The below letter from the Provincial Grand Master & Grand Superintendent
was sent on 18 August 2020
Dear Brethren and Companions,
We greet you well and write to provide you with an update on current guidance with regard to the restrictions on holding Masonic meetings, in Wales.
At present, Welsh regulations and guidance do not permit the holding of Masonic meetings. The Provincial Office and UGLE maintain a close eye on the situation and when circumstances permit any change, we will inform you accordingly. If you have already issued a summons, please do ensure that you advise your membership that no meeting can currently take place.
For so long as a ban on meetings in Masonic Halls continues to apply in Wales, the situation must remain as it was before 18 July 2020 in England; i.e. no summonses should be issued, because meetings are prohibited from taking place – and the original FAQs continue to apply (attached).
As soon as Welsh Government guidance changes to allow groups of ten or more people from different households to meet indoors, it is expected that a lifting of the suspension of Masonic activity in Wales will be announced.
Any resumption of meetings will take place fourteen days after the announcement or on the date, if later, on which the Government guidance becomes effective.” [ “fourteen days” is stipulated in order to allow time for summonses to be issued and Brethren to have reasonable notice of the resumption.]
Province is most grateful to those hard-working members who have prepared our Masonic Meeting places for reopening and we look forward to meetings resuming, when regulations allow. There are some excellent examples of “Best Practice”, in particular those Masonic Halls who have positively engaged with their Local Authorities. This interaction can only prove of benefit and Masonic Halls are advised to please maintain contact with the ProvGSuptWks for further advice and support. (sthwalesprovwks@nullgmail.com)
Lodges and Chapters are reminded that if their particular meeting place is not ready to open, once permission is granted to meet, it is a requirement that each Lodge and Chapter holds Regular meetings as per their By Laws. Rule 137 Book of Constitutions states that there is no power to cancel any Regular Meeting and it will be up to the membership of each Lodge and Chapter to discuss an alternative venue and seek a Dispensation to do so. The Provincial Office is here to assist you with any enquiries.
Brethren and Companions, we all look forward to the day when we are able to meet and we wish you and your families well.
Provincial Grand Master
Grand Superintendent
Click here to see the Coronavirus FAQ (27 March 2020 version) in full.
Please note that if you know of any members that do not have an email address – please endevour to pass this message on where possible.