10/09/2022
URGENT MESSAGE
TO ALL MASONIC PARTICIPANTS ZIPSLIDE EVENT – GLASGOW – 16 SEPTEMBER 2022
Following the death yesterday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II a communication was issued last night on behalf of the Grand Master Mason expressing the sadness and condolences of the Craft in Scotland at the queen’s passing. A period of National Mourning has commenced and will continue up to the funeral. As a mark of respect the Grand Master Mason has directed that all Masonic activity will cease during this period of national mourning.
Following discussion and careful consideration earlier today, it has been decided that participation in the zipslide on Friday 16 September 2022, within the period of mourning, is not appropriate and we should not take part. The event is regrettably effectively cancelled for freemasons in Scotland. Prostate Scotland has been advised and have agreed that it is the correct decision in the circumstances. This is a situation unprecedented in our lifetime and a time when we need to observe appropriate protocol and take the right action.
There has been no communication from the event organisers whether the event is to proceed, be cancelled or rescheduled. We are however pursuing this information through Prostate Scotland and will advise you of the outcome in due course.
Following discussion, we concluded that the best way to take forward the event for our participants was to defer participation at present and make available participation at a rescheduled date in the future either this year or next year. We will be in touch as soon as information is available.
Prostate Scotland are truly grateful for the fantastic support they continue to receive from Scottish Freemasons and their families and friends. Prostate Scotland had already received over £20,000 from Justgiving generated by the supporters of the participating masonic brethren, in addition to this some brethren had raised substantial sponsorship using traditional sponsor forms. The money raised from the Justgiving method is already working to provide support services and projects for men suffering from prostate disease and supporting their families. I appreciate that many sponsors will be happy for their donations to remain with Prostate Scotland to support their charity work with men in Scotland. Some sponsors may want their money returned, anyone wishing to have their donation returned should contact Prostate Scotland directly and they will advise of the procedure for recovery of the donation.
On behalf of the Most Worshipful Grand Master Mason, the Grand Lodge of Scotland, I thank you for your generous and wholehearted support which is very much appreciated by ourselves and Prostate Scotland
Please confirm receipt of this URGENT MESSAGE by sending “YES” in a return email. Yours faithfully and fraternally,
Tom Davidson
Grand Almoner
