Sentience

We are of the same opinion. Times are changing and Ladies/Partner festivals are old hat. Once you've been to a few, they're all more or less the same. The wives/partners are often embarrassed at their Masonic other half trying to sing and keeping gifts to a reasonable price, means it is more or less the same thing every year. Far better to do something less stuffy, cheaper and where everyone can let their hair down (if they've still got it).

I'm all for including wive's/partners and family at white table evenings and social gatherings. They put up with us enough. But Masonic toasts and fire are a no, no while they are present for me.

I'm uncomfortable that you are doing toasts while staff are serving dinner. As a former DC of my mother Lodge, the room would be cleared of all non-Masons prior to any toasts and certainly if fire were to be given. Taking of wine perhaps, but even then, it would be construed as rudeness to the staff. But, your Province/District and if there's no complaint from on high, so be it.

I've just come out of the chair post pandemic, this being a second Lodge I've been the WM in. I found the uptake very lacking and had to cancel. Members I found are still reluctant to gather in large numbers and pay OTT for food that is average. I prefer a white table after a meeting, but even better, casual social gatherings away from the halls where people are more open to relax and mingle. I do agree with Medic that the format is tired after years of attending the things and overly expensive, particularly for small Lodges. Interesting that you do toasts and Masonic fire with non-Masons present though, as its been suggested that this is a no, no?

I remember it was some appeal for Lodge contributions. All those Lodges that participated were given the jewel.

For those closer to the number crunchers, is there any idea what the fall out rate has been nationally for the Craft and HRA? It's obvious on a local level that numbers have fallen, in part due to the Pandemic, which also gave members time to discover things outside of Freemasonry and rekindle old interests.

Any premises has the right to impose conditions of entry on users of the premises. If people want to use them, abide by the conditions. If they don't want to observe and comply with the conditions, don't moan when they can't get in.

I read it as the details of the various ranks and offices within those Lodges. Call it my wary retired plod brain.

Okay, but the bit in red is a little confusing.

You need to be very careful if you are the creator of a database that contains the details of others, especially without their knowledge, irrespective of whether it is for personal or commercial use. I recommend some serious reading of the law around GDPR if you're UK based.

Condition of entry is always the right of private bodies. If you don't want to abide by their conditions, don't try and enter.

Also what about those that like to imbibe enthusiastically at the Festive Board?

Definitely speak to your ProvGSec. If you start doing any of this outside of the Provincial Execs authority, it will not be looked on favourably and almost certainly lead to failure. Your ProvGSec can find information of Lodges in nearby Districts that are looking to surrender their Warrant should you wish to go down the Removal route once authority to start the process to create a new Lodge has been agreed by the ProvGM.

irrespective of the potential second language indication, this reads to me like one of Icke's deluded followers "phishing" for a bite.

You need to present to your own Province/District why there is a need for such a Lodge. What support there is from Brethren willing to be Founder members and basically put a business case forward. If satisfied that you have the necessary numbers to form a new Lodge and that there is such a need for it, your PGM submit your petition to UGLE for the ascent of the Grand Master. In this day and age, it is far easier and quicker to find a failing Lodge that is about to vote to surrender its Warrant and apply for its removal, effectively taking it over. We did just this to establish a Military Lodge, saving us a lot of time and expense with regards to Lodge equipment, regalia and furnishings, (not forgetting the Lodge banner costs which can be enormous) in the process.