Festival Finale Weekend
As was announced by representatives of the Masonic Charitable Foundation (The Freemason’s Charity) at the 2026 Festival Celebration Dinner on May 15th at Parc Y Scarlets, the final total raised by the Province of West Wales after 6 years of fundraising was a magnificent £1,367,119. This exceeded the total raised for our 2015 Festival by £300,000 and was achieved with a reduced membership. This total equated to an average contribution per capita of £1,192 (as per M.C.F. calculation) which is a new record per capita for Provinces in Festival!
An event packed weekend started with the Festival Dinner at Parc y Scarlets. The Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro James Ross was delighted to host The Bishop of St David's, Right Reverend Dorien Davies, The Assistant Grand Master RW Bro Steven Varley, The President of the MCF RW Bro James Long and many other senior freemasons and their ladies. Many freemasons took the opportunity to stay in Llanelli and attend Scarlets v Newport Dragons the following day. The weekend was concluded with a fantastic service in St David's Cathedral where the Bishop extolled the virtues of freemasonry and freemasons to the freemasons and general public in a packed cathedral.
A message from the Festival President
I am delighted to welcome you all to Parc y Scarlets this evening to find out and hopefully celebrate, the result of the 2026 West Wales Festival in favour of the Freemasons Charity. The very successful Festival system works on an eleven-year cycle and it’s a little bit concerning that this is the third festival I have been involved in.
We held a soft launch of our 2026 festival, rather ironically, on Friday 13th March 2020. I had been Provincial Grand Master for 10 months and it was the highlight of my first year. Sadly, it wasn’t the most notable event because on 23rd March 2020 the whole country was locked down.
All festivals are challenging, but festivals in lockdown require extra resilience. I am very proud of how our Province responded to the challenges which we faced in those dark days. We raised money for the festival and got involved with our communities and health care professionals in all sorts of practical ways. We also found plenty of money to support our communities without detracting from our festival goals. As always, freemasonry made a difference!
In May 2020, the prudent planning of my predecessors and especially the wise advice of our Festival Chairman, VW Bro Ryland James enabled us to start the festival with a £300,000 donation. During the last six years every brother, companion, lodge, chapter and many other companion orders have supported the 2026 West Wales Festival. I look back with pride about how we have worked together in very difficult circumstances.
I am also delighted that we have been joined by so many eminent freemasons this evening. I am particularly pleased to welcome RW Bro Steven Varley who spent many happy days on holiday in West Wales as a child. I am also delighted that James Long and Les Hutchinson; the President and CEO of the Freemasons Charity have found time to come and join us to celebrate our festival this evening. Please make all our guests feel welcome and take the opportunity to speak to them and ask them questions.
I am also pleased to warmly welcome so many wives and partners. Your support and encouragement enable us to continue our efforts for Freemasonry in all its aspects.
Tonight is a celebration of the success of our collective efforts over the past six years. You have every right to be pleased with yourselves, and it is my sincere hope that we all have a most enjoyable evening.
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