R.W. Bro. John Michael Webb
Provincial Grand Master
Welcome
to the website for Freemasonry in the Province of Essex, I hope you will find
something of interest within our pages.
The
Grand Lodge of England
was founded in 1717 and is widely regarded as the Principal Grand Lodge in the
world. There is no international organization as such, but a system of mutual
recognition by sovereign Grand Lodges operates successfully. Essex is the
fourth largest province in England and Wales with more than 300 Lodges and
11,600 members
Freemasonry
offers its members an approach to life which seeks to reinforce thoughtfulness
for others, kindness in the community, honesty in business, courtesy in society
and fairness in all things. Members are urged to regard the interests of the
family as paramount but importantly Freemasonry also teaches and practices
concern for people, care for the less fortunate and help for those in need.
Although not our principal activity,
charity
forms an important part of Freemasonry and enables us to offer support in many
cases of need. Whilst only collecting money at our own functions and not from
the public in general, Masonic charities distribute some £5,000,000 each
year to non-Masonic causes. Other than the National Lottery, we are the largest
´giving organization´ in England. At the same time as contributing
to both national and local charities, we in Essex have a very special charity
called
´Teddies for Loving Care´ which
provides a constant supply of colourful Teddy Bears to all Accident and
Emergency units throughout the county. This scheme was started in March 2001
and has now spread to 34 Masonic Provinces in England and Wales. To-date we
have donated 500,000 teddies to sick and injured children.
Membership
is open to men of all faiths who are law-abiding, of good character and who
acknowledge a belief in a supreme deity. I am delighted that Freemasonry
continues to attract men of goodwill from all sectors of the community.
If you would like to learn more about us and our
activities, please browse through the pages on this site and then contact our
Wickford office. Contact
