International Contacts of Grand Lodge

Brethren often do not appreciate the many international links maintained by the United Grand Lodge of England. With its 32 overseas Districts, 5 Grand Inspectorates, and fraternal accord with 145 Grand Lodges worldwide – a number which is constantly increasing – the Pro Grand Master, the Grand Secretary and others maintain a punishing schedule of overseas engagements. During the course of 2001 deputations from Grand Lodge visited Denmark, Greece, France, United States, Portugal, Sweden, Cyprus, Spain, former Yugoslavia, South Africa, Ireland, Holland, Canada, Ukraine, Brazil, Austria, Luxembourg, Czech Republic, Scotland, Turkey and the Caribbean.
    Duties vary: October the Grand Secretary, his wife, and the Director of Communications, John Hamill, attended the annual European Grand Secretary’s Conference in Vienna in order to strengthen links with the recognised Grand Lodges of continental Europe. During October the Pro Grand Master, Lord Northampton, with the Grand Secretary and the Grand Director of Ceremonies, Peter Lowndes, visited Barbados, Guyana and Trinidad. The primary purpose was to hold a regional conference in Bridgetown, Barbados. Afterwards the new Royal Arch District of Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean was inaugurated and the new District Grand Master and Grand Superintendent, Richard Fields, was installed in Georgetown, Guyana. In Trinidad Arthur Emlyn Lodge No.9742 was consecrated.

Masonic Help for Education

The Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys has recently announced a new scheme to support the gifted children of Freemasons. Grants will be available on a competitive basis to support children and young people who demonstrate particular talents in sport, music, dance, drama or art. It is expected that around 10 major grants will be made available each year in order to pay for school or college fees.
    In addition a further 50 Minor Grants will be made for tuition, coaching, travel and equipment. For details, phone 020 7405 2644, or www.mtgb.org

Grand Lodge for London Masons

Sweeping changes will transform London Freemasonry during 2002, as London management steers a course towards full independence for London Masons, leading ultimately to a Grand Lodge of London, as a part of the United Grand Lodge of England.
    Although it may sound idealistic, the London Management Association at all levels strives to provide the best possible service that it can for London Masonry. Part of that service is continuously reviewing its performance and operational procedures – complacency is not in its vocabulary!
    After five years since the establishment of the London Group VGO system, procedures are being revisited and, where appropriate updated. The London honours system has been made totally transparent even if there are some who choose not to think so. What next?
    The Committee, set-up by the Pro Grand Master under the chairmanship of the Assistant Grand Master in regard to the future of London, has established that London should become a separate legal entity and that the number of administrative groups should be reduced to ten to shorten the lines of communication, and improve the efficiency and quality of service provided by London Management. Therefore, with effect from 1 January 2002, the number of groups of London Lodges and Chapters will be reduced from twenty two to ten .
    Each of the new groups will comprise approximately 230 Lodges and Chapters headed by a Group Chairman and assisted by a Deputy Group Chairman. The new groups are being formed by the amalgamation of two existing groups (in one instance, three). The change will not involve the reallocation of any Lodges or Chapters, nor will it be necessary to change any VGO allocations.
    The new groups will be named after Grand Masters from 1813 to 1967 to avoid any confusion with the previous group names.
    Full details of the new groups, their chairmen and deputies can be found in the London Year Book for 2002.
    The London Management Association consider this an exciting new development in the history of London Masonry, retaining as it does the uniquely special nature of London whilst enabling it to improve still further the management service which it provides.

New Grand Master for Warwickshire Freemasons

Michael John Price, CBE, was warmly received by more than 800 masons when he became the most senior Freemason in Warwickshire on 5th September. On that day, at a special meeting at the headquarters of the Province in Stirling Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, the Pro Grand Master, the Marquess of Northampton, installed Michael as the fifteenth Provincial Grand Master in the 273 year history of the Province. Almost 600 Brethren remained for the festive board; car-park attendants miraculously managed to fit more than 500 cars into painted spaces for 300! The meeting took place in the main ballroom and large screens were installed near the back of the room so that all could see the proceedings.
    The new Provincial Grand Master was delighted with his appointment which represented the pinnacle of his masonic career which began in 1967 with his initiation into St. Alphege Lodge, No. 1431, Solihull. In his address to the Brethren he observed that he was only the third Provincial Grand Master in the history of the Province to have previously served as both an assistant and a deputy Provincial Grand Master. He stated the importance of maintaining standards in all aspects both of masonry and of personal behaviour. He thought that this philosophy needed to be extended to all new members and that this could never begin too soon. For example, an experienced Past Master should always accompany new members during any periods where they needed to temporarily retire from the lodge.
    The Pro Grand Master spoke of his family’s special affinity with Warwickshire where they have lived for over 800 years. Then he spoke of the need to stop discrimination against members of the Craft: he said that there could be few other organisations in existence that practise a similar amount of tolerance, accepting all men of good will regardless of nationality, class or religious persuasion.
    The Pro Grand Master also thanked the Past Provincial Grand Master, Stanley Lates, for the success of his tenure in office. He said that he was delighted to see that Bro. Stanley was present at the meeting, even though it set a new precedent, adding that with Bro. Stanley, every day is a precedent!

MASONIC BIOGRAPHY
Michael John Price
1967: Initiated into St. Alphege Lodge, No.1431, aged 32.
1970: Exalted into St. Alphege Chapter, No.1431.
1981: Master of St. Alphege Lodge.
1988: Provincial Grand Steward.
1989: Past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon.
1991: Provincial Senior Grand Warden.
1991: Joined Birmingham Old Edwardian Lodge, No.7115.
1991: Joined Warwickshire Installed Master’s Lodge, No.4538.
1991: Founding member of Lodge of Service Above Self, No.9421.
1996: Senior Warden and Almoner of St Alphege Lodge.
1996: Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies.
1996: Assistant Provincial Grand Master.
1997: MEZ in Royal Arch, St Alphege Chapter.
1997: Joined Lodge of Sincerity, No.3850.
1998: Master of Lodge of Sincerity.
1998: Founder member of Stanley Lates Lodge, No. 9683.
1998: Senior Grand Deacon.
1999: Past Senior Grand Deacon.
1999: Secretary of Stanley Lates Lodge.
1999: Master of Birmingham Old Edwardian Lodge.
1999: Deputy Provincial Grand Master.
2000: Joined Warwickshire Royal Air Force Lodge, No.9456.
2000: Advanced in Concord Mark Master Masons’ Lodge, No.735.
2000: Past Grand Sword Bearer.
2001: PProvGSN in Royal Arch.
2001: Beauchamp Council No.182, Royal & Select Masters.
2001: Provincial Grand Master.