Community Activity Across Essex this Christmas Season

Across the Christmas season, Essex Freemasons from Chadwell st Mary to Clacton on Sea, delivered a coordinated programme of community and member-focused activity across the County. The work reflected a shared commitment to collaboration, responsiveness to local need and sustained engagement, rather than isolated or one-off initiatives.

As part of this programme, The Cross Keys Community Fund and Orsett Masonic Community Fund, organised brass band concerts and Christmas parties at Bennett Lodge and The Whitecroft, two residential dementia care homes operated by Runwood Homes. Runwood Homes provides residential and dementia care using a person-centred approach, with a strong focus on resident wellbeing and the recognition of individual life experiences. Activities were delivered within familiar settings and supported by care staff to ensure residents could participate safely and comfortably.

Beyond the care homes, Essex Freemasons and their associated Masonic Centres delivered a wider range of events across the season. These included Christmas parties for vulnerable children referred through local primary schools and women’s refuges, and seasonal events for members, their friends and families. This approach ensured that community support, fundraising and member engagement ran alongside one another, reinforcing continuity and shared purpose.

At the annual Christmas party for vulnerable children held at the Cross Keys, one moment illustrated the impact of this work more clearly than any report or statistic. David Barton, Chairman of the Cross Keys Community Fund and Essex Provincial Community Engagement Lead, reflected on the experience:

“There was a non-verbal child there, around three or four years old. One of his carers explained to me that he has experienced significant distress, to the point where he rarely communicates. Throughout the day, despite the party, the magician and the balloon modelling, he was particularly focused on a set of sleigh bells hanging on one of our Christmas trees.

When he was leaving, I went outside and gave the bells to him. He gave me the biggest smile and mouthed ‘thank you’. His carer saw it too, turned to me and smiled, and said, ‘He feels comfortable.’

I had tears in my eyes, and that moment will always stay with me.”

David’s leadership has been central to shaping a joined-up approach to community engagement, ensuring individual activities sit within a wider, year-round framework. His emphasis on coordination, partnership working and clear communication has enabled centres to respond consistently and effectively to local need.

Events delivered through the Orsett Masonic Community Fund were organised under the leadership of Steve Bruyel, Deputy Provincial Charity Steward. Under his guidance, Orsett’s seasonal programme aligned closely with that of the Cross Keys, reinforcing a cooperative and consistent approach to delivery, fundraising and engagement across centres.

All initiatives across the season were supported by members and volunteers from both funds, alongside many lodge members drawn from across participating centres. Their collective involvement provided the capacity to deliver multiple events while strengthening connections between lodges, centres and the wider community.

In parallel, Colvin Memorial Temple in Clacton-on-Sea continued to develop its role as a community-facing centre. Alongside delivering a free Christmas Grotto for local families, the Temple has supported a number of recent projects focused on improving how it coordinates activity and communicates with its community. This work demonstrates how a modern, forward-thinking centre can operate as an accessible and responsive community asset.

Reflecting on community activity taking place across Essex, Elliot Chevin, Essex Freemason and Assistant Provincial Grand Master, commented:

“What is particularly encouraging is the way Masonic centres across Essex are increasingly working beyond their own walls and engaging meaningfully with their local communities. By coordinating activity, sharing ideas and resources, and communicating openly with the public, our centres are demonstrating their value as genuine community assets. Initiatives such as these highlight how Freemasonry continues to evolve and respond positively to the needs of modern society, setting a strong and sustainable example for the future.”

Member events held across the season also provided an opportunity to recognise and conclude twelve months of sustained community engagement and charitable activity. Raffles formed part of these events, with all proceeds returned directly to the funds, strengthening their capacity to continue delivering support.

By coordinating activity across the season and reinvesting funds raised, Essex Freemasons have ensured continuity of delivery and are well positioned to continue supporting local communities into 2026.

Discover how Freemasonry can help you make a lasting impact… Please visit: https://essexfreemasons.org.uk/join

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