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Taunton Masonic Hall Open Day 2024

Taunton Freemasons opened the doors of Taunton Masonic Hall on Saturday 7th September as part of this years National Heritage Open Days week. With local advertising and links to the Heritage Open Days marketing they were delighted that this delivered around 150 visitors to the Hall during the course of the day. Numerous members from the Taunton based Craft Lodges attended to act as hosts and tour guides for those visitors that came to see this fabulous 203 year old Grade Two listed building and find out a little more about what Freemasonry does for the community and for its members. As always (five star) Karen, Hayley and the catering team based at the Masonic Hall looked after everyone with tea, coffee, biscuits and cakes.

Taunton Freemasons were delighted that their Provincial Grand Master Ray Guthrie (the head of Freemasonry in Somerset), Assistant Provincial Grand Master Russ Woodland and Provincial Grand Membership Officer Barrie Palmer attended for the opening and acted as hosts to the invited Civic guests (all pictured below). The Mayor of Taunton, Councillor Vanessa Garside, Deputy Lieutenant for Somerset, Mrs Sheila Wheeler, The High Sherriff of Somerset, Rob Beckley and the local Member of Parliament, Gideon Amos MP enjoyed a guided tour of the Masonic Hall and Temple.

The civic guests in particular were amazed at the range of support Freemasons give to good causes, not just financially through charitable giving, but also in the giving of time and expertise. A good number of lady freemasons from Bath and Yeovil based lodges of The Order of Women Freemasons were also present and Taunton Freemasons were delighted that they were able to support the event. The hosts were able to engage with the visitors and shine a light on some of the good work that Freemasons do, not only in their local communities but also further afield.

Taunton Freemasons found it rewarding to have a number of potential new members and also some unsponsored candidates dropping in to meet brethren; this bodes well for their membership applications and was a demonstration of their enthusiasm. While not specifically a recruitment event, the hosts have already had one additional enquiry looking to join a Taunton based craft lodge.

All present thoroughly enjoyed this year’s Open Day and Taunton Freemasons would urge other Masonic Halls to consider the opportunity afforded each September to join the National Heritage Open Day programme to engage with their local communities. People are interested to see not only the Masonic buildings, but also to speak to Freemasons and understand what they do.

Report by: Andy Newland – SW Area Membership Officer & Ed Richings – SW Area Comms Officer

Photos by: William Allen – Vivary Lodge 8654, Taunton

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