Wyggeston Lodge celebrates joint Christmas meeting

Last Friday at the December meeting of the Wyggeston lodge, the members opened and closed their regular meeting as they prepared to join the Sir John Corah Lodge 7736, accompanied by members of the Gateway Lodge 6513.

The guests which counted well over 64 were treated not only to a wonderful padding ceremony, but also a brass band in the lodge room which added a spectacular performance to the ceremony.

That evening there was plenty of camaraderie and lots of Christmas cheer at the festive board. With each guest donning a Santa hat, a brass band accompanying each of the carols, and each member taking part in the annual singing of the 12 days of Christmas.

Wyggeston Lodge was well represented with members saying “a fabulous evening was had by all”.

We wish all members and brethren of the lodge and of the province a very Merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Wyggeston Lodge visits lodge in Huddersfield

Wyggeston Lodge members including the IPM attended the Lodge of Connaught and Truth No 521 to visit JW Bro Thomas Cole as he was invested as Senior Deacon!

The lodge itself is a Universities Scheme lodge for Huddersfield and has been an active lodge since 1845.

IPM W.Bro Chris Pantelli said on the night :

“I have to say, what an amazing evening in Huddersfield with connaught and truth, incredibly friendly and welcoming people, amazing (if a little odd) ritual and a fabulous festive board!!

Thank you Thomas, for the invite. I’ll definitely be back!”

Wyggeston Lodge donate to Open Hands collection

The Wyggeston Lodge have donated over £200 of items to the Open Hands Christmas Collection.

Brethren from the Lodge have been volunteering at the charity’s regular pie nights, serving food to the less fortunate, for a number of years.

IPM WBro Chris Panteli said “This is what Freemasonry is all about”. Volunteering Co-ordinator and University Scheme rep WBro Simon Walmsley, who arranged the collection, said “volunteering for something like this is a great way for Brethren to practice that virtue of charity we profess to admire, but who (like me) may not be in a position to make generous pecuniary contributions, and I would encourage other Lodges both in the scheme and out to consider forming a similar arrangement with a local cause”.

Wyggeston Lodge installs 114th Worshipful Master

On Friday the Wyggeston Lodge was pleased to install Brother Richard Jennings as the new Worshipful Master of the Wyggeston Lodge No.3448.

W Bro Richard has been a key member of the lodge for jewels a decade, having spent a lot of time as deacon where his attention to detail was admired by all who witnessed the ceremonies.

The meeting itself was well attended by other brethren from around the province, and even as far as Yorkshire West Riding! Where members of the Royal Yorkshire Lodge No.265 were in attendance.

The Wyggeston Lodge was also graced with the attendance of the Provincial Senior Grand Warden, W Bro Gary McVeigh who remarked that:

“The enthusiasm and mutual support provided by all the brethren of the lodge was clearly evidentand it is certain that W Bro Richard will fully benefit from this, in ensuring both he and the lodge enjoy his year in The Chair.”

The evening was followed by a delicious festive board, a wonderful rendition of the Masters Song by W.Bro Peter Clarke, and plenty of laughs and camaraderie.

We all wish W.Bro Richard Jennings huge success during his year in the chair of King Solomon.

Wyggeston Lodge gets mention in Open Hands Impact Report

This year’s impact report from the Open Hands Compassion Centre has mentioned the Wyggeston Lodge as one its supporters over the past year.

This comes after several members of the Wyggeston Lodge have given there time, often each week, to volunteer at the food bank and help to make a difference.

Charity being a core value of freemasonry, it is of no surprise that our members happily give their time to help those in need.

We look forward to continue our work with the Open Hands Compassion Centre.

Fellow Craft visits lodge in Hong Kong

On the 18th June 2025, Bro Josh Bhanja visited his father in Hong Kong and visited Lodge Erin No. 463 IC.

Having only been passed to the 2nd degree before the summer, it is fantastic to see our young members visit other lodges.

Not only visiting lodges in the UK, but also oversees to truly see how far masonry is spread around the globe.

We are thrilled that Bro Josh enjoyed his time in Hong Kong and also hope to see his father again soon.

Wyggeston Lodge Volunteers Hit Two-Year Mark!

As Volunteers’ Week comes to a close, Wyggeston Lodge is proud to celebrate our dedicated volunteering in partnership with Open Hands Trust in Leicester.

Each week over the past 2 years, lodge members have rolled up their sleeves to support the charity’s much-loved Pie Nights – serving hot meals including pies, jacket potatoes, baked beans, dessert, and a warm drink to those in need. It’s a simple gesture that means a great deal to those who rely on it.

Our continued involvement wouldn’t be possible without the commitment of our Volunteering Coordinator, Joe McBride, whose leadership ensures we remain an active part of this vital community effort.

“Service is at the very heart of Freemasonry and is one of our core values,” says Andy Green. “We are proud that our lodge members make a meaningful, ongoing contribution by donating our time to Open Hands.”Here’s to many more years of partnership, compassion, and community service. #volunteersweek

Wyggeston Lodge members make annual trip to Yorkshire

Last Friday several members of the Wyggeston Lodge made their annual trip to Royal Yorkshire Lodge No.265 in the province of Yorkshire West Riding, a trip that has become a favoured annual tradition.

Our own treasurer and Tyler, W.Bro Peter Clarke, is a long standing member of the Royal Yorkshire Lodge No.265 after having joined following his relocation to his home town. During the meeting he was appointed treasurer of the lodge and ensured all members of the Wyggeston Lodge had an enjoyable time. W.Bro Peter also dazzled the brethren with a beautiful rendition of the masters song for thee newly installed worshipful master.

The business of the evening was to install Bro. Simon Shenton as Master and to celebrate the festival of St John the Evangelist who is also the Patron Saint of Freemasonry. The immediate last master, W.Bro David A. Key was also given a past masters jewel by his grandfather, W.Bro. David J Key, a moment he well never forget.

W. Bro David A.Key returning a firing glass to our IPM

The evening ended with a fantastic festiveboard where all brethren shared good humour and camaraderie.

W.Bro Robert Cole, Assistant Provincial Grand Master in Yorkshire West Riding, and father of our very own Jumior Deaxon, Bro Thomas Coke, gave a great toast to end the evening and even returned another of our firing glasses!

Finally, the evening was truly enjoyed by all who attended and we look forward to attending again soon.

New initiate receives a wonderful surprise

Last night the Wyggeston Lodge initiated Bro Joshua Bhanja into the Wyggeston Lodge. Bro Bhanja is a Physics student at the University of Leicester who found us through the Freemasons Society. He also attended our blue table night in October where he was warmly welcomed.

Whilst someone’s initiation into freemasonry is always a special night, Bro Bhanja’s was especially special and will surely never be forgotten.

Unbeknownst to him, his father who had secretly travelled all the way from Hong Kong, was sat before him. Bro Alexi Bhanja, a member of Lodge Erin No.463 of the Provincial Grand Lodge of the Far East under the Irish Constitution, was very pleased to see his son initiated into Freemasonry, and no doubt Bro Bhanja was extremely pleased to see his father.

The ceremony went brilliantly with all members performing excellent ritual, and with Bro Bhanja being a fantastic and enthusiastic candidate. We look forward to his journey through freemasonry.

Wyggeston Lodge raises £130 for Open Hands charity

Bro Joseph Mcbride, the hardworking volunteering coordinator of the Wyggeston Lodge, has raised an amazing donation for the Christmas Collection for a local food bank.

Over the last few weeks and months, Bro McBride and other members of the lodge have given their time at the food bank to ensure those most at need have access to a hot meal and a friend. Bro McBride especially has taken it upon himself to ensure we work hard for this good cause.

As part of the Christmas collection, Bro McBride collected items to donate to Open Hands and accepted any other donations from the lodge. Bro McBride was successful in raising £130 for the Open Hands charity and collecting an impressive haul ready for the collection.

Bro McBride said this about the wonderful cause :

“I just want to thank you all for your donations for OpenHands. In total we raised £130, I’ll be dropping off the haul to OpenHands on Monday hopefully. Again, thank you all very much!”