John Rees YNER Provincial News

07/11/2026

05/11/2026

03/11/2026

SPOOKEY MURDER MYSTERY at ACKLAM Lodge!

A fantastic Halloween Night was held by Acklam Lodge in Middlesbrough, when not only did they enjoy some spooky Halloween atmosphere, but a Murder Mystery too!
On the evening of 31 October 2026, W.M. Ben Dorée from Acklam Lodge, hosted a highly successful Halloween Murder Mystery Night at the Masonic Hall on Roman Road in Middlesbrough. The event was extremely well attended, with many dressed in Halloween costumes, as though they were attending a Halloween Party. However things took an unexpected turn when the fictitious Master of the fictitious Roman Road Lodge, was murdered that evening!
W.M. Dorée, dressed as The Joker, narrated the audience through the initial turn of events, and then introduced the suspects to the captivated audience one-by-one, who all, as it turned out, had good reason to want the fictitious W.M. gone! The main part of the evening revolved around a live, interactive whodunnit performance. The audience was introduced to a cast of suspicious characters, including both members of the Lodge and even the D.J. for the evening, each harbouring dark secrets and motivations. prompting the audience to take on the roles of amateur sleuths. The audience was given clues, evidence sheets, and even the opportunity to cross-examine the suspects. Everyone took part very enthusiastically, filling the room with lively debate, laughter, and competing theories as to who the culprit was.

After much deliberation, the culprit and their motive was revealed, and prizes awarded to those who guessed whodunit. Special mention here must go to Bros Colin Slater and Martin Laws, (Acklam Lodge), Jayne Cook, (Chef, Masonic Hall) Jean Angus (Zetland Ladies’ Club) Martin Youngman (D.J.) and Peter Kelley (family friend) who brilliantly acted their roles as murder suspects.

Prizes were also awarded for some Halloween quizzes that the audience had taken part in. Following a very successful raffle, which helped to raise money for W.M. Dorée’s charities, music continued and the dance floor filled very quickly!

This extremely successful and innovative event, written by Ben’s wife Sally, raised morale and engagement within the Lodge and the broader Middlesbrough community. Due to the success of this event It has been highly recommended that perhaps another Murder Mystery takes place later in the Acklam Lodge calendar. Look out for the upcoming sequel!
report Sally Doree images John Rees
Freemasons of Yorkshire N&E Ridings
www.yorkshirenerfreemasons.org.uk
www.middlesbroughfreemasons.org.uk

30/10/2026

MORE than JUST A HALL Sally Doree reports

The Roman Road building has not always been the home of Middlesbrough Freemasons. In fact Freemasons Hall originally opened in Marton Road in Middlesbrough in 1861, and was home to Middlesbrough Freemasons for over 100 hundred years, until it was demolished in 1975, to make way for the A66 Route through Middlesbrough.

Since then, Freemasons have been meeting at the Masonic Hall Roman Road, but it is certainly much more than just a Hall.

Although the Masonic Hall is predominantly available for Masonic Meetings, a whole variety of events take place within the building, including Weddings, Birthday Parties, Seminars, Clubs and Classes, making it a most valuable asset to the community too.

There are a number of people who work at the Masonic Hall, but perhaps the three most notable people who keep everything going are Jayne Cook , the main chef at the Hall, and her team, Jackie Howes and Mike Walker, who at times successfully manage both serving from the Kitchen and the Bar!

Jayne consistently does her best to accommodate everyone, which isn’t an easy job when sometimes she is only given specific dietary requirement 5 minutes before a meal.

Jayne and her team are also extremely helpful and flexible with Room Setup, where rooms can be setup in any configuration for meetings, weddings and other events, whether it being a Masonic Charity Presentation Evening or even a Masonic Dinner Dance, which certainly helps to bring a more personal feel to any event.

When an event takes place at the Masonic Hall, Jayne and her team work hard to make sure that everything runs smoothly. They are always very attentive and genuinely welcoming to everyone Nothing is ever too much trouble, with the service being prompt, and food and drink managed effortlessly.

So as you can see, the Masonic Hall in Middlesbrough really is more than just a Hall!

27/10/2026

Very Worshipful Brother Andrew Peter Fall Foster PGSwdB
Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Durham

A good friend to YN&E and in particular Huntcliff 4539

Note to photo
The photo was not actually taken by myself. I spotted it somewhere and thought to put on my FB page as interest.
The image is not of high resolution, (although I have enhanced) and of course the feet have been cut off. (very bad)
However besides this, it certainly is receiving a lot of viewings and likes.

Now up to 164 likes and 13800 viewing What could have been if the feet had not been chopped off. !!
A bit of surgical work required, to restore feet
latest 178 likes 16003 viewings

27/10/2026

What very sad news

26/10/2026

The ROSEBERRY Lodge of INSTALLED MASTERS No8571
An evening in the company of The RW Bro. Arthur Steven Varley AGM
The RLIM lodge had the honour and pleasure of receiving R W Bro. Steven
His talk was titled " Initiation to......how did I get here !!!
It covered his masonic journey through being The Provincial Grand Master of Derbyshire
to his present responsibilities now that include
The Centenary Building Fund and the Masonic Halls Assistance Group (MHAG)
At the festive board I did not understand at first what was happening , but was informed that this was RWBro. Steven circulating.
This involved him going round the whole room having an interaction with everybody.
A really good informative evening. report John Rees

The Assistant Provincial Grand Master of Durham
WBro. Thomas Fred Gittins writes
Excellent night at Saltburn -
Roseberry Lodge of Installed Masters in the Province of Yorkshire North and East Ridings, hearing from Assistant Grand Master Arthur Steven Varley about his Masonic background and the new Centenary Buildings Fund and Masonic Halls Assistance Group (MHAG). My mate Eggy also there! Freemasons of Yorkshire N&E Ridings
www.yorkshirenerfreemasons.org.uk

25/10/2026

Drone view of and from The Saltburn Masonic Hall