At the meeting of Wyggeston Lodge in November, held at Freemasons’ Hall, Leicester, Bro. Paul Marvin was Installed as the 107th Master of the Lodge.
Bro. Paul was Initiated in Wyggeston Lodge during 2009 and has steadily progressed through the Offices of the Lodge. In October, he was elected by the Brethren to become Master for the ensuing year.
After being Installed into the Master’s Chair, the Master was extremely pleased to invest the first Universities Scheme Initiate, Bro. Alex Pohl, as his Junior Warden, along with Bro. John Harvey as his Senior Warden. Other Scheme Initiates were also invested as Deacons, Inner Guard and Stewards.
The Master, Paul Marvin (centre) with his Senior Warden John Harvey (left) and Junior Warden Alex Pohl (right)
The Lodge was honoured to give a warm welcome to the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, V.W.Bro. Peter Kinder, as the Provincial Representative who kindly presented the warrant of the lodge to the newly installed Master.
At the Festive Board, Bro. Peter Clarke gave a rousing rendition of the Master’s Song with the help of the Wardens and the Brethren. He also kindly provided a jeroboam of vintage port for the Brethren to enjoy with their cheese and biscuits.
Peter Clarke (right) presents a bottle of port to the Stewards of the lodge
In a new initiative, the Master’s wife, Kim, was joined by several other wives and partners of the Brethren for a meal in Leicester during the same evening. They all then returned to Freemasons’ Hall for a drink to celebrate with the Brethren after the Festive Board.
The Wyggeston wives/partners enjoy a meal in Leicester
The Master, Yogesh Patel, two Grand Officers, the Immediate Past Master and other members of the Wyggeston Lodge were all honoured and proud to take part in an historic parade through the streets of Leicester on Sunday 29th October 2017 prior to a Service of Thanksgiving at Leicester Cathedral.
Members of Wyggeston Lodge at the Parade. Left to Right: Richard Sutton, Bob Hutchinson, Yogesh Patel, Kelvin Johnson, Paul Bodycot, Simon Walmsley and Andy Green
As part of the Tercentenary, celebrating 300 years of Freemasonry, over 100 Freemasons from across the Province of Leicestershire and Rutland, including our own Lodge members, processed in their Masonic regalia from Jubilee Square to Leicester Cathedral via High Street, Gallowtree Gate, Market Place and Grey Friars.
It was nearly 100 years ago in 1923 when Freemasons last paraded through the streets of Leicester.
In warm autumnal sunshine, the procession set off promptly at 2pm behind a vibrant brass band and were welcomed and greeted by passing shoppers who were curious at the spectacle. Some were even seen filming and taking photographs on their mobile phones to record the parade.
The procession arrived at Leicester Cathedral at 2.15pm where all the Brethren lined the entrance of the Cathedral to welcome the Provincial Grand Master, David Hagger and the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Peter Kinder along with the Deputy Grand Secretary.
Andy Green said: “I’m so proud and honoured to have been part of this special and historic moment in the history of Leicestershire and Rutland Freemasons and it was great to see several members of Wyggeston also being part of it.”
The Wyggeston Lodge of Freemasons, which is the Universities Scheme Lodge for University of Leicester, once again attended the Fresh Fair at the Students Union on Thursday 28th September 2017.
It was a very busy day with many students wanting to learn more about Freemasonry and how they could join.
Leaflets about the Lodge and ‘limited edition’ beermats, which were specially printed for the event, were handed out to well over 500 students.
At least students were immediately interested in finding out more and signed up to receive information and a chance to visit Freemasons’ Hall on London Road, Leicester.
A number of our student members have recently graduated from the University of Leicester.
Those graduating were:
Bro. James Kelly, BEng Mechanical Engineering
Bro. Adam Tilley, Law LLB
Bro. Lehan Edirisinghe, BA Management Studies
Bro. Connagh McCormick, Law LLB
Bro. Eric Akobeng, PhD Economics
Past Master, W.Bro. Tom Bodycot, was extremely pleased to support Bro. Eric at his graduation which was held in the De Montfort Hall, adjacent to the University after being invited by him to attend.
We congratulate them all and wish them well in their future careers.
W.Bro. Simon Oldfield has been instrumental in organising the charity event which will see a total of 20 riders from lodges across the Province of Leicestershire and Rutland take part. In addition, Bros. Chris Panteli and Richard Jennings, along with Toni Oldfield (Simon’s wife) and Sunay (W.Bro. Dipak Chauhan’s son) will also be riding. This makes the Wyggeston Lodge the most highly represented of all lodges.
The 300 mile bicycle ride over 4 days will visit all the Masonic centres in Leicestershire & Rutland including riding down to Freemasons’ Hall in Great Queen Street, London between 8th – 11th June 2017. The full schedule is attached. Please do feel free to come along to your local Masonic Hall to support the riders when they arrive.
The cyclists will also call at the site of the former tavern, the Goose and Gridiron in St. Paul’s Churchyard where the Grand Lodge was formed in 1717.
The riders will achieve 12,000 feet of ascent, will have been in the saddle for some 36 hours, and consumed something in the region of 20,000 calories. The distance is approximately equivalent to two stages of the Tour de France.
Other members of the lodge including W.Bros. Dipak Chauhan, Paul Bodycot, Andy Green, Jamie Mollart and Bro. Chris Kent will also be on hand to support the riders during the four days.
Please support our riders reach their target of £20K by donating online:
The three Universities Scheme Lodges meeting in Leicestershire and Rutland, including the Wyggeston Lodge No.3448, donated £1,500 to Alderman Newton’s Educational Foundation at a presentation ceremony at Freemasons’ Hall, Leicester on Saturday 29th April 2017.
The Alderman Newton Educational Foundation receives a cheque from the Provincial Grand Master on behalf of the University Lodges
Alderman Newton’s Educational Foundation offers financial support to individuals and schools in Leicestershire helping them access education or training opportunities.
The money was raised at the recently held special joint meeting where the three lodges, Wyggeston Lodge, Castle of Leicester Lodge No.7767 and Lodge of Science & Art No.8429. The Leicestershire and Rutland Masonic Charity Association additionally contributed half of the funds.
Andy Green, Universities Scheme Representative for the Lodge said: “As University Lodges, we are incredibly proud to donate this money to a local educational charity that supports those less fortunate than ourselves.”
At our meeting on Friday 21st April 2017 held at Freemasons’ Hall, Leicester, Bros. Simeon and Elvis were Passed to the Second Degree in a wonderful double ceremony.
The new Fellowcraft, Bros. Simeon (left) and Elvis (right) along with the Master and Universities Scheme Representative Andy Green
The Master conducted a superb ceremony and was assisted by a number of Brethren including Bros. Dr. Simon Walmsley and James Kelly. Also assisting was Bro. Ian Player, who deputised on several occasion throughout the meeting.
Two special and surprise presentations were also made at the meeting, the first was a bottle of whisky to W.Bro. Douglas Ball PGStB on his 93rd birthday.
The second presentation was a pair of cufflinks to W.Bro. Dr. Andy Green as a token of the appreciation of the lodge for his services as Secretary and Universities Scheme representative. Upon receiving the gift, Andy said: “I’m completely bowled over by this presentation which is a lovely gesture. Thank you to the lodge for these cufflinks which I shall certainly treasure.”
The new five-part observational documentary series on Sky 1 ‘Inside the Freemasons’, which starts on Monday 17th April at 8pm features several members from the Wyggeston Lodge No.3448 which meets in Leicester.
Andy Green, Peter Kinder and Dipak Chauhan who feature in the ‘Inside The Freemasons’ Sky 1 TV Documentary
The highly-anticipated observational documentary, entitled ‘Inside The Freemasons’ promises to go beyond the myth and legend to explore the real people, practices and inner-workings of the well-known, but little-understood, ancient fraternal order with roots stretching back to the medieval stone masons. From the regalia to the grand ceremonies, ancient rituals and the unbreakable bonds of brotherhood, viewers will discover what it really means to be a modern-day Freemason.
Filmed across several months in 2016, the documentary follows individual Freemasons from Entered Apprentices to Rulers, exploring the history, symbolism and the modern relevance of the organisation, including its role as one of the biggest charitable contributors in the UK.
As part of the filming, several Freemasons from the Wyggeston Lodge are included in this groundbreaking documentary.
W.Bro. Andy Green features in the final episode which focuses on the future of Freemasonry. Andy became a Freemason 17 years ago at the age of 27 via a recommendation from a university friend.
Andy said: “Freemasonry has given me an enormous amount of pleasure and satisfaction and has also offered me confidence, transferable skills and so many genuine friends.”
Talking about his involvement in the documentary he said: “I’m incredibly passionate and enthusiastic about Masonry and have relished the opportunity to be part of a unique documentary series helping to dispel the myths that have surrounded Freemasonry for many years. I also very much care about the future of Freemasonry and helping to ensure that generations to come are able to enjoy it as much as I do.”
During his time as a Mason he has made close friends who have assisted him through tough times and poor health.
Other Wyggeston Lodge members featuring in the series talking about Freemasonry include W.Bro. Dipak Chauhan who joined in 2004 and was attracted with the ability to be involved with charitable work, help with developing personal skills and a fascination with how it translates across religions.
He said: “I hope the documentary will open up the mysticism and myths and to show that Freemasons do some seminal charitable work for good causes.”
V.W.Bro. Peter Kinder who is the Assistant Provincial Grand Master of Leicestershire and Rutland is an Honorary Member of the Wyggeston Lodge.
Peter, a local businessman, was initiated in 1973. He said: “Freemasonry is a wonderful organisation of like-minded men and has taught me the values of being a disciplined individual and a responsible member of society.”
Peter got involved with the TV Documentary after being invited to take part after he met the film crew on location: “I felt that the making of this documentary was a wonderful opportunity to ‘open our doors’ to the public.” He continued: “I hope it will show that our members are responsible, charitable and upstanding and that we contribute greatly to all aspects that community.”
The Wyggeston Lodge No.3448, which meets in Leicester, held its annual Spring Luncheon at the Grey Lady Restaurant at Newton Linford, Leicestershire on Saturday 8th April 2017.
A number of Brethren, their family and friends, enjoyed the warm day with a drink in the spring sunshine on the terrace before sitting down to a wonderful three course lunch.
The Master, W.Bro Yogesh Patel, thanked those Brethren who attended and supported the social event which over the past few years has become an annual fixture in the lodge calendar.
Thanks also go to the Lodge Steward, Bro. Chris Panteli, for organising the event and ordering good weather.
The previously unseen world of Freemasonry will be revealed for the first time in an enlightening new five-part observational documentary series on Sky 1 – starting on Monday 17 April at 8pm. The series features several members from Wyggeston Lodge which meets in Leicester including Past Masters Andy Green and Dipak Chauhan.
Exclusive and unprecedented access was granted to film inside one of the world’s oldest and most intriguing membership organisations as part of its 300th anniversary in 2017.
Inside The Freemasons – Sky 1 documentary
The highly-anticipated observational documentary, entitled Inside The Freemasons promises to go beyond the myth and legend to explore the real people, practices and inner-workings of the well-known, but little-understood, ancient fraternal order with roots stretching back to the medieval stone masons. From the regalia to the grand ceremonies, ancient rituals and the unbreakable bonds of brotherhood, viewers will discover what it really means to be a modern-day Freemason.
Filmed and produced by independent production company Emporium for Sky 1, this series is the first time such extensive access and filming has been permitted inside the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE). Viewers will be given never-before-seen insights into the world of Freemasons, their practices, values, history and modern lodge life.
Filmed across several months in 2016, the documentary follows individual Freemasons from Entered Apprentices to Rulers, exploring the history, symbolism and the modern relevance of the organisation, including its role as one of the biggest charitable contributors in the UK.
While the vast majority of viewers are familiar with the concept of Freemasonry, few can describe who Freemasons are and what they do with any confidence or accuracy. What has motivated generations of men to join its ranks? Why is it important to form bonds that transcend religion, politics or social status? What does Freemasonry stand for? What do Freemasons do? What does the symbolism and allegory mean? How does public perception differ to reality? And what does Freemasonry have to offer society today?
Across the five episodes, we follow ordinary Masons from around the country, as they learn and rehearse their ritual and the moral lessons it contains, raise money for charity and enjoy the camaraderie they say comes with being a member of the Brotherhood, to paint a comprehensive, Masons-eye-view of life Inside The Freemasons.
Inside The Freemasons – Sky 1 documentary
John Hamill, Director, Special Projects at the United Grand Lodge of England, said, “In our Tercentenary year it is fitting that we mark this favourable occasion by very openly sharing a look at who we are, what we do and what we stand for. We hope the programme will help inform, educate and even surprise, providing a genuine insight and understanding into Freemasonry and Freemasons today.”
Emma Read, Managing Director of Emporium Productions said, “We were delighted to have been given such unprecedented access to the hidden world of the Freemasons to make a documentary series. Most people are familiar with Freemasons as an organisation, but few actually know who they are, what ‘Lodge life’ is really like and why men join in the 21st Century.”
The Wyggeston Lodge, No.3448 Leicester 