The Wyggeston Lodge, which is the Universities Scheme Lodge for the University of Leicester, welcomed five new members at an additional meeting held at Freemasons’ Hall, Leicester on Friday 11th May 2018.
Bros. Joshua, Paul, Randall, and Chante are all undergraduate or postgraduate students at the University of Leicester and were joined by Bro. Liviu who works locally in Leicester.
The Master with the latest members of Wyggeston Lodge
The ceremony of initiation was conducted by the Master, Paul Marvin along with other members of the lodge in a superb manner.
After the ceremony, the lodge members and the new initiates sat down for a festive board of Greek Salad, followed by Surf & Turf and Blackcurrant & Apple Crumble.
W.Bro. Dr. Andy Green said: “We warmly welcome our new members to the lodge and freemasonry and wish them a long and happy membership of our wonderful and ancient society.”
Bro. David Hames, who was Initiated in the Wyggeston Lodge No.3448, in December 2016, was part of a very special multiple Passing ceremony conducted by the David Kenneth Williamson Lodge No.9938 at Freemasons’ Hall, Leicester on the 4th May 2018.
The meeting was held in the very decorative surroundings of the Holmes Lodge Room at Freemasons’ Hall, Leicester on Friday 4th May 2018 and was opened in due form at 5.45pm by the Master, R.W.Bro. Oliver Lodge TD PSGW Grand Director of Ceremonies with 66 Brethren in attendance including the Immediate Past Master RW Bro David Williamson PAGM, the Assistant Grand Master R.W.Bro. Sir David Wootton, the Provincial Grand Master, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, V.W.Bro. Peter Kinder. The Master of the Wyggeston Lodge and other Brethren also attended to support Bro. David on his Passing.
Bro. David Hames was joined by Bros. Jonathan Haslam, and David Veryan Jones, of Castle of Leicester Lodge No.7767, and Marat Guysin and Steven Szukielowicz of Lodge of Science and Art No.8429
They were Passed to the degree of a Fellowcraft in a superbly conducted ceremony ably assisted by the Senior and Junior Deacon along with three Assistant Deacons including our Past Master W.Bro. Andrew Green PAGStB. Our Past Master W.Bro. Kelvin Johnson, PAGDC, Provincial Grand Secretary and Honoray Member, V.W.Bro. Peter Kinder, also assisted the Master in the Ceremony.
Bro. David Hames (right) along with the other Fellowcrafts
The Past Assistant Grand Master, RW Bro David Williamson said: “It was a perfect demonstration of how a multiple Ceremony can be done without detriment to the Candidates.”
The Brethren retired to the Holmes Lounge were they were welcomed with reception drinks before an excellent four-course dinner consisting of cheddar soufflé, epaule of lamb, trio of chocolate desserts, followed by cheese and biscuits with port.
The evening concluded at 9.30pm sharp to allow many Brethren to get the train back to London or other parts of the country from whence they travelled.
W.Bro. Andy Green said: “It was a wonderful occasion and celebration of the Universities Scheme in the Province of Leicestershire and Rutland. We congratulate Bro. David on his Passing to the degree of a Fellowcraft and look forward to his further progress in the lodge.”
At the regular Wyggeston Lodge meeting held on Friday 20th April 2018 at Freemasons’ Hall, Leicester, Bro. Craig, a University of Leicester graduate, was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason.
Bro. Craig was initiated in the lodge in February 2017 as a University student, via the Universities Scheme, after a recommendation from his fellow friend and student Bro. Connagh.
The Master, W.Bro. Paul Marvin, conducted the Raising ceremony with the help of other lodge member. After the ceremony the Brethren enjoyed a super Festive Board.
The Master, W.Bro. Paul Marvin, congratulates Bro. Craig on becoming a Master Mason
It is with deep sadness that the Wyggeston Lodge have lost two long serving members, W.Bros. John Rawson and Frank Achurch who have passed away within three weeks of each other.
W.Bro. John Dakin Rawson, a Factory Manager, was initiated at the age of 33 in the Wyggeston Lodge in December 1962 as part of a double ceremony with his brother W.Bro. Richard Rawson. He became Master in 1978 and soon after held a number of offices within the lodge. In 1999, he was promoted to Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden. Sadly he withdrew from his masonic activities just shy of his fiftieth year as a Freemason in 2012. He was also a member of the Morley Chapter No.8320. W.Bro. John died on the 26th March 2018 at the age of 89.
W.Bro. John Rawson
W.Bro. Frank William Achurch, a Chartered Surveyor, was initiated at the age of 41 in the Wyggeston Lodge No.3448 in December 1968 and was Master of the Lodge during the 75th Anniversary of its Consecration in 1985.
W.Bro. Frank Achurch
At that time, he wrote the following about the future of the lodge:
“The Wyggeston Lodge is steeped in tradition, as is to be expected due to its age, but it has not remained static. In order to meet the challenges of modern society changes have taken place in its character and, looking back over the relatively short period since my entry, those changes are amply evident.
When I first joined the Lodge it comprised 102 Members and was somewhat authoritarian in concept. Certainly Junior Brethren were encouraged to be seen but hardly ever heard! Rarely did they have an opportunity to carry out work during the various ceremonies. Even when one became a Junior Officer one was not expected to take a vocal part at Committee Meetings. The day to day running of the Lodge was quite firmly in the hands of the Past Masters.
Over the intervening years, due to the wisdom of its Past Masters and the enthusiasm of those who have “climbed the ladder” to the Master’s Chair, differences in emphasis have gradually evolved whilst fully retaining the Wyggeston traditions.
Today the Lodge is much smaller numbering 57 Members and the less experienced Brethren are encouraged to take an active part in the work. When progression to Junior Officer is attained, then once again the holders of those junior offices are actively encouraged to voice their point of view for the benefit of the Lodge and its Membership. This I believe to be proper progression so that the Lodge is equipped to take full advantage of the times in which we live.
Every Brother who has occupied the Chair of The Wyggeston Lodge must be a proud man and I am particularly proud to be its 75th Master. I believe we now have a well balanced and very enthusiastic Membership and that The Wyggeston Lodge can confidently anticipate the future knowing that the ideals set down by its Founders will be maintained but that it will continue to change as necessity dictates whilst retaining its justly gained reputation for the excellence of its ritual.
We can all look forward to the future safe in the knowledge that those who are yet to come will carry the Lodge further to even greater achievement.”
W.Bro. Frank was Appointed Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in 1990, Promoted to Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies in 1998 and continued in that office for two years. He was Promoted to Provincial Junior Grand Warden in 2000 and to Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden in 2006. W.Bro. Frank was made an Honorary member of the Wyggeston Lodge in 2014. He died after a long illness on Sunday 15th April 2018 at the age of 90.
At the meeting of the Wyggeston Lodge on Friday 16th March 2018, Bro. Craig, a University of Leicester graduate, continued on his Masonic journey with being Passed to the Degree of a Fellowcraft Freemason.
Bro. Craig became a Freemason last year after a university friend who is already a member proposed him into the lodge.
The Passing Ceremony was conducted in superb fashion by the Master of the Lodge, W.Bro. Paul Marvin, who was very ably assisted by several junior Brethren.
Bro. Craig (right) is congratulated by the Master, W.Bro. Paul Marvin (left) on his Passing
The Brethren all congratulated Bro. Craig during the Festive Board when the Master took wine with the excellent Candidate.
The Master of Wyggeston Lodge, W.Bro. Paul Marvin, and his wife, Kim, hosted the annual Wyggeston Lodge Gala Evening at Freemasons’ Hall in Leicester on Saturday 24th February 2018.
Lodge members, family and friends gathered together for the social highlight of the year which started with a Prosecco reception and being bewildered by Abz Magician who provided some amazing close-up magic.
The guests then sat down to a five-course dinner starting with fresh smoked salmon, followed by a gin and tonic sorbet before the main course, Tournedos Rossini, was served with vegetables. Dessert was Crêpes Suzette served with a rich orange sauce which was followed by cheese and biscuits, coffee and mints.
After dinner, the guests danced the night away with the fabulous duo Danni Britch and Courtnay Reddy who performed many of Abba’s hits including Waterloo, Dancing Queen, Super Trouper, Mamma Mia and Take A Chance on Me. After a short break, the girls came back out to finish the evening off with a number of fabulous 80’s hits.
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The Master said: “It was a brilliant night, only made better by the excellent company of Masonic friends and family. It was worth all the hard work and it was reassuring that everyone enjoyed it.”
At the meeting of Wyggeston Lodge No.3448, which is the Universities Scheme lodge for Leicester University students, staff and alumni, on Friday 16th January 2018 we welcomed our latest member to join us.
Bro. Tom, a first year Physics undergraduate at Leicester University, was initiated in a wonderful ceremony by the Master, W.Bro. Paul Marvin and several of our Scheme Initiates who also assisted him in undertaking work. One of our very first Scheme Initiates, Bro. Alex Pohl, who is now Junior Warden, gave a superb Charge to the Initiate.
Bro. Tom (right) is welcomed by the Master of the Lodge (left)
Bro. Tom found out about Freemasonry and the Wyggeston Lodge at our stand at the University’s Fresh Fair last October. He subsequently got in touch to find out more and decided to join our fraternity.
The ceremony was followed by the Festive Board where the celebrations of our new Initiate continue. There was also an impromptu singing of Happy Birthday to our Junior Warden, Bro. Alex, who was celebrating his 27th birthday.
Bro. Ian Player, who graduated from the University of Leicester in Aerospace Engineering and member of the Wyggeston Lodge No.3448, is about to hit the high seas as part of his marinisation for his Officer training in the Royal Navy at the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth.
Bro Ian Player aboard HMS Ocean
He spent a week on HMS Ocean previous to departing on the HMS Albion last week where he will spend four weeks transiting the Mediterranean.
The Officer training is 30 week course that provides comprehensive induction into Naval life as an Officer. It challenges both their mental and physical resolve
Ian said: “It’s pretty exciting and we get the chance to work in every department. Everything from logistics to engineering to warfare.”
Bro. Jeremy Nelson graduated from the University of Leicester with a MSc in Finance on Friday 26th January 2018 held in De Montfort Hall.
Bro. Jeremy was Initiated in the Wyggeston Lodge, the Universities Scheme Lodge for the University of Leicester, in February 2017 after being proposed by his friend who is also a member.
Bro. Jeremy Nelson
WBro. Dr. Andy Green, Past Master said: “Many congratulations to Bro. Jeremy on his graduation from Leicester University. We all wish him all the very best in his future career.”
Bro. Simeon Hockley, who is a member of the Wyggeston Lodge No.3448, graduated from the University of Leicester on Friday 26th January 2018 with an MA in History.
Bro. Simeon joined the Wyggeston Lodge, which is the Universities Scheme lodge for University of Leicester students, staff and alumni, in December 2016 after hearing about the lodge at Freshers’ Fair.
Bro. Simeon Hockley
W.Bro. Andy Green, Past Master said: “We give our heartiest congratulations to Simeon on graduating with a Masters Degree from the University of Leicester. We are sure he has a bright future and wish him well in his chosen career.”
The Wyggeston Lodge, No.3448 Leicester 