In 2017 Freemasonry in England and Wales will be 300 years old. As part of the celebrations surrounding this historic event the UGLE is to publish a history of this 300 years. This will particularly demonstrate the important role Freemasons have played in the civil, cultural and social development of our nation.
In Phase One of the UGLE inspired Historical Resources Survey Lodges and Chapters were asked to send to UGLE information about the historical records they hold. The MW The Pro Grand Master Peter Lowndes joined the representatives of more than 35 provinces to celebrate the success of the first phase of the Survey at a reception at Freemasons' Hall in London in May. Over 6000 Lodges and Chapters completed the survey which recorded more than 117,000 documents and shows the depth of material available within lodges and chapters.
He noted, "Lodges and Chapters reflect the variety of local influences, personalities and local circumstances on freemasonry over time. Local diversity, as it would probably now be called, is probably one of the strengths of English freemasonry that enables us to look forward to celebrating a three hundredth birthday in 2017. It is particularly important that when we look at the history of freemasonry we look at the local history as well as the history of "head office".
Provincial representatives had many stories to tell about tracking down lodge records previously thought missing and the challenge of opening long forgotten cupboards and tin boxes in Masonic Halls.
In this Province, 31% of Lodges and Chapters completed the Survey and returned it to UGLE. The Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Barrie Hall said, "I would like to thank all those in the Province who have been involved in this Project and especially those Lodges that completed this Survey. It is not too late. I urge all Lodges that have not yet completed the Survey, particularly the older ones with a wealth of history behind them, to complete the Survey. They should concentrate on people who have helped shape developments in their local areas."
A reward for Lodges and Chapters that have completed the Survey is the opportunity to apply for a UGLE grant towards the preservation and conservation of their historic records (details from Provincial Office). An incidental part of this project has been to highlight the way in which Lodges and Chapters archive and preserve their records. The UGLE has taken advice on this from specialists of the British Library and provided information to help Secretaries in this process.
Phase Two of the Project will be to involve local project groups delving further into the Survey data to identify material that will be useful to UGLE in the celebration of this tercentenary and book publication.