Taunton Community Focus Event

Taunton Freemasonry and the Taunton Masonic Hall Co Ltd were honoured to support a Community focussed event for the current Mayor of Taunton, Cllr Martin Straus on Sunday 7th December. Our Assistant Provincial Grand Master Russ Woodland represented the Province of Somerset at this unique event. The Mayor is an active Somerset Freemason and also a member of a number of Community organisations with ‘service’ at their heart, such as Rotary and Probus. Martin had wanted to use his year in office as Mayor as an opportunity to bring a number of Taunton based organisations together and to produce a directory of all of the organisations that could be available as a resource in local libraries. His chosen Charity this year is Young Somerset’s ‘Bold and Brave’, who kindly collated all of the information and had a number of copies printed for this purpose.

Freemasons are all aware of the importance to engage within their local communities and Taunton Masons were very pleased to be able to host this event. After a short introduction to everyone by the Mayor, Russ Woodland gave a welcome address to the Temple and explained how Freemasonry fitted into this discussion and its relevance to the Community here in Taunton. For some that had never been inside the Taunton Masonic Temple there was an opportunity to have a tour before joining together over a buffet lunch provided by Karen and Hayley, after which all enjoyed seeing the Temple used for a wonderful musical performance delivered by local operatic artist Helena Payne.

Those were honoured to be joined by the Vice Chair of Somerset Council as well as Taunton’s Member of Parliament, Gideon Amos. Apologies were received from the Lord Lieutenant and the High Sherriff. Thank you to all that attended and particularly the Taunton Freemasons that acted as hosts to our guests.

Report by: Andy Newland – Comms Officer – Emergency Services Lodge