The inaugural celebration of NHS, Social Care and Frontline Workers’ Day took place on 5th July 2021, with Cambridgeshire Freemasons leading the event at their Masonic Centres across the County.
While the Open Days planned at several of our centres had to be postponed due to COVID restrictions, flags were raised, banners displayed and trumpeters played the Last Post after which a two-minute silence was observed. Freemasons across the country joined in the nationwide evening clap for NHS workers at 8.00pm and raised their glasses to them in a virtual toast at 9 o’clock.
The day was dedicated to the NHS, social care and all those working on the front line, who have saved so many lives during the pandemic. The celebration also remembered those workers we sadly lost.
5th July 1948 was an historic moment in our country’s history. It was the day our pioneering National Health Service (NHS) was born, bringing free healthcare to everyone. We have treasured it ever since, but never more so since March 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic gripped the UK and utterly changed all of our lives.
Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, Freemasons have been supporting the NHS in many ways. They have donated more than £2.5m so far to the Covid-19 effort and completed 18.5 million hours of volunteering to help those in need each year. The donation is being used to help with food, personal protective equipment, supplements for hospitals and hospices, funds for NHS workers and ambulances. Cambridgeshire Freemasons have joined in with their support to the NHS by:
- Providing PPE for the crews of the MAGPAS and East Anglian Air Ambulances
- Contributing to the manufacturing of 2,000 sets of scrubs for Addenbrookes, Papworth and other local hospitals via local organisation Connection Through Crafting
- Volunteering at local vaccination centres across the county
Bruno Peek, pageant master to the Queen and creator of NHS, Social Care and Frontline Workers’ Day, said: “We are delighted that Freemasons, whose members come from all walks of life, played such a high-profile and active role in this special day of celebration and commemoration of those within the NHS, social care and on the front line, who undertake so much for us all, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 52 weeks a year, without any thought of their own safety.”
Dr David Staples, chief executive of the UGLE, a Consultant in Acute Internal Medicine at Peterborough Hospital and himself a Cambridgeshire Freemason, said: “We are facing the greatest global pandemic in living memory, and the NHS has never been so tested in its history. Its staff have been stretched beyond comprehension over the last year and they deserve our gratitude, our applause and all the support we can give.”
The United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) was one of the core supporters of the event alongside the Cadet Forces, English Heritage and the Women’s Institute. Freemasonry for Women and the Order of Women Freemasons also joined the UGLE in this initiative.
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Editors’ notes:
1st Collage Photo shows Freemasons across the County supporting the day
2nd Collage Photo shows Freemasons across the County joining in the nationwide clap and raising their glasses to toast the NHS
NHS, Social Care and Frontline Workers’ Day logo with local support pictures
About Cambridgeshire Freemasonry
The Masonic Province of Cambridgeshire is relatively small, with Masonic Centres in Cambridge, Ely, Newmarket, March, Chatteris, Whittlesey and Wisbech. There are around 1500 Freemasons and 30 individual lodges. We pride ourselves on our friendliness and inclusivity, with members drawn from all walks of life and professional backgrounds. We welcome enquiries from anyone who is curious about our values and our history.
More information is available on our website and enquiries should be directed to our Provincial Office in Cambridge via https://www.cambridgeshirefreemasons.org.uk/ or to our Provincial Information Officer:
Jon Cooper, Press and Information Officer, Cambridgeshire Freemasons
Email: jonandsally2000@yahoo.co.uk
Telephone: 07714 763427
About the United Grand Lodge of England:
The Premier Grand Lodge, which became the United Grand Lodge of England, was founded at the Goose and Gridiron Pub in London in 1717. It has 48 Provinces across the country and more than 7,000 Lodges, with students over the age of 18 able to join one of the 85 University Scheme Lodges. Freemasons use four important guiding principles to help define their path through life: integrity, friendship, respect and charity. One of the oldest social and charitable organisations in the world, Freemasonry’s roots lie in the traditions of the medieval stonemasons who built our cathedrals and castles. Membership is open to people from all backgrounds and the organisation’s aim is to empower members to be the best they can be – it’s about building character, supporting members as individuals and helping them make a positive contribution to society. Freemasonry is one of the largest charitable givers in the country, contributing more than £48m to deserving causes in 2018 alone. Freemasons do not only donate money – more than 18.5 million hours of volunteer work are undertaken by Freemasons every year.
Livia Ferreira, Public Relations Manager, United Grand Lodge of England
Email: lferreira@ugle.org.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7395 9208 | Mobile: +44 (0)7539 578699
