FEATURE
Editor’s Welcome
It was the 14th February 1884 when brethren first met at the consecration of Granite Lodge, here in Leicester, which I am now proud to call my mother lodge. Over this 137 year period, the world has seen many changes and challenges, and has come through all of them, perhaps not unscathed, but certainly united in a goal of peace and prosperity.
All this history is recorded safely for future generations to learn from. If any of you have visited committee room one at Freemasons’ Hall in Leicester, you may have noticed a very small, locked door in the corner of the room. Behind this door, are the archives and documents of some of our lodges. It is well worth a visit if you are thinking of researching your lodge’s history. In my case, studying the minutes of events which have taken place over the years, is a fascinating use of time for anyone within the lodge. Typical lodge business and social functions are recorded, often with mention of world events such as the
death of Queen Victoria and the coronation of Edward VII in 1901, George V taking the throne in 1910, and the notable Edward and Mrs Simpson affair in 1936. The two world wars of 1914 and 1939 are obviously mentioned a multitude of times, along with other conflicts such as Korea and the Falklands. Why do I mention this? We are all only too aware of the devastating effect the last year has been for many of us. I am sure that in years to come, perhaps our children, or our grandchildren, will be perusing through the lodge archives and reading all about what we did during the time our country stopped to battle an invisible enemy. Of
course, I am referring to the coronavirus pandemic. I will certainly be ensuring that our lodge retains within its records, what we were doing whilst we were not meeting. Perhaps this edition should be more challenging to complete than usual. With us not meeting, it would be a safe assumption there is little news to report. On the contrary! You will have noticed from the bulletins, emails, updates to the website, and the plethora of zooms, there is much to talk about. Within this edition we have managed to include some of the important challenges and the successes we have celebrated since the last edition in December 2020. Much has been made
of the support Freemasons up and down the country have been giving to their local communities, such as helping those in need or volunteering help to administer the vaccination programme. Within this, the 45th edition, we celebrate those heroes. And finally, I would like to welcome on board the latest member of the Leicester Square team, Jason Clothier of the Lodge of Gratitude No.6514 and the Tudor Rose Lodge No.5660. Jason has taken a position as Assistant Editor and will help to ensure we always bring you the latest news and events.
Richard Barnett, Editor Leicester Square
A Message from the Chairman In the last edition of Leicester Square, I reminded everyone of the rousing message broadcast by our late King George VI in 1945, ”Never give up, never despair.” Since then, we have received two further inspiring messages to see us through the closing stages of lockdown. In her message to the Commonwealth broadcast on the 7th March this year, Her Majesty the Queen said, “The testing times experienced by so many, have led to a deeper appreciation of the mutual support we enjoy by being connected to others. And I hope we shall maintain this renewed sense of closeness and community.”
Another very relevant message was seen in the Spring 2021 edition of Freemasonry Today, where the Grand Secretary David Staples said, “It is important that in our eagerness to get back to how things were, we do not forget those lessons we have learnt over the past year or so, the importance of keeping in touch and of making that extra personal effort to ensure that those we know are doing ok and are well supported.” To my mind, those sentiments reflect the true spirit of Freemasonry, namely integrity, respect, friendship and charity. Our nation has been plunged deep into lockdown but true to that
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spirit, we all have knuckled down “to do our bit” to get through the darkest moments, before encouraging signs of improvement begin to appear in the anticipated change of season from winter to spring, such as bulbs begin shooting up in the garden, lambs appearing in the fields, and the days become lighter. The spirit of Freemasonry has manifested itself in various other ways over the last few months, such as supplying food parcels, giving transport for medical appointments, contacting those living alone, keeping in touch with each other through regular zoom meetings, and raising large amounts of money for charity. That continuing spirit of “never give up” has been boosted by the ever-widening roll-out of vaccinations, which will enable us to return to some form of normality, which I hope is just around the corner. Let us embrace it with renewed energy. With my very best wishes to all our readers.
Jim Williamson,
Chairman Leicester Square
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