Dear Member,

We hope that this Festival update finds you, your families and friends are still well and safe at this extremely difficult time for everyone. We are sure that you will be as frustrated as we are with the continuing Covid-19 situation which has turned everyone’s life upside down for the bulk of 2020. The last few months have been a major concern for us all and it looks as though this will continue for the rest of 2020 and probably into the spring of 2021. We both sincerely hope that you continue to stay safe and well and send our best wishes to those who have been dealing with close relatives or friends who have been directly affected. We are aware that some will not fully agree with the measures we have taken to protect our members but ask you all to stick strictly to the advice and instructions issued by the Province, UGLE and Government. Our primary objective is to minimise the risk to our members until the situation changes.

On a brighter note we are proud to be associated with members who have gone the extra mile in assisting front line services, providing much needed help and support throughout the Province or contributed further to the special Covid appeal and this has not gone unnoticed by UGLE.

The Pro Grand Master has announced that there will be formal recognition of these magnificent efforts by asking for nominations from any of you who know of a particular member or groups of members or lodges that have given extraordinary support during this crisis.

All you need to do is email enquiries@durhamfreemasons.org. use the title Covid award, write a short paragraph about their efforts and who benefitted and leave the rest to us.

This year was to be our final push in support of the 2021 Festival and despite losing 7 active months already we are pleased to announce that the

TOTAL RAISED SO FAR HAS JUST PASSED £3,000.000.

This extraordinary achievement is down to the enthusiasm and generosity of Durham Freemasons. Well done to all concerned.

The next few months will continue to be challenging for the country and many of our members may need to call on The Masonic Charitable Foundation for support. The funds we have raised to date over the last few years  will continue to be put to good use if called upon.

As the safety and wellbeing of our families, friends and fellow Freemasons is our main priority, we have reluctantly taken the decision to postpone or cancel most of our planned events so our final total for the Festival will largely depend on those committed direct debits until June 2021 and the numerous Lodges who are still aiming to get their Gold and Platinum awards to recognise their generosity towards this last festival of its kind. (all future Festivals will be directly to the MCF). Please continue to support the Festival and hopefully we will achieve the highest ever contribution per member average on record for our Province

ONCE AGAIN. CONGRATULATIONS AND THANKYOU FOR YOUR MAGNIFICENT SUPPORT

Sincerely and Fraternally

John Arthur ProvGM / GSup