Essex Freemasons Unite Communities to Celebrate VE Day 80!

Johnson Beharry VC encourages VE Day 80 initiative for local communities by Essex Freemasons and Get Started Art

Johnson Beharry VC, the Worshipful Master of Richard Clowes Lodge No. 2936 will be attending Westminster Abbey on Thursday 8th May 2025 for the service to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE Day).  The service, which is by invitation, is part of a week of national celebrations during which the Cenotaph will be dressed in Union flags with a flypast and a military procession.

VE Day in 1945 marked the end of the Second World War in Europe. As the 80th anniversary approaches, Essex Freemasons are actively engaging with local charities and communities to ensure children, the elderly, and other groups can take part in the celebrations.

Spearheaded by David Barton, who is leading community engagement across the Province, this initiative unites Essex Freemasons and community groups in a shared effort to honour this historic occasion

Freemasons from Lodges, Chapters, and Centres across Essex have volunteered to distribute more than 7,000 Union Jack flags and 10,000 Union Jack bunting arts and crafts sheets to schools, care homes, and community groups in Braintree, Brightlingsea, Chingford, Clacton, Colchester, Harlow, Harwich, Hutton, Loughton, Mersea, Orsett, Southend, Thurrock, Tollesbury, Upminster, and Wivenhoe—regions that are home to over half of the Masonic Centres in Essex.

Arthur Cooke, Scribe of Abbeygate Chapter, explained:

“The idea is for children to colour and create bunting as part of the VE 80 Day project. The craft sheets are double-sided, so they can also be used as regular bunting, as there are no Masonic symbols on the pennants.”

Dave Francis, Membership Officer of Sylvan Lodge, who is also driving community engagement and the distribution efforts added:

“We are encouraging as many Essex Freemasons as possible to join us in making a meaningful impact and celebrating this momentous occasion together.”

The initiative has already gained significant media attention, with the story reaching over 1,000 community media pages through Reach PLC, the UK’s largest commercial news publisher.

Among those pleased to see Essex Freemasons fostering community spirit is Johnson Beharry VC, who has praised the project’s success and its impact across the Province.

On 15th March 2025 at Colchester Masonic Centre, following a discussion about his contribution to the new Commemorative book for Essex to celebrate 250 years as a Province in 2026, Johnson Beharry VC shared his feelings with the Essex Provincial Historian, Tony Hales, and conveyed how important it is for us to remember, give honour and pay tribute to all those who showed courage and acted with bravery in the Second World War, when an estimated 40 to 50 million people were killed, of which 25 million were military personnel.

Listen to: The Official Essex Freemasons Podcast, Foundation Stone, entitled A History of Brotherhood and Legacy, for a very interesting and informative interview by Sam Connor and Paul Williams with Tony Hales, the Provincial Historian, at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKFOfuGkJ7s

Photos

Top: School Children flying flags in celebration

Middle: Bunting Arts and Crafts

Bottom: Tony Hales, the Provincial Historian, and Johnson Beharry VC talking about the VE Day 80 celebrations and the new Commemorative Book for the 250th Anniversary of the Province of Essex in 2026. Courtesy: Alan Penney