United Grand Lodge
of Antient, Free and Accepted Masons
of England
Province of
South Wales
Eastern Division
News
Report
Breaking new ground at the
Royal Welsh Show
2002 marks not only the resumption of the sequence of Royal Welsh Agricultural Shows after 2001's Foot & Mouth outbreak, but also the first time ever that Freemasonry has been fully represented there.
The location at Llanelwedd just north of Builth Wells is well used to Masonic activity though. It has been used for a number of large events the most recent of which was in September 1999 - more of which later!
The idea of hosting a stand at the Royal Welsh emerged during deliber-ations over possible events for the "Freemasonry in the Community" initiative.
The four Masonic Provinces of Wales agreed to a joint venture to give people visiting the show an opportunity to see for themselves what we are about.
The four Provincial Grand Masters visited the stand on Monday 22nd July and periodically throughout the four days. They are of course our own ProvGM, RW Bro Hywel Davies; RW Bro Ian Mackeson Sandbach, (North Wales); RW Bro John Hughes (Monmouthshire) and RW Bro Dr John B Lloyd (South Wales, Western Division).
The guest of honour on the first day was RW Bro David Williamson who is the Assistant Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England. To view a profile of the Assistant Grand Master CLICK HERE. Members were especially pleased that Mrs Williamson accompanied her husband on his visit.
Despite the fact that this was his first visit to the Royal Welsh Show, the Assistant Grand Master is no stranger to Llanelwedd. He was on duty as Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies when RW Bro Hywel Davies was installed as Provincial Grand Master at the same venue in 1999!
The stand (C256) has proved to be very popular. A steady flow of visitors kept the hosts busy answering their questions. Mannequins dressed in various grades of Masonic regalia and a display of Masonic artefacts were open to view.
Masons from all over Wales and many parts of England called in to say hello and - without exception - appeared to be delighted with both the principle and the presentation of our stand.
Our basic principles of Friendship, Charity and Integrity needed little in the way of explanation, and found favour with our visitors. Illustrations of those principles in action - particularly where Masonic Charity is concerned - often took people by surprise though. The Masonic Grand Charity's donations totalling more than a quarter of a million pounds in 2001 to communities affected by Foot & Mouth disease was an eye-opener for many.
If first impressions are a reliable indicator, this venture will have helped considerably towards the goal of addressing and correcting misconceptions about the true nature of Freemasonry.
It is only by talking directly with people about this organisation, of which we are all so proud to be members, that we can begin to make any headway.
We gratefully acknowledge the support of the following suppliers in providing examples of their merchandise for display purposes on the stand
43/47 Oxford Street, Pontycymmer
Bridgend, CF32 8DDTel: 01656 870211 Fax: 01656 871835
AVC
Regalia ManufacturersThe Coach House, 128 Newport Road
Cardiff, CF24 1DHTel: 029 2049 1333 Fax: 029 2049 1666
