The Norwich Masonic Association (NMA), which has responsibility for the welfare of the Norwich Masonic Premises in St Giles Street, Norwich, decided to celebrate the Provincial Grand Lodge of Norfolk’s 250th anniversary by making this years Heritage Day should a really memorable occasion.
On Saturday 12th September 2009, over 20 people specially obtained tickets for each of the 7 guided tours.
The Secretary of the NMA, John Stroud, had been extremely busy with the preparations; liaising with the organisers, printing the history of 47 St. Giles that the members of the public could take a copy away with them and the 101 other things which needed to be done to make the day work as planned.
John Stroud greeted the visitors and presented a most interesting history of the building. He then explained the difficulties and costs involved in the upkeep of this prestigious, listed building and how the NMA achieves this whilst making sure that it remains available for the many Lodges that use it.
The visitors were then shown the Pastonian Room, the Loraine Suite and the impressive Mancroft Suite where they were informed of the Charity contributions made by Freemasonry, especially the £140,000 donated to Tapping House and the initiative of Norfolk Lodfges finding 250 local Charities to donate a minimum of £250 to which was then matched with a further £250 from Provincial funds (known amongst Norfolk Masons as 250 x £250 donations to local charities) to mark this anniversary year.
They were then taken to the Le Strange Temple where some Members of the Maids Head Lodge gave an excellent demonstration set in 1759 which explained the principles and standards on which Freemasonry is founded.
Finally they were taken into the Bowers Temple, where Alan Fairchild (information Officer for the Masonic Province of Norfolk) explained aspects of the Lodge room, the regalia and Masonic structure. He then took the time to answer all the visitors questions and queries.
A very rewarding part of the day was the number of visitors who made the effort to thank everyone involved for the tour and the presentations, they really seemed to have enjoyed the visit.