Just as Her Majesty predicted using the words of Dame Vera Lynn’s wartime anthem, we will meet again. For many months in line with Government guidelines our lodge meetings and band practices as well as a host of other events have been put on hold. While many lodges have been able to plan events and activities from supporting the NHS to the Virtual Twelfth programme using Zoom or other technologies everyone has missed the monthly lodge meeting.

The crack and conversation, that spirit of friendship and fellowship as men and women unite in a common purpose. To those outside the Order it may be hard to explain for members there has been shared desire to meet again. To that end the Imperial Grand Lodge issued guidance and encouragement for lodges to meet on the Twelfth day, and we have been working to support lodges with PPE and guidelines to ensure that they can meet safely again.

The autumn sees a round of election and installation meetings which are like AGMs and are important in the life and function of a lodge with officers being democratically elected and then the traditional ceremony of installing them, with their investiture and instruction on how to conduct the business of the lodge. It traditionally signals the start of a new year and is marked with entertainment and a supper.

Clearly things will change this year, and we are mindful of our responsibility to not just our own members but the wider community. We are planning to hold as normal a programme of meetings as possible, but are aware that there could be another spike in infection and renewed Government restrictions. To that end Grand Lodge Officers are monitoring the situation carefully and as a small organisation we are well equipped to make responsive responsible decisions in light of a fluid situation.

We are looking at ways of including older members without putting them at risk. Brethren who are in front line jobs such as the NHS will also be considered differently both to protect them and others. Those with children or conversely members who care for older relatives are at risk. This presents a unique set of challenges to an Institution which prides itself in each member being  included and given a voice and a vote.

As an Institution we are taking our responsibilities very carefully, having invested in PPE, hand sanitiser stations and signage to ensure that social distancing and other guidelines are adhered to. Lodges have also surveyed their halls and redesigned spaces to address concerns over distance and transfer of infection.  Where possible zoom and other technology will be used to transact business and events will be hosted online as far as possible with drive in services and events provided as an alternative.

Orange Halls and lodges will be helped this autumn to access funding and professional support to adapt to the new normal and to redesign their spaces for social distancing. As an Order we aim to protect our members and the public and support the NHS because we are all in this together.