From signing the Armed Forces Covenant to creating a welcoming space for serving personnel, veterans and their families, West Lancashire Freemasons are demonstrating how a commitment to the armed forces can become meaningful action.
Some evenings are about much more than a meal and good company; they can provide an opportunity to reconnect, share experiences and celebrate the friendships that endure long after military service has ended.
That was certainly the spirit at Leigh Masonic Hall on Monday, 12 October 2026, when Lodge of Valour No 4322 hosted its Masonic Foot Soldiers Regimental Dinner night, welcoming members of The Leigh FOB CIC, veterans, serving personnel and others connected with the armed forces community.
With 56 people attending the dinner, the evening brought together people united by service, friendship and mutual respect. However, behind this special occasion lies a wider story about the practical support being offered to those who have served, those still serving and the families who stand alongside them.
West Lancashire Freemasonry has signed the Armed Forces Covenant, recognising the importance of supporting those who serve or have served in the armed forces, together with their families. For Steve Ralph, that commitment needed to mean something in practice.
Around the time the Lodge of Valour was facing the prospect of surrendering its warrant, an opportunity arose to preserve the lodge and give it a renewed purpose as a military lodge. Steve was determined to do more than simply pay lip service to the principles of the covenant. His response was to establish The Leigh FOB CIC, creating a place where members of the armed forces and emergency services, veterans and their families could come together in a supportive and welcoming environment.
In military terminology, a FOB is a Forward Operating Base. In Leigh, the name represents a different kind of base: a place of connection, friendship and support for those who have dedicated themselves to serving others. The organisation is a Community Interest Company, reflecting its community-focused purpose.
The Leigh FOB CIC meets every Tuesday morning, providing a relaxed setting where people can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, toast, teacakes and cake, while spending time with others who may understand the experiences and challenges they face. The gatherings have grown considerably, regularly attracting between 30 and 40 people. Importantly, the support extends beyond a friendly welcome and a chance to catch up. A mental health worker attends twice a month, providing an additional source of support for those who need it.
For serving personnel, veterans and their families, having somewhere they feel comfortable meeting others can make a real difference. The FOB offers an opportunity to maintain friendships, share experiences and enjoy a sense of belonging within a community that values their service. It is a straightforward idea with an important purpose: creating a space where people are welcome, where conversations can happen naturally, and where support is available.
The Lodge of Valour has also developed an approach that enables it to extend its welcome beyond its regular Masonic meetings. When there is a candidate to receive a Masonic degree, the lodge holds its regular meeting. When there is no candidate, the brethren open and close the lodge before gathering for a social evening, often with a guest speaker.
These occasions are opened up to members of the local Royal British Legion (RBL), the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA), their ladies, partners and others connected with the armed forces community. The programme has included a talk on modern warfare, an exhibition by Pete Newall’s artillery enthusiasts, and a presentation about the Senior Brecon course, the Sergeants’ Battle Course, by a lodge member who had recently completed it.
This approach creates opportunities for people to meet, learn something new and build relationships across organisations and backgrounds. It also demonstrates how a Masonic lodge can use its facilities and fellowship to engage with the wider community, creating opportunities for friendship and shared experiences.
The Masonic Foot Soldiers Regimental Dinner Night on 12 October 2026 was another example of that commitment in action. The evening’s guest speaker travelled from Wales to give a talk on Masonic Foot Soldiers, adding a military theme to a gathering already rich in shared experience and camaraderie.
For those who have served, the uniform may have been put away years ago, but the memories, friendships and pride in the service remain. An evening such as this provides an opportunity to reconnect with old friends, share stories, remember comrades who are no longer present and enjoy the familiar humour of military life. The event also brought together veterans, serving personnel, members of the emergency services, Freemasons, families and friends.
Following the dinner, The Leigh FOB CIC expressed its heartfelt thanks to the WM, officers and Brethren of the Lodge of Valour, together with everyone involved in organising the occasion. Their appreciation reflected the warmth, hospitality and genuine respect shown to the veterans and their families throughout the evening. With 56 people sitting down to dine, the event was a fitting celebration of the bonds that unite people across different regiments, services and generations.
The work of The Leigh FOB CIC and the Lodge of Valour highlights an important principle: supporting the armed forces community should not end when someone leaves military service. By providing a regular meeting place, access to additional support, opportunities for social connection and events that celebrate military life, the two initiatives are helping to maintain the bonds of friendship and belonging that many people value so highly. They also offer a practical example of how the principles behind the Armed Forces Covenant can be reflected in everyday actions.
For West Lancashire Freemasons, this is about more than a statement of support. It is about creating opportunities, bringing people together and recognising the contribution made by serving personnel, veterans, emergency services personnel and their families. Different regiments. Different services. One family.
And, through the efforts of those involved with The Leigh FOB CIC and the Lodge of Valour, a commitment to ensuring that this family continues to have somewhere to turn, somewhere to meet and somewhere to belong.
Link to The Leigh FOB CIC website: The Leigh FOB CIC