Southend Freemasons celebrate 125 years and give £10,000 for charity

Formed in 1898, the Albert Lucking Lodge members celebrated in splendid style.

At Saxon Hall, the Southend Masonic Centre, on Saturday 21st October 2023, the members of Albert Lucking Lodge welcomed Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Philip Lovelock, the Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies, Chris Sullivan, and the Essex Provincial Sword Bearer, Standard Bearers and Deacons.

This was a very special occasion which started with the Installation of Graeme McCormack as the new Master for 2023/2024 who, in turn, presented Philip Lovelock with a cheque on behalf of the Lodge for £10,000 for the Essex Freemasons Community Fund. The Deputy Provincial Charity Steward, Mike Hall, thanked the Albert Lucking Lodge members and added “Over £847,600 of much needed funding has been granted by the Province to charities and local communities in Essex already this year.” 

Albert Lucking Lodge is one of nearly 300 which meet at 26 Masonic Centres across Essex. The 7,500 Essex Freemasons regularly donate over £1 million each year towards local community initiatives and charities as well as volunteering a lot of their time to good causes. The four values of Freemasonry are Integrity, Respect, Friendship and Service which encourages helping local communities as much as possible.

Over 102 members and guests sat down to a Quasquicentennial celebratory Dinner with each one receiving an anniversary gift of an engraved pen and a Lodge History booklet. With many prizes donated by the members, an amazing further £1,100 was raised for charity and good causes.

Stuart James gave a history of the Lodge since its Centenary in 1998 and the Secretary, Paul Thurgood was given a surprise field promotion by Philip Lovelock on behalf of Paul Tarrant, the Provincial Grand Master, whose mother lodge also meets at Saxon Hall. Stuart said “Celebrating significant birthdays is always a great occasion and this meeting certainly followed that theme which will be remembered by all, for many years to come.”  

-ENDS-

Photos:

1. The Members of Albert Lucking Lodge on their 125th Anniversary
2. Philip Lovelock and Graeme McCormack (centre left and right) with the Provincial escort
3. Philip Lovelock (left) receiving the cheque for £10,000 for the Essex Freemasons Community Fund from Graeme McCormack (right)