Freemasons Turn Music Into Charity

Freemasons Turn Music Into Charity

Freemasons Turn Music into Charity: “The Folded Note” Launches on All Major Platforms

What began as a creative partnership between two Monmouthshire Freemasons has evolved into a musical movement with the potential to make a lasting difference.

In 2023, W. Bro. Kelvin Reddicliffe and W. Bro. David Llewellyn combined their talents to create a unique project using music to raise funds for Masonic charities. 

When Kelvin set one of David’s poems to music, the result was a hauntingly beautiful original song that inspired a wider collaboration. The two freemasons have already worked together on other productions, including the highly acclaimed ‘Amor Patriae’ (Love of One’s Country), a collection of songs and poems that uplift, inspire, and resonate with listeners.

Soon, a group of local Freemasons—many of whom were already singers or instrumentalists in local ensembles—came together to produce a musical work of art. Their combined efforts led to the creation of a 22-track CD, which has already raised over £6,000 for Masonic charities.

At the heart of that project was their first original song, The Folded Note, which quickly received praise and calls for it to be shared more widely. Answering that call, the song—performed under the artist name Cobbler’s Thumb—has now been released on Amazon, Spotify, YouTube, and all major music platforms worldwide.

All proceeds from The Folded Note will go directly to Masonic charities, and the artists have set their sights on a bold target: to see a song written and performed by Freemasons enter the UK music charts.

“This project has been a real labour of love for Kelvin and me,” said W. Bro David Llewellyn. “We chose the artist name Cobbler’s Thumb as a nod to Kelvin’s past career. As well as raising funds for vital causes, we want to shine a light on everything we value in Freemasonry—supporting our communities and raising money for charity.”

The Province of Monmouthshire is now calling on the support of the wider Masonic fraternity, their friends, and their families to show their support by streaming, downloading, and sharing The Folded Note during the first week of November as we try and get the song in the download charts. Every play and every download helps raise money—and brings them closer to breaking into the charts.


How to Help:Search for Cobbler’s Thumb on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, or your preferred streaming serviceDownload and play The Folded NoteShare the song with friends and family

When:       From 00:01 on Friday 31st October to 23:59 Thursday 6th November

Kennard Lodge Welcomes Its Newest Brother

Kennard Lodge Welcomes Its Newest Brother

On 25 Nov 25, newly initiated Brother Michael Williams was welcomed by the Brethren of Kennard Lodge as their newest member.  Seen here with the Worshipful Master (WBro Clayton Fisher OBE), Senior Warden (Bro Graham Stowell), and Junior Warden (WBro Dennis John), Brother Michael greatly enjoyed the ceremony and the subsequent Festive Board, in the company of a large number of Kennard members and visiting Brethren who helped make the evening a very special one.

Henllys Double Initiation

Henllys Double Initiation

This evening Mr Luke Shephard and Mr Gabrielle Mier joined Henllys Lodge, becoming Brother Luke and Brother Gabrielle. With the Provincial Grand Master present the Worshipful Master, W. Bro. David Coleman, ably supported by his officers performed an excellent ceremony initiating our two newly made Brothers into Freemasonry. The welcome continued after the ceremony at a well attended Festive Board with numerous visiting Brethren.

Henllys Lodge presented a cheque to the Monmouthshire Light Blues of £1,000 for Teddies For Loving Care (TLC).
“A hospital visit can be frightening for a young child, especially in an emergency situation. Teddies for Loving Care (TLC) is a way of providing much-needed comfort to children attending A&E Units, helping to reduce their anxiety and improve their experience of hospitals. Every child that receives a teddy gets to take it home.”

Llantarnam Christmas Lodge Meeting

Llantarnam Christmas Lodge Meeting

As is the tradition for Llantarnam Lodge, their meeting on Friday 19 December will be a short business meeting before retiring to the dining room for a festive meal, quiz and raffle. Family and friends are most welcome to join in the festivities! Dress code – For those who are not attending the Lodge Meeting is smart casual. For those attending the Lodge Meeting, it is normal Masonic attire and at dinner a Festive Jumper can be worn!

Llantarnam and Henllys Double Third

Llantarnam and Henllys Double Third

Congratulations Brother Stephen Jones and Brother John Lavender on your raising this evening. Tonight saw a joint raising with a candidate from Henllys Lodge 8283 and Llantarnam raised together with officers from both lodges up to and including both Worshipful Masters assisting with the floor work.

Special shout out to our very own Worshipful Master, W.Bro Chris Parrish who did the entire ceremony including tracing board and tools on his own. Very special too see as it was executed to perfection. Great work by all involved to make such a special night for our candidates.

If you are interested in joining freemasonry in the Pontypool area please get in contact via the contact form on this website – click here…

A slide show of some of the photographs from the evenings gathering.

MONMOUTHSHIRE MASONS – DONATION TO NEO-NATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

MONMOUTHSHIRE MASONS – DONATION TO NEO-NATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

On Monday 17 November 2025, WBro Clayton Fisher OBE (Worshipful Master of Kennard Lodge No.1258) visited the ‘Dinky Dragons’ / Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Grange Hospital, Cwmbran, to present a cheque for £250 to Sarah Power, the Senior Sister of Neo-Natal Services.  To quote the ‘Dinky Dragons’ charity: “The donation will be used to help purchase equipment to treat premature and sick babies, to improve their quality of life and to support parents through their Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit journey’“.


This donation was made on behalf of the Monmouthshire Masonic Trust Fund 1997, following a proposal submitted by Kennard Lodge.  The original proposition came from WBro Ian Hatchley whose own family have witnessed first hand the amazing work of ‘Dinky Dragons’ and the NICU.  By happy coincidence, 17 November 2025 marked the World Health Organisation’s ‘World Prematurity Day’ – a most appropriate date for MonMasons to recognise and support the life-saving work of ‘Dinky Dragons’/NICU.

Provincial Grand Lodge 2025

Provincial Grand Lodge 2025

Monday afternoon saw Monmouthshire Freemasons hold their Provincial Grand Lodge at the Holiday Inn, Newport. What a fantastic day.

Congratulations to all those who received appointments and promotions — your hard work and dedication truly shine. A full house enjoyed a day filled with friendship, an excellent ceremony, and fine food shared in great company. Our thanks to the distinguished visitors who travelled from far and wide to be with us and make the day even more special.

The Brethren from Pontypool were well represented as the below slideshow demonstrates.

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Welcome Brother Paul

Welcome Brother Paul

Friday evening saw Henllys Lodge perform their second initiation ceremony of the week. Mr Paul Urie joined Henllys Lodge and Freemasonry and becomes Brother Paul Urie. An excellent ceremony delivered by the Worshipful Master, David Coleman, in his second ceremony as W.M. He was ably assisted by his officers, in particular Brother Aron Hutchings, the Junior Deacon, who lead the candidate through the ceremony of his initiation. A well attended ceremony was followed by a very enjoyable festive board and getting to know our newly made Brother.

Brother Paul (centre) with officers of Henllys Lodge

Welcome Brother Conna

Welcome Brother Conna

Monday evening at Henllys Lodge saw Mr Conna Hutchinson join Freemasonry and become Brother Conna Hutchinson. An excellent ceremony delivered by the newly installed Worshipful Master, David Coleman, in his very first ceremony as W.M. He was ably assisted by his officers, in particular Brother Aron Hutchings in his first ceremony as the Junior Deacon. A well attended ceremony was followed by a very enjoyable festive board and getting to know our newly made Brother.

Our newly made Brother, Conna Hutchinson. (Centre)

Demonstration Raising

Demonstration Raising

At Llantarnam Lodge last night, we conducted a raising to the third degree. Due to unforeseen circumstances our candidate was not able attend so we did a demonstration ceremony and our Worshipful Master was in fine form completing all of the ritual on his own. Thank you Brother Drew for stepping up to be the candidate and we look forward to raising our actual candidate next month. A thoroughly enjoyable evening and the first one for the officers of 2025/26!

Monmouthshire Freemasons

Mon Light Blues Club

Llantarnam Lodge on Facebook