A NEW life-saving piece of equipment has been donated to Ross-on-Wye community by the Vitruvian Lodge of Freemasons.

The Publicly Accessible Defibrillator is mounted in a prominent location on the front of the new Masonic Hall and Community Hub in Edde Cross Street. 

If members of the public need to use the defibrillator, which gives a high energy shock to the heart of someone who is in cardiac arrest, then it can be accessed by calling 999 to get the code to release it from the cabinet.

Peter Dunn, the Master of Vitruvian Lodge said: “As an organisation with a long history of supporting our local communities, I am delighted that our Lodge can provide this to the people of Ross on Wye.  We hope it will never be called upon, but if required it is ready and available”.

“It was a collective effort by the Lodge to raise the money, install the cabinet and device and it is hoped that one day if needed, it will save somebody’s life.”

Vitruvian Lodge is one of the oldest Freemasons Lodges in the country, having been established in Ross on Wye in 1813. It moved into the new premises in Edde Cross Street last year.

Details of an open day in September will be announced soon, when the Freemasons look forward to opening the doors to the public to have a look around the new venue.

More details on local Freemasonry, including ways to join, can be found on the website herefordshiremasons.org.uk.