Lodge of Research No. 2429, which meets in Leicester, has for the first time published online a full index of the papers included in their annual transactions covering from 1892 up to the present on their new website www.research2429.org.uk 

This index has been compiled by the Editor of the Transactions W Bro David Sharpe and show a wealth of historical masonic research both of a local, national and international interest.

Lodge of Research was consecrated in 1892 and over the years it has become well known over the whole word for its pioneering work in the field of masonic history.

The first Transactions, published in 1893, included papers on 'The Pompeii Mosaic' by W.H. Staynes, 'Extinct Leicestershire Lodges' by John T. Thorp, the internationally renowned literary and historical Masonic scholar, and 'Form and extent of a Freemasons Lodge' by Frederick W. Billson.

More contemporary papers in the latest issue from 2015 include the 'The Leicester Table' by Maxine Gilhuys Notarbartolo, 'The Holmes Temple Organ: It's Extensive History' by Carl Heslop and 'The 9th Earl Ferrers: a Provincial Grand Master we might have had?' by David Hughes.

Copies of the papers listed in the index are available from the Editor of Transactions and it is hoped that publishing the full index will allow the research conducted and presented in the papers to gain a wider exposure.

On the 3rd June 2016, the Uppingham in Rutland Lodge No. 9119 presented a cheque for £925 to the Leicester Hospitals Charity to be spent on treating children with rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic progressive disease causing inflammation in the joints resulting in painful deformity and immobility, especially in the fingers, wrists, feet, and ankles.

The master, W Bro Chris Cockerill said: 'Those who have had contact with someone who has this painful disease understand the impact it has on them. However, to have this as a child brings further challenges and one that I wished to contribute towards in order to help them. We think this disease is something we may get when older and forget that people can get rheumatoid arthritis at any age.'

The cheque was received in a presentation by the Master to Kamlesh Mistry of the Leicester Hospitals Charity who thanked the members of the lodge for their fantastic support in raising the money which will go towards helping children with the disease.

W Bro Martin Oliver and Mike Rowe from St Mary's Lodge No. 7164 presented three local charities with £250 each which has been generously donated by its members

Representatives from Motor Neurone Disease in Leicestershire and Rutland, Parkinson's Disease Melton Mowbray Support Group, and the Melton and Rutland Branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society each received the award at a presentation ceremony at Freemasons' Hall, Wicklow Lodge, Melton Mowbray on Saturday 30th July 2016.

Martin Oliver said: 'Some of our members have been affected by the illnesses supported by these wonderful charities and we're delighted to be able to offer these donations to help the local community.'

Curry favour

Serial fundraisers W Bro Clive and Steph Jones, plus fifty curry chums dined out in Market Drayton on 2nd August to support Blind Veterans UK

Hosted by Oruna Cuisine, all the happy diners enjoyed a very generous three-course meal supplemented by Clive’s customary jovial take on life. Steph took charge of financial matters and a well-supported raffle prize draw generated a fund raising result in excess of £600.

Blind Veterans UK is a charity very close to Clive’s heart. The charity supported former Welsh Guardsman Clive and his family when he lost his sight in December 2000. 'I really cannot put into words the debt I owe to Blind Veterans.

'Unexpectedly catapulted into a world of total darkness the charity worked steadfastly with me and my family, helping to rebuild our lives. Simply saying "thank you" is just not enough!'

Sir Arthur Pearson, who owned the Evening Standard and founded the Daily Express, established St Dunstans in 1915. Having lost his own sight through glaucoma, he was shocked at society's attitude to blindness. He decided to help those who had lost their vision in the First World War by giving them the care and rehabilitation they needed to lead constructive, self-sufficient lives.

Nearly a century later, Blind Veterans UK (the successor to St Dunstan's) not only cares for ex-service men and women blinded in action, but for veterans who have lost their sight through accident, illness or old age. The charity has three centres (Brighton, Llandudno and Sheffield) that provide residential and respite care plus sports facilities, as well as qualified welfare staff who help blind veterans across the UK to live independently within their own communities.

Fundraising TEA Afternoon for Florence Nightingale Hospice

Members of Buckinghamshire lodge Haddenham No. 8944 helped out Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity’s local fundraising group with their popular afternoon tea event.

The event raised more than £2,000 from cream tea sales, grand spring draw tickets and a tombola.

Angela Hart, Haddenham Community Group leader said: 'We are very grateful to the people of Haddenham for coming along to support the hospice. A huge thank you must go to the brilliant team of volunteers who put on the event.'

Ever since its consecration on the 17th February 1981, Haddenham Lodge has been a leader in lodge social activities with an extensive calendar each year.

The lodge has a stable social calendar of local community activities, including big band nights, summer and winter beer festivals and quiz nights – and each events is open to anyone who would live to attend.

In 2014 the two beer festivals raised £1,000, and the garden party £850. Approximately £6,000 in total is given by Haddenham Lodge to local good causes and some charities recommended by Provincial Grand Lodge every year.