St Catherine’s Hospice was honoured to host a very special and memorable Masonic Lodge meeting on Monday, 18th of May 2026, welcoming distinguished visitors from across the Province and from further afield in what proved to be a truly uplifting and meaningful occasion.
The evening was made particularly significant by the attendance of the Provincial Grand Master, Right Worshipful Brother Mark Iveson and his Provincial team, alongside the Right Worshipful Sir David Wootton, Past Deputy Grand Master, whose presence added great distinction to the event.
The occasion was also believed to be a historic first — the first time a Masonic Lodge meeting has ever been formally held within a hospice setting. Scarbrough Lodge should be highly commended for taking the bold and forward-thinking decision to hold one of their meetings within Saint Catherine’s itself. It was a decision warmly appreciated by everyone present and one which perfectly reflected the shared values of compassion, community, friendship and service that sit at the heart of both Freemasonry and hospice care.
During the meeting, Worshipful Brother Tony Dyer delivered an engaging and informative presentation regarding the Masonic Aware Project, highlighting the important work being undertaken to increase awareness, support and engagement throughout the Masonic community. His talk was extremely well received by the brethren and prompted considerable interest and discussion.
This was followed by a fascinating address from Worshipful Brother Ray Baird, Chief Executive of Saint Catherine’s Hospice, who spoke passionately about the historic and ancient connections between hospices and the stonemasons of old, whose craftsmanship and charitable principles helped establish some of the very first places of refuge and care for travellers, pilgrims and the sick centuries ago. His talk drew powerful parallels between those historic traditions of care, compassion and fraternity and the modern-day mission of Saint Catherine’s Hospice.
W Bro Ray Baird also gave attendees an overview of the extensive services now delivered by Saint Catherine’s across the region, outlining the hospice’s vital work supporting patients and families through specialist palliative and end-of-life care, community services, bereavement support, wellbeing programmes, education and wider compassionate care initiatives.
The presentations were followed by an engaging question-and-answer session, during which visitors showed genuine interest in the work of the hospice and the growing challenges and opportunities facing charitable healthcare organisations today.
Following the close of the Lodge meeting, all attendees gathered together in the hospice’s onsite restaurant, Flavours, where they enjoyed a fabulous three-course meal in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The evening provided an excellent opportunity for fellowship, conversation and strengthening relationships between Saint Catherine’s and the wider Masonic community.
The event was a tremendous success and demonstrated the enduring values of charity, compassion, friendship and service that unite both organisations. Saint Catherine’s Hospice would like to extend sincere thanks to Scarbrough Lodge, the Provincial team, Right Worshipful Sir David Wootton and all brethren who attended for making the evening such a positive and memorable occasion.
It was an evening filled with warmth, friendship and shared purpose, one that all who attended will remember fondly.
