Neil Connolly preparing for the Provincial Grand Meeting of Hertfordshire on September 23

PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER’S ADDRESS

PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER’S ADDRESS

The Address by the Rt Worshipful Neil Connolly, Provincial Grand Master of Hertfordshire, at the meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge at Freemasons’ Hall, London, on September 23, 2026.

Good afternoon brethren. As always, it is a delight to welcome so many of you here today in this truly magnificent temple.

Any provincial meeting is a celebration of the dedication and industry of our members and today is no exception. Congratulations to those who have been recognised with a certificate of service, promotion or first appointment.

These acknowledge the contribution made by our members as they travel along the progressive journey that defines freemasonry. It is the celebration of past efforts and the anticipation of this continuing as part of the wider benefit to us all.

Those with an active appointment, do enjoy your year and try to engage in as much as you can as it is a genuine privilege to serve this for in fact any other province.

My thanks also go to our provincial office and the UGLE (United Grand Lodge of England) team for making today happen.

As a province, we have much to celebrate. The concept of the ‘One Journey’ through the craft and onto the Royal Arch is gaining momentum, with Master Masons continuing their Masonic progression and becoming companions in the Royal Arch. And I thank the most excellent Grand Superintendent and his Executive in this endeavour.

Solomon has recently been invigorated by the introduction of an Artificial Intelligence function, allowing specific questions for the answers and assisting us all in our personal, regular advancement. I know that some of our younger brethren and the tech proficient older ones have found this particularly interesting and engaging.

The contribution of the relatively new Lodge offices of Membership and Mentor in inspiring and enlightening and supporting our members is gaining considerable momentum and traction in Hertfordshire.

And this was particularly noticeable at the recent Mentors’ Award dinner, where Masons, and perhaps more importantly, their partners, also saw those nominated by their own lodges and were there to receive acknowledgement of their contribution in going above and beyond, energising their membership and thereby strengthening their lodge.

Masonry has to be enjoyable and relevant to our members, especially when there are so many demands on our time, and, as a result, engagement can wait and membership therefore will decline.

The relevance of what we do has to be redefined to engage and align with our membership across every age. In this regard, I’m reminded of an Aboriginal belief that says that the daytime is for observing the earth and its creations, and the nighttime for connecting with the heavens.

In the same way, our meetings are for observing our rituals and behaviours within the lodge, and then contemplating how we can apply these principles in better connecting with our families, friends and colleagues, and to make a conscious effort to understand why we are Masons, and upholding and imparting those values as an example to our communities who may wish to engage and aspire to join us.

I know that the essence and relevance of what we do and why we do it resonates with every Mason in this room and beyond, regardless of age. It’s imparting that to other communities from which we are drawn that is our challenge.

We are generally quite successful, and attracting members, with approximately 250 Initiates joining us per year. But losses, I’m afraid, remain stubbornly ahead of this figure, and we continue to see numbers still reducing.

In order to address this, two years ago we launched our own Herts Future initiative, championed by our newly appointed Senior Warden, Dan O’Connell, and his team, and supported by many others in the province.

This invited every lodge to consider what makes their lodge special, and to recognise and develop from within, in order to preserve what they have and grow in the future.

I’m delighted that over a hundred of our lodges have completed the first four steps. A number have seen considerable turnaround in their fortunes, with greater engagement, attraction, of initiatives and joiners. This results in vibrant meetings and therefore will increase visitor numbers wishing for more.

It is, however, not a panacea to all the rules, but it demonstrates that success can happen with a slight change in approach. And the Lodge Visiting Officer scheme continues to help with this at Lodge level. And do consult with your Lodge Visiting Officer if you want some assistance in that regard.

This exceptional summer witnessed a broad range of social and charitable events, many of which encourage members of the public to attend. And I’m grateful to all who organise these occasions and their centres for hosting them.

In addition, we have supported many non-Masonic events within our province, with provincial stewards providing over 100 man-days of marshalling and assistance across the province on various occasions, nearly at all these non-Masonic events.

This raises the profile of nations in the public, improving the general reception of what we represent and how we contribute. And as the saying goes, brethren, actions speak louder than words.

The 2030 Festival had a soft launch in 2024 and last year announced a target of £2.25 million. And I’m pleased to declare that our current position is that over a thousand of our members have signed up to the regular giving, 50 lodges have achieved, Vice Patron [level] or above, and the total banked to date, not committed, is over £1 million. I am both grateful and heartened with the enthusiasm displayed in supporting the festival, the mainstay of our masonic ability to give.

Thanks to you all, and it’s not too late to sign up and create a special event as we still have, just under four years to go.

I started by welcoming you all to this magnificent temple. Do take time to study the craftsmanship and reflect on the human industry in creating this beautiful building. In fact, I have noticed several of you doing so in my address!

Masonic buildings represent a legacy to those who work before us and the benefit of human industry and effort that create something special for us all to enjoy and to aspire to emulate. The way that we can support our current sonic buildings to modernise and inspire future generations is going to be through the Centenary Hallstone Appeal.

This appeal has already been communicated by UGLE and will be launched in Hertfordshire later this year.

In like manner, it is a daily contribution to our craft and our communities that will ensure that our collective legacy wrapped in the grand design of being happy and communicating happiness, will be a benefit of the society from which we are all drawn, and fraternity from which we all belong.

Keep up the good work brethren, and may the Great Architect of the Universe continue to guide and bless you all. Thank you.