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W.Bro. Ben Gait, ProvGStwd
◦ Universities Lodge, Cardiff No. 5461
 Chairman
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Bro. Samuel Lloyd Williams
◦ Danycoed Lodge No. 8127
 Deputy Chairman
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W.Bro. Andrew J. Grey, ProvGStwd
◦ Singleton Lodge No. 8399
 Secretary
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We have two Universities Scheme Lodges in
South Wales and they enjoy large populations
of young Freemasons.
There are many young Freemasons spread
across the Province – most of whom do not
know each other.
These Freemasons, the future of the Province,
would benefit from greater organisation and
cohesion.
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The Committee concluded that the best
proposition was a club or association for
Freemasons who are 45 years of age and under
and are:
◦ subscribing members of a Lodge or Chapter under the
Provincial Grand Lodge/Chapter of South Wales; or
◦ subscribing members of a Lodge or Chapter under the
United Grand Lodge / Supreme Grand Chapter of
England and living or working within the boundaries of
the Province of South Wales.
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To organise social events for its members and their
partners/families and for potential candidates;
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To facilitate organised visiting of Lodges right across the
Province;
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To organise trips to Lodges in other Masonic Provinces
and overseas;
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To improve recruitment from among younger people;
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To assist in the Province’s wider aim of retention; and
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To act as a representative body for the views of younger
Freemasons in the Province.
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Many of the Committee’s early suggestions
were based upon the history of the Province
and Wales generally. The Committee settled
upon Colonnade.
◦ A colonnade is a row of columns generally
supporting an entablature.
◦ Columns are a seminal symbol in Freemasonry and
this architectural device acting as a metaphor for a
group of young Freemasons supporting the future
of the Craft seemed fitting.
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The Province of South Wales covers an area
comprising the former counties of
Glamorganshire, Breconshire and Radnorshire.
The Province’s badge depicts the arms of these
counties and the dominant colours are red, gold
and black. The Colonnade Club has adopted
these colours for use in its own badge.
The Committee also deemed it important to
include the Welsh language on the Club’s badge.
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Early discussions took place via email between
the Provincial Executive and the Founding
Committee.
The Executive were immediately supportive and
authorised the Founding Committee to hold its
first meeting.
This occurred on 22nd March 2014, at a pub’ in
Cardiff, and was attended by just three
Freemasons – the current Chairman, Secretary
and Treasurer.
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The Committee decided upon Saint David’s
Day, 2015 as an appropriate date for the
launch event.
This gave the event a distinctly Welsh feel and
allowed the Committee plenty of time to build
support and attract Founder Members.
The Provincial Grand Secretary supported the
organisational effort and was fundamental in
the launch event being a success.
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Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, 1/3/15
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The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master,
R.W.Bro. Gareth Jones, OBE very kindly agreed
to be the Club’s President and addressed the
Members at the launch.
The Club began life with 46 Founder
Members plus 7 Honorary Members.
The support of the Provincial Executive is
invaluable and vitally important.
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Single biggest issue was setting up a bank
account.
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No clear guidance and choice of bank is large
arbitrary.
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Our first choice declined our account without
giving us a reason for doing so and after many
wasted months spent waiting.
It was several months before we successfully
setup a functional account – so, start early and
prepare a Constitution in advance!
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We charge an initial joining fee of £20.
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£5 of which is donated to the Chairman’s Charity
of the Year.
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No annual subscription.
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The Committee, which Constitutionally consists
of 7 Members, decided that the administrative
burden of collecting annual dues and chasing
late payments is prohibitive.
We finance the Club in other ways.
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We make a surplus on all events and actively
look to procure and sell Club merchandise.
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Printing for launch event.
www.southwalesmason.club – annual hosting
fees; we are currently looking at paying extra
for advanced email functionality.
Costs are generally minimal.
Biggest issues are bulk purchasing of
merchandise due to minimum order
quantities and placing deposits for events.
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If there existed some sort of loan or
guarantee scheme, perhaps backed by Grand
Lodge, then Clubs would find it easier to
purchase merchandise and book events.
Many implications to consider, including
liability if things go wrong, but food for
thought.
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A key function of the Club is Masonic visiting.
The schedule is built around the following
guidelines:
◦ Supporting our Members when they take up the
Master’s chair;
◦ Visiting Lodges with convenient start times;
◦ Attending Grand Lodge meetings;
◦ Covering all three Craft degrees;
◦ Representation at all events that cater specifically
for ‘light blue’ or new/young Masons’ clubs;
◦ Visiting other Provinces.
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We invite senior Provincial Officers to address
our Members and explain the nature of their
roles and responsibilities.
We will initiate and maintain friendly
relationships with the other Masonic Orders
in South Wales; occasionally inviting
representatives to address our Members and
explain the principles and morals of their
respective degrees.
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Many of our most successful events to date
have been simple, informal drinks receptions
at a pub’ (or two!) within the Province.
Every one of these events has seen nonFreemasons attend, one of whom is in the
advanced stages of becoming a candidate for
initiation.
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The Club has arranged a ‘rugby & curry’
evening at Cardiff Masonic Hall, an all-youcan-eat dinner and many other things
besides.
In the coming months we hope to organise a
Christmas charity appeal, a visit to the whisky
distillery in Penderyn and trips to the Albert
Edward Prince of Wales Court (the RMBI care
home in Porthcawl).
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A sub-committee was recently formed to
organise a New Year’s Eve Extravaganza!
This is a black-tie event at Cardiff Masonic
Hall. Club Members and guests will welcome
2016 in style over dinner, drinks, music and
games.
This will be our biggest event since our
launch in March!
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Pay attention to the little details, from day
one and beyond, and document everything.
Think about what kind of organisation you
want to be and write a Constitution early.
Find enthusiastic and capable brethren for
the Club Committee.
Involve the Provincial Office early.
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Utilise technology! There are so many powerful,
and largely free, services available it makes no
sense to neglect them. We use:
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Google
Twitter
Facebook
MailChimp
Dropbox
SurveyMonkey
Use social media responsibly and regularly.
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Focus on building your membership. Not
everyone will attend every event or Lodge
visit so you need a big pool of brethren from
which to draw a significant attendance.
Always have an idea of the events and visits
that will take place during the next 6 months.
Don’t allow little setbacks to knock your
enthusiasm or deter you from trying
something new!!
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Approach the banks and apply for an account
much earlier; many months before the launch
event.
Distribute posters, advertising the Club, to all
Masonic Halls in our Province at an early stage in
the formation process. Our attempt at doing so
could have been vastly improved.
Have a full calendar of events in place for the
weeks following the launch. We were reluctant to
organise anything too soon as we didn’t have a
bank account.
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A growing Membership;
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An enthusiastic and supportive Executive;
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◦ Numbers have increased by nearly 35% since launch.
◦ The RW Provincial Grand Master, his Deputy and
Assistants, and the Provincial Grand Secretary work
diligently on our behalf.
The Club, aided by the Provincial Grand
Secretary, facilitated the first ever attendance by
Master Masons from the Province of South Wales
at a Quarterly Communication of the United
Grand Lodge of England last month in this very
building.
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We are living during an interesting time in the history of
Freemasonry. As we approach the tercentenary in 2017 we
are reminded of all that has gone before.
We have a lot to be proud of!
Freemasons everywhere need to build upon the very best
of our heritage and create an organisation fit for the 21st
Century.
The Clubs gathered here today will play a vital role in
ensuring that the moral lessons, dignity, ceremony and
opportunity for self-improvement that Freemasonry has to
offer can be enjoyed for generations to come.
Questions?