Robert Morrow: New Grand Secretary and Grand Scribe E

W Bro. Bob Morrow comes from a family which, as he explains, has "always" been involved in Freemasonry, in Ireland. He cannot remember a time when he did not both intend, and expect, to become a Freemason himself as soon as he became eligible.
    He was born in Nottingham on 22nd March 1947 and educated at Nottingham High School. In 1966 he went to Hertford College, Oxford University, taking an Honours degree in Ancient History and Philosophy in 1970; Master of Arts in 1973. He commenced a full time career in banking in 1971 with the National Westminster Bank and qualified as an Associate of the Institute of Bankers two years later. In 1977 he was promoted to a management post in the Bank’s International Division and subsequently served in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Far East and the Indian sub-continent.
    In 1984, he opened a new business development office in Rome and spent the next four years in Italy. He returned to England in 1988 to become a Commercial Loans Manager in the wholesale money market. He retired from NatWest when it was taken over by The Royal Bank of Scotland and then undertook some consultancy rôles, until the opportunity arose to marry professional experience to his greatest hobby and take on the post of Grand Secretary.
    He was initiated in his old school Lodge, Dame Agnes Mellers Lodge, No. 3498, in 1969 at the age of 21. Once in London, he joined the London-Nottinghamshire Lodge, No. 5133, and became its Master in 1982, shortly thereafter becoming Master of Pegasus Lodge, No. 2205. He joined a number of other lodges and is currently a member of seven. In 1992, as Master of Shakespear Lodge, No. 99, he became a Grand Steward, and was appointed Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in 2001.
    In 1971 he was exalted into the Royal Arch in Abbey Chapter, No 47, in Nottingham, and subsequently joined three other Chapters. He was appointed an Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in 2000, the same year becoming a member of the Committee of General Purposes. He is a member of many of the other Orders in English Freemasonry, and holds Grand Rank in several of them. He is also a Governor of The Royal Masonic School for Girls, and retains an interest in City of London affairs through membership of one of its ancient Livery Companies, the Worshipful Company of Masons.
    He is married with three children; a daughter and two sons, all of school age. Apart from Freemasonry, his hobbies are reading, computing, classical music and opera, and travel.

Masonic Declaration No Longer Specified

Within the Local Government Act 2000 is included a model Code of Conduct covering elected members at all levels of local authorities from County Councils to Parish Councils, as well as members of Police Authorities. This Code came into force on 27 November 2001 and was issued as a Statutory Instrument by the Secretary of State for the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions.
    The Code makes no mention of Freemasonry nor does it require the registration of membership of clubs, societies or associations. It does require declarations of interests in very broad terms: ‘A member with a personal interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered must disclose at that meeting the existence and nature of that interest at the commencement of that consideration, or when the interest becomes apparent.’ That is exactly what Grand Lodge has been telling members they should do.
    Section 15 of the Code requires registration of ‘membership of or position of general control or management in any’ followed by 5 categories of public and other bodies and a ‘company, industrial and provident society, charity, or body directed to charitable purposes.’ This probably would have to include Freemasonry, as well as other organisations such as Rotary, Round Table, the Lions, the Buffaloes.
    Freemasonry is clearly not being singled out- which has always been Grand Lodge’s objection to registration. This is a positive and significant step forward and might indicate a concern not to contravene the Human Rights Act. Those Local Authorities which still discriminate against Freemasons and therefore are in breach of the new Code of Conduct will be challenged to reconsider their position.

End of the Black Tie for Freemasons?

Since the end of the First World War Freemasons have worn a black tie in the Temple as a mark of respect for those who fell in that conflict. There is no other reason for this distinctive mode of dressing. It is now felt that the time has come to change this.
    Recently, the Pro Grand Master announced a competition, open to all masons working under the English Constitution, for a suitable design for a masonic tie to be worn at Quarterly Communications of Grand Lodge as a permitted alternative to the black tie. The winner will receive a case of Champagne! The design must include the light and dark blue, and the gold colours of English Craft Freemasonry. There are many in the Craft who will welcome a relaxing of the anachronistic tradition of the black tie.
    Contact P. Roberts, Communications Department, Freemasons’ Hall, London.

Freemasonry in the Community: Reports From Organisers

LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND PARTY AT THE NATIONAL SPACE CENTRE

The main event for the Province of Leicestershire and Rutland is a party on Friday 28th June for disadvantaged children to be held at the National Space Centre. Representatives of the many charity organisations which the Province traditionally supports are invited along with groups of children. A display showing the achievements of Freemasons will be mounted in the Centre’s foyer, especially those with a connection to Space exploration. Guests will be able to explore the five themed galleries and enjoy a buffet meal served by Freemasons’ Hall catering staff.
    The Province has settled upon a number of events upon which to concentrate its efforts. These include, for Leicester, a thanksgiving service for Brethren of all faiths at the Cathedral on Sunday 30 June, a public Open Day at Freemasons’ Hall on Saturday 29th June and the party at the National Space Centre. For the County, the key event is the entertainment of Children at Conkers in the National Forest. Masonic Centres in the major towns will also be open to the public.

LONDON STAGES TWO MAJOR EVENTS

The first is a fun run for CRISIS, the charity for homelessness. The run is to take place on Thursday, 13th June at 7.00pm. It takes a very easy 3 mile course along the banks of the Thames, starting and finishing by Tower bridge. Last year we raised over £15,000 with 60 runners. This year we want to have at least 200 masons running. Each mason will be given a distinctive Masonic T-shirt, so we can make a huge visual impact. Please contact Peter Lewin, 020 8856 1916 (prlewin @aol.com) to register.
    The Richard House Children’s Hospice in East London has been chosen as our second charity. Many London lodges were involved in setting up this first children’s hospice in London, but the hospice needs £1.75m a year to meet the needs of 200 families. On Sunday, 23rd June we are helping the Hospice organise a Treasure Hunt, which will start from Freemasons Hall and end at the Hospice. Masons and non-masons alike are welcome to enter what will be a great family day out, ending with a party at the hospice. Entry cost is £8 single or £15 for a family; send your application to Richard House Hospice, Richard House Drive, London. E16 3RG. (020 7511 0222).

EAST KENT SCHOOLS CHALLENGE

The East Kent Inter-Schools Challenge is for schools to produce a sustainable, long term proposal to benefit or enhance the widest possible cross section of the local community. Identifying a community need, evaluating, preparing and costing the proposal will provide pupils with a significant social and educational exercise of a practical nature. The community project declared winner, shall be selected from ten finalists and will receive £10,000 for its implementation. The school submitting the winning scheme will receive £1,000, the nine schools judged to be runners up are to receive £500 each.
    A service is to be held at Rochester Cathedral. We are to join with our West Kent neighbours to take exhibition space at the Kent County Show and every lodge in the Province will lay a wreath and be represented at the Remembrance Sunday services.

EAST LANCASHIRE’S FAMILY FUN DAY

On Saturday 29th June a Family Fun Day will be held at the Rochdale Rugby Union Football Club. This will take the form of a large fete with stalls, sideshows, Punch and Judy, a Bouncy Castle, ice-cream, barbeque, refreshments and a bar. Admission is free!
    It is hoped that many Brethren from the Province will attend with their families and, importantly, bring their non-masonic friends with them. Rochdale is a large Metropolitan Borough set alongside others within the Province and it is hoped that local residents will also attend. Brethren will be available to answer questions about Freemasonry and direct those interested to masonic centres near to their home.

DISABLED SKIERS MASONIC “HAVE A GO DAY” IN SOMERSET

Somerset Freemasons wanted to hold a significant event which illustrated Freemasonry contributing in a specific and physical way to the community. So, with a local dry ski-slope nearby, we approached the British Ski Club for the Disabled with a view to holding a joint fund raising event for them – masons taking part alongside disabled skiers.
    Club President suggested holding an Open Day at Yeovil to be billed "In Association with Freemasonry in the Community Week" to which organisations for the disabled from all over the west will be invited to attend and see what can be achieved by those with physical disabilities, encouraging those who so wish to "have a go" themselves. At the same time Somerset masons will be providing volunteers to man the events and to join in on the day. Events planned include demonstrations by disabled skiers, games, and competitions.