Dear Brother

A very Happy New Year to you and your family. This is the time of year when we have our diaries open and are planning which of our favourite events we shall look forward to attending, particularly when the weather improves.

Annual Festival

I hope you have already marked Saturday 19th August 2023 as an event not to be missed. This will be the day we celebrate our 75th Festival which will be hosted by the Old Southendians Lodge No.5403. The Business and Lodge meetings will be held at Southend High School for Boys and dining will be at Southend Masonic Centre – Saxon Hall. In Lodge there will be a demonstration of either a historic masonic meeting or of a degree from the Irish Constitution! Meanwhile an interesting Ladies programme is promised. The Festive Board will consist of a four course locally sourced menu. Details will follow in the Spring.

Invitation from PSLC

I draw you attention to an open invitation from the PSLC to support their own Festival on Saturday 3 rd June 2023 to be hosted by Stowe Lodge No. 9002 and to be held at Stowe School in Buckinghamshire. In this regard details received by email from their Festival Secretary are available here. It looks like an event well worth attending, particularly if you are within striking distance.

Raising our profile as a means to increased enjoyment

There are a variety of ways in which you can help:

  • send in reports and photos of special events in your Lodge or Chapter which we can publish in the national and regional masonic press and on our website

  • tell us of any school lodge in your area not yet a member of the Federation

  • invite other Lodges and Chapters in your area to join your proceedings

  • invite your Area Representative along as a guest

  • think about hosting a cluster meeting of all nearby school lodges (your Area Representative can help you with this).

Lodge Secretaries, Scribes E and Federation correspondents

Good communications are important if we are to encourage an ever greater interest and participation in our events and so, once again I would ask you to: make sure any changes in position, address details, etc. are communicated to the Joint Secretaries without delay. Kindly ensure notices and other information sent to you for the interest of your members is passed on. The Festival and other events are for all to attend!

Again, a Happy New Year to all,

Sincerely and fraternally,

Michael