News

Cardiff Masonic Hall – an extraordinary one for everyone

The past year has been an extraordinary one for everyone.

For us at CMH the enforced closure gave us an opportunity to deliver 2,500 hot meals to those in need and has provided the catalyst and opportunity to refurbish the Masonic Hall in a way that has never arisen before.

Having made some extraordinary progress during the pandemic and we are now ready for your return so that we can all resume Freemasonry safely.

We began with repairing and upgrading areas that are not easily accessible when we are busy, like the three temples and their adjoining rooms but more particularly we had time to undertake major structural improvements. You probably know a canal runs under Churchill Way and this has been gently leaking into some parts of our foundations for years. We repaired the basement to inhibit these leaks and we strengthened the structure above at ground floor level. Safe emergency routes were improved towards the rear lane doors, and other areas normally invisible were cleaned up and repaired. But that was just the work that is out of sight.

The front entrance corridor has been painted in suitable Masonic colours, and when you come into the central foyer you will see the majestic improvements to the pillars especially the gold leaf applied to the capitals, which are the crowning glory of each column. The pillars now resemble ancient stone columns, rather than plaster and their capitals have been finished in gold leaf. The same gold leaf has been used to adorn the Masonic symbols on the stairwell balustrade. New carpeting on the staircase is in rich dark blue and each step has the square and compass woven into the carpet, to our measurements.

At the turn of the stairs the former Ladies cloakroom has been completely redesigned to give a Victorian feel to this area and new sanitary wear and the latest fast hand dryers have been installed.

The kitchens were completely stripped of all apparatus. The floor covering was pulled up and laid with a new surface that complies with the latest food hygiene requirements, the stainless steel wall panels were replaced before we fitted a new cooker, re-installed sinks, stoves, ovens, grills and shelving. New extraction plant was installed to take air, steam and odours from above the cooking areas. Then refrigeration, and other storage units were re-installed. We certainly could not have done this so comprehensively if we had been cooking our usual 500 meals a week.

The three dining rooms remained much as before but benefitted from a coat of paint where necessary.

The bar area is due for decoration in the autumn of 2021. Meanwhile we have installed new tills so that three bar staff will not get in the way of colleagues. By having more glass storage shelves, we hope to avoid congestion behind the bar and speed service, which is so necessary when brethren emerge from their lodges at about the same time. A system to order drinks before a ceremony is available and should ease delays when we come out from the temples.

Our smallest meeting room has been converted to a museum and reading room. We now have three meeting rooms for hire, or for committees to use. These have been completely refurbished to a high standard so that external organisations will feel more comfortable.

You really should visit the Lord Swansea Temple to see the mural on the east wall, which is a unique feature in our Province.

The largest temple has a striking alteration with the two pillars moved to the west. These have been reworked with a stone look and some re-gilding, then fitted with new orbs. A new sound system has been installed. The entrance to this temple has had substantial restoration to create a stone effect for the entrance and to letter the archway. In due course it will be renamed the Duke of Kent Temple to recognise the Grand Master’s 52 years in office.

The entrance to the Edgar Rutter Temple has been remodelled and we are planning the refurbishment of the temple itself soon.

Finally the offices have been painted, papered and re-carpeted which make for a more suitable environment to meet those booking weddings.

We could not have imagined the opportunity Covid-19 would provide. The incredible support of our active members has been immeasurable and has encouraged us to re-invent the way we work. E-mail is being used increasingly to book rooms, and report final numbers to the chef. This saves a lot of time as a person writing an e-mail would be far less likely to miss something, and it reduces the time our staff are occupied with phone calls.

I am immensely proud of our team: volunteers, paid staff, directors and to members for their ongoing loyalty which is essential for the prosperity of Cardiff Masonic Hall.

I hope we can soon meet at a real AGM and not have to resort to Zoom this year. We’ll see nearer the time but please pencil in to our provisional date of 14 September 2021. We look forward to seeing you.

Cardiff Masonic Hall is nothing without its members and you have been greatly missed. Brighter times lie ahead and we look forward to you coming ‘home’ again and seeing the many changes that have been made during the Covid pandemic.

Keep safe, keep well and keep in touch.

Naunton Liles
Chairman

Square Meals Closure – 30th June

Following the Welsh Assembly First Minister’s announcement that several restrictions are being eased, non-essential shops were allowed to open as of Monday 22nd, that relatives are to be allowed to travel further distances to support their family members who have been isolated and the heartening news that the ‘R’ rate is now reducing still further, we at the Cardiff Masonic Hall have decided that the fantastic work that has been carried out tirelessly throughout the last three and a half months by our dedicated and selfless volunteers is now therefore coming to an end.

Over this period, our Chefs, Waiting and Bar staff, our Office and Managerial Staff and a host of volunteer drivers brought together by their passion to help and support those less fortunate than themselves, have put themselves on the line day after day to cater for so many in the South Wales Provincial area. This has enabled isolated and vulnerable individuals to be able to benefit from delicious and nutritional meals from a wide range of our menu. It has also allowed those less fortunate through circumstances beyond their control to be supported at a time when Charities in the area have been stretched to capacity through the limitations put on their funding.

In total, we have completed over 2000 deliveries of meals during this time and this is only part of the amazing support that has been delivered to families in South Wales by the Freemasons in the area.

I am immensely proud of everyone that has stepped up and volunteered throughout the recent challenges and I want to express the appreciation of the entire Board at the Cardiff Masonic Hall for all of the selfless contribution that has been given. You have all excelled in your respective roles and given so much.

So, after what seems like an age, the ‘Square Meals’ initiative from the Cardiff Masonic Hall will come to an end on Tuesday 30th June. All orders received up to that date will continue as usual and all deliveries will be made on the usual scheduled days. Tuesday 30th will be the last delivery day covering that day and the Wednesday following.

Please remember though, the initiative may be stopping, but the Freemasons of South Wales and beyond are still here, dedicated and ready to help and assist if you or your families find yourselves in need of help. It is, after all, the basis of what Freemasonry stands for and is here for. So if you need further assistance, please reach out, we are here to support you.

Kindest regards, always,

Phill Hanlon
Director and General Manager

Special Meeting at Cardiff Masonic Hall, Thursday 6th December

A message from W.Bro. Alan Gardener, Assistant Provincial Grand Master.


Brethren,

In my role as Assistant Provincial Grand Master I have been asked, when needed, to assist any or all of the Masonic Hall Companies in our Province and see where we can exchange ideas and spread best practice. Therefore, I cordially invite all Masters, First Principals, Lodge Liaison Officers and Dining Stewards to attend a meeting that I will
Chair, in conjunction with the Directors of the CMHCL, with regard to the Cardiff Masonic Hall Company and its future.

Let me state at this point that I do not have a magic wand, and we will all need to continue to work together if we wish to be successful and improve our facilities and make The Cardiff Masonic Hall financially sustainable.

This meeting is open for all Lodges, Chapters and all side degrees which meet at the CMHC. As you all are aware, the (CMHCL) has been going through a transitional period over the last Eighteen months and I feel that now is the time to reflect on what progress has been made.

To help us succeed in aim we will require the assistance, cooperation and support of all brethren in order that we achieve a Masonic Hall that we all are proud to be associated with. More importantly, one where we look forward to attending our meetings and enjoying the food and beverages within comfortable surroundings and a venue that we would be pleased to bring our partners, wives and friends.

Having spoken to many of the brethren, and more importantly listened to them over the last few months, I feel that I have a general understanding of where we are, and more importantly where you feel we should be, especially within the next Twelve / Eighteen months. I am sure you do not need me to remind you that we are all Masonic brethren and shareholders in the company, and we all need to work together, if we are to be
successful.

I would welcome your attendance and your positive comments, if there are any questions which you would like me to address those, which are not covered in the agenda, please forward them to me before the 1st December and if time permits on the evening, and if I have sufficient knowledge of your question, I will hopefully supply you with a suitable reply. Could you please inform me before the 1st December 2018, regarding who from your Lodge / Chapter etc., will be attending this meeting.

Yours sincerely and fraternally
Alan Gardener
W.Bro. Alan Gardener PSGD APGM


Download a pdf of the CMHC Special Meeting Agenda and Reply Slip

Please advise Hannah Law at Cardiff Masonic Hall that you are able to attend by completing and returning the reply slip to:
hannah.law@cardiffmasonichall.co.uk
or by telephone on 02920 396576 – office hours 10.30am to 3.30pm

Up to £400 off your wedding at Cardiff Masonic Hall

wedding venue in cardiff

As Wedding Season is currently underway, Cardiff Masonic Hall are feeling the love in the air and would like to share that!

We are offering up to £400 off a booking fee for a Wedding booked at the Hall!

To enter this competition please go to our Facebook page.

On Friday 27th July a name from the comments will be picked at random by a name generator then revealed!

*Terms and Conditions apply depending on guest numbers*

Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of South Wales June 2018

The Annual Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons, of the Province of South Wales

Will be Holden at the Masonic Temple, Guildford Street, Cardiff, under the Banner of the South Wales Mark Provincial Stewards Lodge No. 1829 on

Wednesday 6th June 2018.

The meeting will commence at 2.00pm to conduct the business of Provincial Grand Lodge and the Investiture of Provincial Grand Lodge Officers.

Strictly Cymru Grand Final at Cardiff Masonic Hall

A dance competition for disabled competitors of all abilities, young and old.

Cardiff Masonic Hall,
on Saturday 7th April 2018 1.30pm until 10.30pm

Entry price includes:

  • Drinks Reception including Canapés
  • Entry to watch Strictly Final Competition and professional dance performances
  • Entry to Celebration Disco including Evening Buffet

All monies raised will be used to enable disabled people in Wales to access sport and dance.

Tickets available from www.eventbrite.com
Children under 2yrs – Free
Children under 16yrs – £5
Adults – £15

Dress Code: Smart Casual