Festival 2022 Report

The 74th Annual Festival was held at Bradford Grammar School on Saturday 3rd September 2022 under the banner of Bradfordian Lodge No. 9886 with W Bro Tim Worrall in the Chair. Those who had made the journey to Bradford on Friday afternoon enjoyed a wonderful evening hosted by the Bradfordians Curry Club at the well-known Shimla Spice in Shipley.

Saturday morning commenced with the Annual Business Meeting of the Federation chaired by our President, RW Bro Sir David Wootton, Assistant Grand Master just days before his promotion to Deputy Grand Master during which the Chairman, W Bro Michael Button gave his annual report which is attached together with the minutes of the meeting: the Federation presented a cheque for £500 which will be used to initiate an Organ Scholarship at the School which the Lodge will carry on into the future. The Old Wellingburians (hosting the 2024 Festival) with nine members present claimed the Travelling Gavel.

The highlight of the Lodge meeting which followed was undoubtedly the illustrated talk entitled ‘Harry Houdini – Master Mason’ given by W Bro Simon Green, a member of the Magic Circle. In the meantime the ladies enjoyed a visit to the UNESCO site at Saltaire Village.

In the evening we enjoyed a superb banquet attended by the PGM for Yorkshire West Riding, RW Bro James Newman and the Mayor, Cllr Martin Love and his wife Helen, the Mayoress. We were lucky to have W Bro Simon Archer, the Deputy GDC for East Lancs who apart from his official duties as DC acted as a multi-tasking MC at the Festive Board. Our thanks to Bradford Grammar School and the Bradfordian Lodge for another successful Festival.

We now look forward to next year’s Festival which will be at Southend High School, Essex on Saturday 19th August 2023 hosted by Old Southendians Lodge No. 5403