Travelling Gavel Rules

To rescue the Gavel, a Lodge must attend a meeting where the Gavel is held, bring at least three members, give one week’s notice, and pledge a minimum of £50 to the Festival.

Provided these conditions are met, the Gavel may be claimed and held for a time.

While in a Lodge’s care, the Gavel should be displayed on the Secretary’s table at meetings and used by the DC at the Festive Board.

This small gesture serves as a visible reminder that the Lodge is participating in a collective effort in support of the Festival.

The Gavel is more than a fundraising tool; it is a symbol of the values that underpin the Craft.
Each time it is used, it recalls the lesson from the First Degree, reminding us to govern our thoughts, to control our words, and to act with the integrity expected of a Freemason.

To keep the initiative active and inclusive, each Lodge may retain the Gavel for up to eight weeks. After this period, a friendly forfeit of £10 per additional week is payable to the Festival.

Lodges are encouraged to provide opportunities for others to claim it, whether at regular meetings, Lodges of Instruction, or social occasions.

If more than one Lodge attends on the same evening to rescue the Gavel, it will be awarded to the Lodge offering the highest pledge.

If the pledges are equal, it will pass to the largest group in attendance; if that too is equal, to the Lodge whose members have travelled the furthest.

All pledges must be honoured, regardless of the outcome.

Each handover should be reported to the Festival Overseer, who will maintain a record of the Gavel’s journey and publish its location on the Festival 2031 website.

This will allow Brethren across the Province to follow its progress and plan future visits.

The Provincial Grand Master, or one of his Deputies, may also request the Gavel’s presence at Provincial events, further reminding us that it represents the shared efforts of the whole Province.

When the Festival concludes in 2031, the Unit in possession of the Gavel at that time will be invited to retain it as a lasting reminder of its contribution to the campaign.

The invitation is now extended to all. Plan a visit, organise a rescue, or simply host the Gavel and pass it on.

However you take part, let it serve as a reminder of what we can build together — not only in stone or structure, but in friendship, generosity, and shared purpose.

Appointment of a Craft Overseer

The Overseer will be W Bro Terry Christie and his role will be to track the destination of the Travelling Gavel. Its location must be shared on our forthcoming website and the Overseer must collect whatever donation is pledged and forward it to W Bro Jeff Ormston at Provincial Office. Donations will all be made payable to and sent to the MCF. They will also count towards Lodge Honorifics.