding for London’s new air ambulance came from the secretive society of Freemasons, it has emerged.

A sum of £2m ($3.1m) has been offered to pay for a second helicopter in the capital’s sky by the Freemasons. London is the location of global Freemasonry’s headquarters – the imposing Freemasons’ Hall near Covent Garden, in the heart of the city. There are reportedly around 40,000 Freemasons in London and male-only members are united by a hushed code and arcane rituals for mutual advancement.

The society claims it is non-political. The air ambulance is not part of the NHS and so relies upon charity donations to operate. The Freemasons were hailed by the chief executive of the charity which operates the helicopter service. “We have now crossed the halfway mark for the Your London, Your Helicopter campaign, thank you to all those who have helped us get there,” said Graham Hodgkin.


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