Former university student member installed as Master in London

On 25th November 2023, Tom was installed as the Master of Royal Standard Lodge No. 1298 at Freemasons’ Hall in London. Tom is a previous member of Wyggeston Lodge and was initiated into the fraternity in March 2014 while he was a student at the University of Leicester. After graduating, he moved to London and joined the Royal Standard Lodge.

The installation ceremony was of a very high standard and was conducted using Taylor’s working. Andy Green, Past Master of Wyggeston Lodge and Tom’s proposer, attended the ceremony acting as Installing Junior Warden. A celebratory dinner was held after the ceremony.

Tom’s installation as Master of Royal Standard Lodge is a significant achievement in his Masonic journey. He is a dedicated and committed Freemason who is sure to make a positive contribution to the lodge. We wish him all the best in his new role.

Congratulations to Tom on his installation as Master of Royal Standard Lodge!

We are confident that he will continue to serve the lodge with distinction and make a positive impact on the lives of his fellow Freemasons.

Spreading Christmas Cheer: Wyggeston Lodge Donates to Open Hands

As the holiday season approaches, the spirit of giving is in the air. In keeping with this tradition, members of the Wyggeston Lodge recently made a generous donation of chocolates, popcorn, and biscuits to Open Hands, a local charity that supports families and individuals in need. This heartwarming gesture will undoubtedly bring joy to many this Christmas.

Past Master Andy Green spearheaded the collection drive, ensuring that a quantity of treats was gathered for the charity. Upon delivering the donations, Andy was met with expressions of gratitude from Open Hands staff and volunteers.

The charity’s annual Christmas treat initiative extends beyond their regular guests, reaching out to families and individuals connected to schools and churches across the county. This year, thanks to the Wyggeston Lodge’s contribution, even more people will experience the joy of the season.

The Wyggeston Lodge’s commitment to community service is evident in their ongoing support for local organisations like Open Hands.

Our actions embody the true spirit of the Freemasonry, spreading kindness and compassion to those in need.

Wyggeston Lodge celebrates installation of 112th Master

Being the newly installed 112th Worshipful Master of the worshipful and the 4th in a long line of Universities Scheme initiates, Dr Simon Walmsley was on Friday 17th November installed by the members as the new worshipful Master of the Wyggeston Lodge.

Joining the lodge in 2013 as a student at the University of Leicester and as part of the universities scheme, W.Bro Simon Walmsley has risen through the various offices of the lodge and has become a vital and devoted member of the Wyggeston lodge. Noted for his politeness, generosity, and impressive ability to memorise long pieces of ritual with perfection and zeal.

Our newly installed Worshipful Master with his junior warden and IPM.

W.Bro Simon Walmsley was installed into the chair of King Solomon by his Immediate Past Master, and good friend of many years, W.Bro Peter Clarke who gave another fantastic rendition of ‘God be in my head’.

The installation culminated in the appointment of many new offices within the lodge, all of whom will no doubt ensure the smooth running of the lodge the coming year.

The festive board was attended by around 50 brethren from over 7 lodges from throughout the province and beyond, including a delegation from the Royal Yorkshire Lodge No 265 in Yorkshire West Riding.

Our Immediate Past Master, as is tradition, also performed a most wonderful rendition of the masters song which all the brethren happily partook.

The Festive Board raised a wonderful £270 for the raffle and will no doubt a night to remember. We wish the new worship master a wonderful ahead and many good wishes for the future!

Wyggeston Lodge welcomes new Master Mason and Lewis

Last night on the first evening of the Masonic season, Bro Thomas Cole who was initiated in December 2022 as part of the universities scheme, was warmly raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason

The meeting went smoothly and with perfect adherence to ritual with a special thanks to our worshipful master, our wonderful candidate, and all their brethren who took part in the ceremony.

With several members of the lodge taking part in different roles, I’m sure Bro Thomas shan’t forget the wonderful exhortation given to him by his father, W.Bro Robert Cole, an Assistant Provincial Grand Master in Yorkshire West Riding.

The Wyggeston Lodge was also privileged to welcome many guests and distinguished brethren from the Mexborough Lodge 6117 who all enjoyed a wonderful ceremony and a bountiful festive board.

Bro Cole was also presented with a Lewis and Ashlar by his uncle to signify his title as Lewis, which in Masonic terms means that he is following in the steps of his father in his Masonic journey and to symbolise that unbroken and unyielding bond.

Bro Cole also remarked on the evening by saying

“I had a fantastic time last night, I doubt I’ll ever forget it and hope everyone else enjoyed it as well. Thank you to all involved in the ceremony, it was brilliant.”

This was all followed by a trip to the pub where the laughter and camaraderie continued into the night. A truly wonderful evening and we wish Bro Thomas Cole the best of luck on his Masonic journey.

Rain or shine, Wyggeston Lodge knows how to have a good time!

On Saturday 30th September 2023, Wyggeston Lodge held a go-karting event at Stretton Circuit on the outskirts of Leicester. Despite the rain and slippery conditions, it didn’t stop from having a blast.

Chris Kent managed to put in the fastest time of 50.412 secs just 0.4 sec ahead of second place but everyone who participated was a winner.

The go-karting event was a great success, and was a great opportunity for members to bond and socialise outside of the lodge. It’s sure to be a staple of the Wyggeston Lodge social calendar for years to come. Thanks to everyone who came out and made the event such a success!

Wyggeston Lodge Walking Group: A great way to socialise and exercise

In 2021, a group of members from Wyggeston Lodge in Leicester started training for the Leicestershire Round charity walk. The Leicestershire Round is a 110-mile walk around the county of Leicestershire, and it is a challenging but rewarding experience.

Bro. Chris Panteli organised for members to meet up every weekend to train for the walk and at the same time scope out the Leicestershire Round path. They started with shorter walks, and gradually increased the distance as they got fitter. The group also included family and friends, as well as members of other lodges.

The training quickly became a popular way to socialise and exercise at the same time. The members enjoyed getting together on Sunday mornings to walk and talk, and they also formed strong friendships.

Since completing the Leicestershire Round in 2021, the Wyggeston Lodge Walking Group has continued to meet up. They now meet up throughout the year, come rain or shone, on a Sunday morning for a 2 to 4 hour walk. It is a great opportunity to exercise, stay fit and a good way to relieve stress and improve mental health. At the same time, it allows the members to meet new people and make friends.

Wyggeston Lodge members gather for summer BBQ

On Saturday 29th July 2023, members of Wyggeston Lodge and their families gathered on Broome Island Community Campsite for a summer BBQ. After a short boat ride along the River Soar, the group enjoyed a delicious feast of burgers and all the trimmings.

The BBQ was a great opportunity for the lodge members to get together and socialise with their families. There was plenty of laughter and conversation, and everyone had a great time. .

The Wyggeston Lodge is grateful to everyone who attended the BBQ. It was a wonderful way to meet up during the summer.

Wyggeston Lodge members wear new AMULL ties

At their last meeting before the summer break on Friday 21st April 2023, the members of Wyggeston Lodge were proud to wear the Association for Medical, University and Legal Lodges (AMULL) ties for the first time.

AMULL is an association that brings together professional and academic Masonic lodges across the UK. The association promotes the social side of Freemasonry through holding an Annual Festival which is attended by members and guests. The AMULL Charity (Registered Charity No. 1192816) is run by Trustees and promotes the charitable side of Freemasonry through the awarding of grants and bursaries to students in need.

The Wyggeston Lodge members are proud to wear the new ties and it is a great way to show their membership and support for AMULL and its charitable work.

In addition to wearing the new ties, the Wyggeston Lodge members also had the opportunity to wear the new lodge cufflinks and pin badge with the lodge crest.

The meeting was also a special one for two of the Wyggeston Lodge members, who were made Master Masons. The meeting concluded with a fantastic dinner, where the members enjoyed a delicious meal and each other’s company. It was a great way to end the meeting and start the summer break.

The Wyggeston Lodge is a thriving Masonic lodge with a strong sense of community. The members are always looking for ways to support each other and the wider community.

Wyggeston Lodge welcomes two new Master Masons

Wyggeston Lodge held a special meeting on Friday, March 17, 2023, to raise two new Master Masons, Bros. Karan and Friedrich. The ceremony was conducted by the lodge’s Master, Bro. Peter Clarke, along with his wardens.

The Wyggeston Lodge Master, Peter Clarke, along with his Wardens and the two Master Masons.

The members were treated to a truly wonderful ceremony, which was performed to the highest of standards. Despite some members having to fill in for others, each piece of ritual was performed spectacularly. After the ceremony, the new Master Masons said how much they truly enjoyed it.

After the ceremony, the members and visitors were all treated to a superb dinner where the good times continued. The evening also raised a fantastic £105 for the Sue Ryder Foundation which supports people through the most difficult times of their lives.

Wyggeston Lodge is proud to welcome Bros. Karan and Friedrich as their newest Master Masons. They have shown great dedication and commitment to the Craft, and they are sure to be an asset to the lodge. We wish them all the best in their future Masonic journeys.

Wyggeston Lodge installs new Master

On Friday 18th November 2022, the members of the Wyggeston Lodge were delighted to witness the installation of Bro Peter Clarke as the new Master.

Bro. Peter joined the lodge in 2013 as part of the Universities Scheme at the University of Leicester, being our second ever youngest Master. Since then he has followed a peculiar line of progression through different offices. Starting as Steward, followed by Inner Guard, three years as Secretary and then taking the offices of Warden and finally the chair of King Solomon.

The evening was also enhanced by a number of brethren from further afield, including several lodges within the province and a rather large cohort of brethren from W.Bro Peter Clarkes other lodge, Royal Yorkshire Lodge 265 in the Province of Yorkshire West Riding. The visiting brethren commented on the differences in ritual and how much they enjoyed the warm hospitality of the Wyggeston lodge.

The ceremony concluded with an impressive dinner which included a wine being paired with each course, a wonderful rendition of the Master’s Song by Bro Samuel Harris, and a presentation of a special gavel to the new Master by the brethren of Royal Yorkshire Lodge.

The Immediate Past Master, W.Bro Christopher Kent welcomes the new worshipful master.

The night ended with a fantastic bottle of Port, as is a tradition at the installation of the Wyggeston Lodge; as well as an emotive and welcoming address to the members from the new Master. This will no doubt be a fantastic year for the lodge and its members.