FAQs


2032 Festival Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why should I give to the Festival?

    To be true to our obligation as Masons and embrace the opportunity to give to those in need. By giving to the Festival your money earns much great interest and can go further and help more people.

  • When does the Festival Start and end?

    The festival formally starts in January 2026 and will end mid-way through 2032. However, all contributions made to the continual giving Festival relief chest since 1st January 2024, will go towards this Festival and the individual who made them

  • Is Gift Aid counted towards the Members Jewel and Lodge wards?

    No Gift-aid is not included those totals but does go towards the festival grand total.

  • Can donations be made anonymously?

    Yes they can me made via the Festival donation page but then cannot be counted towards a members Festival total. However, donations can be made towards another member’s total. Speak to your Charity Steward.

  • How much to receive a Festival Jewel?

    The Festival Jewel is awarded to any Brother who contributes a total of £720. Gift Aid will not be included in this total. This can be done by regular giving direct debit or one-off donations.
    That is £10 per month for 72 months, 6 years.
    £12 per month for 60 months, 5 years.
    £15 per month for 48 months, 4 years.
    £20 per month for 36 months, 3 Years.

    If a member wants to pay towards the festival during the last two years of the festival, an agreed one-off payment can be made. This will be confirmed by 1st Jan 2029. Encouragement should be given to commit to contributing by continual giving. That way when this Festival ends you will continue to pay towards the next festival, and those contributions will be allocated against your name.
    Festival Jewels and awards will start to be distributed from Mid-April 2026.

    Lodge awards for the 2032 Festival
    Bronze – £750 per member excluding gift aid.
    Silver – £900 per member excluding gift aid.
    Gold – £1200 per member excluding gift aid.
    £1500 per member, which is 25% over Gold target per member, a special Certificate and Acknowledgment presented by The Provincial Grand Master.
    The awards will be a special Festival Jewel to be pinned onto the Charity Stewards Collar for the duration of the Festival. If a lodge gains further awards then additional Jewels will be presented.

  • What membership balance is the Lodges target based on?

    Membership as of 1st January 2026. Honorary memberships not included. Numbers have been passed to MCF. If members increase, target stays the same, so it makes the target easier. If the members drop, the target stays the same. Extreme changes may be considered by Festival Chairman.

  • What happens if a direct debit is cancelled by a member?

    Enquiry should first be made as to the circumstances behind the missed payments. Is it something the Charity Steward can help with? The Charity steward will ask if they intend to start it again and to bring the members balance back in line. This can be done by BACS Transfer or QR code for a one-off donation. If this is not done, after missing three consecutive months, then please refer them to the Festival Secretary and they will be contacted by Chairman to resolve the situation for all. Confidentiality will always be maintained.

  • What happens if a member passes away?

    We offer the family our condolences and DO NOT REQUEST THE JEWEL TO BE RETURNED. Please show sensitivity to the members friends and Family.

  • How do you find out your Lodge total target to reach an award?

    Contact the Festival Treasurer by email, who will confirm.
    W Bro Mike Yeo [email protected]

    Please remember he will have lots of requests at the start of the festival. The target is set as of the Lodge membership (Excluding Honorary Members) on 1st January 2026. This has been supplied by UGLE. If your membership increases during the Festival, your target will remain the same. If your membership decreases, your target will remain the same. What a fantastic incentive to grow your membership and make achieving your awards easier!

  • When will I qualify for my Jewel?

    As soon as you sign up for regular giving and it has been processed. Or make a payment of £720 (plus gift aid, if eligible) into the Festival relief chest.

  • I am currently saving into my Lodge relief chest - Can I move it?

    Yes the lodge can transfer all your payments from 1st Jan 2024 into the Festival Relief Chest against your name, including tax relief, as this relief cannot be claimed twice. This can be done by the Lodge Charity Steward.

  • Can I save into my Lodge Relief chest and qualify for a Jewel?

    Yes, but you would only qualify when the full amount of £720 (plus gift aid if eligible) is then transferred to the Festival Relief Chest. We would encourage you to either stop your existing Direct Debit (DD) and start a new DD into the Festival Relief Chest. Or better still, start an additional DD of regular giving into the Festival Relief Chest as well as supporting your Lodge Relief Chest.

  • What if a Brother cannot afford £720?

    The Charity steward and all other members MUST show sensitivity in dealing with this circumstance. NO PRESSURE SHOULD EVER BE PUT ON ANY MEMBER TO CONTRIBUTE. It is down to the Brother’s Lodge to consider helping. For example, if a Brother can only contribute £300, then maybe the lodge would pay the balance of £420. It is down to the individual’s Lodge and the Brother to have a conversation.

  • If I have multiple memberships, do I have to contribute more than one?

    No. But you could split or give a smaller donation in your other lodges. Your Mother or main lodge should have your main donation. Unfortunately, if you are a member of more than one lodge, you are counted into the target of every lodge that you are a member of. Maybe consider making a smaller donation to your other Lodges.

  • How do I organise a fundraising event for my Lodge?

    Lodges can set up a Digital Giving page linked to the Festival – either for a lodge account or the individual. QR codes are recommended. The MCF website gives great advice and help with this.

  • How can Chapters get involved?

    A donation from the Chapter of £750 will Receive a Certificate of thanks from The Most Excellent Grand Superintendent & The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master. This would be presented by a member of The Festival Team.
    A donation from Chapter of £1500 or more will receive a Certificate of thanks from The Most Excellent Grand Superintendent & The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master and a Special Festival Jewel for the Charity Stewards collar.
    This can be cumulative over the 6 years but the award will only be made when the total is reached. These donations are per Chapter NOT per member.

  • Where can I get Festival Ties & Merchandise?

    This can be bought via the Provincial Website and from Stands at major Provincial events and lodges. Remember, all profits support the 2032 Festival. PLEASE NOTE – DO NOT JUST TURN UP AT PROVINCIAL OFFICE. THEY ARE NOT SELING THE MERCHANDISE! Further details will be sent out to full Provincial Membership.

  • Something New for this 2032 Festival

    DFI – Designated Festival Income. During the term of this festival, South Wales will receive 25% of all contributions, each month, from 1st April 2026. This money will be able to be used for grants and donations to worthy causes. The Direct Funding Initiative will be under the control of South Wales Province and we will be able to start making use of it from 1st April 2026. The process of making an application will be sent to all Lodges by 1st April 2026. The Province of South Wales will still receive the usual Grants and Funding in Addition to the initiative.

  • Who do I ask if I still can't find the answer?

    Your Lodge or Chapter Charity steward should always be your first point of contact.
    Area Chair / Deputy – Local support.
    Festival Treasurer – Targets and balances.
    Festival Secretary – Administration and process support.