Wyggeston Lodge was one of the many organisations that attended the University of Leicester Freshers’ Fair on 28 September 2022. The lodge was represented by several members, along with members of the Freemasonry for Women, who were on hand to talk to students about Freemasonry.
The lodge had a busy day at the fair, and they spoke to many students who were interested in learning more about Freemasonry. The members of the lodge were able to answer the students’ questions and give them a general overview of what Freemasonry is all about.
The lodge was also able to hand out some information leaflets and free bookmarks to the students.
The Wyggeston Lodge was pleased with the response that they received at the Freshers’ Fair. They believe that it was a great opportunity to reach out to new people and introduce them to Freemasonry.
After a nearly three year hiatus, members of three Universities Scheme Lodges in the Province of Leicestershire and Rutland – Wyggeston Lodge No.3448,(University of Leicester), Castle of Leicester No,7767 (De Montfort University) and the Lodge of Science and Art No,8429 (Loughborough University) – were so pleased to meet once again for a joint meeting to celebrate the ever growing success and popularity of the Universities Scheme in the province which welcomes university students who wish to join.
Since the last joint meeting at Loughborough Masonic Hall on 25th February 2019?, this year met at the beautifulFreemasons’ Hall in Leicester. The event was attended by over 80 members who were witness to 3 wonderful ceremonies (an initiation, a Passing, and a Raising) conducted by each of the lodges with a fantastic bunch of hardworking and determined candidates.
The Lodges and the province were also once again extremely honoured to welcome the Assistant Grand Master and President of the Universities Scheme, Sir David Wootton, along with the Provincial Grand Master, PeterKinder, and visitors representing other scheme lodges including Bedfordshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire, and Lincolnshire.
The meeting was opened by the acting Master of the Wyggeston Lodge, Andy Green, Assistant Provincial Grand Master.
The acting Master of the Lodge of Science and Art, Peter Legg, then took the chair to perform a double Raising. Following some light refreshments, it was the turn of the Master, Nigel Johnson, and brethren of Castle of Leicester Lodge who then proceeded to conduct a double Passing. Finally, after a further tea break, the Wyggeston Lodge conducted an Initiation ceremony of a new member, a 25 year old recent dentist graduate, who was warmly welcomed by all.
The meeting was followed, as ever, by a wonderful Festive Board where the lodges enjoyed a hearty three course dinner with the company of guests and visitors. A bottle of Burleighs Leicester Tigers Gin was presented to the Assistant Grand Master who said he was delighted to attend and that it was a good time to be a Freemason which received a wonderful ovation.
Elliot Conway said: “It was a truly wonderful day and it showed us how far the universities scheme has come and that it truly has a bright future ahead!”
On Thursday 5th August, W.Bro Andy Green of the Wyggeston Lodge, Chris Butlin and Paul Godwin of the Lodge of Science and Art, took part in the 2021 Universities Scheme challenge.
The walk began when Andy Green collected the DKW Cup from the Nottinghamshire Freemasons and then began at Loughborough Masonic Hall. Though the weather proved to be a challenge for part of the day, no one was deterred and the walk continues along the old A6 and Grand Union Canal, with plenty of breaks along the way.
The members then finally reached Leicester Masonic Hall on London Road and handed the DKW cup to the Northamptonshire Freemasons so it could continue its journey as part of the challenge.
A huge congratulations and well done to all those who took part in this incredible challenge.
Wyggeston Lodge, the University Lodge for University of Leicester students, has generously donated the ingredients needed to make a ‘fakeaway’ curry with rice to 500 University of Leicester students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In conjunction with the University of Leicester Students’ Union, the unique ‘Recipe In A Bag’ have been distributed to those students hit hardest with the lockdown restrictions. These bags include individually portioned rice, chickpeas, tomatoes, potatoes, coconut milk and chilli.
The head of the Wyggeston Lodge, Alex Pohl said: “Kindness and charitable giving are deeply ingrained within the principles of Freemasonry. We are very mindful that students at the university have not been able to enjoy their university life to the full because of the coronavirus pandemic.”
Alex Pohl proudly displays the Recipe Bags donated to University of Leicester students
He continues: “Recipe boxes via subscription have really boomed in recent years particularly during 2020. As a small token, we’re delighted to put our own version of these recipe bags for students in self-catered accommodation so they can make and enjoy a tasty meal whilst in lockdown.”
Upon receiving the donation, Karli Wagener, Wellbeing Officer at the Students’ Union said: “Small acts of kindness can help hold us together and stay united during challenging times. We are thankful to the Freemasons for donating 500 meals to students living in halls. We understand that it is a difficult time for students and this was not the year they expected. Through providing meals to students, this acts as a helping hand and is one less thing for them to worry about.”
Recipe in a Bag ingredients
The lodge also teamed up with Wigston News & Deli to provide the spice mix and the recipe which is included in each of the bags. Pratik Master said: “It’s an honour to be given the opportunity to enable the students to create a ‘fakeaway’ curry night all for themselves, to alter a phrase – give a man a curry, they will eat for a day, teach them to make #NotJustACurry in a Recipe Bag, they will eat for a lifetime.”
Andy Green (left) and Simon Oldfield (right) deliver the Recipe Bags to the University of Leicester
Andy Green, member of the lodge who devised and co-ordinated the recipe bags said: “I’m very proud of the Freemasons who have come together to help create this initiative and deliver food to the student community in Leicester during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Even during these strange and unprecented times, the strong feeling of brotherfood within Freemasonry never ceases to fade or falter; nor does it deter brethren from coming together in strange ways.
Starting out on the 20th March, which would have been the night of the regular meeting of the Wyggeston Lodge, the members of the Wyggeston Lodge took to WhatsApp to raise a glass to Absent Brethren. Each me
mber sending a selfie to the WhatsApp group of themselves raising a glass at 9 o’clock in solidarity with one another as we would have done had times not been so strange.
This this slowly formed into part of a bigger trend amongst other brethen and lodges of the Province of Leicestershire and Rutland, as well as other provinces throughout the UK, to come together each week on a Saturday evening at 9 o’clock to raise a glass to absent brethren and to those heros helping to keep us all safe. This was given the hashtag: #TimeToToast and many masons, including the MW Pro Grand Master Peter Lowndes, regularly take an active part.
Thanks to the use of social media and applications such as Zoom, the brethren of the Wyggeston Lodge have been able to come together on an near weekly basis to catch up, have a laugh, and raise a glass in solidarity to one another.
These are strange times and it is a shame that all Masonic activies have been suspended, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t keep in touch and keep doing what Freemasons do best – helping and supporting one another.
Happy have we met, happy may we part, and happy may we meet again.
On the 15th November 2019, brethren of the Wyggeston Lodge were witness not only to the installation of their 109th master of the lodge; they were also privileged to witness the installation of the youngest ever Master in the history of the lodge, Bro Alexander Pohl.
Having been initiated into Wyggeston Lodge 3448 in 2011 whilst still a student at the University of Leicester and being the first universities scheme initiate, Alex has quickly risen through the ranks of Freemasonry.
At the young age of 28 and already having made it to the chair of King Solomon, along with his newly invested Senior and Junior Wardens. Namely, Bro. Dr. Christopher Kent and Bro. Peter Clark, and with a combined age of 90, Wyggeston Lodge can surely be proud to have such a young and energetic team!
Other officers of the lodge were also invested for the coming year and wonderful night was had by all.
Wyggeston Lodge was also honoured to okay host to The Provincial Grand Senior Warden, R.W Bro Jonathan Varley, who presented the Warrant of the lodge to the newly installed master.
At the festive board we were once again treated to an amazing three course meal, complete with a gorgeous bottle of Port and a rather rowdy rendition of the Masters Song performed by the newly installed Junior Warden, Bro. Peter Clark.
After a great year with W.Bro John Harvey as master of the lodge, which saw many new initiates and raisings, along with great social events. There’s no doubt that the coming year will be just as wonderful for the lodge.
Wyggeston Lodge were one again proud to attend the University of Leicester Freshers Fair on the 26th September 2019.
As part of the Universities Scheme, the Wyggeston Lodge were delighted to be able to attend and spread the message of Freemasonry to students and staff of the University of Leicester.
Though we were sadly not joined this year by the Order of Women Freemasons, we still received plenty of interest in their organisation!
As usual, there was plenty interest from students wishing to find out more about Freemasonry.
Members from Wyggeston Lodge have arranged for a pub trip to meet all those interested. There will also be a tour around Freemasons Hall and a talk by Dr. Andy Green about Freemasonry!
Once again, members of three Universities Scheme Lodges in the Province of Leicestershire and Rutland – Wyggeston Lodge No.3448, of the University of Leicester, Castle of Leicester No,7767 (De Montfort University) and the Lodge of Science and Art No,8429 (Loughborough University) – met once again for a joint meeting to celebrate the continuing success of the Universities Scheme in the province. Nearly two years since the last one on 25th February 2017, this meeting took place at Loughborough Masonic Hall on Saturday 18th May and attended by over 90 brethren who were witness to 3 wonderful ceremonies (an initiation, a Passing, and a Raising) with a solid number of hardworking and determined candidates conducted by each of the lodges. The Lodges and the province were also extremely honoured to welcome the Assistant Grand Master, R.W.Bro Sir David Wooton, along with the Provincial Grand Master, R.W.Bro David Hagger, brethren representing other scheme lodges and other visitor were also present. The meeting was opened by the Master of Castle Lodge at 2:30pm, the Master of the Castle of Leicester Lodge, alongside other members of the lodge then proceeded to conduct a double Raising. Following a short tea break, it was the turn of the brethren of Wyggeston Lodge who then proceeded to conduct a quadruple passing. Finally, after a further tea break, the Lodge of Science of Art conducted an Initiation ceremony of an extra two new candidates who were both warmly welcomed by the brethren, The meeting wad followed, as ever, by a wonderful Festive Board where the lodges enjoyed a hearty three course dinner with the company of guests and visitors. A bag of local Leicestershire delicacies, including some cheese and local beer was also presented to Sir David Wooton. A raffle held in honour of the Masonic Charitable Foundation 2022 was also held which, as always, shows the huge charitable works of the province. W Bro, Dr Andy Green, organiser of the event commented on the flowing success of the three lodge meeting and how it is a testament to the growing success of the Universities Scheme, with more and more young people becoming interested in Freemasonry everyday.
At the November meeting of the Wyggeston Lodge 3448at Freemason’s Hall, Leicester, the members of the lodge witnessed the installation of the 108th Master of the lodge, Bro. John Harvey.
Having been initiated into Wyggeston Lodge 2011, Bro John Harvey quickly rose through the various offices of the lodge and made many friends along the way; it is of no surprise that he was elected by the Brethren to become the Master for the coming year.
Bro John Harvey was also happy to invest Bro. Alex Pohl as his Senior Warden, along with Bro. Dr Christopher Kent as his Junior Warden. Other members of the lodge were also invested as Deacons, Inner Guard, Assistant Secretary, and Stewards for the ensuing year.
The lodge was also honoured to play host the Provincial Grand Master, R. W. Bro. David Hagger who very kindly presented the warrant of the lodge the newly installed Master of Wyggeston Lodge.
Brethren who attended the Festive Board were also treated to a wonderful evening which consisted a delicious three – course meal, a fantastic performance of the Master’s Song by the wonderful Bro. Peter Clarke, and of course a lovely jeroboam of vintage port.
After a great year with Bro. Paul Harvey as the Master of Wyggeston Lodge which saw so many new initiates welcomed into the lodge, it is sure to be another such wonderful year for the lodge.
The Wyggeston Lodge, No.3448 Leicester 