The Wyggeston Lodge, No.3448 Leicester
A Freemasons' University Lodge – Building friendships, expanding minds, and making a difference
At our Emergency meeting on the 29th May 2013, W.Bro. Douglas Ball, PGStB, Grand Officer of The Wyggeston Lodge, was presented a certificate by the Provincial Grand Master of Leicestershire & Rutland, R.W. Bro. David Hagger, to mark his 50 years of service to the Freemasonry and the Craft.
On Saturday 26th May 2012, the Worshipful Master, W.Bro. Tom Bodycot, and Brethren of the Wyggeston Lodge, together with their wives/partners held a coffee morning for the residents at the RMBI care home, Devonshire Court, at Oadby.
Not only were coffee and biscuits provided to the residents of Devonshire Court but each enjoyed a mid-morning tipple of sherry. We also had a quiz, put together by W.Bro. Richard Sutton, and a raffle where several prizes of chocolates and wine were won by the residents.
Freemasonry is the World’s oldest non-religious fraternal societies. The Wyggeston Lodge is a Freemasons’ Lodge which meets at Freemasons’ Hall, Leicester and is the designated University Lodge for students, staff and alumni of the University of Leicester.
It has been an exceptional year as the Wyggeston Lodge has initiated five students, together with a local business man, into Freemasonry. The last time we initiated six new members in one year was 72 years ago in 1940.
Our most recent members, University of Leicester undergraduate students joined the lodge in a unique double joining ceremony in May.
The last time Wyggeston Lodge performed such a ceremony was almost 50 years ago in December 1962. It was a wonderful occasion which was celebrated afterwards in style with a four-course dinner, wine and plenty of laughter.
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.
The Master and other members of The Wyggeston Lodge, together with their wives/partners, attended the Banquet which was enjoyed by all.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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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We are pleased to announce that we initiated our first University student into the Wyggeston Lodge at our meeting in January 2012.
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.
In November 2011, a tour of our meeting place – Freemasons’ Hall, London Road, Leicester was given for those interested University of Leicester students.
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 Wyggeston Lodge, No.3448 Leicester