About 300 Freemasons and friends packed into The Engine Shed in Lincoln for the first visit to Lincolnshire for the annual ball of the Freemasons’ charity the MCF, and generated more than £8,000 for good causes.
The numbers behind the work of the MCF are hard to comprehend because they are so large – but the good done by what they achieve is immeasurable. In the eight years since its formation, the charity has made grants of £130m. Said Chief Exec Les Hutchinson: “That’s about £50,000 a day, every day.” He told the audience: “That’s why you are crucial to the charity’s work. Your efforts are indispensable.”
That sentiment was echoed by Provincial Grand Master for Lincolnshire Dave Wheeler, who added: “I looked forward to this event from the moment it was announced that Lincolnshire would host it, bringing not out of London for only the second time in its history. I’m sure everyone had a wonderful time.
“A lot of preparation and planning went into ensuring that a successful and happy time was had by all. The night will live long in the memory.”
The Freemasons’ Province of Lincolnshire has almost 3,000 members in an area from The Humber to the Wash, who are currently involved in a five-year campaign to raise at least £2.25m in support of the MCF, with the total achieved to be revealed in September 2025.
Dave thanked the organising committee; the 2025 Festival committee, and all the Lincolnshire Freemasons who continued to contribute to what he predicted would be a superb result when the Festival came to an end next year. He added: “Together we’ve supported the MCF by raising the funds it needs to do all the good that it does for those in our communities who need it most.”
