Oxfordshire Freemasons Salute the NHS

On Monday 5th July 2021, Oxfordshire Freemasons will proudly join a national salute to celebrate the NHS, Social Care and Frontline Workers.

The day is dedicated to mark the 71st anniversary of the founding of the NHS, to recognise its employees, those working in social care, and on the frontlines, and acknowledge the many lives saved during this Covid-19 pandemic, and especially those who have died carrying out these duties.

The event’s National Media Partner is the Daily Express which has already given us an outstanding national profile for the occasion. With its circulation of 250,000 newspapers, it will afford us huge opportunity for national coverage.

It is hoped that every Centre in the Province will take part in the full programme, and engage in the local community activities also celebrating the event.

On Monday 5th July 2021, the following events will take place:

10:00 Fly the Flag/Display Bunting.

It is hoped that something of a record is set for the number of flags raised simultaneously across the nation. This is a national pageant involving councils, voluntary groups, companies, churches, hotels, hospitals, cchools and private individuals.

10:58 Last Post, followed by. . .

11:00 Two Minutes’ Silence remembering NHS workers and all those who have died from Covid-19.

13:00 Nation’s Toast to the NHS, (the opportunity for Centres to host lunches).

To raise a glass of your favourite beverage for a National Toast: “To those who give so much, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, within the NHS, social care and on the frontline. We thank you and salute you!

You’re also invited to meet up with family, friends and neighbours at garden/street parties, in care homes, pubs, village halls, wine bars, social clubs and masonic centres.

15:00 Afternoon Tea – raising a cuppa to the NHS (RMBI).

The Big NHS Tea celebration which takes place annually is planned to be even bigger for 2021. Engage in a whacky tea party, formal or fancy dress, at home, in your garden, village green, boat, museum, up a mountain etc. There’s £1000 prize on offer for those who go the extra mile!

18:00 Charity Concert followed by an address to the nation. More information to be released later.

20:00 Evening clap for NHS Workers/Church Bells to ring 71 times  (71st Anniversary).

Our street clapping in the summer was amazing. Church and cathedral bells will lead the clapping by ringing 71 times – one ring for every year of the NHS.

Flying the Flag.

UGLE has been given a unique opportunity to start the day on 5th July with the flying of the flags / banners. If you do have a flag pole at your centre, then please purchase them here and all proceeds go to the charities:

A special NHS and Frontline Worker’s Day Flag has been manufactured, along with bunting, available in three sizes.

Available from J W Plant at: https://www.nhsfrontlineday.org/merchandisers/j-w-plant-co-ltd/

Register your Event

Register your 10am raising of the flag on this section of the website (below) so that the organisers can keep tabs on how many are committed to the event. https://www.nhsfrontlineday.org/register-events/

Record the Event

This is also a significant opportunity to raise the profile of Freemasonry in your local community. Take photographs/videos, post on social media  – lodge websites, Facebook, Instagram. Involve local newspapers and magazines.

An official dated Certificate of Grateful Recognition is available on the official website, for participants to download, print, and frame, to record the event.

If you want advice/help, contact Trevor Ballinger (trevorballinger@ntlworld.com) or Ewan Gordon (plaeblueone@yahoo.co.uk)

Trevor Ballinger (Oxford Provincial ‘Salute the NHS Day’ Joint Co-ordinator)