For the first time in 42 years, a new Masonic Craft Lodge is to be be formed in Hinckley and this will be the first for 10 years in the Province of Leicestershire & Rutland. The new Lodge will be an Installed Masters Lodge and it is proposed that it will be named The Hinckley Lodge of Installed Masters. To date over 40 Freemasons have agreed to be Founders demonstrating the enthusiasm for Freemasonry in the town and the need for a further Lodge to satisfy the demand.

The Lodge is being sponsored by The Knights of Malta Lodge No. 50 which is also the mother Lodge of the other 3 Craft Lodges which meet in the town. At the May meeting of this Lodge, the petition for the formation of the new Lodge was signed and many of the Founders were in attendance to witness this. Our photo below shows the petition being signed with these brethren shown - left to right :-

W. Bro. Bob Kinghorn, W. Bro. Michael Kennedy, W. Bro. John Pinkstone, W. Bro. Roger Edwards, W. Bro. Andrew Downes (Master of No. 50), W. Bro. David Fell (Proposed Master of the new Lodge), W. Bro. Philip Crowfoot, W. Bro. Barry Hasdell.

On Thursday May 23rd 2019, the Hinckley Lodge of Installed Masters No. 9972 was Consecrated at the Provincial Headquarters of Freemasonry in Leicestershire & Rutland by the Provincial Grand Master R.W. Bro. David Hagger with the assistance of the Provincial Team. Following the Consecration the Primus Master of the Lodge W. Bro. David Fell was installed into the chair of King Solomon by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master W. Bro. Peter Kinder. This great ceremony was followed by a most enjoyable Festive Board. Our photograph above shows the Founders together with the Consecration Team

On Saturday 9th September 2017, the doors of the Hinckley Masonic Hall were opened to visits from the public as part of the National Heritage Open Days and to celebrate the Tercentenary of Freemasonry.

The art-deco building erected in 1927-29 was extensively renovated during the summer of 2011 and is recognised as one of the best Masonic facility in the Province. The many visitors on the day were able to view both the Lodge Room on the first floor and the function suite at ground level. Members of most of the Lodges that meet in Hinckley were on hand to guide the visitors around and to explain the facts relating both to the history of the building and Freemasonry in Hinckley, whilst answering the questions raised about our fraternity in general. A large-screen video presentation was running throughout the day depicting many aspects of Freemasonry in Hinckley and the history of the building. This included reproductions of a number of archival documents from as early as 1860 and photographs of bygone Hinckley. A further screen was employed in showing the UGLE video introding Freemasonry. Both of these attracted much attention.

Visitors included the Deputy Mayor of the Borough, Councillor Jan Kirby and her husband, Mike who like many others on the day were also taking in visits to other buildings in the area which were also participating in the Heritage Open Day Scheme. After the visit the Deputy Mayor said:- "It was a pleasure to be shown around your lovely Masonic Rooms and told the history of the Masons within Hinckley.To some people it seems to have always been a secretive society with only selective members, but this is not true. It was explained to us that you are all just people who are like minded from all parts of our community who want to help others. Many people do not realise the charitable works that Masons do for our community. It was lovely to have this opportunity to look around and I hope your Msonic Hall becomes a regular fixture in Hinckleys Heritage Weekend"

Another lady visiting the hall was very proud to see at close quarters, the Past Masters Board for the Knights of Malta Lodge No.50 where her fathers name appears as Master in 1948. A plaque attached to the board shows that it was in fact donated to the Lodge by her mother, Mrs Hipwell in memory of her late husband W. Bro. Cecil Hipwell who was the Master of the Lodge in 1948.

The Tercentenary Plaque on the facade of Hinckley Masonic Hall was unveiled on Saturday July 15th 2017, by the Provincial Grand Master of Leicestershire & Rutland, R.W. Bro. David Hagger.

The plaque, similar to others in our Province, tells the reader that Freemasonry has held meetings in Hinckley since 1803 The existing building has been in use since it's construction in 1927 and following major refurbishment during 2011 it is now a mult-functional Masonic Centre with a commercilally-run function suite on the ground floor. The National Heritage Open Day on September 9th will give everyone who wishes to visit the building, the chance to view our facilities and to learn about our society.

A public-access defibrillator has been installed at the Hinckley Masonic Hall thanks to the generosity of the Leicestershire & Rutland Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons. The equipment, costing over £1000, has been installed on the facade of the building, which is in the centre of Hinckley, close to the Parish Church, the new Leisure Centre and the new Crescent development, all being venues which attract large numbers of the public.

This, potentially life-saving equipment, is designed to be easily operated by any member of the public without the need for training. The locked cabinet can be accessed by a member of the public for use in a medical emergency. Having telephoned 999 during such an incident and given the oprator the location concerned, the person is then given a code to allow access to the cabinet and defibrillator, thus allowing them to start the vital and potentially life-saving procedures whilst awaiting the arrival of the ambulance or paramedic. Time in such incidents is often vital in saving a life and locating these units in publicly accessible positions makes this possible. After a cardiac arrest, every minute without C.P.R. and defibrillation reduces someone's chance of survival by ten percent. The siting within the community of these publicly accessible units clearly can help help in these emergency situations.

It is the intention of the management of the Hinckley Masonic Hall to involve local businesses etc., located close to the building, with training sessions which will be organised at the hall, in order to familiarise those close by, with the equipment and basic principles involved.