New and Young Masons Night 2026
A great new and young masons night for visitors and members alike
On Tuesday 27th January we experienced our fourth annual New and Young Masons’ Night 2026 here at The Lodge of Dawn, 6511. There were 26 visitors from 15 Lodges of which 20 were light blue visitors.
Along with fellow visitors we had the great pleasure of welcoming Bro Steven Farmer, the Chairman of the Yorkshire Light Blues, Secretary, Bro Evri Lampadarios, along with W Bro. Chris Jackson PPJGW, the Provincial Light Blues Coordinator.
With such goodly numbers, this has quickly become a successful event is now a well established feature of The Lodge of Dawn’s Masonic calendar.
With an audience of 78 in attendance, we were treated to a perfectly orchestrated Second Degree Ceremony. WM Dave Jackson and his Wardens put on a fine performance with special mention to Bro Bernard Nelson, Senior Deacon, who controlled the floor superbly and Bro. David Gordon who delivered the SE Corner with great purpose and meaning, along with Bro. Gerry Layton’s excellent extended explanation of the 2nd Degree Working Tools.
This was followed by a special talk by W Bro. Alex Webster, Provincial Grand Mentor, who gave us a 20 minute talk on how to get the best from Freemasonry. W Bro Webster talked through his 16 year journey thus far, along with the sound advice to take your time to visit other lodges but not at the expense of your own lodge. He also mentioned some of the many interest groups to join and meet fellow enthusiasts, as a way of weaving your masonic life, as well as meeting members from other lodges.
The Lodge of Dawn, 6511 sincerely thanks W Bro. Alex Webster for his time to present such a useful talk. There were of course many new and young Masons who will all benefit from his advice.
Visitors to our New and Young Masons Night with Alex Webster W Bro. Alex Webster, Provincial Grand Mentor
Leeds Light Blues joining our New and Young Masons Night with WM Dave Jackson and W Bro. Alex Webster
Festive Board
The Festive board saw 76 diners with good food, great company and some lovely toasts. It has indeed become tradition at The Lodge of Dawn, 6511 to make some reference to the history of our visiting lodges during our Toast to the Visitors. Bro Mark Raw continued that tradition and here is some of his words:
” I’d like to briefly reflect on the ages of just two of the lodges represented at this evening’s new and young masons night 2026, because together they tell a wonderful story. From Otley, we have Alfred Lodge No. 306, one of the oldest lodges in the UK and the fourth oldest in the West RidingProvince. Originally warranted on 27 April 1795 as Lodge No. 546, it then became 571, then 384, and finally — in 1863 — settled on 306. I can only assume the Secretary eventually decided to stop asking questions and just went along with it.
At the other end of the scale, from Castleford, we have Caldaire Lodge No. 9625, founded in 1996 – which for some of us doesn’t feel that long ago, until we realise it’s now considered “historic”. That first meeting decided the lodge name, officers, names on the warrant, and a ritual committee – and the name “Caldaire”, combining the Rivers Calder and Aire where they meet, proves that lodge names don’t need to be complicated!
Between Alfred and Caldaire, we represent over 200 years of Freemasonry at the festive board — which is extraordinary.
I must also thank Excalibur Lodge No. 9214, with five members present this evening – clear evidence that either you enjoy our company or you all just wanted to get out of the house again.”
Visitors and Northern Lights
The number of visitors and Light Blues made the evening such a special treat for everybody. The warmth and atmosphere of the room is more palpable when numbers are high and so the entire event was lively. We all know that visiting other lodges is essential to getting the most from Freemasonry and those in receipt benefit enormously too from seeing new faces. Supporting each other through visits is where the ‘sweet spot’ of Freemasonry lies.
The following are the thoughts of Brother Eóin Byrne;
“A founding principle of the Northern Lights is to bring together new and young masons to showcase the breadth and depth of Freemasonry in the greater Leeds area. Tonight’s new and young masons night 2026 showed again that there is no better place to see a lodge steeped in tradition, who embraces the next generation of Freemasons, quite like The Lodge of Dawn. As a member of the Northern Lights committee – and a brother at The Lodge of Dawn, I know that starting off our annual visiting circle here in Castle Grove sets the stage for the months that follow. The entire lodge makes every effort to throw open the doors to brethren from across the Province, particularly those who may never have visited another lodge, to show them our ritual and traditions.”
And finally…
We raised £347 from our raffle in favour of the 2028 Festival, and other masonic charities.
So by about 10.30 pm the new and young masons night 2026 evening was complete. The handshakes were many, exchange of telephone numbers were plenty and some new and friendly faces became familiar. With the diary out it’s now time to think which lodge to visit next. Whether it be near or far, a warm welcome will no doubt await you.
A huge thank you must also thanks W Bro. Phil Fraser for creating this, now annual, event that has become such an important part of our calendar. The work he does behind the scenes to encourage visitors is a big part of this event’s success.
Also, a special thanks to our wonderful photographer, W Bro. Howard Barnett for his amazing pictures. A true professional who always captures the evening brilliantly. A night when the wide angle lens came in useful.
So there we are. Oh what a night! Not quite a run of the mill event at the Lodge of Dawn, but one we intend to repeat again next year!
Perhaps our 5th New and Young Masons Night will be a record year for numbers too!
NB. You can read more about our New and Young Masons Night from the past 4 years. It would be great to you at next year’s event!
Joining the Lodge of Dawn
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.