THE Freemasons have celebrated raising millions for charity by hosting a floral themed festival in Braintree.

Essex Freemasons and their partners celebrated with a feast of flowers and fun at their Festival 2022 Ball.

The ball, which was held at the Fennes Banquetting Centre in Bocking, was held to celebrate raising over £5.4million in five years in support of the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF).

In his role as the Essex 2022 Festival President, Paul Tarrant announced that the grand total of £5,464,563 was raised.

According to Essex Freemasons, based on an average membership in Essex of 8,385 over the five-year period, this means an average of £652 each was achieved.

To raise money for the foundation, each of the 68 Provinces in England and Wales organise fundraising appeals known as festivals which usually last for five years.

Festival appeals are a vital source of funding and generate the majority of donations made to the MCF.

Essex provincial charity Steward for the period Colin Felton said: “The festival ball was an opportunity to mark the contribution by all Essex Freemasons to Festival 2022 which they have supported in a most generous way.”

Colin continued: “They are a credit to the local community particularly as over the next few years £7million pounds has been earmarked by the MCF for charities and good causes in Essex.”

In 2020 the MCF contributed more than £51.1 million to local and national charities and deserving causes.

Straight from their West End musical, The Jerseys also attended and gave an amazing performance, followed by dancing the night away to Essex/Suffolk border group the Sweeting Swing Band.