2012 RMBI Festival Appeal Banquet

The 2012 Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution (RMBI) appeal in the Province of Leicestershire and Rutland began on 1st January 2007 and concluded with a Festival Banquet at the King Power Stadium on 19th May 2012.

King Power Stadium, Leicester
King Power Stadium, Leicester

The Master and other members of The Wyggeston Lodge, together with their wives/partners, attended the Banquet which was enjoyed by all.

Members of The Wyggeston Lodge at the 2012 RMBI Festival Banquet
Members of The Wyggeston Lodge at the 2012 RMBI Festival Banquet

The total amount raised by the Brethren in the Province was £1.7M for The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution which provides residential, nursing and dementia care for older Freemasons and their dependants, as well as practical support for those who wish to remain in their own homes.

 

Annual Spring Luncheon 2012

The Worshipful Master, Brethren, Family and friends enjoyed the Annual Spring Luncheon which was again held at the Bell Inn, Burton Overy on Sunday 22nd April 2012.

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A total of £145 was raised for the Breast Care Centre, Glenfield Hospital and PROSTaid.

Students Learn About Freemasonry

In March 2012, a tour of our meeting place – Freemasons’ Hall, London Road, Leicester was given by Prof. David Hughes for students of the University of Leicester Ancient History and Archaeology Society.

Prof. David Hughes talking to students in the Museum
Prof. David Hughes talking to students in the Museum

This was an opportunity for the students to learn about the longstanding connection between the City of Leicester and Freemasonry and also to see inside our historic Grade II listed building and the magnificent Holmes Lodge Room.

The Wyggeston Lodge win the Leicestershire & Rutland Provincial Fun Quiz 2012

Congratulations to the Wyggeston Stewards team from The Wyggeston Lodge who won the coveted Champions trophy at the Provincial Fun Quiz in aid of the 2012 Festival on Thursday 15th March 2012.

The Provincial Grand Master presents to Fun Quiz trophy to the winning team from The Wyggeston Lodge
The Provincial Grand Master presents to Fun Quiz trophy to the winning team from The Wyggeston Lodge

We were very well represented at the quiz and had two other teams from the Lodge: Team 3, which came 5th, and the Gee Bees which came 6th out of the 18 teams.

 

Ladies’ Festival 2012

The Worshipful Master, Bro. Tom Bodycot and his Lady, Patsy, welcomed the Brethren and guests to a wonderful Ladies’ Festival on Saturday 4th February 2012 despite the wintry conditions curtailing the proceedings.

The Master and his Lady - Ladies' Festival 2012
The Master and his Lady – Ladies’ Festival 2012

The Dinner and Dance was held at Freemasons’ Hall, Leicester where we enjoyed a four course dinner with music provided by Salsa.

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Our first University student member joins the Lodge

We are pleased to announce that we initiated our first University student into the Wyggeston Lodge at our meeting in January 2012.

The Master of the Lodge along with our student members
The Master of the Lodge along with our student members

Tom Wood is a 2nd year medical student at the University of Leicester and joined after hearing about us at Freshers’ Fair. Tom joins another student in the lodge, Alex Pohl, who is currently studying at Leicester College and was initiated in December 2011.

Tour of Freemasons’ Hall, Leicester

In November 2011, a tour of our meeting place – Freemasons’ Hall, London Road, Leicester was given for those interested University of Leicester students.

The Holmes Lodge Room, Freemasons' Hall, Leicester
The Holmes Lodge Room, Freemasons’ Hall, Leicester

This was a unique opportunity to see inside this historic Grade II listed building and learn about the history of the magnificent Holmes Lodge Room through a talk given by Prof. David Hughes.

If you missed the tour, we will be holding another in the coming months. If you’re interested in coming then please contact us.

The Lodge attends University Freshers’ Fair

Our Lodge made a unprecedented attendance at the recent Freshers’ Fair at the University of Leicester held on 3rd October 2011, which was kindly supported by the Provincial Grand Master, R W Bro. David Hagger. Members of the Lodge, W.Bro. Andy Green, W.Bro. Kelvin Johnson, and Bro. Jamie Mollart, manned a stall promoting both Freemasonry and the Wyggeston Lodge to students. The day began with hoards of students queuing to enter the hall keen to join societies and pick up the freebies from commercial companies.

Members of the Lodge and the Assistant Provincial Grand Master at Freshers' Fair
Members of the Lodge and the Assistant Provincial Grand Master at Freshers’ Fair

The number of students hardly abated throughout the day and they successfully handed out information leaflets on Freemasonry, the Province and the Lodge to over 650 male students. During the day, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master W.Bro. Peter Kinder, who is also the Provincial Universities’ Scheme Liaison Officer, kindly assisted the members of Wyggeston Lodge by talking with students and handing out information leaflets.

The Lodge Stand at Freshers' Fair, University of Leicester
The Lodge Stand at Freshers’ Fair, University of Leicester

The response from students was very positive and encouraging. There was a great deal of interest particularly from students who already had family Masonic connections and by the end of the day, a total of 12 students were extremely keen to find out more about Freemasonry.

In the days following the Fair, several students contacted the Lodge via the newly updated Lodge website requesting further information about joining.

Freshers' Fair at the University of Leicester
Freshers’ Fair at the University of Leicester

Lodge members attend the Universities’ Scheme Conference

The members of the Lodge Universities’ Scheme Subcommittee, W.Bro. Andy Green, W.Bro. Kelvin Johnson and Bro. Jamie M, attended the Universities’ Scheme Conference held at the United Grand Lodge of England Headquarters – Freemasons’ Hall, Great Queen Street, London on Saturday 15th October 2011.

The Wyggeston Lodge Universities' Scheme Subcommittee at the Universities' Scheme Conference. Left to right: W.Bro. Andy Green, Bro. Jamie Mollart, W.Bro. Kelvin Johnson
The Wyggeston Lodge Universities’ Scheme Subcommittee at the Universities’ Scheme Conference. Left to right: W.Bro. Andy Green, Bro. Jamie M, W.Bro. Kelvin Johnson

The Wyggeston Lodge is part of the Universities’ Scheme and is the designated Lodge for University of Leicester students, staff and alumni.

The conference was hosted by the Assistant Grand Master, RW Bro. David Williamson and had over 130 attendees from Scheme lodges around the country including the Provincial Grand Master of Leicestershire & Rutland, R.W.Bro. David Hagger and the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, W.Bro. Peter Kinder.

Super Sunday Lunch 2011

The Worshipful Master, Brethren and families enjoyed a 3-course Sunday Summer Lunch at the West Leicester Conservative Club, Leicester on the 4th September 2011.

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A total of £220 was raised for the 2012 RMBI Festival Appeal and Lodge Discretionary Fund.