The Festival Torch
This torch was born in Suffolk, crafted & turned from timber taken from a 200-year-old Oak tree which once grew behind historic Lavenham Church.
Not unlike the Olympic torch, which is a modern invention, inspired by practices from ancient Greece, the Olympic torch relay heralds the start of each Olympic games and transmits a message of peace and friendship along it’s route. And in a similar manner the Festival torch heralds the start of our Festival and will travel on a journey, transmitting friendship, unity, and Brotherly love.
At the same time bringing us all together as one Province united in our efforts to have a fantastic Festival and achieve an outstanding and worthwhile result.
Festival Torch Map
Lands End
John O Groats
Ness Point
The concept is for the torch to be passed onto to every Lodge within our Province of Suffolk, with the previous Lodge that holds it delivering it to the next one.
It is hoped that the Lodge delivering the torch will take a good contingent of visiting members and will deliver the torch in the most inspiring or unique way that they can. And that the Lodge receiving the torch will have a warm and welcoming reception and make a donation to the Festival or perhaps contribute the proceeds of the raffle.
It is hoped that this will encourage visiting and future friendships and bonds will be formed between members and Lodges.
The journey of this torch has already begun. Inspired by cycling around the Province of Suffolk to visit every Lodge during the last Festival WBro Andy Gentle wanted to do something towards this Festival.
To start the journey off he has taken the torch firstly to Lands’ End and the most Southerly point in Britain.
Next, the torch was taken all the way to John O Groats and to the most Northerly point.
On the journey back down South, he took it to Ardnamurchan Lighthouse, the most westerly point of the British Mainland.
We Launched 22nd of March 2024!
The Torch was delivered to the Provincial Grand Master in style at Bury St Edmunds Cathedral.
Finally, this journey for the torch came to an end at Ness Point, the most easterly point in Britain, and the first place to see the sunrise in the United Kingdom.
As Masons, we regularly refer to the four cardinal points of the compass and it is fitting that as the initial Journey of this torch ends in the East, so a one will begin…
The start of our Suffolk Festival 2029, beginning here in the East in our own County of Suffolk. May the sun rise on the beginning of a successful journey throughout our province during our Festival.
For any information or advice on the Torch and how to present it, please follow the guidelines or contact Andy Gentle on grp5rep@suffolkfreemason.org.uk
Please take pictures or videos and post to the Suffolk Masonic FB pages and Instagram.
Please send any donations via your lodge as a single donation to the Suffolk2029 Festival Relief Chest or our GiveTap account.