November & December ’24

November being the second of our masonic year saw the Worshipful Master install his Treasurer, Junior Deacon, Assistant Director of Ceremonies and an additional Steward who were unable to present at the Master’s installation in October.

The main ceremony undertake was a 2nd degree, passing Brother Will to the degree of a Fellowcraft.

In addition a letter of thanks was received and read from The Firefighters’ Charity for the lodge’s £1000 donation from the 2023 year, and a letter from SERV Wessex (Service by Emergency Rider Volunteers)

The 7th December was the last meeting of the Vale of Itchen in 2024 and the Vale of Itchen raised Brother Sean to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason.

The November and December meetings raised over £250 for charity from direct contributions from the members of and visitors to the Vale Of Itchen. This year’s chosen charity is the Piam Brown Ward. They are a paediatric haematology and oncology unit, providing care and support to children and adolescents up to the age of 16 and their families.
Our lodge Worshipful Master is particularly familiar with their work and regularly helps them as a fundraiser, as well as a friend of the ward taking children out to events in his retired fire engine.

Special thanks to Brother Sean, our Charity Steward, who arranged a collection of clothing for the benefit of victims of modern slavery. When these people manage to escape the clutches of their perpetrator they often leave with the clothes on their back, the lodge was able to collect and donate nearly 20 bags of clothing to be re-used by those in need.

Just before Christmas our Brother Secretary Ian and Grand Officer Barry visited an elderly Brother within the lodge and donated him a new TV to replace an old model enabling him increased quality of life at home.

The members of the Vale of Itchen care for both each other in the strong bond of brotherhood, and also the world at large. If this bond is something you’re interested in please see our How to Join page or Contact us directly.