The Hands of Friendship Lodge No. 9758 hosted an evening for Gloucestershire’s new Masons at its meeting on Wednesday, 2nd September. Tewkesbury Masonic Hall was filled to capacity, with over 80 Masons battling through the wind and rain to receive a warm welcome. Fifty-five new Masons (including 16 Entered Apprentices and Fellowcrafts) and Masonic Mentors were among the visitors, along with VW Bro Colin Bendon, Deputy Provincial Grand Master and W Bro John Thurston, Assistant Provincial Grand Master. The Lodge worked an abridged form of the First Lecture, led by W Bro James Bartlett PJGD. Every visitor was presented with an annotated copy of the abridged Lecture.

After the Lodge meeting the Brethren moved to the dining room for the Festive Board. More than £500 was collected for charitable causes. Feedback from the event has been extremely encouraging. The Provincial Grand Mentor W Bro Toby Jones announced that this first evening will be followed by a series of similar events for new Masons around the Province.