Cornerstone Lodge No 10051 was consecrated in a most memorable ceremony in Hull on Saturday 23 March 2024.

We welcome this latest addition to the family of Lodges in the Province and a full report and images from the day will appear here shortly. At the Festive Board, the Provincial Grand Master addressed the brethren as follows:

"It is my privilege and pleasure to propose a toast to the newest Lodge in the Province. Brethren look and be thankful, a single sheet of paper!! A short message but brevity is not to be confused with a lack of sincerity.

As I said in the ceremony earlier the Province applauds the foresight and determination of the founders to bring the Lodge into existence.

It is an important addition to our family of Lodges having as it does the express intention of providing a rallying point for younger masons to develop their knowledge and skills and in an environment which they can influence. That is not to say they will be alone in their quest as there will be ongoing assistance from experienced Masons and of course Province to assist in the direction and pace of developments.

The Lodge encapsulates many if not all the objectives which the Province is keen to develop in what is a fast-changing scene in Grand Lodge.

The Lodge is clearly geared to having younger members, both in age and certainly in Masonic years of membership, taking office and developing their skills in the context of ritual, Lodge management, involvement of families and friends and becoming involved in their local communities to name but a few.

We can already see the impact which it has had in attracting like-minded souls with some 10 joining members today, some of whom are ready to jump into office. The expectation is that this will grow as the Cornerstone Community in the Province, which stands at more than 300 Brethren, and which is growing exponentially continues to fall in behind the Lodge as the rallying point for younger masons.

I have and will continue to make no apology for saying that, without losing sight of our existing membership and all its experience, we need to look to the future of not just our individual Lodges but of Freemasonry in general and that this is dependent on attracting new members who are steeped in living their lives in a way that some of us might aspire to but who are creatures of our history. Believe me not dinosaurs, although some might appear to emulate them at time, but less fleet of foot when the call comes to break step and change direction! There is no doubt that length of service provides experience but there is an equally compelling argument that says

that those who have joined more recently have much to teach, coupled with the enthusiasm and daring of youth. What a team then to take Freemasonry forward in this 21st Century, experience coupled with youth and enthusiasm on the part of both to ensure that we remain a force to be contended with.

You have heard a lot from me today. A ceremony surrounded in tradition, history, punctuated with music and scripture with just a modicum, well perhaps a lot in fact, of difficult to penetrate language, so let me sum up with an unequivocal and I hope clear comment. The Cornerstone Lodge No 10051 is now in existence with all the powers and duties of a Lodge. It is the Provincial focus for the Cornerstone Community, it has a partner in the University Lodges who bring another dimension to younger Freemasonry, and it has a powerful ally in the Province and the network of experienced Brethren of the Province.

You have a task to fulfil, which I know you will achieve by dint of commitment, you are already attracting attention and will continue to do so. You have the support of the Province as an ambassador for the principles the Lodge and Province share, so …………. Members of the Cornerstone Lodge go for it, show the Province and the wider Masonic Community what you are made of and be the success that you wish for yourselves and which we as onlookers wish for you."