As the United Grand Lodge of England Universities Scheme Lodge for the University of Leicester, the Wyggeston Lodge was proud and honoured to host the 2018 Association of Medical, University and Legal Lodges (AMULL) Festival on Saturday 6th October 2018.
Around 100 people attended, including the Master of the Lodge, W.Bro. Paul Marvin and his family. Despite the rain, everyone enjoyed a superb day of fraternity, festivity and fun.
The Festival started with an interfaith service at Leicester Cathedral, the resting place of King Richard III, and was conducted by the V.W.Bro. Rev Canon Michael Wilson, Grand Chaplain, whose excellent proceedings and highly topical address were rounded off with a rousing rendition of “Jerusalem” which the assembled congregation sang with gusto. Past Master, W.Bro. Dr. Andy Green also gave a reading during the service: St. Luke 10. 25–37, The Parable of the Good Samaritan.
After the service, the Leicester Guildhall, one of the best preserved timber-framed halls in the country and with a history dating back 600 years, hosted a brilliantly entertaining and interesting talk by Professor Turi King from the University of Leicester on the excavation in Leicester that led to the discovery of King Richard III. Her talk, which entirely captivated the audience, was rapturously received and universally declared to be “brilliant”.
A champagne reception followed and the festival was concluded by a delicious lunch in St. Martin’s House, culminating in a toast to AMULL given by W.Bro. Paul Marvin with the response given by the AMULL President, R.W.Bro. David Williamson, Past Assistant Grand Master and Past President of the Universities Scheme.
AMULL was delighted to make hardship grants totalling £5,000 to three excellent students including Bro. Andrew Slater, a member of Wyggeston Lodge who received £1,500 to assist him in studying medicine.
On receiving the award, Bro. Andrew said: “The kind and humbling words from all at the presentation has given me new perspective into the struggles I’ve faced so far since coming to study medicine. The insight has really brought new life and fire into my dedication to persevering along this path. It’s not too far now that I will be on the other side of my University education and fighting the good fight.”
AMULL was also delighted to make an award of £1,000 to Leicester University Scholarship Fund, which was accepted by W.Bro. Michael Turnbull on behalf of the University. This donation was generously matched from the Leicestershire and Rutland Masonic Charitable Association presented by the Provincial Grand Master of Leicestershire and Rutland, R.W.Bro. David Hagger.
AMULL President and Honorary Member of the Wyggeston Lodge, R.W.Bro. David Williamson said after the Festival: “All-in-all a truly memorable Festival from every aspect!”
