Page 42 - Essex Mason (Issue 91)

Extended Version of NHS Day

The Howard Hall Masonic Centre

NHS, social care and frontline workers

celebration day – 5th July 2021

On the 5th of July 2021, the 73rd birthday of the creation of the
NHS, Essex Freemasons joined together with other local and
National organisations to celebrate the work and dedication of
the NHS, social care and frontline workers and to remember the
ultimate sacrifi ce that many had made during the pandemic.
The Howard Hall Masonic Centre in Braintree was honoured
to host Her Masjesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Essex, Mrs Jennifer
Tolhurst, as well as the Chair of Braintree District Council,
Councillor Sue Wilson, to help mark this important date and
remember all those who had gone above and beyond in the
service of us all. Our Deputy Grand Superintendent In Charge,
W.Bro. Nick Franklin, APGP W.Bro. Andrew McLeod, as well as
several other brethren were able to show our appreciation and
support.

It was our pleasure to have representatives from the NHS
and Essex Fire and Rescue, as well as representatives of the
membership of the hall to witness the NHS fl ag being raised,
lowered, a 2 minute silence being marked along with a local
bugle player and Grandson of a member of Joshua Nunn Lodge
in Halstead, then a toast proposed by the Lord Lieutenant of
Essex which was well received by all present.

It was an extra special treat for everyone to witness the sharp
presentation of the standards of the British Legion, the Braintree
and Bocking Standard, as well as the Tabor Academy standard
(the fi rst bespoke affi liated school standard in Britain) by Bro.
David Wiles, Bro. Gordon Roach (both Rosslyn Lodge, Braintree)
and Bro. Chris Butcher of the Lodge of Hope (Brightlingsea). The
three standards, as well as the welcome and farewell to the Lord
Lieutenant was superbly marked by Bro. Mike Simmons (also
Rosslyn Lodge) to the sound of his bagpipes, which provided
the perfect sound track to the formal part of the day.
Howard Hall -Braintree

All present were then provided with a perfect ploughman’s
lunch, which J&J Goldsmith (caterers) produced boxed in
order for everyone to be able to enjoy as a safe, socially
distanced, lunch.

In the evening, the ProvGStwds completed their county wide
tour at the hall and were joined by 40 other brethren and their
partners to mark the 8pm clap outside of the hall, after which
all retired to take part in a short quiz.
The day ran smoothly and the Lord Lieutenant wrote to Nick
Franklin to thank the hall for such a fantastic event to recognise
the important work that the NHS, social care and frontline
workers are achieving. It was also a great chance to welcome
people back to the hall for the fi rst time since the pandemic
began and we would like to thank all who attended, worked
hard before the day and on the day, especially Bro’s David
Wiles, Gordon Roach, Chris Butcher and Mike Simmons for
their ceremonial work and Bro. Stephen Nichols and W. Bro.
Mike Barrett for recording the event for posterity during the
day and evening.

Article written by W. Bro. Daniel Broyd (ProvGStwd)