This year's Remembrance Day Parade in St Albans will take place on Sunday, 10 November; starting outside the Marks and Spencer on St Peter Street at 10am and marching to the War Memorial for 10.30am.

This is an important event in the local calendar, as displayed by the growing numbers both participating in the parade and attending the service afterwards, and all Brethren are invited to join this year’s Masonic contingent. The most senior Freemason present on the day will lay the wreath.

Normal Masonic suits are to be worn; together with Masonic Collars. No other regalia or banners are to be displayed. Medals and poppies can, of course, be worn.

If you would like further information, please contact W Bro Neil McKenna by clicking here

Halsey Masonic Hall in Cheshunt have set up a new events committee to increase the usage of the centre and their debut event will be a Beer & Gin Festival.

The event, which is to be held at Halsey Hall on Saturday, 16 November between 12 and 11pm, is open to all and will feature some of best craft beers and ciders from local artisan breweries. A gin stall will also offer a wide variety of different types and flavours. To accompany this, a number of musicians and bands will be playing throughout the day to keep everyone entertained.

For those interested in finding out a little more about this Grade II Listed building, guided tours will also be available on request.

Tickets for the event cost £10 per person and include a free drink and a burger or hot dog (alternative options are available for those with dietary restrictions and a discounted entrance price of £5 is applicable if you are either not eating or not drinking).

Proceeds from the event will go towards the upkeep and running of Halsey Masonic Hall - helping to ensure its ongoing use as a centre for Freemasonry in the Province.

Tickets for this fantastic debut event can be purchased online by clicking here. It goes without saying that alcohol will only be served to those over 18 years of age!

The next Lodge Mentors’ Meeting will be at 7.30pm at The Cloisters, Letchworth Garden City on Monday, 25 November. At the meeting, amongst other topics, will be an update on the upcoming Personal Guide booklets and a report on the first of the Described Degree ceremonies held by Old Verulamians Lodge No 7988 in October.

It is proposed to give outline details of the next Mentoring Workshop, scheduled for June 2020, further dates and venues for the 2nd and 3rd Described Degree ceremonies and other topics raised by the Brethren regarding mentoring in the Province.

All Brethren are most welcome but, in particular, it is hoped that all Lodge Mentor’s will attend.

The members of the Lodge of True Aim No 9930 were showing off their brand new Lodge shooting shirts at their pre-meeting shooting competition in September; before going on to install W Bro Peter Walters as the Lodge's third Worshipful Master at their Installation meeting later that day.

Prior to the Installation the outgoing Worshipful Master, W Bro Albert Bareham Initiated Shaun Benjafield-Metcalfe as their newest member and welcomed Joining Members including the new Assistant Provincial Grand Master, W Bro Ollie Wells.

Since its Consecration in January 2017, the Lodge has Initiated a total of 14 candidates and welcomed 18 Joining Members to bring its current membership up to 60; making it not only the youngest Lodge in the Province but also one of the largest!

W Bro Ram Malocca and his daughter Sophie were delighted to visit the Ronald McDonald House Charities last month to present a cheque for £956; raised by the Brethren of Prince Hamlet Lodge No 9864.

In a message received after the presentation, the charity said 'on behalf of the whole team here at Ronald McDonald House Charities, a huge thank you for your very generous donation... The funds you have donated will enable us to offer free accommodation and support to families for a total of 38 nights.'

Hertutforda Lodge of Sincerity No 7632 enjoyed a very busy meeting agenda at their Installation meeting in October: Bro Neil Stagg became a Joining Member; Provincial Grand Charity Steward, W Bro Chris Noble presented a Grand Lodge Certificate to Bro Edward Currant; Assistant Provincial Grand Master, W Bro John Norris presented a 50-year Certificate to W Bro Terence Frary and W Bro Malcolm Mitchell then Installed W Bro David Nicholas as the Lodge's Worshipful Master for 2019-2020.

As if that was not enough, W Bro Noble then presented the Lodge with the Platinum Award to celebrate their having achieved 178% of their fundraising target in the 2019 Festival. The outgoing and incoming Lodge Charity Stewards, W Bros Robin Morley and Carl Hadley, assisted with the award.

The Fleet House Light Blues Club, is a Masonic group designed for all Brethren who wear a light blue apron. The clubs aim is to support newer freemasons on their journey while enjoying each others company. With some recent success stories, the club continues to grow and develop its offering in an ever changing landscape. If you are interested in learning more about the FHLBC, please click here.

Do you or your Lodge have any events or news that could feature in this newsletter? We are keen to feature as much of the goings-on in Happy Hertfordshire as we can manage, so please send your stories to news@pglherts.org

All stories should be between 100-300 words and we would love it if you could include a photograph too. We look forward to hearing from you!