Provincial Grand Master

My Freemasonry has never been kept a secret from my friends, family or colleagues and is something of which I am very proud.? Last week I was made the head of Freemasonry in Suffolk as its Provincial Grand Master over the Province’s 69 Lodges, and Grand Superintendent of their 32 Chapters in which there are over 2,500 members.?

Freemasonry is an ancient institution practised by men and by women promoting the best values in society by advancing and adhering to the values of of integrity, friendship, respect and service.?

In 2024, Suffolk Freemasons begin a five year fundraising ‘Festival’; a period during which we will endeavour to raise ￡1.5m for the Masonic Charitable Foundation, the Freemasons’ charity (MCF).? Since 2016 the MCF has given to over 8,000 households, and more than 3,000 charities in England and Wales distributing more than ￡120m; with ￡4.7m donated to help during the COVID pandemic.

As well as providing funds for the MCF, the money that Suffolk Freemasons will donate during the Festival will also contribute to the cost of running 17 ‘RMBI’ care-homes for non-Freemasons as well as Freemasons and their dependants which provide residential care, nursing and dementia support.

Suffolk’s Festival (and MCF spending) is in addition to the regular charitable work of the members of each Lodge and Chapter in Suffolk which is on top of the time and support given regularly by Freemasons (18 million volunteer hours were given by Freemasons across the country during the pandemic).

Anti-masonic rhetoric I have encountered over the 26 years I have been a Freemason has been from those with no genuine knowledge or experience of our organisation.? One of my aims as a ‘Provincial Ruler’ is to increase awareness and the amount of engagement we have with our local communities so that when one learns that a friend or colleague is a Freemason, one will know that they are someone who gives to their community, can be trusted and who will go the extra mile for a friend, colleague or even for a complete stranger.?

I am delighted to share my news with you.? I am grateful to my partners and colleagues at work who support me taking on these additional responsibilities and I thank my brother Freemasons (including the women of the Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons and those of the Order of Women Freemasons) for their support and for their service.? During our Festival I will be working with other members of those who manage Suffolk Freemasonry to meet business leaders across the county for the opportunity to share more information of the work we do with the hope that we will enjoy your support as we go about our work.

Right Worshipful Brother Jolyon Berry, Provincial Grand Master, Suffolk