I attended yesterday’s Quarterly Communication of the United Grand Lodge of England, where there were some very interesting developments. These are my personal observations on what took place.
A New Assistant Grand Master
The Pro-Grand Master was pleased to invest Charles Hopkinson-Woolley as Assistant Grand Master. Anyone who has served in an office under the direction of Charles in his role as Director of Ceremonies (including myself), will know how suitable he is for this new role. English Freemasonry is thriving under a very competent senior management, and I have a sense that our members are getting used to celebrating success rather than worrying about failure.
A New Grand Director of Ceremonies
Of course, with the post of Grand Director of Ceremonies now vacant, we have another appointment. Ed Goodchild, who was previously Deputy President of the Masonic Charitable Foundation, was given the rank of Grand Director of Ceremonies. In which he seemed to be very much at home and we had enjoyable and productive rehearsals. Everything went perfectly with everyone in step, and the ceremony was beautifully performed.
The Armed Forces Gold Award
You may have previously read that UGLE signed the Armed Forces Covenant. The Armed Forces Covenant is an agreement to acknowledge and understand that those who serve/have served in the Armed Forces, alongside their families and the bereaved, should be treated with fairness and respect.
Following up from this, the United Grand Lodge of England has been awarded the Gold Award from the Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS), which acknowledges employers that provide exceptional support to the Armed Forces community and Defence by going above and beyond their Covenant pledges.
You will see me wearing my Gold Badge proudly over the next few weeks! And yes, our own business will be following this lead and exploring options to support and employ those with military experience in the future.
(As an aside, Kitty’s Livery, The Stationers’ Company, supports the Bound by Veterans initiative, which uses bookbinding skills to assist rehabilitation, improve health and well-being and to develop employment skills.)
Scotland Joins the Council for Freemasonry in England and Wales
Do you remember when the Grand Master, His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, visited the Grand Lodge of Scotland to ask them to join the Council of Freemasonry? I do, I was there!
For anyone not aware, the Council aims to enhance further existing and longstanding collaboration and promote the fundamental principles of Freemasonry, including merit, tolerance, diversity, and inclusion between the all-male United Grand Lodge of England, and the two all-female Grand Lodges the Order of Women Freemasons (OWF), and the Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons (HFAF).
Scotland has accepted, and now we will have a Council for Freemasonry in Great Britain!
It’s great to all be working together on important issues.