Every masonic year the Worshipful Masters of most of the Freemasons’ lodges in Leeds, known as the ‘Leeds Masters’ Circle’, come a visit The Lodge of Dawn. Each Master from each lodge of the Leeds lodges during the masonic year hosts a ‘Masters’ Night’, inviting all of the other Masters in his circle to a ceremony. February 26th was The Lodge of Dawn’s Masters’ Night for 2026.
The Lodge of Dawn were delighted to host nine of the Leeds Masters representing the following Leeds lodges;
- Alfred Lodge, no 306
- Lodge of Fidelity no 289
- Goderich Lodge, no 1211
- Liberty Lodge, no 5871
- Loyalty Lodge, no 4971
- Pilgrim Lodge, no 7728
- Stability Lodge, no 7374
- St Wilfrid Lodge, no 6395
- Zetland Lodge, No 1311
The nine visiting Masters from the Leeds Masters’ Circle are pictured below, along with our current Worshipful Master, W Bro. Dave Jackson.
In addition there were attendees from the 1997-98, 2011-12, 2019-21 and the 2022-2023 (‘Coronation’) Circles. All of these numerous guests plus the brethren of The Lodge of Dawn were able to witness a wonderfully-delivered Second Degree ceremony, where Bro. Luke Gregg was passed, pictured below;
The highlight of the ceremony, however, was W Bro. Jeffrey Hillman, PAGDC receiving a certificate marking 50 unbroken years in Freemasonry. As part of the presentation, W Bro. Simon Fellerman, PJGD, spent an enthralling and all-encompassing 20 minutes or so interviewing W Bro. Hillman on his masonic and personal life. W Bro. Hillman is pictured below receiving his certificate.
The Leeds Masters’ Circle goes back to 1921 when W Bro. Hurtley of Goderich Lodge No 1211 regularised the occasional fraternal visits of Masters of the Leeds Lodges by forming what was then called the ‘Circle of the Reigning Masters of Leeds’. From this initiative the ‘Circles’ began. There are numerous Lodges within Leeds and, of these, 20 have come together to visit each other on an annual rotation of ‘Masters’ Nights’. The main function of the Circle is to introduce the Masters of the Lodges to each other and to the brethren of their respective Lodges. The Circles have also become the source of lasting and valuable friendships. As seen above, visits of past Circles are also welcome in every lodge.
If you are not a Freemason and, having read the above, would like to find out more, read our Seven Reason to Join The Freemasons, our guide on ‘How to join The Freemasons‘ or our simple ‘What is Freemasonry?’ page.
And if you would like to join The Lodge of Dawn in Leeds, please feel free to get in touch via our ‘Contact Us’ page.
All of the above pictures were taken by W Bro. Howard Barnett.