Saint Catherine's Hospice in Scarborough made history by hosting a formal meeting for Scarbrough Lodge Number 7147 on Monday, May 18, 2026.
It marked the first time a formal Masonic Lodge meeting has occurred within a hospice setting.
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Approximately 40 Freemasons attended the landmark gathering, which falls under the Province of Yorkshire, North and East Ridings of the United Grand Lodge of England.
The event brought together senior figures, including Provincial Grand Master Mark Iveson and Right Worshipful Sir David Wootton, a Past Deputy Grand Master and former Lord Mayor of London.
Shared Historical Values Highlighted
During the evening, Saint Catherine's Hospice Chief Executive Ray Baird addressed the attendees, drawing historical connections between medieval stonemason traditions and modern hospice care.
He explained that early stonemasons established some of the first refuges for travelers and the sick, mirroring the hospice's current mission of providing palliative and end-of-life care to over 3,000 patients annually.
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The gathering also included a presentation by Worshipful Brother Tony Dyer on the Masonic Aware Project.
This initiative ensures that Freemasons and their families receive proper organizational support during medical or care facility admissions.
"It was a great honour to attend, alongside Sir David Wootton, Past Deputy Grand Master and a passionate supporter of Masonic Aware, as Scarbrough Lodge held the first-ever Masonic meeting within a hospice setting," said Mark Iveson, Provincial Grand Master.
"Our sincere thanks go to Ray and the staff at St Catherine's for facilitating this historic occasion and for their continued commitment to the initiative."
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Following the formal meeting, the 40 attendees gathered at Flavours, the onsite restaurant at the hospice, for a three-course dinner to further develop relations between the charity and the Masonic community.
