Middlesex 2031 FAQ’s
Frequently Asked Questions
About Middlesex 2031 Festival
When does the Festival start and finish?
A: The Middlesex 2031 Festival is a five-year Festival and will conclude in March 2031.
How do I get information about what my Lodge or Chapter has given so far?
A: This information will be circulated quarterly starting on April 1st 2026. We are also working on a system that will automatically send each Charity Steward a monthly update by email.
Can I start my direct debit at any time during the five years of the Festival?
A: Yes, you can begin your direct debit at any point during the five-year Festival period.
However, each honorific level is calculated based on equal monthly payments spread across the five years festival. This means the later you choose to start, the higher your monthly payments will need to be in order to reach your desired honorific level by the end of the Festival.
It is, therefore, essential that you start your direct debit as soon as possible if you wish to keep your monthly payments as low as possible.
Will the Festival Team visit our Lodge or Chapter to give a presentation?
A: Yes. The Festival Team can attend Lodges or Chapters to deliver a 15-minute presentation.
Please submit a request via the Book Festival Team link on the website.
How do I contact the Festival Team with a general enquiry?
A: Please use the Contact Us form on the website and a member of the Festival Team will respond.
I am a Charity Steward — how do I join the Charity Stewards WhatsApp group?
A: Send a message via the website Contact Us form and we will arrange to have you added.
I would like to help the Festival Team or support at Centre level. What should I do?
A: Please contact your Centre Charity Chairman. Their details can be found on the website. Use the Contact Us form to express your interest.
I want to organise a fundraising event. How do I get it publicised?
A: Send full details — including photos, posters, and promotional text — via the Festival page on the website. If suitable, we will promote it on the Festival website and communications channels.
How can we share a story about an event we have held?
A: Please send photographs and a short summary to the Festival Communications Team via your Charity Steward or Lodge Secretary.
We are keen to showcase Lodge activity and inspire others across the Province.
Donations & Contributions
Can I make regular monthly donations?
A: Yes. Regular giving is encouraged as it helps Lodges and Chapters plan towards Honorific Levels over the five-year Festival period.
Do individuals who pay into the 4Ever Chest have their contributions allocated to their individual Middlesex31 accounts?
A: Yes. Contributions made into the 4Ever Chest are allocated to each individual’s Middlesex31 account.
Do my personal contributions count towards my Lodge or Chapter total?
A: Yes. All your personal contributions — including Gift Aid — count towards your Lodge or Chapter total.
Will there be recognition for individual donors?
A: Yes. Individual recognition is given in the form of a Festival Jewel. Details can be found in the Honorifics section of the website.
We want to make a transfer from our relief chest to support our APGM who is abseiling down the outside of Grand Lodge. How do we do this?
A: The same way you would transfer funds from your relief chest to the Festival Chest, except mention “MIddx2031 Abseil Event” as the relief chest receiving the donation. All monies received in this way will count towards your Lodge honorifics for the Festival.
Honorifics & Lodge Support
How do I receive my Festival Jewel?
A: Jewels are normally presented in Open Lodge. They may be issued:
Via your Lodge Charity Steward
By your Visiting Officer
By a member of the Festival Team attending your meeting
At Provincial events (e.g. AGM or Royal Arch Convocation)
By post (only if absolutely necessary — personal presentation is preferred)
How do I know how much my Lodge or Chapter needs to raise to reach an Honorific Level?
A: Targets are calculated on a per-head basis using recorded membership as at 1 January 2026. Charity Stewards receive progress updates towards the next Honorific Level.
Can our Lodge receive funding for a local charity once we reach an Honorific Level?
A: Yes. Thanks to the Middlesex Provincial Relief Fund (MPRF):
When a Lodge or Chapter reaches an Honorific Level, they receive:
An official certificate
A link to apply for a grant via the MPRF
This enables support for a local charity of your choice. Full details are available in the MPRF section of the website.
MCF & Community Support
Can the MCF help children who need specialist wheelchairs?
A: Yes. The Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) can fund specialist wheelchairs and mobility equipment for children and grandchildren of Freemasons.
📞 0800 035 60 90
📧 help@mcf.org.uk
Reporting & Administration
Our Lodge/Chapter has recently had two resignations. Will our unit honorific target now be reduced proportionately?
A: No. – Lodge and Chapter honorific allocations were calculated as at 1 January 2026, which was selected as the most practical and administratively workable reference date.
As membership numbers naturally fluctuate throughout a Festival period due to resignations, initiations, exaltations, and exclusions, it would not be operationally feasible to continuously recalculate honorific targets in response to minor changes.
Accordingly:
- Small increases or decreases in membership do not trigger automatic recalculation.
- Targets remain fixed based on the published baseline date.
- There is an inherent incentive to grow membership, as increased numbers improve the pro-rata capacity to achieve the required level.
Only in exceptional circumstances, where membership declines by approximately 25% within a short period, may a review be considered. Such reviews are discretionary and subject to Provincial assessment
However, the broader strategic implication is clear:
Sustainable recruitment and retention strengthen both Festival performance and long-term lodge vitality.