Everything you wanted to know about the Lincolnshire Rough Ashlars…

Here’s a snapshot of the conversation involving the Lincolnshire Rough Ashlars at the Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge

Bro Corry Cuthbert: “The idea for the formation of a Light Blues club originated from suggestions made by the Province, who  initially approached brethren with the concept, and a view to form a committee which subsequently led to  the establishment of the club. The charter was then signed by the PGM at the Lincolnshire Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge  meeting in June 2024.  All of the members of the committee had different visions for how we could make this work and their own  views on what would make the club strong and enjoyable for the whole of the Province.

Mike Coleman, Chairman of Rough Ashlars: “If we get involved with an Entered Apprentice right from the start of their journey when they join  Freemasonry they are more likely to follow it through, this will encourage friendships, camaraderie and  ultimately retention. They are more likely to remain involved for years to come, to spread the word to new  brethren as they make their way on their own journey.”

Steve Henman Secretary of Rough Ashlars: “My vision was clear from the start, give the Light Blues something I found lacking when I first joined  Freemasonry, My personal mentor was not very active in Lodge, and when I asked questions he gave me  quite short answers, so part of my vision was to support and encourage newer brethren and offer them the  guidance and support I didn’t get in my early days. Above all to ensure that no new brother ever feels alone  and create a warm and welcoming and inclusive group where we foster happiness and promote a positive  environment where brethren can enjoy Freemasonry as much as we do.”

Ryan Dolby Assistant Secretary of Rough Ashlars: “When I started with the Rough Ashlars, I was hoping for a fresh new approach to a light blues club, A club  that was focused on engaging light blues, with ideas generated from those wearing a light blue apron. This  is where other attempts had failed in the past, too much influence from dark blues certainly made it feel like  it wasn’t a light blues club. After the initial guidance we had to make it a club for light blues run by light blues.”

Dave Shaw: “Once the committee was formed our focus was on building something sustainable by bringing together  Brethren who are committed, engaged and willing to support one another every step of the way, every  endeavour we undertake, even those that do not succeed, provides us with valuable lessons, that there is  always something positive to be gained from the experience. It is important to learn from each attempt  regardless and maintain a positive outlook.

Tony Barrett: “The Rough Ashlars is dedicated to supporting junior and light blue brethren in their Masonic journey. Our  objectives are designed to foster confidence, understanding, and participation among members, whilst  promoting a friendly and inclusive environment within our Lodges. To encourage involvement, making it  easier for new Masons to take part in visits, events and Provincial activities. To strengthen retention,  ensuring that every new brother feels valued, supported and part of something meaningful.”

Ollie Dunk: “One of our primary aims is to provide guidance and encouragement to newer members. By assisting them  in building their confidence and deepening their understanding of Freemasonry, we help them navigate their  path and take meaningful steps within their respective Lodges.”

Chris Miller: “We actively encourage members to visit other Lodges as part of our `On Tour Visits`. This not only  broadens their experience but also strengthens the bonds of friendship across the Masonic community.  Through these interactions, we seek to cultivate a spirit of camaraderie and mutual support this also  engages with brethren from the beginning and bring them into the larger masonic family.”

Iman Zidan: “The Rough Ashlars strive to create a culture where every member feels included and motivated to  participate. By fostering an atmosphere of openness and involvement, we aim to ensure that everyone  enjoys a positive and rewarding Masonic experience. In short, we are here to help smooth the early steps of  a Masons journey and make sure no one feels like they are navigating it alone.

Arron Masters: “The Rough Ashlars are actively involved in supporting a diverse range of Masonic activities. Our members  regularly attend Lodge meetings, predominantly initiations, to promote inclusivity, and organised visits  throughout the Province, with a special focus on meetings where our visit may help to boost attendance and  encourage greater involvement from others. We also engage in Provincial events, educational sessions,  and various social functions.”

Will Knight: “Over the past two years, we have visited approximately 65 Lodges some of them on multiple occasions  demonstrating our ongoing commitment to fostering connections within the Masonic community. We made  a soap box cart, which we raced at the Lincoln Krazy Races event. Following this, we took the cart to  Newbury, where we participated in the Newbury Krazy races under the ‘Brothers across Borders’ banner,  alongside Berkshire Masons, successfully raising funds for both the charity Lives and Camp Mohawk. Our  efforts have fostered camaraderie and charitable giving across different Provinces, and we are looking  forward to returning to Newbury later next month.”

Jamie Witts: “We took part in the Deepings Raft Race, where we were delighted to achieve a very respectable third place  finish. We are eager to participate in this event again this year. At the request of our Provincial Grand Master we supported the December 2025 Quarterly  Communications, where the presence of Rough Ashlars was met with wonderful support from its members,  making it a very special day for everyone that attended.”

Corry Littlefair: “We have attended centre open days, which have proven to be very successful with all the centres that we  have been asked to attend and engaging with members of the public and potential candidates for  Freemasonry in a very positive way.  More recently we have joined in with the Building Together workshops, which we are looking forward to  supporting into the future.  Looking ahead, we are dedicated to supporting as many events as possible. Even if some occasions  overlap and require smaller groups, we will continue to make every effort to be present. Our aim is to  maintain our active role and positive influence across all facets of Masonic life in the Province.”

Mike Coleman: “As we look to the future, we are optimistic about where Rough Ashlars will be in five years’ time. We  envisage consistent growth year after year, driven by the successful introduction of new initiatives. These  developments, coupled with increased engagement from the brethren, will ensure that more members are  eager to participate in the ongoing work of the committee.”

Ian Chick: “The path forward appears exceptionally promising. By actively supporting, encouraging, and involving all  members, we lay the foundation for continued success. This commitment to inclusion and teamwork is  central to our vision, ensuring that Rough Ashlars not only flourishes but also remains a vibrant and unified  group for years to come.  The future of Rough Ashlars is closely influenced by the contributions of our ambassadors; they hold a  significant role in shaping where the club will be. Their dedication and ongoing support are vital to the  growth and success of our group. Our aim is to have an ambassador in every lodge in the province by this  time next year. By dedicating their time and energy, The Ambassadors help to strengthen our network,  creating opportunities for brethren to come together and fully appreciate the activities and events we hold.”

Jason Roffey: “The support provided by the Ambassadors is instrumental in encouraging members to feel more engaged  and to recognise themselves as integral to our collective progress. This involvement not only nurtures a  sense of belonging but also motivates brethren to participate more actively in our initiatives.  To maintain momentum and foster further connection within the group, we plan to continue organising  monthly Tour events. In addition, whenever possible, extra events outside the regular tour schedule will be  held to further enhance engagement among networks. We have taken approximately 630 brethren on visits,  highlighting the impact and reach of our efforts. This commitment to regular events shows our dedication to  unity and growth within Rough Ashlars.  Through the dedicated efforts of our committee and the Ambassadors, the unity they inspire among its  members, we strive to create an environment where everyone feels both valued and actively engaged. This  collaborative approach is fundamental to our vision, enabling us to work together towards growth and  success, and ensuring that everyone plays an integral part in our collective journey.

Marcus Cannon: “By encouraging Ambassadors to work closely alongside Lodge Mentors, we aim to make newer brethren  feel as involved as the more senior members right from the outset. This partnership helps to bridge the gap  between experience levels and fosters a welcoming atmosphere for all.  A key focus for the future is exploring ways in which Rough Ashlars can engage more actively with the  community. As new Masons, we recognise the importance of not only participating within our own network  but also extending help and support to those in need. By considering how best to connect with the wider  community, this approach will allow us to demonstrate our commitment to both our brethren and those  outside our immediate circle, strengthening the values that underpin our group and ensuring that our  actions have a positive impact.”

Sudarshan Selveraj: “Looking ahead, we anticipate continued expansion within our network. As a result, brethren will experience  a deeper sense of belonging and stronger connection to the lodges, further reinforcing the unity and  engagement that define our wonderful organisation.”

Mike Coleman brought the secession to a close. He said: “Worshipful Master, We would like to thank you and the members of Lincolnshire Provincial Grand Stewards  Lodge for giving us the opportunity to talk to you all about the Rough Ashlars. We hope that we can work  closely with your members moving forward, and help you with shared objectives.  We would also like to take this opportunity to say thank you to our Provincial Grand Master Right Worshipful  Brother David Wheeler for his support, guidance and enthusiasm that you have given us with the  Rough Ashlars.”

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